ERIN'S STORY

Business Consultant + Small Business Advocate

^{30,000+ Etsy Shop Sales • American Made National Jewelry Brand Founder}

I bring almost two decades of experience, and unique perspective. (I’m an actual entrepreneur - I don’t just play one on the internet).

At The Venture Project, I combine the strategic mindset of an engineer, the real grit of a founder, and the hard-won lessons of life and business disruption to guide others toward building businesses that don’t just survive, but thrive with peace of mind. All with a passion for the American Made Movement.

A graduate of the University of Maryland, I began my career as an Engineer in the structural steel industry.  Life and the pull of my Entrepreneurial spirit began the pivot into the launch of my brand Erin Pelicano Fine Jewelry in 2011. Building a successful brand led me to meet and work with other small business owners across many industries. I developed a passion for small business advocacy taking me to Capitol Hill several times to meet with Congress, and speak for the small business community.   

I combine the strategy of an engineer, & experience of adapting in business (and life).  

Then came 2020. While raising three kids and running a successful jewelry brand, I faced not just the chaos of a global shutdown but a personal crisis—diagnosed with stage 3 cancer that would progress to stage 4. Overnight, I became a full-time patient, forced to put everything on pause and fight for survival.

That battle revealed what too many founders learn too late:
We plan for growth, but not for disruption.
We hustle to build, but we don’t build for resilience.

Why I Do This Work

After years of treatment and recovery, I returned with a new mission: to help other entrepreneurs avoid fragility by designing businesses that are protected, adaptable, and prepared for the unexpected.