From Desert to Growth: How Watermark CDC Launched Its Business Cohort

Carson Smith, Watermark Community Development Corporation Executive Director and Volunteer Directional Team Members for The Business Cohort: John Michael Davis, Michael King, Jose Alfaro, Bill Aiken, Lane Rizzardini, Blake Harvey

As we have shared previously, we are celebrating our first five years as an organization! This is another behind the scenes story of the journey with The Business Cohort.

In the summer of 2021, Watermark CDC received two reports—one from the City of Dallas and one from a third-party research group. Both confirmed what many already knew: the two zip codes surrounding Fair Park in historic South Dallas were not only food deserts but also business deserts.

That meant the number of everyday businesses was far below what the population required on a per capita basis. Where other neighborhoods thrived with local shops, restaurants, and services, South Dallas lagged—leaving residents without access to the kinds of businesses that create both opportunity and community.

 When our board received these reports, we paused to pray and ask the Lord for direction. Within just 10 business days, God answered in a way only He could: five individuals we had never met before reached out by email, asking about our plans for supporting business owners in South Dallas. None of them had seen the reports, but their questions confirmed that God was clearly calling us to act.

Building the Foundation

For the next six months, every Friday (and then every other Friday), a small directional team comprised of me (Carson Smith, Watermark Community Development Corporation's Executive Director) and five Watermark Church members, John Michael Davis, Bill Aiken, Michael King, Lane Rizzardini, and Blake Harvey, met —sometimes on Zoom, sometimes in person. We prayed, researched best practices from other cities, vetted potential curriculum, and strategically mapped out how to serve business owners in South Dallas.

 The need was clear: local entrepreneurs were asking for support. Our goal was simple—respond faithfully and deliver. By early 2022, we were ready to launch our very first business cohort. Phase One would be a 10-week "Business 101" program—a kind of mini-MBA designed for small business owners ready to grow. We hoped to start with 10–12 participants. But first, we had to get the word out.

Knocking on Doors

 I spent those weeks going door-to-door in South Dallas, visiting strip centers, standalone shops, and storefronts—sharing about this new opportunity. While organizations like the State Fair of Texas were doing great work with food businesses, and others were focused further south near RedBird Mall, we saw a gap right in Fair Park. That's where we knew God was calling us to plant seeds.

One day, as I wrapped up visiting businesses along Malcolm X Boulevard, I got into my car to leave. But the Holy Spirit prompted me to get out and cross the street to a building I hadn't noticed. At first, I resisted—but the prompting was too strong to ignore.

When I finally walked in, I found myself stepping into a community meeting of 10 to 15 business owners! They paused, curious about who I was. I introduced myself and they invited me to stay. I listened to the entire meeting and at the end they gave me the opportunity to share about the new Business Cohort and the application process.

Weeks later, most of our very first participants came directly from that meeting, or from referrals from those who attended. Once again, God had gone before us, opening doors in ways we could never have planned.

 Blake Harvey, Volunteer Directional Team Member and Watermark Member, recalls: “Being involved in starting and growing the TBC has been a unique joy and spiritual foundation. The CDC reminds me daily of the realities our neighbors face, while I often play life on easy mode with access to education, food, and opportunity. From Fortune 500 boardrooms to scaling startups, I’ve been surrounded by million-dollar decisions, but every Wednesday night we were thinking about how to capture the heart of one more person or help a business owner put an extra couple hundred dollars in their pocket. The world is built on small businesses, and the Kingdom of God is built with people like those who’ve been through TBC. We set out to transform the city’s economic welfare, and I believe we’ve achieved far more than we ever thought possible.

I came across another email thread with the CDC board after we ended the first cohort. And if I had to summarize everything, I'd use Habakkuk 1:5 again: “Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” We set out to transform the economic welfare of the city, and I think we’ve achieved far more than what any of us originally thought was possible. Excited to see the future of the TBC and what God has in-store for the next chapter.”

Lane Rizzardini, Volunteer Directional Team Member and Watermark Member, also recalls, “I remember learning all about this problem that I was so close to physically, but so far from mentally and socio-economically. I had never heard of a "food desert" and would have thought that was a third-world country thing, yet here it was, just miles south. And here I was, connected with really smart people, supported by our church, to use God-given business skills as a way to help. It's still surreal that this happened. I was, and still am, proud of Watermark for all that they've done, simply because it was a great way to serve our city and, through that, show the goodness of God.

It reminded me God works through us in ways we'd never expect; all these "worldly" business skills were preparation for God's plan for His church to help South Dallas. You expect marriage ministries or adoption drives from the church, but not business ministries, job support, or financial endeavors. But if you can free someone from worry about eating today or paying rent, they can look outward and upward. How exciting is that? Serving at church should be exciting. I'm so lucky that's been my reality with the CDC.”

From One Cohort to Many

Since that day, God has multiplied the work. We have now launched five cohorts, each with 10–11 business owners. To date, 51 businesses have completed Phase One.

From there, participants move into Phase Two—a membership program that offers networking, ongoing education, resources, and, most importantly, a community. Business owners find not just tools, but also encouragement, accountability, and meaningful relationships. Carlos White, leader of Mayor Johnson’s first-of-its-kind franchise initiative said, “The Business Cohort is now the premier nonprofit business accelerator in training and empowering South and Southern Dallas business owners to grow their businesses in our city.”

Most recently, we added Business Cohort Plus, designed for top-performing graduates. This phase offers consulting, grant resources, and connections with banking partners to help businesses grow and scale.

Looking Ahead

What began with two reports and a handful of unexpected emails has evolved into a movement that equips and supports business leaders right where they are. From deserts, God is bringing life, opportunity, and transformation. And we are humbled to be part of His work in South Dallas.