OUR IMPACT
RUSSELL INNOVATION CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURS
THE RICE REPORT: VOLUME 1
RICE STAKEHOLDER STORIES
Opening More Opportunity Channing Baker & FS360
Channing Baker has had a remarkable journey of growth and success that he attributes to his engagement with RICE. Baker first encountered RICE in 2018, during his tenure as Director of Operations at general contracting and construction management firm, FS360. While leading the first phase of renovations at the Center, Channing became enamored with RICE’s mission to uplift and empower Black businesses. Little did he know, this moment would mark the beginning of a life-changing relationship. As fate would have it, being a RICE Stakeholder opened doors for an unex- pected opportunity for Channing and FS360. Following an introduction from RICE, JP Morgan Chase offered FS360 the extraordinary opportunity to build out retail locations nationwide for the bank. With RICE’s support, FS360 then navigated Chase’s partner onboarding process quickly and smoothly. “We went through the process with JP Morgan Chase in a fourth of the time it normally would have taken. Our onboarding process took only 3 months…and 5 years later we’re handling $24 million worth of bank projects.”
As a RICE Stakeholder, Baker has personally experienced remarkable growth. RICE has been the catalyst for his latest foray into entrepreneurship with Clayton Channing Consulting. He describes RICE as the place where he’s learned the critical elements of running a successful business. And all the while, Baker praises RICE for the Center’s genuine desire to see every entrepre- neur succeed. —CHANNING BAKER “I am on track to reach my goals for the year because of the opportunities and exposure to new relationships I receive as a Stakeholder here at RICE.”
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