“Serial” Entrepreneurs in Our City: Reesha and Ron Howard, CPNJ Vegan Vending & Others

Written by Tabitha Ervin

Ron and Reesha Howard have been in Fort Wayne for 9 years.

Originally from Chicago, the high school sweethearts who now call Fort Wayne their home called themselves “serial” entrepreneurs as I visited them to learn about their various businesses popping up online and around the city.

They came here for Ron’s Mad Ants career and have worked and travelled internationally for basketball until settling here after Ron retired from the Mad Ants as a player.  Throughout Ron’s basketball career, they have also built and managed their family through many transitions and relocations.  Growing together from high school until now with no extended family around, Ron and Reesha have literally been each other’s support and backbone most of each other’s lives.  They are best friends, business partners and parents to four beautiful children.

Reesha said that although she spent many years supporting Ron in his career and raising their family, she always had ideas and goals.  She said they always talked about life beyond basketball and how to build wealth for their children and future grandchildren.  When the time came, Reesha was prepared as she said with business plans and ideas ready to launch.  

Howard said she remembers being in the 5th grade and before she would get on the bus, she would grab candy from the corner store and sell it for a profit.  She said sometimes the big ideas are scary but generally she goes for it because she knows and trusts that God has her back. 

Their first business, Game Day Sports Camp, started in 2012, provides summer and winter camp activities plus special programs for youth ages K-8.  More recently they started CPNJ Vending which is Vegan vending and snacks.  Their first machines are located in both Parkview and Lutheran hospital systems.  Named after their four children, Chloe, Peyton, Nola and Justin, the vending machines were started as Reesha’s own vegan journey passed the 1-year mark to support those who are interested in healthier snack options on the go.

The family has a YouTube channel where they host family vlogs and you can follow along with all the family happenings at 6Howards.  And their brand new projects: the It Will Happen Brand ™ (apparel and #itwillhappencampaign) and Juniorpreneurs ™ which is an education platform for youth and beginning entrepreneurs.

With all these projects and more on the horizon, Reesha is proud and blessed to make her time count with no excuses as she ventures out to serve others with ideas and goals that impact our Greater Fort Wayne community and beyond, but more importantly, build a stable future for her children.

A CPNJ Vegan Vending machine