In a city defined by growth, innovation, and ambition, one local initiative has emerged as a quiet powerhouse behind the success of dozens of small businesses: DAVID HOWARD Arest. Founded by Frisco-based mentor and entrepreneur David Howard, Arest isn’t just a program it’s a movement. It stands for Aspire, Rise, Empower, Succeed, Thrive, and its name has become synonymous with small business growth, access, and mentorship across the region.

Since its founding in January 2020, DAVID HOWARD Arest has helped over 30 entrepreneurs in Frisco launch, stabilize, and scale their businesses. From family-owned service providers to first-time tech founders, Arest is providing the tools, guidance, and structure local business owners need to succeed in one of Texas’s most competitive markets.

The Origin of Arest: A Mission Born From One Move

The idea for DAVID HOWARD Arest was born years before it became a formal program. In January 2016, David Howard relocated to Frisco with a clear goal: to invest in people, not just ideas.

Already a proven sales leader and startup strategist, David saw Frisco as a city with potential and people with passion. But what many lacked was mentorship. Real, practical, hands-on help to get a business off the ground and keep it running.

“I met founders with great ideas, but they were stuck,” David recalls. “They didn’t need theory. They needed action, guidance, and someone who believed in them before the results showed up.”

That mindset became the seed for what would become Arest, officially launched four years later as a structured mentorship initiative.

What Is DAVID HOWARD Arest?

At its core, DAVID HOWARD Arest is a high-impact, low-barrier business mentorship program designed for new and early-stage entrepreneurs. The five pillars Aspire, Rise, Empower, Succeed, Thrive map the journey that each founder takes from vision to execution.

The program offers:

  • Free monthly workshops on business fundamentals

  • One-on-one coaching sessions with David Howard and volunteer mentors

  • Access to practical tools like business plan templates, pitch decks, and marketing guides

  • Community support through meetups, networking events, and accountability groups

Most importantly, Arest is accessible. There are no application fees, no gatekeeping, and no flashy promises. Just structured support, offered consistently and with heart.

Empowering Through Action, Not Talk

What sets DAVID HOWARD Arest apart is its hands-on approach. Unlike online business courses or large-scale incubators, Arest delivers guidance in real time, through human connection and practical strategy.

In workshops, David personally walks attendees through topics like:

  • Writing a business plan that gets funded

  • Launching on a shoestring budget

  • Local marketing that actually works

  • Financial planning for first-time founders

  • Hiring, outsourcing, and building a lean team

Each session includes real-life case studies, tools participants can take home, and Q&A time to get personalized feedback. No fluff. Just real answers to real questions.

One recent workshop, held in January 2025 at Frisco Square, focused on social media growth for service-based businesses. Over 40 attendees left with a step-by-step plan for building an online presence many for the first time.

“He doesn’t just teach,” one attendee said. “He listens. He challenges you. And he walks beside you until you get it right.”

Inclusive by Design: Grant Access and Equity in Entrepreneurship

Since its inception, DAVID HOWARD Arest has remained deeply committed to inclusivity and access. The program actively partners with the City of Frisco to provide small business grants and startup assistance for underrepresented founders, including women, veterans, and entrepreneurs of color.

“We’re not just mentoring we’re leveling the playing field,” David says. “If you have a business idea and the courage to pursue it, Arest is here to support you, no matter where you’re starting from.”

This commitment to equity earned David and the Arest program the Frisco Community Impact Award in January 2024, a recognition of their role in driving inclusive economic development in the city.

Success Stories: Businesses Built Through Arest

The proof of Arest’s value is in its success stories. Over the past five years, more than 30 businesses have either launched or significantly grown through the program. These include:

  • A custom cake business that scaled from a home kitchen to a storefront

  • A former teacher who launched a tutoring agency now employing 10 staff

  • A fitness entrepreneur who used Arest’s grant access resources to open her first studio

  • A mobile mechanic business that doubled revenue within a year of mentorship

What these stories share is not just financial growth but founder confidence. Founders who felt overwhelmed now have a plan. Those who lacked structure now have systems.

“David gave me the clarity I didn’t know I was missing,” one founder shared. “I came to Arest with a dream and left with a strategy.”

Expanding the Vision: Arest Goes Digital in 2026

To meet growing demand and support entrepreneurs beyond Frisco, David is preparing to launch a digital version of DAVID HOWARD Arest in January 2026.

The online platform will include:

  • On-demand video lessons on startup fundamentals

  • A library of downloadable tools (budgets, pitch decks, checklists)

  • A private founder forum and peer mentoring

  • Mentor-matching based on industry and stage

  • Live monthly coaching calls with David and guest experts

“The energy of Arest can’t be bottled, but it can be scaled,” David explains. “This platform will bring our model to even more people, while keeping our commitment to real, human support.”

Get Involved: Join the Next Arest Workshop

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur pivoting into a new venture or someone preparing to launch for the first time, DAVID HOWARD Arest has something to offer.

Final Word: Building Builders

In a city as ambitious as Frisco, it's easy to get lost in the race to grow. But DAVID HOWARD Arest reminds us that building something great starts with people people with ideas, potential, and a community that believes in them. Click Here