Entrepreneurship: A Challenging Reality

Adell Badgett's Entrepreneurial Journey

After he was laid off by his employer during the COVID-19 pandemic, Adell Badgett realized that many individuals were not taking advantage of the economic slowdown to pursue their delayed dreams. Instead of seeing his situation as a setback, he turned it into an opportunity to chase his entrepreneurial ambitions.

While curiously tinkering with his son’s virtual-reality (VR) headset, Badgett decided to experiment with VR by incorporating it into his own therapy sessions. Badgett suffers from social anxiety and quickly realized that he could be more self-expressive in virtual spaces. He enjoyed his new ability to socialize in a carefree and low-pressure environment, and he soon identified virtual reality as a business opportunity that promoted inclusivity.

In 2021, Badgett launched Dellstar VR, an indoor virtually-reality arcade in South Bend.

“It’s different when you’re a black male who comes from poverty because the entrepreneurial path is not traditional,” Badgett reflects. “The credit of low-income entrepreneurs usually isn't good because we don’t learn financial responsibility. Another challenge was the fear of not knowing what to do. I didn’t know the dos and donts of leasing a commercial space: ‘What should I be expecting?’ ‘What should I do?’”

To strengthen his entrepreneurial skills, Badgett attended the South Bend Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (SBEAP), an 11-month bootcamp that educates disadvantaged entrepreneurs on venture development. Understanding the importance of maintaining an extensive business network, he appreciated the opportunity to connect with and learn from local entrepreneurs who were launching or scaling their ventures. Now a graduate of SBEAP, Badgett advises aspiring business owners to avoid overwhelming themselves by taking small steps rather than large leaps.

“Don’t be frightened by all of the tasks that are required to start a business. In a perfect world you'd definitely want to have a business plan, hire an accountant, create a booking system, etc.," Badgett affirmed. "Unfortunately, when you come from a disadvantaged environment, you don't have the luxury of doing all of those things. So, you just have to start, learn along the way, and seek advice from experienced mentors.”

By dedicating time to networking, Badgett befriended the owner of Generations Adventure Plex in Mishawaka. Eager to cater to a family-centric crowd, Badgett pivoted and moved his arcade into the local entertainment center. In 2022, he decided to scale further by building a mobile gaming trailer, hoping to offer VR services exclusively for small groups. In just 30 days, Badgett personally completed electrical work and installed seating, cabinets, flooring, ceiling tiles, walls, and computers in the mobile trailer.

“Launching a business will be harder with limited resources, but don't let that disadvantage stop you,” he said. “After you begin networking,  someone can help you with complex tasks.”

Badgett became comfortable with offering VR entertainment in physical and mobile spaces, but his mind drifted constantly to his original usage of VR for its therapeutic benefits. Hoping to introduce others to restorative opportunities within virtual reality, Badgett partnered with the state of Indiana’s Recovery Works program in 2025. The program provides customized recovery plans to justice-impacted individuals, and Badgett uses this partnership to connect under-resourced clients with innovative VR-based therapy. Dellstar also offers participants Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training, pairing mental-health support with an opportunity for career development. 

"By placing socially anxious clients in virtual environments as avatars, we can greatly reduce their anxiety, feelings of judgment and embarrassment. VR creates a safer and more comfortable place to facilitate and receive mental health treatment," Badgett explained. "Also, when you’re uninsured or on medicaid, your therapeutic experience is not high-end. With virtual reality, we can give people those experiences. We can offer experiences anywhere from a luxury cabin to a sunny park.”

Badgett recently decided to shutter Dellstar’s physical location in order to fully develop his mobile VR experience and Dellstar VR Wellness & Co., the company's new mental health wellness extension.

"Once this virtual therapy platform is built-out, it will not specifically serve one demographic. It’ll be for anybody who has dealt with trauma or needs any type of mental health services. To have had this idea five years ago and then all of a sudden the state comes out of nowhere and wants to pay me to do it…it’s amazing.”

In the next few years, Badgett hopes to certify his mental health treatment platform as HIPPA-compliant, file Dellstar as insurance-accredited, and have VR headsets certified as durable medical equipment. Hoping to continue scaling Dellstar’s therapist network, Badgett looks forward to uplifting his community through innovative wellness experiences.