Success Story: Gale Saulsberry, Owner of EV Charge It
When Gale Saulsberry talks about her work, her passion for helping people comes through first. As the founder of EV Charge It, Gale helps communities navigate the transition to electric vehicles.
“Some people are afraid to venture out and get a hybrid or all‑electric vehicle,” Gale said. “But when I explain how they can get chargers installed in their garage and walk them through the whole process, it’s like a burden has been lifted.”
Gale launched her business in December 2024 after an unexpected layoff. It specializes in installing EV charging infrastructure and is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to clean energy solutions.
Through Elevate’s CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, Gale found the training, resources, and connections that helped her turn her ideas into a viable, growing company.
“I wasn’t sure where to start,” Gale said. “I wasn’t sure what certifications I needed. This is a whole new industry for me, so I knew absolutely nothing. The program helped break down all of those barriers because it’s connected me to the right information, resources, and people.”
The Incubator is one of 14 hubs funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Passed in September 2021, CEJA provides a roadmap to move Illinois to carbon-free power, expand energy efficiency and other cost-saving opportunities, and bring the benefits of the clean energy economy to all communities.
As part of CEJA’s workforce training and contractor support ecosystem, the CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program helps contractors and nonprofits grow their businesses to meet demand for clean energy technologies and services.
Throughout the program, Gale immersed herself in a wide range of training designed to build both technical skills and business readiness. She completed courses on construction safety, learned the fundamentals of solar installation, and gained hands‑on experience that helped her understand how clean energy systems work in real‑world environments.
“Everything is so hands‑on,” said Gale. “We did a two‑day session on solar installations, and they had us in security gear, hard hats, and ropes on a roof. We learned everything to do with solar — things I never would have thought we’d learn as part of this program.”
Beyond the technical training, the program helped Gale navigate the complex systems that new contractors often struggle to access. She applied for certifications with the City of Chicago and Cook County, opening the door to more contracting opportunities and positioning her business for long‑term growth.
“They helped me understand things I didn’t even know I needed to know,” Gale said. “I didn’t know how subcontracting worked or how to get involved in bidding sites before this. They walked me through all of it, so I didn’t have to figure it out alone.”
For Gale, the community she found through the program was just as transformative as the training itself. She said the support, encouragement, and shared knowledge among participants helped her feel grounded in an industry that was once unfamiliar.
“It’s a really big deal just to know that you’re not alone,” she said. “There are people you can go to for guidance when you have questions. Networking with everyone has helped build my business because no one wants to see you fail. If anyone can lend a helping hand, they do.”
With the network she’s built through the program, Gale knows she has the support she needs to keep growing.
“I’m walking away from this program with the comfort of being able to pitch my business without any challenges,” Gale said. “I now feel confident meeting people and telling them what I do. It’s made me feel like there’s nothing I can’t tackle. I feel like my possibilities are endless. There’s no way I’d be where I am today without the people I’ve met through the CEJA Incubator Program.”
