Since 2013, the Start:ME program has helped more than 500 entrepreneurs in underserved communities in Metro Atlanta start and grow resilient microbusinesses by providing business knowledge, mentorship, and access to capital. Collectively, previous Start:ME businesses will generate more than $20 million in annual revenue this year.

 “The Start:ME program grew out of the hypothesis that talented businesses are everywhere but the access to supportive knowledge, networks, and capital is not,” explains Erin Igleheart, program director of the Start:ME Accelerator.

These businesses are oftentimes overlooked in their critical importance in both creating an opportunity for income generation and wealth accumulation, as well as their collective cumulative impact on job creation and creating welcoming community spaces.

Erin Igleheart, Start:ME Accelerator Program Director

Over the course of the 14-week program, which began in January, more than 100 mentors will guide the entrepreneurs through topics such as business planning, pitching and storytelling, market research, and financials. These mentors also provide the microentrepreneurs with business insights, advice on how to start and grow their businesses, and help connect the entrepreneurs to supportive networks.

Additionally, each community has a grant pool of $15,000 to invest in a select number of this year’s businesses through a peer-review process. To date (not including the 2025 program), Start:ME has provided $420,000 in peer-selected capital to 149 ventures, furthering its mission to strengthen small businesses and the communities they serve.

Anchored in Partnerships

The Start:ME Accelerator program is delivered by Goizueta Business School’s Business & Society Institute, in partnership with community-led nonprofit organizations including the East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies, Friends of Refugees, Grove Park Foundation, and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. Bank of America, Emory University, Goizueta Business School, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation are among the organizations that support the program.

“Truist Foundation is proud to be a longtime partner of the Start:ME program,” says Katie Saez, Truist’s regional president for Georgia. “We have watched this program grow from its inception and it’s exciting to see it expand this year into Northwest Atlanta. Supporting the small business ecosystem is especially important in underserved neighborhoods and helps foster economic mobility.” A longtime partner of the Start:ME program, Truist Foundation served as the program’s inaugural external seed funder, issuing the first grant to the Start:ME program’s Clarkston cohort in 2013. 

Northwest Atlanta Launches New Cohort

Several years ago, Ciara Mokeme, Head of Strategy, Adaobi Group, joined Start:ME as a mentor for the Southside community. This year, Mokeme became the program lead for the new Northwest Atlanta cohort. “Northwest Atlanta is going through a transformation right now,” Mokeme says. “The leaders in the community are really putting their foot down to promote economic development and to put together the foundational pieces that small business owners will be able to reap the benefits of beyond our 14-week program.”

I have no doubt that the business owners and the entrepreneurs that are in this first cohort are going to make changes in their operations. They’re going to provide more jobs. They’re really going to show up and show out in serving their community and their constituents. And I’m really excited to see it.

Ciara Mokeme, Start:ME Northwest Atlanta Program Lead

A serial entrepreneur herself, Mokeme’s involvement in Start:ME is, in part, an effort to pay it forward. “I’ve been there,” she says. If it weren’t for the people who gave Mokeme a chance and looked out for her, she “wouldn’t be where I am today,” she explains. “I think it’s important that we all recognize that we have a collective responsibility to one another.”

All About Microentrepreneurs

While business knowledge anchors the program, Igleheart underscores the importance of the individual entrepreneurs themselves. “They bring the ideas. They bring the solutions. They bring the passion. They bring a lot of the lived experience that they share with entrepreneurs of other backgrounds,” says Igleheart.

What oftentimes is the most valuable is those relationships with other small business owners who may be in a totally different stage or may be going down a slightly different path, but they’re sharing that knowledge and experience with one another.

Erin Igleheart

Meagan Naraine, executive director, Culturally Relevant Science (CRsci), an inclusive K-12 STEM education non-profit, calls the fellow entrepreneurs and mentors in her 2024 Start:ME cohort “a huge family.”

Before taking part in the Start:ME program, Naraine had applied twice for a Camelback Fellowship without being selected. The fellowship is comprised of a 16-week program and a $40,000 grant. After going through the Start:ME program in 2024, Naraine reapplied for the fellowship. This time, she got it. “When I got the Camelback, the Start:ME people were the first people I wanted to tell—and to thank them for everything they gave me,” says Naraine, whose day job is as a science instructional coach for Atlanta Public Schools. She credits Start:ME for getting her financials in order and for helping her interpret the data she’d been collecting. “They were all knowledgeable in stuff I had no clue about. That’s what I really needed, whether it came to financial advising or revenue streams—all that technical stuff that a teacher with an education background doesn’t have much experience in,” she explains.

Not only were you learning things, you were doing the things that they were talking about. You walked away with tangible products.

Meagan Naraine, 2024 Start:ME graduate

CRsci’s YouTube channel and curriculum subscriptions are beginning to generate revenue. And in an effort to scale the business, Naraine is looking to develop a digital platform so that CRsci can get its courses into more schools as well as protect its content.

New for Start:ME

Earlier this year, the Start:ME Accelerator Program received a nomination for Emory’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award, which honors individuals and agencies from the university and Atlanta communities “who have led with love and peace while advocating for justice for all,” according to a press release announcing the award. The award ceremony will take place later this month.

The Start:ME Accelerator program recently launched a new website that includes an online store where visitors can purchase products and services from businesses that have gone through the program.

On May 1^st, the 2025 Start:ME program will conclude with an in-person graduation at Goizueta Business School.

Learn more about the Start:ME Accelerator program and its impact on Atlanta’s small business community.

Learn more about Goizueta Business School’s Business & Society Institute and its programs supporting entrepreneurs and inclusive economic development.

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We’ve gathered a short list of businesses founded by Goizueta alumni, as well as beneficiaries of Goizueta’s Start:ME program, which offers grants and coaching to microentrepreneurs from underserved communities in the greater Atlanta area. The products and services they offer run the gamut of classic crowd-pleasing goods to niche wares, which offers you—our shopper—opportunities to find something for both your next-door neighbor and your picky hipster nephew. Shopping small supports big dreams for entrepreneurs in the Goizueta community while providing you the added bonus of skipping past the ho-hum and opting for something your kith and kin have never heard of or seen before.

We’ve included a yellow heart () for businesses that are specific to the Atlanta area. For a full list of Start:ME microbusinesses, including an extensive array of Atlanta-centric services not represented in the list below ranging from doula support and textured hair care to professional photography and mural painting, see this year’s Start:ME guide.

Also be sure to check out the Goizueta Swag Shop for hats, shirts and tumblers featuring cute Goizueta and Atlanta-themed designs your friends and family are sure to love!

The Pet Parent

Nepalese Dog Treats from Kathmandu’s

Kathmandu’s delivers happiness with Himalayan yak chews, crafted for canines and cultivated by community farmers. Combining premium pet treats with purposeful trade, they bring joy to your pets while supporting livelihoods in Nepal’s remote Himalayan regions.

Treat a Pup to Fresh Air with Chattapoochie Dog Hiking Adventures

Chattapoochie Dog Hiking Adventures offers exhilarating excursions for your canine companions, blending fitness and fun on Atlanta’s scenic trails. Their certified handlers lead small groups, ensuring personalized attention and safe, social experiences tailored to each dog’s needs. Transform your pup’s routine with our adventurous outings that promise wagging tails and happy trails!

The Sustainably-Minded Friend

A Win-Win for your Body and the Planet with Insect-Based-Protein from WunderGrubs

Inspired by an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown in Haiti, these entrepreneurs saw the enormous potential of utilizing insects for protein (some 2 billion people around the world already supplement their diet with insects). These nutty-flavored protein powders and baked goods featuring edible insects have more protein than meat or fish, are high in omega-3s and fiber as well as many other vitamins and minerals, while using a fraction the amount of resources to cultivate that meat requires. Truly the future of food!

Body Butters and more from Better Quality Ingredients

Borne in the hearts of three sisters with skin and food allergies and sensitivities, JAS is a child-preneur powered skincare and beauty company that inspires others to make healthy choices, pursue their dreams, and look good while doing it. These handcrafted skincare products are cruelty-free and use only natural and organic ingredients.

Gifts that Give Back

The Latest “It” Water Bottle with UV Technology from Ben Kander 12BBA

Designed so you can spend more time hydrating and less time cleaning, these triple-walled copper vacuum-insulated bottles feature a UV cap that cleans and purifies water. They come in a punch of color and a convenient bamboo loop cap to comfortably carry or clip to your bag. Check out the camp cups, too! For every bottle you buy, Welly donates 1%+ of sales to charity projects that bring clean water solutions to communities worldwide. Goop calls these bottles “a minimalist take on the water bottle…it’s a day-to-night dream: keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, or hot for 14.”

Crafted & Curated Handicrafts & Apparel made by Refugee women in Clarkston

Johari Africa brings eco-friendly elegance, handmade with heart by refugee women artisans in the Clarkston, GA area. Crafted with authentic African fabric, recycled paper, coconut shells, and local seeds, each piece reflects vibrant culture and sustainable creativity. Empowering women toward self-sufficiency, Johari Africa turns artistry into opportunity across Georgia, Ghana, and Kenya.

House Warming Home Decor and more from Sunavworld

Sustainable style with soul, supporting artisans and artistry across Nepal and beyond. Every fair-trade piece—from vibrant wardrobe additions to home décor—brings beauty crafted from natural, raw materials. Rooted in social justice, Sunavworld empowers hundreds of artisans, especially women, creating economic impact through every purchase.

The Guy Who Never Wants Anything

Brunt Workwear from David Chernow 12BBA

Step up your work game with BRUNT: bold boots and rugged gear built for the backbone of America. Designed with hardworking tradespeople in mind, these durable designs deliver comfort and quality without the crazy costs. From roofs to roots, BRUNT’s got your back (but if you’re a hobbyist woodworker or just want to don these stylish clothes to the craft brewery next door, we won’t judge you).

Gift Certificate from GrindHouse Burgers or Seafood from Breaker Breaker from Alex Brounstein 00BBA 05MBA

Where else can you watch sports and enjoy a boozy “Monkey Wrench” milkshake (chocolate peanut butter malt, banana liqueur, vanilla vodka)? Add in juicy meat and veggie burgers and phenomenal sides like sweet and spicy chili Brussels sprouts and cheese fries and you’ve got yourself a feast. If burgers aren’t their thing, try a gift card to Broustein’s very buzzy Beltline seafood digs, with a Tiki/Florida-Man vibe: Breaker Breaker.

Bold Beans from Terminus Coffee

Inspired by the bold farm-to-cup coffee consumed on his military assignments in Honduras, this Veteran-owned fair trade specialty coffee roaster brings rich flavors and heartfelt craftsmanship straight to your mug. These beans are roasted in the Atlanta area, but available to you anywhere!

Quick, delicious carbs (and fanciful syrups) from Barlow’s Foods

They say the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach (although isn’t that true for the rest of us, too?). Barlow’s high-quality 3-in-1 pancake biscuit waffle mix and seasonal syrups (including flavors like peach cobbler, strawberry bourbon, and sweet potato) are sure to satisfy. Plus, 2% of your purchase will be donated to Feed Our Vets to assist with closing the hunger gap for those who have vowed to serve us.

Relive Childhood with Nerf Gun Parties

Treat someone to a party like no other through the ATL Dart Club. Who says Nerf guns are only for kids? Not these folks!

The Budding Nerd

STEM kits from Fun Weird Science

Fun Weird Science sparks S.T.E.A.M. success with hands-on, head-first learning for K-12 students, fostering fearless curiosity and critical thinking. Focused on future-ready skills, these kits build creative minds ready to tackle tomorrow’s global challenges. Science-themed parties, shows and camps are offered in the Atlanta area.

Apps and Tools for AI-powered Creative Expression for kids of all ages via Immutable Access

Immutable Access ignites imagination with inclusive AI tools, from text-to-video magic to media production for everyone. Rooted in Atlanta’s booming creative scene, they’re empowering children, students, seniors, and underserved communities to unlock careers in cutting-edge tech.

 Coding Programs Designed for Youth from Higher Ground Education

Perfect for budding techies eager to explore programming! Higher Ground Education Institute (HGEI) offers a suite of programs aimed at empowering individuals and organizations through education and community engagement. Their initiatives include the HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Excellence) program, which provides mentorship and resources to youth, and the HYPE2 program, focusing on higher education preparation.

…and so much more!

Equestrian Aesthetic with Leather Products and art from Equestrian Noire

Who doesn’t love the smell of leather? These luxurious leather bags and equestrian-inspired art let you taste that intangible joy of what it feels like to be outside in the crisp air surrounded by hay and horses, transported to a time period that feels quiet, still, and stately—and not to mention, very chic.

Unique Books, Art and Stationary by Caldecott-Honored and NAACP-Celebrated Illustrator R. Gregory Christie

R. Gregory Christie’s work runs the gamut; he is the artist for the United Postal Service’s Kwanzaa Stamp, and he’s done everything from John Coltrane album covers to animated films on Netflix. As a former bookstore owner and lit nerd, these hand-painted illustrations appeal to both adults and children while also promoting creativity, literacy, and diversity.

Goizueta’s Start:ME Accelerator provides promising entrepreneurs located in Atlanta area neighborhoods the training, mentorship, and capital to start and grow successful businesses. It has supported more than 250 micro-businesses in Atlanta, 84% of which are owned and operated by entrepreneurs of color. Get involved and learn more here.

The post The Goizueta Gift Guide: Small Businesses, Big Dreams, and Unique Finds appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Since 2013, Start:ME has provided training, tools and connections to 445 business owners in Clarkston, East Lake, and Atlanta’s Southside. Of those companies, 83 percent are led by people of color and 74 percent are led by women. Start:ME alumni employ more than 800 people with annual revenues of $24 million, and its seed investment pool has provided 149 ventures with almost $420,000 in start-up capital.

Building on that success, Start:ME Northwest Atlanta is recruiting entrepreneurs and mentors to a vibrant part of Atlanta with tremendous opportunity for economic growth and wealth creation. Partnerships with the Grove Park Foundation, Truist Foundation and volunteer mentors make possible the free 14-week Start:ME program beginning January 2025.

“The partnership between the Grove Park Foundation and Start:ME is exactly what we’ve envisioned to support small business owners in our community,” said Grove Park Foundation Executive Director Gavin McGuire. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to provide economic opportunities for families and children to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Together, we are creating conditions for people to thrive.”

From mom-and-pop shops to in-home ventures, microbusinesses (which have less than 9 employees) are individually quite small but collectively create a big impact. According to The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), microbusinesses account for 92 percent of all US businesses and create 43.6 million jobs.

For entrepreneur Sioux Greaux of Sole Renew, participating in Start:ME proved immensely beneficial as it provided essential tools and knowledge. “From honing business planning skills to mastering pitching and storytelling, developing financial plans, and navigating legal matters, each session contributed significantly to my entrepreneurial journey. The program also offered invaluable networking opportunities and practical experiences. Start:ME empowered me to build a stronger foundation to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship with greater confidence and strategic steps.”

For Goizueta Business School, the program is another example of its commitment to building principled and impactful leaders and entrepreneurs.

“Start:ME Northwest Atlanta is more than just a program expansion; it’s a testament to our dedication to uplifting both business and society,” said Gareth James, John H. Harland Dean of Goizueta Business School. “Start:ME enables micro-entrepreneurs to generate income, create jobs, and become community role models—catalyzing growth and prosperity in the neighborhoods they serve.”

Start:ME is delivered by Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute, and many alumni and business leaders provide volunteer mentorship for Start:ME entrepreneurs. They are paired based on skill sets, experience and compatibility.

“The relationship between mentors and entrepreneurs is key and often extends beyond the 14-week program,” said Start:ME Director Erin Igleheart. “We want entrepreneurs to have a solid, supportive, constructive network of mentors and peer entrepreneurs to draw upon as they continue to operate their business.”

The Truist Foundation, through a $1 million multi-year grant issued in 2023, is supporting Start:ME’s current community footprint and its expansion to Northwest Atlanta. The foundation was Start:ME’s inaugural external seed funder, then under the SunTrust Foundation umbrella, issuing the first grant to the program’s Clarkston efforts in 2013.

“We are proud to partner with Goizueta Business School and support such a transformational program in the Atlanta community,” says Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. “Truist Foundation believes all people and communities should have an equal opportunity to thrive. By strengthening the small business ecosystem in underserved neighborhoods, we can begin to level the playing field and ignite generational wealth for years to come.”

Start:ME also partners with community lead nonprofit organizations East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies (FCS), Friends of Refugees, and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. Start:ME is made possible by the gracious support of Bank of America, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation.

Start:ME is currently seeking volunteer mentors passionate about sharing their business skills and supporting the small business community. Interested applicants can learn more and apply now at www.startmeatl.org/mentor.

For entrepreneurs interested in participating in any of the four Start:ME community programs, applications are open at www.startmeatl.org/apply from September 5^th to October 5^th.

To learn more about the program and how you can get involved, visit www.startmeatl.org/.  

About Emory University’s Goizueta Business School

Business education has been an integral part of Emory University’s identity since 1919. That kind of longevity and significance does not come without a culture built on success and service. Emory University’s Goizueta Business School offers a unique, community-oriented environment paired with the academic prestige and rigor of a major research institution. Goizueta develops business leaders of today and tomorrow with an undergraduate degree program, Full-time MBA (Two-Year MBA & One-Year MBA), Evening MBA, Executive MBA, MS in Business Analytics, Master of Finance, Master in Management, Master in Business for Veterans, Doctoral degree, and a portfolio of non-degree Emory Executive Education courses. Together, the Goizueta community strives to solve the world’s most pressing business problems. The school is named for the late Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

For more information, visit goizueta.emory.edu.

The post Goizueta Business School’s Start:ME Accelerator Expands Support to Northwest Atlanta Entrepreneurs appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Businesses in Start:ME’s three cohorts—Clarkston, East Lake, and Southside Atlanta—celebrated their accomplishments together in a graduation ceremony this spring. Over 14 weeks and beyond, owners of 50 ventures built lasting bonds with fellow business owners, fellow Start:ME alumni, and nearly 70 volunteer mentors who helped them develop business plans and strategies.

“Yes, you want to exit with a business plan. Yes, you want to exit with a strategy and financials. But a big part of it is the intangibles of building relationships with all of the people in the room,” says program director Erin Igleheart.

During the pandemic, Start:ME sessions took place virtually. In-person sessions have gradually returned since then. However, some virtual programming remains as a convenience for busy professionals.

Start:ME regularly surveys participants to design programming, and founders are eager to sit down with mentors. That’s where we make some of the best connections, Igleheart says. About 60 percent of sessions took place in person this year. That includes key events such as the kickoff, business plan pitches, and trade show—where founders can introduce themselves to capital providers and small-business organizations.

Diverse Ventures Offer Support

Program leaders also announced the recipients of $45,000 in peer-selected grants and $3,000 in awards at graduation. New this year is the resilience award. The prize recognizes the most-resilient entrepreneur in each cohort and comes with a $500 award. Supporters provided the capital that made the program possible this year: Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Regions Foundation, Target, Truist Foundation. The program is delivered in partnership with trusted community-based nonprofits, including East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies, Friends of Refugees, and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta.

Of the 50 ventures graduating in the 2024 class—chosen from some 250 applicants—84 percent are incorporated. Eighty-six percent are led by women, 78 percent by entrepreneurs of color, and 22 percent by immigrants.

As a group, the ventures employ two full-time and 43 part-time employees in addition to the founders. Total revenue for the group was $763,227 in 2023, with 82 percent booking revenues.

A quarter of the startups this year were in food and beverage—each with a unique niche, such as tea infusions, seasonings, condiments, and specialty cuisines. Companies in professional services, health, beauty, and fitness; healthcare and social assistance; arts, culture, and creative; and education and tutoring together made up 62 percent of the startups.

Creativity Drives Start:ME Entrepreneurs

Igleheart says creativity is often a driver for entrepreneurs and leads to interesting business ideas. One business owner, a former preschool teacher, creates puppets, inclusive musical videos, and live shows to educate young children. She even sang her final pitch—a Start:ME first.

One venture is creating tools to help students and teachers understand and integrate artificial intelligence into the classroom. This year’s class also included two woodworkers. One makes heirloom furniture out of wood she obtains from felled city trees. Another, who also teaches engineering at a local school, shares her woodworking knowledge with her students.

“Every year I’m amazed. There are always new businesses that absolutely never would have crossed my mind,” Igleheart says. “And the passion that entrepreneurs bring into the room is not only energizing but very heartwarming.”

Start:ME Alumni Are Staunch Supporters

Start:ME alumni also serve as volunteers and mentors: They have made the same kinds of sacrifices necessary to put time and energy into the program—both remotely and in person—while also working on their businesses. Current participants seek out alumni support especially on neighborhood night, when they step up to present their businesses to a live audience and engage in a group Q&A, often for the first time.

“Entrepreneurs make for really great mentors because they understand what it’s like to operate every aspect of a business. They understand what it’s like to start from scratch and build it up and invest in yourself. You really attach yourself emotionally to the business,” Igleheart says.

As their ranks grow, Start:ME is creating more opportunities for alumni to connect with community partners and with each other, from social gatherings to Emory Executive Education and other continuing education classes. Recent offerings include a five-week corporate governance course that helps current cohort members and alumni get their legal house in order and a five-session deep dive into digital marketing, led by Nicole Soltau of Goizueta’s MS in Business Analytics program.

Start:ME Peer-Selected Grants

$5,000

Meagan Naraine – Culturally Relevant Science
Holly Juras – Go Play Shoes
Angela Weadon – Music Therapy for Autism

$4,000

Ashley Jefferson – Nguzo Babies
Sheila Tillers-Tooks and Toshia Tiller – CornbreadSisters
Lindsay and Nebi Berhane – Sugar Loaf ATL

$3,000

Trudy Calder Washington – Recovery Pops
Tinsley Curry – Tinsley Curry OT
Tonya Brown – Tonluvs2styl

$2,000

Kesha Phillips – Soulful Rubber Media
Beth White – ATLWoodDesign
Jeremiah Long – Immutable Access (AI for Kids)

$1,000

Maya Norman – Steeped & Twisted
Whitney Marshall – Whitney Marshall Coaching
Sioux Greaux – Sole Renew

Peer-of-the-Year Awards – $500

Mia Edwards – HARMONIC Therapeutic & Healing Services
Marilyn Latham – The Reiki Coach
Niki (Noushin) Gavahi – Knead to Savor

Resilience Awards – $500

Liudmyla Nimash – Art World Decor
April Payne – Styles by Aprillove
Suzuko Hisata – Candor Life Coaching

Community Impact Awards – $500

Kierra Wilcox and Pamela Stanley – Abena Infusion Specialists
Fareshta Gurbaz – Baran Kabab
Dedra Ridges – There’s Hope

About Start:ME

Start:ME is delivered by Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in partnership with community lead nonprofit organizations East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies (FCS), Friends of Refugees, and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta along with 70+ volunteer business mentors.

Start:ME is made possible by the gracious support of Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation.

Learn more at startmeatl.org.

Enjoy more images from the 2024 Start:ME program graduation festivities below:

The post Start:ME Entrepreneurs Build Networks and Their Businesses appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

To date, Start:ME has served nearly 400 microbusinesses throughout these Atlanta communities. Of the businesses, 74 percent are female-led, and 83 percent are led by people of color. In total, businesses that have gone through the Start:ME program have created or retained more than 700 jobs and account for more than $20 million in annual revenue.

“What sets our organization apart from other accelerator programs is that we are community-based,” says Alina Mencias, program manager, Start:ME. “Entrepreneurship is often lonely and competitive. What we try to do is create an environment where instead of viewing it as a competition, it’s an opportunity to collaborate and say, ‘Hey, I tried what you’re talking about. It didn’t work for these reasons. Maybe you can try it differently and be successful.’ People find community in this program—and it lasts.”

Bolstering Businesses and the Communities they Serve

The Start:ME accelerator program works with microentrepreneurs in three metro Atlanta communities: Clarkston, East Lake, and the Historic Southside of Atlanta. The accelerator will add a fourth community, as yet to be determined, starting in 2025. Each year, out of roughly 250 applicants, the program selects several dozen promising microbusinesses to participate in the free 14-week program. This year’s cohorts, which kicked off in January, include a total of 56 businesses that offer everything from in-home health services to custom embroidery.

Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute delivers the Start:ME accelerator program in partnership with several community-based nonprofit organizations. These include Friends of Refugees in Clarkston, the East Lake Foundation in East Lake to Edgewood, and both Focused Community Strategies and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta in the Historic Southside of Atlanta. Supporters of the program include Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Emory University, PNC Bank, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation. Annually, each community has a grant pool of $15,000 to invest in local ventures. Since its inception, Start:ME has provided nearly $370,000 in peer-selected capital to 125 businesses.

You cannot have a thriving neighborhood without business owners from that community.

Marta Self

“You need to see business activity,” says Marta Self, senior vice president of community affairs, and executive director of the Regions Foundation, a Start:ME program supporter. “It’s what creates wealth, it’s what creates vitality.” Start:ME’s community-centered mission also aligns with the company’s values. “At both Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation, we really are about making our communities better. That’s because when our communities succeed, we succeed,” adds Self.

When Self attended her first Start:ME kickoff event in January 2020, she recognized the full impact of the program. “It’s just textbook best practice, implemented in the best way,” she explains. According to Self, Start:ME has the best success rate of all the small business programs that the Regions Foundation supports. Self credits the program for not only providing the small business owners with knowledge and access to capital, but for helping them create a network of other small business owners and mentors. “That network is sometimes the biggest missing part,” Self adds.

Building a Broader Network

Kevin Rodgers, owner of SHWAXX BRAND, participated in the accelerator in 2018. At the time, he was a barber who had created his first product—a hydro-butter for all textures of hair—and who wanted to move into product manufacturing. This March, SHWAXX added several other products to its lineup, including whole body washes, balms, and creams.

Start:ME was lifechanging. It was a safe place to talk about what I was thinking and that I hadn’t heard anywhere.

Kevin Rodgers, Start:ME entrepreneur

“They kind of broke down all of the hustle mentality I had as a barber,” explains Rodgers. “They gave me a construct for what an entrepreneur looks like.” Rodgers appreciated more than just the business sessions and the experience and knowledge of his mentors. He also enjoyed the “genuine camaraderie” he experienced with the other entrepreneurs. “They were people who were just like me and trying to figure it out too,” he says.

Gaining business knowledge from Goizueta team members is critical for these entrepreneurs. Many Start:ME participants may not have had access to a formal business education. The entrepreneurs leave the program with a detailed business plan and a better understanding of their business and their goals. “Being able to go through this program through Goizueta Business School is really validating,” says Mencias. “It’s an important signal to others.”

While in the program, Rodgers also tapped into the broader Emory University ecosystem. He had student consultants help him improve his social media campaign. When he needed funds to develop additional products, he turned to the Emory Impact Investing Group (EIIG), a student-run organization founded in 2014 to provide promising microentrepreneurs with early-stage financing in the form of micro loans ($5,000 to $15,000). “Start:ME prepared me in so many ways that I can’t really quantify,” says Rodgers.

The Meaning of Mentorship

Nicole Soltau, marketing lead for the Master of Science in Business Analytics Program at Goizueta, is a mentor for this year’s Start:ME cohort. She is working with Jeremiah Long, founder of Immutable Access, who is developing a range of apps including “AI for Kids.” It is an innovative, AI-powered software designed for creative use, with a strong focus on accessibility.

I feel very motivated and excited, and that’s partly because of how passionate Start:ME entrepreneurs are. Their passion fuels my passion.

Nicole Soltau, Start:ME mentor

Soltau has been able to guide entrepreneurs struggling with imposter syndrome. She’s also helping them develop their digital marketing strategy, a subject she’s been teaching for the last five years.

She says she is grateful for the experience. “It offers me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I’m guiding entrepreneurs through challenges and aiding in their business growth,” she says. “By volunteering as a mentor, you will play a critical part in creating a positive impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

The business owners build connections with more than just the immediate network of the other business owners in their cohort. They also gain access to the broader Start:ME alumni network. “The Start:ME team is very deliberate in maintaining this network, in creating reasons for people to be together,” explains Self. “It’s not natural for a lot of people to have that network and cultivate it. Start:ME gives them that spark. We’re going to cultivate a network of successful business owners, and you’re a part of it.”

The entrepreneurs’ engagement with the Start:ME program doesn’t end when they graduate from the program. Numerous business owners have acted as Start:ME volunteers or mentors. Others have provided their goods or services to the university. Start:ME also compiles an annual shopping guide showcasing the goods and services of alumni ventures.

Learn More

The Start:ME program is delivered for free to all participating entrepreneurs and is made possible through the generous support of Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, PNC Bank, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation. Start:ME is delivered by Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in partnership with trusted community lead nonprofit organizations: East Lake Foundation in East Lake, Friends of Refugees in Clarkston, and both Focused Community Strategies (FCS) and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta in Atlanta’s Southside.

View the Start:Me Impact Report here. Then, find out how you can support Start:ME and build stronger communities by supporting local entrepreneurs.

The post Building Community Through Microbusinesses: Start:ME Names Participating Businesses appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

We’ve gathered a short list of businesses founded by Goizueta alumni, as well as beneficiaries of Goizueta’s Start:ME program (which offers grants and coaching to microentrepreneurs in the greater Atlanta area). The products and services they offer run the gamut of classic crowd-pleasing goods to niche wares, which offers you—our shopper—opportunities to find something for both your next-door neighbor or your picky hipster nephew. Shopping small supports big dreams for entrepreneurs in the Goizueta community while providing you the added bonus of skipping past the ho-hum and opting for something your kith and kin have never heard of or seen before. 

For a full list of Start:ME microbusinesses, including an extensive array of Atlanta-centric services not represented in the list below ranging from doula services and nerf-gun parties to professional photography and dog walking, see this year’s Start:ME guide.

We’ve included a green heart to indicate businesses that focus on eco-conscious commodities and processes, for the sustainably-minded shopper.

Also be sure to check out the Goizueta Swag Shop for hats, shirts and tumblers featuring cute Goizueta and Atlanta-themed designs your friends and family are sure to love! 

For the Home 

Eco-friendly Eucalyptus Lyocell Bedsheets from Sheets & Giggles by Colin McIntosh 12BBA 

Sheets & Giggles is famous for its award-winning eucalyptus lyocell sheets, which have been spotlighted on national TV programs like “Good Morning America” and “The View,” and which even won “Best Overall” sheets in “Good Housekeeping.” Give your gift recipient the pleasure of better sleep in bedsheets both breathable and cozy. Knowing they’re environmentally sustainable will help them rest easy too! 

Stunning Custom Furniture and Wood Kitchen Tools from Fu Designs ATL 

Nothing warms a home faster than artisan-made products made with love and care, especially those made with materials found in nature, which why we’re certain you’ll find an audience for these gorgeous cutting boards, bowls and wine bottle stoppers made from walnut, burlwood, ambrosia maple and more. We won’t judge you for self-gifting when you learn about their custom tables, shelves and kitchen islands. 

Vibrant and Playful Home Textiles from Rochelle Porter Textiles and Wallpaper 

Featured on big outlets like “HGTV,” “Oprah Magazine” and “House Beautiful,” and currently enjoying a collaboration with West Elm, these pillow covers, table runners and tea towels help anyone make a bold and colorful statement in their home. Bonus: they’re ethically made in the USA and use eco-friendly ink! 

Interior Design, Including Virtual Sessions from V.James & Co. 

Looking to improve your space, but hitting walls when it comes to inspiration? V.James offers a smorgasbord of options—many of which can be conducted virtually—to suit your every design need, including total design makeovers, color consultation or personal shopping services.  

Libations  

A Variety Pack of Cocktails from Post Meridiem by Alumnus Andrew Rodbell 04MBA 

The classiness of a cocktail in the convenience of a can, from the traditional Old Fashioned to the trendy Espresso Martini, these potent and delicious drinks are a sure way to spread holiday cheer. 

Craft Beer and Cool Merch from Monday Night Brewing by Alumnus Jonathan Baker 06BBA 

With distribution spreading further across the south, Monday Night Brewing Co. is fast expanding from a staple Atlanta brewery to a household name. In addition to their funky, seasonal and experimental beers with cheeky names (anyone care for a “drafty kilt” IPA?), the company also offers some steller swag. Use their “beer finder” to locate the goods near you.  

Fanciful Cocktail Syrups from The Farmer’s Jam 

Up someone’s cocktail game with these flavored syrups. With options like peach basil, wild foraged elderflower and spicy smoked apple, the possibilities are endless. Bonus: maybe your gift recipient will be so delighted, they’ll whip a cocktail up for you on the spot!

Give a Glow Up

Body Butters, Beard Oil, and Everything Nice from Butter Me Up by Jrena 

As the days grow drier in many parts of the country, these luxurious body care products including whipped body butter, beard oil and salt soaks—featuring ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter—are bound to be a crowd pleaser. Pick from a wide variety of soothing scents like lemongrass and lavender chamomile. 

Smooth Skin from Hanni by Alumnus Leslie Tessler 03BBA 

Marketed as “lazy bodycare for real people,” these specialized skincare products and shaving tools have people raving; they’ve been featured in “Allure,” “Bustle,” and “Women’s Health Magazine” and are now carried at Sephora. Utilizing ingredients like adaptogenic mushrooms and cactus water, these balms and salves promise a one-stop-shop experience for ultra smooth and hydrated skin. 

Your Most Luscious Curly Locks from Yelani 

Designed with textured hair in mind by people who rock it themselves, these luscious oils, hair masks and more are 100% natural and focus on plant-based ingredients to keep kinky and curly hair looking its best. Also be sure to check out their beard care options and accessories including their patented finger comb.  

For the Foodie

Virtual Cooking Classes with Chef Jarvis Belton 

They say a good cook never lacks friends, and this is certainly a creative gift with the potential to keep on giving (maybe even right back to you)! Chef Jarvis offers virtual and in-person classes on sauces, Spanish tapas and more.  

Popcorn like You’ve Never had Before from Poppa Corns 

‘Tis the season for curling up with a good movie under a cozy blanket with a bowl of popcorn. Let a loved one know you’re thinking of them by switching up the snack soundtrack with flavors exotic and experimental (dill pickle, loaded potato, pumpkin spice and more). And if your loved one is a traditionalist, you’ll be happy to know they still stock the classics like white cheddar and caramel. 

Fresh and Funky Finishing Sauces from AUB Sauce 

For the cook who lives and dies by their grill, these fab finishing sauces will be sure to make their heart flutter. Whether reaching for spicy peach or strawberry balsamic and rosemary, these are a fast way to enhance flavor and make meat and veggies taste like something entirely new. 

For the Fashionable

Stunning Studs, Dainty Tennis Bracelets and more from Alexandra Beth Jewelry by Alexandra Samit 09BBA 

Who doesn’t love sparkly things? Forging show-stopper fine jewelry for someone special, this company offers both custom and ready-made options, as well as natural or lab grown diamonds. No matter what you’re in the market for, Alexandra Beth has something to catch your eye. 

Trendy Kicks with Unique Cultural Heritage from 1587 Sneakers by Alumnus Adam King 09MBA 

Describing himself as a “sneakerhead,” Adam King confesses that he “literally eats, breathes, and sleeps sneakers.” After working in the industry and noting how people of Asian descent are continually overlooked and underrepresented, he struck out and co-founded his own company which designs shoes that nod to Asian American style, stories and culture. 

Not Tall? Not a Problem when Styling with Petite Ave by Vanessa Youshaei 13BBA 

With nearly 40% of the US female population is under 5’5″, Petite Ave is targeting one of the largest—and most underserved—demographics. Featured in “Forbes,” “Instyle Magazine,” and “NY Post,” this personal styling service gives petite women the long-overdue luxury of being able to wear items off-the-rack that fit on first contact, without having to go through the constant fuss of taking them all to the tailor.  

Cute and Artistic Clothes from Carla’s Boutik  

This delightful boutique, which aims to “share, explore and embrace cultural diversity through fashion and beauty,” features truly unique sustainable clothing and accessories that are artisan made from around the world—the perfect present for the culturally curious and fashion forward. 

…And Other Ideas!

Celebrate Hanukkah with Home Goods, Apparel and more from Modern Tribe by Alumnus Amy Kritzer Becker 05BBA 

If you’re a cook and not already familiar with the delightful fusion-Jewish food blog of Amy Kritzer Becker, “What Jew Wanna Eat,” we recommend you amend that quickly and learn how to make her chocolate pretzel rugelach. And after that, peruse the playful collection of Jewish-centered gifts from her online business Modern Tribe whether you’re in the market for dreidel pajamas or a menorah in the shape of a dachshund.  

For the Frequent Flyer, the Last Travel Bag They’ll Ever Need from Nomad Lane by Alumnus Vanessa Jeswani 08BBA

Nomad Lane‘s Bento Bag is the answer to the traveler’s prayers. For someone who is tired of fumbling endlessly through their belongings to find their passport, water bottle or headphones, this sleek and stylish travel bag will help them get a hand on what they need in seconds. Looping over a luggage handle and equipped with oodles of pockets and partitions, this design has anticipated their every need. 

Protein-Packed Carbs for the Health Nut from Banza by alumnus Brian Rudolph 12BBA  

This tasty alternative to traditional carbs is “celebrity chef AND dietitian approved.” Whether you know someone who is gluten-free and proud to be, looking to incorporate more healthful fiber into their diet, or passionate about protecting the planet by opting for sustainable protein, these pizza crusts, pastas and waffles will win hearts and tastebuds. 

The post Looking for Gifts? Goizueta’s Entrepreneurs Have You Covered  appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

The free, intensive program will operate on a hybrid schedule for 13 weeks spanning January to April, with a graduation ceremony in May. Start:ME supports talented small business owners who live, work, and/or provide valuable products and services to their local communities. Each community offers peer-selected grant pools of $15,000 to invest in local ventures looking to start or scale up.

Since its founding in 2013, Start:ME has served 395 small businesses, of which 83 percent are led by people or color and 71 percent are led by women. The program has created and retained 722 jobs with annual revenues of $19.5 million. The accelerator’s seed investment pool has provided 125 ventures with almost $370,000 in start-up capital. A generous $1 million grant made by The Truist Foundation will allow the program to operate in its three established communities and expand to a fourth geographical location, yet to be named, in 2025.

What started with Professor Peter Roberts hosting sessions in his living room along with the local community center is now a full-fledged program that is replicable and operational in three communities.

Alina Mencias, Start:ME program associate

“It’s very exciting to have made it this far,” says program associate Alina Mencias.

Celebrating a Decade: Alumni Pay It Forward

To commemorate a decade of Start:ME, Mencias says they are holding a networking party on September 8 for the partners, entrepreneurs, mentors, and supporters they’ve had over the program’s tenure.

The event’s drink menu will feature a Start:ME ten-year beer—called “Ujamaa”—crafted by program alumni Khonso Brewing and Crafted for Action and adorned with a label created by Teresa Abboud of Teresa Afternoon.

Khonso Brewing—founded by friends ​​Kevin Downing, Corby Hannah, and William Teasley—began with a passion for beer and a homebrew kit and has since grown into a robust business. The brewery, which joined Start:ME in 2019, has a contract brewing partnership with Hippin Hops Brewing and other local breweries, and has traveled across the U.S. sharing its work.

“Ujamaa is a golden-colored ale that blends barley, wheat, oats, honey, and molasses with American hops,” Teasley says. “This Kott-busser style ale combines diverse flavors, cloves, and spicy hops to create a smooth and delicious combo.”

Like Start:ME, this ale shifts the paradigm by transforming its ingredients into something wonderful.

William Teasley, Start:ME 2019 alum and co-founder of Khonso Brewing

Abboud went through Start:ME in 2020 and now serves as a mentor. She says when she thinks about the program the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child,” comes to mind.

“Start:ME is my village, from being an alumna and then becoming a volunteer business mentor,” Abboud says. “I feel I am giving back to new businesses all what I learned and inherited.”

Microbusinesses: Small in Size, Big on Impact

Start:ME connects selected businesses with knowledge, networks, and capital to build and develop sustainable businesses, bridging the microbusiness gap. The program works across all business stages and industries including everything from nature-based education to music therapy, sourdough crackers to ice cream, comic books to healthcare services for people and pets. The program focuses on microbusinesses that demonstrate dedication and community impact.

Microbusinesses are small in size, with five or fewer employees, but create a big impact. According to The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), microbusinesses account for 92 percent of all US businesses and create 41.3 million jobs. When they thrive—generating income, creating jobs, occupying spaces, providing role models—their neighborhoods do too.

Mencias says the ultimate goal is for every entrepreneur to walk away with a better understanding of their business and a full-fledged business plan, including financials.

“Having a support group while being an entrepreneur is not something that’s readily accessible to everyone,” Mencias says.

Entrepreneurship can be a really lonely adventure. Start:ME provides a welcoming atmosphere and allows entrepreneurs from various backgrounds and industries to come together and learn from each other.

Alina Mencias

Mencias says the program continues to embrace the needs of these businesses even after they’ve graduated from the program by developing their alumni base and connecting Start:ME entrepreneurs with other resources, including Emory Executive Education.

“We have such strong success because we pour into the people who poured into the program,” Mencias says.

About Start:ME

Start:ME is offered annually by Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in partnership with community lead nonprofit organizations the East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies (FCS), Friends of Refugees, and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta.

Start:ME is made possible by the generous support of Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation.

Learn more about Start:ME, apply, or volunteer as a business mentor at startmeatl.org.

The post Start:ME Business Accelerator Celebrates Ten Years, Seeks Microentrepreneurs for 2024 appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

This year marked Start:ME’s 10th anniversary. Start:ME founder Peter Roberts, professor of organization and management, spoke at the ceremony to commemorate the milestone and reflect on its growth from an optimistic idea to a thriving program.

A Hybrid Model Accelerator for Small Business Founders

The 2023 program also marked a return to in-person gatherings where face-to-face meetings are especially critical—like the kickoff, business plan pitches, and business financials. The program’s popular trade show also made its return this year, allowing founders to meet with capital providers and other organizations that serve small businesses.

Some sessions remained virtual for the sake of convenience for busy entrepreneurs, guests, and more than 70 volunteer mentors from around the region. Organizers found that meeting in the comfort of their homes also meant participants for whom English is a second or third language could enlist a family member to help translate.

“We have enjoyed having that hybrid model. We tried to embrace the best of both in-person connection and virtual convenience,” says program director Erin Igleheart.

We have really seen a greater opening up than we were expecting and a greater level of comfort, but also a demand for gathering in person.

Erin Igleheart, Start:ME program director

Start:ME Alumni Pay it Forward

As their ranks grow, many alumni stay involved, Igleheart says. They bring inside knowledge and constructive feedback to events like Neighborhood Night, when founders present their business story before a live audience, engage in audience Q&A, and receive constructive feedback. Having alumni present who understand what they’re going through can be reassuring to nervous participants. They also return as volunteer business mentors, sharing their own experiences and insights with their peers.

“Those who have gone through the program, who are entrepreneurs in their own right, really do understand the complexity of being an entrepreneur and how it can feel incredibly empowering and inspiring—but it also can be really lonely,” Igleheart says.

Program leaders also announced the recipients of $45,000 in peer-selected grants and $3,000 in awards at graduation.

Our team doesn’t make the capital decisions. The entrepreneurs and mentors determine who within their cohort is most promising and best equipped to use that capital.

Erin Igleheart

Increase in Capital Supports Diverse Ventures Across Atlanta

This year’s program brought with it a 50 percent boost in the amount of capital available to fund the grants, from $10,000 to $15,000 for each of the three cohorts, based in Clarkston, East Lake, and Atlanta’s Southside neighborhoods. Supporters—who make delivery of this program free to all entrepreneurs—include Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Emory University, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation.

Of the 44 ventures graduating in the 2023 cohort—chosen from among more than 220 applicants—80 percent are women, 84 percent are people of color, and 14 percent are immigrants. As a group, they employ 90 people in addition to the founders – 19 full time and 71 part time. Total revenue for the group was $1.9 million in 2022, with a median of $21,000 for those reporting sales.

The companies involved offer a wide range of products and services, including art and design; beauty, health and wellness; education and childcare; food and beverage; home care and repair; media and photography; and professional services.

Start:ME Garners International Attention

The success of Start:ME has drawn international attention. Kate Golebiowska, an Australian Fulbright scholar, shadowed the program in Clarkston this year. She focused on how the accelerator worked for migrant women micro-entrepreneurs, with a plan to launch a similar program for migrant women in the Northern Territory capital city of Darwin, where she lives and works.

Start:ME 2023 Grant and Award Recipients

Start:ME Grow Grants – $5,000
Savannah Samples – Angel Assistance
Jeannette & Ken Katz – Buenos Dias Cafe and Pupuseria
Datavious Lucas & Fatima Manson – Fun Freddie Enterprise

Start:ME Grow Grants – $4,000
Kali Arnold – Sati Yoga & Wellness
Bejanae Kareem – BK International Education Consultancy
Amy Parsons – My Elderberry Fairy

Start:ME Start Grants – $3000
Janale Harris – Family’s Favorite Foods
Raven Bennett – Accessible Tx
Kirsten Chervenak – Gatherings

Start:ME Start Grants – $2,000
Shawnta’ Hooks – Mindful Culture Creators
Virginia Chu – CocoonATL
Natifa Mustafa – The Bridge Athletic Scholars Program

Start:ME Start Grants – $1,000
Diamond Hood – Diamond Rule Coffee
Ericka Wigfall – PhysiCollective
Tanis Beatty – Simone’s Sweet Treasures

Peer-of-the-Year Awards – $500
Stephen Churn – ATL DART CLUB
Denise Brewley – Nyansapo Wellness Institute
Christian & Jo Lopez – Lucita’s Bodega

Community Impact Awards – $500
Lee-Ann Davidson – CreativeLee DeeSigned   
Markeal King – Silver Lining Sports Academy
Pamela Mack – Synergy Medical Transport

About Start:ME 

Start:ME is delivered by Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in partnership with community lead nonprofit organizations East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies (FCS), Friends of Refugees, and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta along with 70+ volunteer business mentors.

Start:ME is made possible by the gracious support of Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Regions Foundation, Target Corporation, and Truist Foundation.  

Learn more at startmeatl.org. 

The post Start:ME Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Elevating Entrepreneurs appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Start:ME is a free 14-week accelerator training program for micro-entrepreneurs delivered by Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute. Program Director Erin Igleheart says Start:ME works to support the economic and social vibrancy of underserved communities in Metro Atlanta by empowering the entrepreneurs within them to start and grow thriving businesses. 

These microbusinesses serve the needs of people who live and work in that community, and the entrepreneurs are generally community members who have strong ties. Collectively, they create a lot of local jobs, occupy a lot of local spaces, and directly feed into the economic and social vitality of that place. 

Erin Igleheart, Start:ME program director

Empowering Entrepreneurs & Driving Community Vitality 

The program operates in three communities where there is a pronounced micro-business gap. Within each area, Start:ME partners with local nonprofits to help build and tailor a program to the community.  

The Clarkston program is delivered in partnership with Friends of Refugees, the East Lake program with the East Lake Foundation, and the Southside Atlanta program with both Focused Community Strategies and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. 

The program has served 351 businesses in the past 10 years, and this year, they are announcing a new cohort adding 54 more businesses to the roster.  

Igleheart says they receive about 250 applications each year, which they narrow down to 15-18—or sometimes 19-20 because it’s just too hard to choose—per community. 

When selecting businesses, Igleheart says it is important that the cohort be reflective of the communities they belong to. For this year’s cohort, 80% of the ventures are female-led and 87% of the entrepreneurs are people of color. 

Making Business Training More Accessible  

Clarkston Program Coordinator Sushma Barakoti is involved in the selection process—something she knows well, having been on the other side of it just a few years ago. She also helps with marketing and supporting the entrepreneurs. 

The Nepal-native was a participant in the 2014 Start:ME cohort, where she developed her business SunavWorld, LLC., an Atlanta-based social enterprise with the mission to promote sustainable, fairly-traded products for the socioeconomic empowerment of artisans, both locally and internationally. 

For Barakoti, the training offered by Start:ME propelled her business to another level. 

Entering the program, I had no idea how to do business. After finishing Start:ME, I finally felt comfortable calling myself a business woman. 

Sushma Barakoti, Clarkston program coordinator

Through the program, Barakoti says, each entrepreneur gains an understanding of their business, their finances, who they serve and how to connect with their community. They also develop comfort with telling their business story.  

As coordinator, she has dedicated her work to offering support, insight and encouragement to entrepreneurs. She holds making formal business training more accessible for small businesses close to her heart. 

As part of Barakoti’s role, she recruits local small business owners who she believes would benefit from the program, participates in session delivery, connects participants with Start:ME’s mentors and alumni network, and gathers feedback on points of improvement. 

I still benefit from Start:ME now as a coordinator. Every year, I go through the selection process, and the entrepreneurs just give me renewed enthusiasm for running my own business.

Start:ME focuses on three pillars: business training, by the Goizueta Business School; mentorship, provided by skilled volunteers, including a number of program and Emory alumni; and capital, taking the form of $15,000 grants per cohort and a few awards. 

Mentorship Matters  

Igleheart says mentorship is a critical component of programming. Volunteer business mentors play a hands-on coaching role at each session, pairing up with entrepreneurs based on skill sets, experience, and compatibility. 

We find that a lot of those relationships extend beyond the 14-week program. We want entrepreneurs to have a solid, supportive, constructive network of mentors and peer entrepreneurs to draw upon as they continue to operate their business.

Igleheart

One of those mentors is Christopher Wedge, founder of Sons of Pitches FC, an adult soccer club that offers leagues and pickup games year-round for all skill levels. 

Wedge says the most important development he’s undergone as an entrepreneur is social emotional learning, which he believes to be the biggest hurdle for most entrepreneurs. 

He says at the end of his cohort, he broke down in tears—he had reached a place where he was comfortable acknowledging his strengths and weaknesses and accepting criticism, saw significant growth in himself and his business and felt validated by other entrepreneurs to the point where he finally considered himself one. 

Wedge says he understands the intricacies, fears and hesitations that come with running a business. He felt it was important to give back to Start:ME and help teach the lessons that were difficult but crucial for him to learn. 

He says his focus as a mentor is providing social emotional support and creating a sense of community, as each entrepreneur works towards bettering their own. 

Sons of Pitches FC has always been community-driven. Community empowers us and it helps us be successful. My ongoing participation with Start:ME has reinforced the idea that building something slow with strong roots in the community is building something for the future that will be successful. 

Christopher Wedge, founder, Sons of Pitches FC

As an institution invested in Atlanta, Igleheart says Emory can have a significant impact by sourcing, hiring, and engaging thoughtfully with the local area. 

“It is important for Emory to recognize that outside of the core operations of supporting students and doing research, it’s critical that we use our knowledge to be a constructive and supportive member of the Atlanta community,” Igleheart says. “It’s a privilege for us to get to be welcomed into these spaces and work with the entrepreneurs who live in the community.” 

Start:ME is made possible by the gracious support of the Truist Foundation, Bank of America, Delta Community Credit Union, Emory University Goizueta Business School, PNC Bank, Regions Foundation, and Target Corporation.  

Find out how you can support Start: ME and build stronger communities by supporting local entrepreneurs.  

The post START:ME Program Names New Participating Businesses appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

The Diverse Founders Executive Learning Program is an example of the interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of Goizueta, bringing together the resources and teams from Emory’s Executive Education, the Business & Society Institute, Start:ME Accelerator, and The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

After being awarded $20,000 through the Goizueta Creativity and Innovation Fund, these groups worked with community partners, Goodie Nation and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), to offer short courses to diverse small-business owners in the Atlanta area.

“The Emory Executive Education short courses provide a deep understanding on topics ranging from finance and strategy to innovation and leadership,” says Tammie Long, director of open enrollment for Goizueta’s Executive Education.

We believe we can be an impactful onramp for diverse-led startup founders in Atlanta to have access to high-quality, targeted business education.

Long

Breaking Down Barriers for Diverse Entrepreneurs

The idea for this project actually began in the early 2000s, when a similar program was offered at Goizueta with the help of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. Since then, the Business & Society Institute has heard from dozens of startup business leaders interested in accessing the top-notch education that Goizueta offers through the institute’s work with local startups in the Start:ME Accelerator.

“We have a really great resource of practical teaching that from a market-rate standpoint might be out of reach for some entrepreneurs. This program is a way for us to create a very accessible touchpoint for entrepreneurs,” says Brian Goebel, managing director of Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute.

Under the leadership of Interim Dean Karen Sedatole and with the financial support of the Dean’s Innovation Fund, the program launched a pilot in 2021. The pilot was a phase of a larger study that was analyzing the support of Black entrepreneurs and Black students at Goizueta, meant to identify areas for deeper engagement and support.  

“The Improving Goizueta’s Support of Black Entrepreneurs and Black Students Study helped inform the Diverse Executive Education Fellows proposal,” explains Goebel. “One of study’s recommendations was for Goizueta to provide more access to educational resources broadly in the local community to diverse entrepreneurs.”

That proposal became the Diverse Founders Executive Learning Program. For the purpose of this program, diverse founders are people of color and/or women who own a startup in Atlanta.

Joey Womack, founder and CEO of Goodie Nation, explains that all-too-often there are gaps prevalent in the startup community, specifically with relationships and information access. Individuals who come from top companies or universities have networks to tap into for advice and guidance on their startup journey. They’re connected.

Without those relationships, small business owners have a more difficult time raising capital, overcoming hurdles, attracting top talent, and accessing professional growth, explains Womack. For example, diverse founders receive less than 3% of U.S. venture capital investments, according to research by Deloitte.  

The diverse founders who participate in our programs realize process improvement, gain innovative ideas for their career and business, and learn enhanced strategies for growth and success. A more diverse classroom also expands the experience and brings in new perspectives that enhance everyone’s learning.

Long

In Fall 2022, 28 diverse founders participated in the program. Fifty-seven percent of the participants identified as female.

Since the pilot partnership between Executive Education and Start:ME launched in Fall 2021, a total of 40 diverse founders have benefited from the program.

Goizueta leaned on the expertise and connections of partners like Goodie Nation to help quickly identify participants, explains Goebel. Goodie Nation even sent a staff member to attend a course first to better assess which entrepreneurs from their organization would benefit the most from which courses. This initial detective work helped the organization “increase the likelihood that the diverse founder would get the most from the class,” says Womack.

“The course was packed with great and very valuable information. I thought the instructor was really personable and effective, and the class also provided a great networking opportunity,” says Jen Price, founder of both Crafted for Action and the Atlanta Beer Boutique. “I had a basic understanding of budgeting and forecasting, but it was mostly self-taught. The class strengthened my skills by equipping me with a true knowledge of accounting tools and techniques.”

Maria Peck, president of SheLends Consulting and the Start:ME Clarkston Program Lead, also attended the Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers course with Price. Peck describes the course as “very dynamic with interactive learning.”

She continues: “I have a basic understanding of financial statements, but there are infinite ways we can use the numbers to tell the financial story of a business. I can find many ways to apply these concepts in my own business and with my clients.”

Goizueta graduate students from The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation helped participants with registration and enrollment. Keena Pierre 23EMBA, who’s also a CEI Fellow and Goodie Nation liaison, says, “What was impactful for me was how valuable these diverse founders’ knowledge would be to the classroom as so many MBA students actually aspire to do what they are successfully accomplishing.”

Back to Class

In addition to this finance and accounting course, program participants could take other short courses, including Executive Communication and Leadership; Design Thinking for Business; Disrupting Your Business Strategy; AI & Machine Learning; Leading and Inspiring Change; and Executive Decision Making.

The short courses are designed with the working professional in mind: Their time is valuable, so each in-person class is only a two-day session, which means fast learning but lasting impact and networking.

For Rob Boyd, who was nominated by Goodie Nation and attended the course Disrupting Your Business Strategy, the short course “illuminated several blind spots in my company” with his mission, strategy, and innovation efforts.

“I have proficiency in strategy as a trained consultant, but the nuances of strategy as an executive were unknown and untapped… I previously assumed mission was a static thing,” says Boyd, the vice president of business development and content strategy for Empify. “This course allowed me to step back from the current thinking and create a holistic approach to enhancing our growth strategy.”

Other participants commented on the value of learning from different departments within the school, the safe space to test their ideas, and the impact of networking with other entrepreneurs in the area. As Womack sees it, this program bridges those relationship and information gaps prevalent in startup communities.

“This is an opportunity for Goizueta to serve as a leader in this space,” he says. “This is another way of engagement for diverse founders, in particular, who may not have had access to this type of information.”

We’re leading the charge with a model that other schools and communities can follow.

Womack

Goizueta Business School strives to be the leader among business schools as a place for thriving and growth for every person, even members of our local community. We endeavor to equip members of our community to be principled leaders in a diverse society. Learn more about our DEI initiatives.

Emory’s Executive Education short courses boost your leadership and business acumen with new approaches, skills, and tools in as little as three days. To see all the Executive Education courses offered at Goizueta, head here.

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Scents, Stogies, and Special Gifts

Balsam Fir, Pumpkin Pie, and Vanilla Sage Hand-Poured Beeswax Candles: Did you know that beeswax candles are known as nature’s air purifiers? “They naturally burn slower, brighter, and cleaner than soy or paraffin candles, and 100 percent pure beeswax candles burn with almost no smoke,” says Aire Candles Founder Justin Brasington 11Ox 13BBA who launched his entrepreneurial business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brasington wears many hats in his solo venture, but continually experiments with essential oils to blend unique Aire scents. The company also offers a variety of all-natural room and linen sprays, wax melts, and raw essential oil blends. Shop the Aire Candles collection.

Bicycle Tune Up in the ATL: With every bump and curve in the road, our bicycles can take some hard knocks. Gift a tune up, bike overhaul, vintage restoration, or custom bike build. Atlanta Bicycle Repair, a 2022 Goizueta Start:ME East Lake graduate, offers bicycle products, Atlanta-area maintenance packages, and accessories. Shop ATL Bicycle repair.

Leather Travel and Fashion Bags: Timeless. Luxurious. Functional.  Lola Banjo 11MBA, founder of Silver & Riley, doesn’t believe that luxury needs to break the bank. This women-led, principle-driven brand makes gorgeous travel, work, and fashion bagsin Italy in the same factories through the same processes through which other luxury bag brands create their products—but her bags are a fraction of their prices. Shop Silver & Riley.

Fair-trade, traditional art-based gifts from Nepal that create a difference: “Sunavworld is an Atlanta-based social enterprise with a mission to promote sustainable, fairly-traded local and global gifts for the socioeconomic empowerment of artists and artisans, especially women,” says Sushma Barakoti, Start:ME Clarkston Coordinator and Founder. Learn about the Artisans and Shop Mithila folk art, Kantipur products, scarves, shawls, and so much more. Shop Sunavworld gifts.

The Good Trouble Cigar: In keeping with Old Atlanta’s rich tobacco tradition and New Atlanta with its music and media, ATL Cigar builds lifestyle experiences through world-class cigars. Fifteen years ago, “ATL Cigar Company started at a free hotdog stand, when the founders were neighbors on Atlanta’s southwest side. Our neighborhood, like our city, was changing fast: people from everywhere and nowhere, all ages, colors, and tax brackets,” says Janelle Lamar, director of marketing. Co-founder and Head of Product Peter Gross 10EvMBA shares, “We were a street bar for wanderers, a corner church without a pulpit. In those diverse gatherings of young professionals, ex-cons, trap house queens, and church ladies was our first taste of what our city’s most famous son called the Beloved Community.” With cigars and conversations, ATL Cigar blossomed from those early roots, participated in the 2019 class of Start:ME Southside, and continues to gain global recognition by aficionados. The company, which was awarded #2 Cigar of 2021 by Stogie Press, has become one of the fastest-growing black-owned premium cigar brands in the industry. Shop fine cigars at ATL Cigar Co.

New, Tasty, and Very Nice to Receive (Even for Pups!)

Aguas Frescas from Tuyyo Foods: Created with real fruit and organic agave, “The aguas frescas are light and refreshing and just a great option for a drink that is not juice or soda. They also make fantastic ice cubes to liven up plain water or brighten a cocktail,” says Stefanie Garcia Turner 21EMBA, founder of California-based Tuyyo Foods, a certified Latina-founded business. With no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in any of their non-GMO products, this innovative company “is about you and me, coming together, sharing a meal, a memory, and always some chisme,” Turner says. Explore the aguas frescas, coffees, limited edition products, and recipes.

Treat Fido to an Authentic Himalayan Cheese Dog Chew: Your companion dog’s newest favorite treat just might be the all-natural yak chew, a smoked hard cheese treat playing off the ancient recipe of the people living in remote areas of the Himalayas. Atlanta-based Kathmandu’s is a 2018 graduate of the Start:ME Clarkston program. The company provides delicious dog treats while also contributing to the livelihood of community farmers in Nepal. It’s a win-win for pets and people with these high protein, low-fat treats. Shop Kathmandu’s.

Get Grillin’ with Habeeb’s Fiery Hot Wing Sauce: Whether you like your grilled meats and vegetables mild, sweet, or fiery hot, Habeeb’s Gourmet Sauces, a 2021 Start:ME East Lake graduate business, offers a gourmet line of small-batch finishing sauces. Choose your favorite flavor from Habeeb’s.

Through my work with women and minority businesses, I have seen the direct impact that purchasing decisions have on locally owned and operated businesses. Each year, I commit to sourcing gifts locally and investing in our communities to help generate opportunities for all.

Maria Vinces Peck, program lead for the Start:ME Clarkston program of Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute.

Banza Mac & Cheese: Made with chickpeas and packed with protein and fiber-rich flavor, Banza’s gluten-free Mac & Cheese comes in three flavor profiles. Co-founded by Brian Rudolph 12BBA, Banza has skyrocketed in popularity and continues to earn rave reviews. Stuff those stockings and serve up goodness with pasta, pizza, mac and cheese, and rice. Shop Banza.

“The holiday shopping season provides an opportunity for food entrepreneurs to access a new base of consumers that otherwise might not get their hands on these exciting brands,” says Marina Cooley, Goizueta lecturer of marketing. A veteran of the consumer packaged goods food and beverage industry, she spent a decade working in everything from peanut butter to tea to yogurt–building cult brands that excite consumers. In class, she explores ground-breaking food and beverage brands like Liquid Death.

Cooley’s enthusiasm for specialty food items is apparent. “What a fun stocking stuffer to receive a unique sea salt or a pomegranate fig jam!” she shares. “In a season of so much abundance, I think it’s the small unique treats that bring us joy in the new year–as you use that new sea salt to spice up a dish you think of the gifter.”

Learn more about The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Learn more about the Business & Society Institute’s Start:ME Accelerator program. Photo credit: product images are copyright of the individual companies featured.

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