Start:ME Atlanta

It’s time to meet the ones who wear many hats – our East Lake team! ?? Meet Mercedes Uzuegbunam, MSW, our incredible East Lake Program Coordinator! Not only does she support alumni programming, but she also helps keep our new Northwest team running smoothly. As the owner of Heart Mercedes and a 2019 Start:ME alum, she knows our community inside and out. Her favorite hidden gem? "There are so many, but my absolute favorite spot that I think doesn’t get enough shine is Scout in Oakhurst."??? Kareem Hall, our amazing East Lake and Southside Program Lead! After moving back to Atlanta, he wanted to give back by sharing his business consulting expertise with local entrepreneurs. He started as a mentor in East Lake in 2017 and now leads both East Lake and Southside programs! His advice for entrepreneurs? “Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster, so take care of your mental health and stay positive!” ??

It’s time for a round of Start:ME introductions! Let’s spotlight the incredible people behind our program—starting with our Clarkston team! ?? Maria "Mayte" Vinces Peck is Clarkston’s Program Lead! She has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to supporting wealth-building through entrepreneurship. As a long-time consultant and business owner, she understands the needs and barriers of underserved and underrepresented communities when starting and growing businesses. ?? Sushma Barakoti, MSW Barakoti, our amazing Clarkston Program Coordinator and founder of Sunavworld! Sushma launched Sunavworld to empower women artisans through sustainable, fairly traded gifts. She joined our first Start:ME cohort in 2014! In addition to running Sunavworld and working at Start:ME, she leads a nonprofit organization called the Refugee Women's Network in Atlanta! ??

We’ve officially closed applications with a record-breaking 330 submissions! A huge thank you to our partners, coalition members, and team for your incredible support in spreading the word. We couldn’t have done it without y'all! ???? We’ve started the application reviews and are so excited for the program to kick off in January 2025! We’re still looking for volunteer mentors for the Start:ME Atlanta 2025 program. If you’re ready to share your skills and make a difference, head over to startmeatl.org/mentor to get involved.?

Just two days left to apply!! ?? Don’t miss your chance to join Start:ME and gain access to the knowledge, networks, and capital you need to elevate your business. Look at what our recent alumni say about their experience! ?? Apply before October 5th at www.startmeatl.org/apply

?? Join Us for Grove Park Foundation’s Week of Impact!*?? ??? Small Business Day: Evaluate Your Business in Real Time! ?? Tuesday, October 1st ? 12PM - 3PM ?? YMCA: 656 Francis Place NW, Atlanta GA 30318 Don’t miss this FREE event designed to elevate your business! Connect with experts from the Rollins family of businesses (Orkin, Northwest Pest Control, and more) who will be on hand to provide real-time evaluations and insights. Rollins is a proud supporter of Grove Park, dedicated to driving positive change through volunteerism and community giving. ?? Enjoy a catered lunch, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and get exclusive consultations! Plus, get one-on-one StartME application assistance and be part of the launch of the Grove Park Ready Program! Let’s grow together! ?? ?? REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/eW8Z4M4V

The countdown officially begins! Only 9 days left to apply!! ? Start:ME is looking for promising small business owners in and around Atlanta's Clarkston, East Lake, Northwest, and Southside communities. ?? Delivered in partnership with Emory University - Goizueta Business School and our amazing partners: East Lake Foundation, FCS - Focused Community Strategies, Friends of Refugees, GROVE PARK FOUNDATION INC, and Purpose Built Schools Apply by Oct 5th at www.startmeatl.org/apply

I've volunteered with the last five cohorts, and I can't recommend the Start:ME program enough! If you have a new business or even a new line of business and would like accountability and guidance from fellow entrepreneurs and mentors around Atlanta, sign up soon! Participants who complete the program walk away with a completed business plan, hours of pitching practice, and the chance to compete for a $1-5K non-dilutive grant.

Cheers to an amazing night at the Kirkwood Wine Stroll! ?? We had a blast seeing our alumni and spreading the word about our program. ?? This year we had a fun “Build a snack necklace” activity, it was a big hit for all ages! Thanks to everyone who stopped to say hello ??

Attn: Small Business Owners who are scared to be vulnerable and lack community in entrepreneurship ?? This is a FREE program that will work on every piece to your business puzzle: business plan, marketing, financials, legal, networking, and more. Not only does this program pour into you with human capital (amazing mentors) and resources, you can also be like HAILO? and win a $5,000 peer-selected grant upon graduating. ?? The best news: this program DOES NOT end. This past summer, Start:Me paid for hours of legal help for my business and a dozen others with Roxann Smithers and her wonderful team. I’m excited to be a returning mentor for Start:ME Atlanta and see what businesses we get to impact this season! startmeatl.org/apply

Resource Alert: Unlock the Power of Meta Ads! Join NWBA and Start:ME Atlanta NW for an exclusive workshop where you'll learn the secrets of mastering Facebook and Instagram ads from industry experts. This is a fantastic opportunity to boost your digital marketing skills and network with like-minded professionals. ?? Date: September 26 ? Time: 6 - 7:30 pm ?? Location: 2056 DLH Pkwy NW, ATL ?? RSVP Here: NWBA-ATL.com All are welcome to join us! Don’t miss your chance to transform your business strategies with Meta ads. Event is kindly sponsored by Allhabu Scrubs. #GrovePark #GroveParkATL #GroveParkStrong #GroveParkFoundation #atlanta #atlantaga #ATL #startmeATL