Women-owned firms made up only 19.9% of all firms that employed people in the United States in 2018, according to the US Census, but their numbers are growing. Meet these incredible women in business in our community!
Sharon Martin, a seasoned cybersecurity expert, founded Managed Nerds with a mission to support the smallest businesses—those with 10 or fewer employees. These businesses, which comprise most small enterprises, often lack access to enterprise-grade cybersecurity and reliable IT service providers. Recognizing this critical gap, Sharon set out to address the "cybersecurity poverty line" by offering affordable, essential services tailored to these underserved businesses.
Crystal Gail Crawford, a Make Startups graduate, and founder of Hey Crystal Gail Consulting, recently had the extraordinary honor of introducing President Biden at the "Care Can't Wait" rally in Washington, DC. As the board chair of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), Crystal's advocacy for domestic workers' rights culminated in this significant moment. She shared her personal care story, emphasizing the vital role of care in her life and its influence on her business.
Mellisa McDaniel, the passionate owner of Inspiring Empathy, LLC, has always loved cooking and baking. Since childhood, Mellisa found cooking fascinating, and she saw it as a form of art
Jen Tinsley joined theClubhou.se to find a networking community of small business owners and entrepreneurs like herself. She has since opened FIELD Botanicals, an indie skincare and beauty store located in downtown Augusta.
Sa'de Williams, the Founder, and CEO of Golden Lotus Properties, LLC, was looking for a change in her career when she stumbled upon the Make Startups…
In 2019, Tonia Gibbons left a comfortable check and a steady job as director of community relations and engagement in the City of Augusta mayor’s office. Her plan? To open her own PR consulting business. The COVID happened…
Catherine Bichard stumbled upon the Make Startups program as she searched for ways to utilize her skills and create a sustainable career. Inspired by the idea of starting her own business, she poured into the program, drawing upon the skills she had developed from her previous jobs. With the help of the Make Startups team, she transformed her passion into a reality.
“I give theClubhou.se credit for making my dream a reality,” says Cobb. “I knew I had a love for children, but I didn’t know all the paperwork necessary or the attitude I had to have going in to talk to people. It helped me realize it can be a career.”
“It’s go time,” says Kala Evans of ATL BodyWorks. Read now how Make Startups helped her build her business marketing to high-level professionals and celebrity clients.
“I have education, I have knowledge and I have skills, so I took that leap of faith and decided to start my own business.”
Relationships are the most important thing in any business, and that’s what theClubhou.se does. They not only make that possible, they make it easy.
Make Startups gave me a sense of community… a sense that I’m not in this alone.
“I feel better working from theClubhou.se versus working at home, I’m going to be more productive.”
“theClubhou.se filled the gap,” Ortiz says. “With the size of my business, there wasn’t another alternative. theClubhou.se was a perfect fit: It has the right amount of resources and price range that a small business like mine can afford.”
“theClubhou.se was the place that helped me realize that my business was no longer a hobby,” shared Jasmine.
As soon as Brittany Sherell walked in to theClubhou.se, she says, “I felt like this is what I was searching for—a space to work outside of my home, where I felt safe and that also had the functionality of an office space.”
