Friday, February 21
7:00 a.m.
DeShay Williams
Executive Director, Spark Thomasville
At Spark Thomasville, we believe that entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for economic transformation. In 2025, we are launching 5 Targeted Training Cohorts to Address Critical Community Needs while equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and financial resources they need to thrive. These cohorts focus on strengthening financial literacy, ensuring tax compliance, supporting construction professionals, developing childcare businesses, and offering comprehensive entrepreneurship training. Each program not only educates and offers business coaching, but they also prepare entrepreneurs for financing opportunities, including our Spark Thomasville Alumni Fund in partnership with InvestTVL, our local Community Development Loan Fund.
Small businesses often struggle, with 20% failing within the first year and 50% within five years—largely due to a lack of financial training and access to capital. That’s why we launched the Business Finance Essentials Bootcamp on February 8, 2025. This intensive training session provided entrepreneurs with essential financial skills, covering QuickBooks, lending opportunities, and strategic marketing to help them become loan-ready and financially resilient.
Understanding tax obligations is crucial for entrepreneurs seeking funding. Our Tax Prep Assistance Program, running on March 4, 11, and 18, 2025, from 6 PM – 8 PM, will guide entrepreneurs through filing both personal and business tax returns. With our funding support of up to $1,500, qualifying Spark graduates will be matched with a tax pro and can have their previous years’ taxes prepared and filed. This initiative ensures that they meet the documentation requirements necessary for loan applications and other financial opportunities.
In April 2025, every Saturday from 8 AM – 1 PM, we are addressing the urgent need for skilled construction entrepreneurs through the Building for Success cohort. With 40% of housing in our Urban Revitalization Zones blighted or vacant, there is an increased demand for affordable and workforce housing. This four-week program will train construction professionals—contractors, electricians, plumbers—helping them obtain certifications and develop business strategies to secure federal, state and local contracts and contribute to Thomasville’s revitalization efforts.
In addition, the need for high-quality childcare continues to grow, and entrepreneurs in this sector require specialized business training. There are approximately 3,000 children under the age of five in Thomasville, yet Thomasville only has approximately 1,000 available childcare spaces. This gap not only affects families but also keeps parents out of the workforce, limiting economic growth and opportunity. From May 6 – July 31, 2025 (12 weeks), on Tuesdays from 6 PM – 8 PM, the Childcare Provider Business Training cohort will equip participants with licensing knowledge, business planning expertise, and operational management skills. By increasing the number of trained childcare providers, this program will directly contribute to workforce development and economic stability in Thomasville.
Finally, our flagship Spark Thomasville Signature Entrepreneurship Training will take place from August 12 – November 4, 2025 (12 weeks), on Tuesdays from 6 PM – 8 PM. This program is for entrepreneurs across all industries, providing a comprehensive foundation in business planning, coaching from community leaders, and direct access to financial resources, including opportunities through the Spark Alumni Fund.
Each of these five cohorts is structured to provide practical knowledge, professional credentials, and pathways to capital. By equipping entrepreneurs with the resources they need, Spark Thomasville is building a stronger, more resilient local economy.
We invite you to join us in creating the spark that fuels Spark Thomasville. Whether as a coach, speaker, or volunteer, your contribution can make a meaningful difference in supporting our entrepreneurs. Help us spread the word by sharing this message with your network—together, we can build a thriving entrepreneurial community.
With determination and vision,
DeShay Williams
Executive Director, Spark Thomasville
P.S. It costs Spark $2,500 to train one entrepreneur in a single cohort. We intentionally keep the cost minimal for participants to lower barriers to education, ensuring that entrepreneurs can access vital resources without financial strain. However, this means we rely on the generosity of donors like you to continue offering these transformative opportunities and support the growth of our local economy.
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