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Igniting Entrepreneurs Through Training, Coaching & Funding

Training - Coaching - Funding

Spark Thomasville

Spark Thomasville's 12-week Entrepreneur Training Program, Workshops, Seminars, and Events empower entrepreneurs with foundational business education and relevant industry insight. 

Topics include:

  • Business plan creation

  • Branding

  • Sales

  • Product and service development 

  • Legal matters

  • Marketing

  • Finance

  • Pitch preparation

 

Suitable for:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs 

  • Business owners seeking to grow their ventures

Offers:

  • Practical curriculum

  • Access to applicable and relevant real-world business experiences

  • Attention to the unique needs of each entrepreneur and their business

Training

Spark Thomasville Coaches support and guide entrepreneurs and enhance their chances of success. 

 

Coaches:

  • Conduct meetings with entrepreneurs each week throughout the 12-week Program

  • Help navigate the challenges of starting, running, and scaling a business

  • Offer feedback and accountability

  • Identify resources for business strategy and network building

  • Assist in setting realistic milestones

Coaching

Community Development Loan Fund for Thomasville

 

For entrepreneurs who complete the Spark Thomasville’s 12-Week  Entrepreneur Business Education Training Program The Community Development Loan Fund (CDLF) for Thomasville offers:

  • Support to entrepreneurs facing barriers to accessing traditional funding

  • Loans addressing specific needs of startups and small businesses in underserved areas

  • Additional coaching and training after loans are dispersed

  • Help creating opportunities leading to job creation 

  • Assistance in building to a more economically viable Thomasville community

Funding

The Teen Entrepreneurship Program, launching Fall of 2023, was designed in partnership between a Spark Thomasville, the Marguerite Neel Williams Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Georgia, Inc. and other community organizations. 

Teen Entrepreneurship Program

High School Students Will:

  • Gain real-life experience in starting and running a business

  • Be coached by high school educators

  • Attend business plan, marketing and pitch workshops with community leaders

  • Earn a badge as a resume and/or college application credential 

 

High School Students Improve Their:

  • Business, Problem-Solving, Communication and Leadership Skills 

  • Financial Literacy

  • Work Ethic and Responsibility

  • Creativity and Innovation

  • Business Network

High School Students Will:

  • Gain real-life experience in starting and running a business

  • Be coached by high school educators

  • Attend business plan, marketing and pitch workshops with community leaders

  • Earn a badge as a resume and/or college application credential 

 

High School Students Improve Their:

  • Business, Problem-Solving, Communication and Leadership Skills 

  • Financial Literacy

  • Work Ethic and Responsibility

  • Creativity and Innovation

  • Business Network

Spark Thomasville Fall 2024 Cohort

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Angela Murphy

Owner, Global Consulting Alliance, Coach Patricia Powell (not shown)

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Nyhema Hicks

Owner, Early Learning Academy, Coach Dave Crane

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Ordette Thomas

Owner, Turquiose Sparkle, Coach Blanding Beatty

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Jennifer Dyson

Owner, Unlimited & Beyond Catering, Coach Lorraine Williams, Harry Vann (not shown)

Lisa Gardner.png

Lisa Gardner

Owner, Fire N Ice, Coaches Earl Williams, Sue Keith

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Diangela Byrd

Owner, Higher Heights, Coach Doug Shierling

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Vivian Moore

Owner, Vegan Devine, Coach Jill Higgins

Spark Thomasville 2023 Cohort

  • 10 Businesses

  • 11 Entrepreneurs

Roderick Blue headshot
Jasmine Calhoun
Spark graduate Venesia Calhoun
Spark graduate Tequesta Diggs

Roderick Blue 

Owner, Joyful Vegan

Jasmine Calhoun

Owner, The Diverse Pour

Venesia Calhoun

Owner, Comfort Creeks Adult Care Facility

Tequesta Diggs

Owner, Sashay All Day

Spark graduates Lauren Gouldbourn and Natasha Jones
Spark graduate Tammy Griggs
Spark graduate Shaunta Lamons
Spark graduate Ruby Lloyd

Lauren Gouldbourn and Natasha Jones

Owners, Salon Suites on Broad

Tammy Griggs

Griggs Transportation Services

Shaunta Lamons

Owner, Tae’s Unique Designs

Ruby Lloyd

Owner, Oak Leaf Waters

Spark graduate Sybol Rembert
Spark graduate Kentrella Shoats

Sybol Rembert

Top Notch Training Institute

Kentrella Shoats

Owner, CookieTrelle

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