{"result":[{"id":475,"title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","promo_title":"WEI Announces Cohort #6","published_date":"2023-03-31","featured_image":{"id":2360,"parent_id":145,"resource_file_name":"wei6.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":158893,"resource_updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.000-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:04.796-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.294-04:00","filename_hash":"wei6_P1jN8oo.jpg","width":907,"height":767},"filename":"wei-announces-cohort-6","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AW-vHA","created_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T16:33:29.266-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n During a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2023","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring a virtual launch event, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) introduced members of its spring 2023 cohort of entrepreneurs \u0026ndash; marking the sixth cohort since its inception.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of Cohort # 6 include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMichelle Clay | FREEALITEA\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAhriana Edwards | Vaila Shoes\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber Enadeghe | Artistically Esoteric\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRose Paddyfoot-Gordon | Dba Pink Maison\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCarrie Hadley | INDIEHOUSE modern fragrances\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittany Hardy | The Hardy Clinic\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Ramirez-Herrera | OffThaRecord/OTR\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eBrittny James | Project Chick Planner\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRodeline Joseph | Medsembly\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda Kinsey | Amanda\u0026#39;s BarBeeQue\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKatrina Morrison | Mocha Travel\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRhea Perkins | Attyre Delivery\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOlivia Rios | Cold Mountain\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTyana Singletary | BeUTee Bath and Body\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMoneisha White | White Labs Services\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI was founded to help women build thriving, successful businesses. As part of Invest Atlanta, WEI is the only municipally funded program of its kind in the nation focused on women\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurship for early-stage startups. Backed by research and findings from leading institutions on women business owners, and with local women entrepreneurs serving as thought leaders, WEI provides participants with a range of resources to carry out their entrepreneurial vision.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":456,"title":"Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2022 Cohort Announced","promo_title":"Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2022 Cohort Announced","published_date":"2022-09-26","featured_image":{"id":2061,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"wei-hermove-queen-logo.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":971973,"resource_updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:01:50.204-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2022-09-26T13:01:51.120-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:03:10.573-04:00","filename_hash":"wei-hermove-queen-logo_k3Nlpm8.jpg","width":3116,"height":3658},"filename":"atlantas-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei-2022-cohort-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"uFtJiw","created_at":"2022-09-26T13:02:43.377-04:00","updated_at":"2022-09-26T13:03:10.525-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the 15 members of its fifth cohort today.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2022","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the 15 members of its fifth cohort today.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe only municipally funded program of its kind in the nation, WEI launched in 2015 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The 15-month incubator fosters and promotes community and spurs business growth for female entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries from transportation and logistics to healthcare, media, education, and consumer goods.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 600 jobs for the City of Atlanta and its entrepreneurs have garnered more than $4 million in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re focused on creating an environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive, to help advance equity and equality in Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. \u0026ldquo;WEI is another shining example of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s work to fulfill our mission of making sure all Atlantans have equitable access to opportunity and pathways to wealth creation as we continue to move Atlanta forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis cohort\u0026rsquo;s theme \u0026ndash; \u0026ldquo;HerMove\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; celebrates the strategic role that women play in entrepreneurial leadership with its new class of entrepreneurs in districts from the southside, westside and northside, showcasing the growing diversity and inclusion of its business community. WEI provides access to practical\u0026nbsp;business education, mentorship engagement, financial literacy assistance and business\u0026nbsp;support services, including collaborative co-working space at the historic Flatiron Building in\u0026nbsp;downtown Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Women-owned businesses play a major role in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial ecosystem and are vital to the success of the city\u0026rsquo;s economy,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;Businesses founded and helmed by women represent 42% of all U.S. businesses and statistics show that women reinvest 90% of their income into their families and their local community, so supporting them is a win-win.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;WEI and Invest Atlanta prove once again, women founders are profitable, innovative and impactful; and that our fair city is a guiding star for diversity, equity and inclusion in entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Delores Hooks, executive director of WEI.\u0026nbsp; \u0026ldquo;Cohort 5 is positioned to bring continued accolades and awards to help make Atlanta the most economically competitive and dynamic city in the world.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFifth cohort participants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAgate Solutions LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eArt In The Paint Corporation\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAsk Me Your MD, Inc.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCould Be Pretty Cool LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFourth Party LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHelping Empower Youth Incorporated (HEY!)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHERide\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHillendell Medical Training\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIHCBP Infinity Holdings INC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJo David Design Studio\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKore Beauty Co. LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLapapoe LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePretty Luxe Picnics\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eRAW Body Essentials\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eREADI Consulting, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":422,"title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","promo_title":"Atlanta Organizations Come Together to Empower Women","published_date":"2021-09-23","featured_image":{"id":1700,"parent_id":78,"resource_file_name":"witwweb.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":269253,"resource_updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.436-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2021-09-23T11:39:18.483-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.254-04:00","filename_hash":"witwweb_gvwMJeN.png","width":1280,"height":600},"filename":"atlanta-organizations-come-together-to-empower-women","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"r6u6_w","created_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","updated_at":"2021-09-23T11:42:26.235-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n According to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStatistics show that working women have been disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in January 2021 alone, some 275,000 women\u0026mdash;accounting \u0026nbsp;for nearly 80% of all workers over age 20 \u0026ndash; left the workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut several Atlanta organizations have joined together to provide women with guidance and tactical tools to help combat this dip in employment. The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, the Mayor\u0026rsquo;s Office of International Affairs (MOIA) and One Atlanta, launched \u0026ldquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rdquo; \u0026ndash; a hybrid roundtable and marketplace initiative featuring monthly programming to serve women throughout the city.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women\u0026#39;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe kickoff event, held Sept. 13-17, featured citywide programs and resources specific to women. Monthly programming will continue to serve women throughout Atlanta by addressing five areas of focus: Economic Mobility; Mental Health; Entrepreneurship; Families \u0026amp; Childcare; and Capital Investment \u0026amp; Resource Allotment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The risk of women leaving the labor force and reducing work hours in order to assume caretaking responsibilities amounts to tens of billions of dollars per year in lost wages and economic activity,\u0026rdquo; explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;For a healthy, equitable economy, women, particularly those in underserved communities, need access to resources like \u0026lsquo;Women in the Workplace\u0026rsquo; so they can continue to be strong financial contributors while also caring for their loved ones.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more or to register for the event, visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\"\u003ewww.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003chr size=\"1\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":413,"title":"(Tech) Tip Off Pitch Competition Awards $60,000 to Women Entrepreneurs","promo_title":"Grants Awarded to Fuel Women Entrepreneurs","published_date":"2021-07-23","featured_image":{"id":1658,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wei_pitches_6.24.2021-59_-002-.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3132697,"resource_updated_at":"2021-07-23T11:40:13.034-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2021-07-23T11:40:14.019-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-26T11:45:15.615-04:00","filename_hash":"wei_pitches_6.24.2021-59_-002-_gv2oK2Z.jpg","width":5797,"height":4160},"filename":"tech-tip-off-awards-2021","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"D9lDXw","created_at":"2021-07-23T12:19:14.929-04:00","updated_at":"2021-07-26T11:45:15.569-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Local healthy snack startup owner\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes uses an insect farm model that incorporates IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. She is one of six Atlanta women entrepreneurs who have been awarded a total of $60,000 in grants as part of The (Tech) Tip Off pitch competition.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eLocal healthy snack startup owner\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes uses an insect farm model that incorporates IoT technology to harvest insects as a micro-livestock. She is one of six Atlanta women entrepreneurs who have been awarded a total of $60,000 in grants as part of The (Tech) Tip Off pitch competition.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eThe competition, powered by the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) and the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, was created to help Atlanta women entrepreneurs raise their profiles, earn grants to support their business dreams, and learn from tech companies across the city. Competing entrepreneurs were evaluated by a panel of judges representing Atlanta business and community leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s not just the workshops that make the WEI program so impactful; it\u0026rsquo;s the wrap around services, the network of women and\u0026nbsp;the opportunity to actually apply what you learn to your business,\u0026rdquo; said Stokes. \u0026ldquo;This experience is a milestone for me, because today I\u0026rsquo;m comfortable pitching my business and one year ago, I was not.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eThe (Tech) Tip Off grants were awarded in two categories: the first for current WEI Cohort members participating in the competition, and the second for other Atlanta-based entrepreneurs. First place winners in both categories received a $15,000 grant; second place winners received a $10,000 grant; and third place winners received a $5,000 grant.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;As an organization, we are always looking for ways to elevate women entrepreneurs,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Delores Hooks, executive director of Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s business incubator for early stage, women-owned businesses. \u0026ldquo;Developing these workshops and the pitch competition offered a way to help our key audiences launch and grow a successful start-up by leveraging technology.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eAs part of this effort, Atlanta Hawks Foundation donated $100,000 from the proceeds of the sales of its historic 2020-21 MLK Nike City Edition Jersey to WEI to fund business workshops, the pitch competition, and grants for metro area women entrepreneurs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;The Atlanta Hawks understand how vitally important it is to not only provide funding, but the exposure to the right contacts and the right technology in helping new businesses be set up for success,\u0026rdquo; said David Lee, executive vice president of External Affairs for the Atlanta Hawks and executive director of the Hawks Foundation. \u0026ldquo;Our foundation is proud to support the work of WEI and play a part in launching a new crop of female-led businesses in our city.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{75}\" paraid=\"802517367\"\u003eAward winners:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{182}\" paraid=\"36386340\"\u003eAtlanta-Based Entrepreneur Category\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e1st\u0026nbsp;Place: Claudine Miles of Restore More building capacity through restorative practice, anti-racism, and social emotional learning for students, educators, and parents.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e2nd\u0026nbsp;Place: Tia Robinson of Vertical Activewear supporting inner and outer well-being through sustainable and size-inclusive activewear for yoga, dance, and meditation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003e3rd\u0026nbsp;Place: Elissa Russell of READI Consulting providing a tech-enabled workforce readiness solution to upskill and reskill entry level workers.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4 paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{193}\" paraid=\"1290199361\"\u003eWEI Cohort Category\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e1st\u0026nbsp;Place:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Akissi\u0026nbsp;Stokes of\u0026nbsp;WUNDERgrubs\u0026nbsp;producing high-quality insect protein using the Internet of Things (IoT) to disrupt the supply chain and cultivating sustainable farming practices that help restore natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, improve nutrition, and promote food security.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e2nd\u0026nbsp;Place: Sarah Marske of\u0026nbsp;Saramar\u0026nbsp;Group connecting brands to the U.S. Hispanic market through purpose-driven marketing solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003e3rd\u0026nbsp;Place:\u0026nbsp;Evana\u0026nbsp;and Zoe Oli of Beautiful Curly Me teaching young girls the importance of hair care, while fostering self-confidence and love through dolls and accessories.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp paraeid=\"{48ce9c85-9295-43af-aac1-fffe30ddf24f}{253}\" paraid=\"1016074250\"\u003eWEI is the only municipally-funded program of its kind in the nation that is focused on women\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurship for early-stage startups. The program was launched by the City of Atlanta in 2015 to align entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Atlanta with the City\u0026rsquo;s economic development programs. WEI is part of Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economic development authority, and furthers the goal of creating equity and prosperity for all of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":393,"title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","promo_title":"New Grant Helps Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Expand Mission","published_date":"2021-02-23","featured_image":{"id":73,"parent_id":9,"resource_file_name":"wei_2x.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":56680,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.209-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2017-12-18T17:08:37.275-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.809-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_2x_8my2wma.png","width":342,"height":198},"filename":"new-grant-helps-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-expand-mission","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"AYcH8A","created_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","updated_at":"2021-02-23T17:25:03.785-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2021","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-7ebfbf1f-7fff-fc17-e478-8dc28232ee61\"\u003eThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has awarded the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) with a $49,500 grant to expand its programming and develop a podcast series to help advance its goals.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI has an active programming curriculum that includes Business Analysis, Learning \u0026amp; Leadership Development, Strategic Partnerships and Funding Opportunities \u0026ndash; all of which focus on startup workshops and webinars to strengthen Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurial pipeline.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI will receive the grant funds via Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), which will serve as its fiscal partner. ACE is a nonprofit organization that provides loans and business development resources to help its borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses which generate jobs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026ldquo;This grant will help WEI strengthen its pipeline, which is a key goal for 2021,\u0026rdquo; said Monica Hooks, executive director for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative. \u0026ldquo;We are looking to reach more budding entrepreneurs, and with these funds, we feel we\u0026rsquo;ll be able to touch at least 200 women-owned businesses throughout the \u003c/span\u003ecity of Atlanta and at least 120 minority-owned women businesses through workshops and webinars.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe LISC grant will not only help develop potential entrepreneurs so they can participate in incubator programs, like WEI, and/or accelerator programs within the city of Atlanta, it also will provide no-cost support for those in need of access to information, technical resources and one-on-one engagement.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWEI was launched in 2015 with support from the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta as the first, city-funded incubator to foster growth and sustainability for emerging women-owned businesses through programming, facilities, technology and other shared resources.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEntrepreneurs are competitively selected for a rigorous 15-month incubator program, during which the WEI entrepreneurs have access to practical business, education, mentorship engagement, financial literacy assistance and business support services, including co-location at the new WEI incubator space in the Flatiron Building.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the city of Atlanta, and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":331,"title":"Atlanta’s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) 2020 Cohort Announced","promo_title":"WEI 2020 Cohort Announced","published_date":"2020-05-21","featured_image":{"id":843,"parent_id":1,"resource_file_name":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":3249,"resource_updated_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.703-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-03-21T14:15:02.735-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.258-04:00","filename_hash":"wei-atlanta-logo-ia_6ab7Pwe.jpg","width":194,"height":107},"filename":"atlantas-women-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei-2020-cohort-announced","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"pUqIXw","created_at":"2020-05-21T16:07:02.425-04:00","updated_at":"2020-05-22T14:57:48.200-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2020","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtlanta\u0026rsquo;s Women Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, women-owned businesses, announced the fifteen members of its third cohort at the monthly meeting of Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Board of Directors.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe only municipally-funded program of its kind in the nation, WEI launched in 2015 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The incubator fosters and promotes community and spurs business growth for female entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries, from AgTech to healthcare to retail.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, WEI businesses have created more than 230 jobs for the City of Atlanta and WEI entrepreneurs have garnered more than $800,000 in capital investment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich emphasized the importance of community support for female entrepreneurs and noted that nearly 48 percent of women cite this lack of support as a key challenge they face. \u0026ldquo;The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative provides these entrepreneurs with resources that can help them thrive. Invest Atlanta is committed to assisting women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses so they can become the city\u0026#39;s job creators.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants benefit from co-working space in downtown Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building for the 15-month program that includes business education, financial literacy, marketing and branding strategies, as well as other types of mentor and peer support.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI 2020 cohort includes Atlanta-based women entrepreneurs representing industries in AgTech, Construction, Consumer Goods, Information Technology, Health Care, Education, Marketing \u0026amp; Advertising and Workforce Development.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCalling the newest cohort \u0026ldquo;the strongest yet,\u0026rdquo; WEI Executive Director Monica Hooks said, \u0026ldquo;I\u0026rsquo;m beyond thrilled to help lead this group of extraordinary entrepreneurs. They represent Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s best and brightest. They are smart, they are agile, they are problem solvers, and their innovative solutions will help define the future of business. WEI is not just about women. It is about good business driven by women.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e2020 cohort participants include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAkissi Y. Stokes, WUNDERgrubs, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmanda A. Farahany, Bamboo Services LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAmber R. Lawson, Aspire Construction \u0026amp; Real Estate Consulting\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAriel Lopez, KNAC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDenise Alexis, DESIGN-1-1 LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eEvana Oli, Beautiful Curly Me LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eHannelore Berger, JOYVIAL\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJamia Ramsey, Blendz Apparel Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eKristina Monique Smith, Hope for Youth, Inc\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eQuyionah Wingfield, Cool Moms Dance Too\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSarah Lindley Marske, Saramar, LLC DBA Saramar Group\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTanjuria A. Willis, eKlozet, LLC\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTrish Miller, The William Pleshette Company\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVeronica Woodruff, Travelsist\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eVictoria Randle, CNA Instructors Secret Cocktail\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":302,"title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","promo_title":"Monica Hooks Named New Executive Director of WEI","published_date":"2019-10-19","featured_image":{"id":1007,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"article_request_form.docx.png","resource_content_type":"image/png","resource_file_size":1255695,"resource_updated_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.520-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":2,"created_at":"2019-10-14T08:42:30.999-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.119-04:00","filename_hash":"article_request_form.docx_jpMv5bV.png","width":1200,"height":643},"filename":"monica-hooks-named-new-executive-director-of-womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-wei","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"fD4gtQ","created_at":"2019-10-21T13:22:28.226-04:00","updated_at":"2019-10-23T14:51:51.074-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies.\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2019","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta announced the hiring of Monica Hooks as the Executive Director of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), a business incubator for early-stage, female-led startup companies. Hooks brings more than 20 years of marketing and business development experience to the position with deep expertise in new media, entertainment, and technology.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs WEI Executive Director, she will lead the WEI program, including the strategic direction, administration, and day-to-day activities of the organization with oversight from Invest Atlanta\u0026#39;s CEO and the WEI board of directors. Hooks will develop, manage, and execute programs and initiatives that support the development and promotion of female entrepreneurship with a keen focus on launching the program\u0026rsquo;s third cohort.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe will also be responsible for key areas such as innovation policy, entrepreneur workforce programs, women entrepreneurship, financial capacity building, and entrepreneur retention and entrepreneur development throughout the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a national leader in female entrepreneurship, and our region is home to more than 200,000 women-owned businesses,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. \u0026ldquo;As that number continues to grow, we want to provide them with the resources they need to thrive. Since the City of Atlanta became the first city to fund and launch an incubator like WEI, we have supported dozens of successful women entrepreneurs. We will continue to do so under the guidance of Monica Hooks.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;On behalf of the board, I am very pleased to welcome Monica to WEI,\u0026rdquo; said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. \u0026ldquo;As an accomplished entrepreneur herself, she has the expertise and experience required to support Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s next generation of women entrepreneurs. The WEI Board is proud of the work we have done so far to level the playing field, and looking ahead, we are so happy to have a leader like Monica Hooks push the WEI mission forward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;In Atlanta, roughly 40 percent of businesses are women-owned, yet female entrepreneurs must still overcome social and economic barriers many of their male peers do not face,\u0026rdquo; said Grace Fricks, President and CEO of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs. \u0026ldquo;Atlanta is a city committed to supporting all its entrepreneurs, and I look forward to working closely with Monica to help more women launch successful businesses and grow our economy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBefore joining Invest Atlanta, Hooks was CEO of m-oracle LLC d/b/a The Marketing Oracle, a marketing innovation agency offering strategy and market research.\u0026nbsp; The firm has leveraged marketing data to garner partnerships with companies like Reservoir Media, Epic Records, I Am Other, Grand Hustle and William Morris Endeavor, and placements with brands like NBA.TV, Samsung, Playstation, and Disney Interactive.\u0026nbsp; m-oracle LLC is a graduate of the WEI inaugural class and winner of the 2017 Microsoft Innovation Bots and Cognitive Services award.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I am thrilled to join the Invest Atlanta team to support women founders and small business owners throughout the City of Atlanta,\u0026rdquo; said Hooks. \u0026ldquo;I look forward to building off the past success WEI has had as an incubator empowering our entrepreneurs and providing the support they need to take their businesses to the next level.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHooks also brings with her years of marketing experience she gained at Sony Music Entertainment, where she held product management, international marketing and business affairs roles.\u0026nbsp; At Sony, Hooks was responsible for brands focused on youth culture and early social media influencers. Hooks received her bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree from Dartmouth College in government where she earned the Dean\u0026rsquo;s Award. She received her M.B.A. from The Wharton School with concentrations in international marketing, finance, and entrepreneurial management.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI will begin accepting applications in November 2019 for its next cohort of women entrepreneurs. Information and application forms will be available at www.weiatlanta.com.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":210,"title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","promo_title":"FlatironCity: Atlanta's Innovation Future Happening at Historic Atlanta Landmark","published_date":"2018-08-06","featured_image":{"id":688,"parent_id":5,"resource_file_name":"flatironcity_1.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":107083,"resource_updated_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.025-04:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":5,"created_at":"2018-08-06T13:49:40.326-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-07T12:39:12.376-04:00","filename_hash":"flatironcity_1_98O29Z4.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},"filename":"flatironcity-atlantas-future-within-a-historic-landmark","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oViQ0A","created_at":"2018-08-06T13:51:20.345-04:00","updated_at":"2018-08-09T11:04:07.762-04:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Invest Atlanta team recently visited\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2018","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta team recently visited \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/\"\u003eFlatironCity\u003c/a\u003e in Downtown Atlanta to learn more about the recent transformation of this Atlanta icon into a thriving innovation hub.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSonia Sequeira, FlatironCity\u0026rsquo;s Community Manager, was kind enough to show us around, tell us more about the building\u0026rsquo;s history, and share their vision of supporting entrepreneurs in the heart of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;The developer envisioned transforming the building as a destination for start-ups, small business and enterprise companies creating an urban business community leveraging each other\u0026rsquo;s work culture, with Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s partnership,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;A big part of that is: how do you get more entrepreneurs Downtown? How can you bring more innovation here? And then, how does that result in more development in this whole area?\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe project received a\u0026nbsp; Westside TAD investment from Invest Atlanta, as well as a New Markets Tax Credit allocation through Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. (AEMI).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 120-year-old Flatiron Building opened in 1897\u0026mdash;five years before the one in New York\u0026mdash;and is the City of Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s oldest standing skyscraper. The whole building was gutted, renovated, and reopened about two years ago as a \u0026ldquo;melting pot\u0026rdquo; for entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Part of the vision of the building is that companies will grow from the co-working floor to take a bigger space within it,\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026ldquo;You have an entrepreneur who\u0026rsquo;s just starting out, and as they\u0026rsquo;re growing, they can grow within the building rather than continually changing their address.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.volantio.com/\"\u003eVolantio\u003c/a\u003e is a company that has grown quickly within the walls of FlatironCity. The company helps airlines better utilize their capacity, providing value for both their clients and airline passengers. They started with just three people working in a single office suite and have since grown to take up a floor of the building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOther FlatironCity tenants include the creative digital agency \u003ca href=\"http://www.launchagency.com/\"\u003eLaunch\u003c/a\u003e, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWEI\u003c/a\u003e), Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (\u003ca href=\"https://aceloans.org/\"\u003eACE\u003c/a\u003e), an industrial design company, and a culinary tour operator.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe building\u0026rsquo;s design contains call-backs to its history, as well as flourishes such as a caf\u0026eacute; lined with work from local artists.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;One of our goals is to connect entrepreneurs in our space through their interests outside of work as well, so we\u0026rsquo;ve hosted live music, the Peachfest\u0026nbsp;food festival downtown, and coffee tastings\u0026rdquo; said Sequeira. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRight outside the building along the new Broad Street boardwalk plaza, a \u0026ldquo;smart city canvas,\u0026rdquo; in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is being tested out. This testing ground gives IoT tech startups the opportunity to demonstrate their products in a real-world environment. For example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.flatironcity.com/single-post/2018/04/19/bedowntown-Introducing-Soofa-the-new-tech-on-Broad-Street\"\u003eSoofa\u003c/a\u003e has installed solar-powered benches where passersby can charge their wireless devices.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s no surprise that FlatironCity was awarded the \u003ca href=\"https://www.investatlanta.com/impact-insights/flatironcity-named-uli-atlantas-2017-project-of-the-year\"\u003e2017 Project of the Year\u003c/a\u003e by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta at the organization\u0026rsquo;s annual Awards of Excellence.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Development\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n Downtown\n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":9,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class","published_date":"2017-10-06","featured_image":{"id":214,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei_graduation_feature.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":156439,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.002-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-20T13:16:26.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:54.115-05:00","filename_hash":"wei_graduation_feature_eX166EW.jpg","width":1953,"height":1465},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-celebrates-inaugural-graduating-class","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"Ib3Oxg","created_at":"2017-12-20T13:24:31.692-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-20T13:41:53.489-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of 15 women entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn attendance were Mayor Kasim Reed, Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI, and members of the WEI Advisory Board, including Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. As the only city-funded initiative of its kind in the nation, WEI is a 15-month business incubator program that fosters growth and sustainability through business education, financial literacy, access to mentors and consultants, and peer-to-peer networking.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I congratulate the 15 women entrepreneurs who participated in WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural year,\u0026rdquo; said Mayor Reed. \u0026ldquo;Their achievements over the past 15 months show what can happen when government and the private sector join together to provide access to resources, technology and hands-on mentorship. These women had the courage to lay their futures on the line and chase their dreams; their ambition inspires us all.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe vision for WEI was sparked by Mayor Reed during his first mayoral campaign. Launched in 2014, and guided by a seven-member advisory board, WEI aims to align entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Atlanta with the City\u0026rsquo;s mission of elevating and strengthening its economic development efforts. Atlanta was recently ranked 18th out of 50 best global cities for women entrepreneurs in Dell\u0026rsquo;s 2017 Women Entrepreneur Index.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;WEI\u0026rsquo;s first 15-member graduating class shows that women entrepreneurs are fearless, pioneering and worth championing,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Executive Director of WEI. \u0026ldquo;Their passion and accomplishments will serve as a great example of what can be achieved by the next class of WEI entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOver the course of the 15-month business incubator, nine of the 15 entrepreneurs have hired additional employees; six entrepreneurs have collaborated with fellow WEI classmates to create additional business opportunities; one entrepreneur has grown her 2017 revenues beyond $1.1 million; and, to date, the revenue gain of the first class of WEI entrepreneurs\u0026rsquo; businesses stands at more than $480K.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the graduation ceremony, the City of Atlanta announced that Flatiron City, which has partnered with the City since WEI\u0026rsquo;s inception, will extend office space leases to two graduating WEI entrepreneurs free of charge; WeWork, a national shared office space company located in Buckhead, will also provide free office space for three months to all of the WEI graduates; Jump Fund, a Tennessee-based venture capital firm, will come to Atlanta to invest in the businesses of the WEI women entrepreneurs; and WEI will now be a part of the Invest Atlanta team which will ensure the legacy of support for the WEI business incubator program.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;I would like to congratulate the members of WEI\u0026rsquo;s inaugural class on their graduation,\u0026rdquo; said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. \u0026ldquo;Nearly 48 percent of women cite a lack of community support as a key challenge to starting a business, and in its first year, WEI has already created a vibrant, collaborative, and supportive community of entrepreneurs. These WEI businesses have generated more than $480,000 in revenue and created jobs, and they will continue to make a positive impact on Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s economy for years to come. I\u0026rsquo;m glad WEI has joined the Invest Atlanta team, and I look forward to working together to support future women entrepreneurs.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 15 women entrepreneurs honored during the WEI graduation ceremony were:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLynn Lilly, CraftBox Girls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMelanie Rhodes, MelanCo. Enterprises/DSS Experts;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSamantha Hodgkins, SparkFire Active LLC;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJoanna Douglas, Parketing;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eDawn Belisle, Delights by Dawn;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJeannell Darden, Cococurls;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eJennifer Bluemling, Borrowed By Design;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSherry Popovic, cME compete;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eCicely Gay, Amplifiers Inc.;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eLogan Williams, Rapid Parking Solutions;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAdrienne Brown, Adrienne J. Media;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTiffany Ray, Generation Infocus;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMonica Hooks, m-oracle;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSheila Woodhouse, DoxMed; and\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eTonya Hicks, Women Do Everything.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWEI recently completed the application process for the new 15-member class of women entrepreneurs. The businesses chosen to participate in the 2018-19 WEI incubator program will be announced in December 2017.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":64,"title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","promo_title":"Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Hosts InnovateHER Challenge","published_date":"2017-06-05","featured_image":{"id":273,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"innovateher_selfie.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":528101,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:16.945-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:17.265-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:43.101-05:00","filename_hash":"innovateher_selfie_W1aKkO3.jpg","width":2048,"height":1538},"filename":"womens-entrepreneurship-initiative-hosts-innovateher-challenge","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"jmqY6w","created_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T11:12:42.582-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n The Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/\"\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI)\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2017\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-launches-2017-innovateher-business-challenge-innovations-empower-womens-lives\"\u003eInnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;on Thursday, June 1.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInnovateHER is a national business competition seeking entrepreneurs who are creating products or services that have a measurable impact on women and their families, fills a need in the marketplace and has potential for commercialization. This is the third consecutive year that WEI has served as a local host for this national competition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The City of Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneur Initiative is honored to host this innovative business challenge geared specifically to women,\u0026rdquo; said Theia Smith, Founding Executive Director, WEI. \u0026ldquo;It is important to understand the value of empowering our local entrepreneurs with opportunities to bring their products and services to market. We\u0026rsquo;re proud of the caliber of talent we\u0026rsquo;ve seen in our Atlanta applicants and look forward to nominating one of them for the chance to compete on the national stage.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eCesar Vence, Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Senior Project Manager of Business Attraction, served as one of the three judges, along with Jill Goodrich, President of the Women\u0026rsquo;s Chamber of Commerce, and Camille Wright of the Style Consortium.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a rigorous application process, WEI, as well as other host organizations and SBA Resource Partners around the country, identified five applicants with the most innovative and entrepreneurial business ideas to participate in the pitch competition held at WEI headquarters in Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s historic Flatiron Building.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five local entrepreneurs selected to pitch their business idea at the WEI Business Pitch Challenge were: Justina Davis, Omod\u0026eacute;; Jennifer Bluemling, Borrowed by Design; Asma Young, Hijabi Pop; Quyionah Wingfiled, Cool Moms Dance Too; and Courtney Harmon, The Bribe Bag.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJustina Davis was chosen to advance to the semi-final round and pitch her business, called Omod\u0026eacute;. SBA will then select up to 10 finalists who will be invited to the national InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge to be held this summer. The finalists will pitch their products and ideas to a panel of expert judges and compete for the top three awards along with $70,000 in prize money provided to SBA for the InnovateHER competition through a gift from the Sara Blakely Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Ms. Davis is incredibly deserving of the nomination win and we\u0026rsquo;re proud to advance her to the next round of the InnovateHER competition. Omod\u0026eacute;, which fills a void in the market and taps into a unique need of mothers and families, is exactly the type of business that best aligns with the goals of the competition,\u0026rdquo; added Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLaunched in May 2016 with the support of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta, the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative operates as an incubator for 15 women business owners designed to foster and promote interaction and engagement with their likeminded counterparts. Through an ecosystem of educational resources, access to funding assistance and mentorship, the women will grow their businesses, over the course of 15 months, and then transition the business back into the City of Atlanta at the culmination of that period.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":100,"title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","promo_title":"WEI Entrepreneurs Showcased at IA Demo Days","published_date":"2017-02-07","featured_image":{"id":322,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":72356,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.301-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T14:28:47.456-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:35.058-05:00","filename_hash":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days-1024x494_p5VDEMr.jpg","width":1024,"height":494},"filename":"wei-entrepreneurs-showcased-at-ia-demo-days","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"oLXqKQ","created_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T14:30:34.221-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants.\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2017","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s Business and Retention (BRE) team recently hosted two Demo Days for the Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative\u0026rsquo;s inaugural participants. Over the course of two days, Invest Atlanta learned more about their businesses, and the WEI entrepreneurs learned more about the services Invest Atlanta can provide.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Invest Atlanta BRE team shared information about Invest Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s resources and programs. They covered many topics, including access to capital, site location, government procurement, supply chain, workforce, and tools to help the entrepreneurs grow their businesses.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re committed to seeing you succeed,\u0026rdquo; said BRE Manager Kent Spencer. \u0026ldquo;We want success, big success, coming out of WEI.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe WEI entrepreneurs come from different backgrounds and run a variety of types of businesses. Yet everyone who presented at the Demo Day demonstrated the intelligence, drive, and willingness to take risks that any successful business owner must have.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLogan Williams is preparing to transition away from her successful towing business,\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://rapidparkingsolutions.com/\"\u003eRapid Parking Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, to create an innovative 12-week academy for truck drivers. She plans to craft a well-rounded curriculum for drivers along with in-the-field training. She\u0026rsquo;ll also offer hands-on experience with other aspects of the business, such as dispatching and customer service. Logan\u0026rsquo;s main need is finding a space for her business, with an office and an outdoor training area. Spencer told her he could help her locate an available space within her budget.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTonya Hicks, who describes herself as a \u0026ldquo;mom, entrepreneur and electrician,\u0026rdquo; has started the company\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://www.weiatlanta.com/women-do-everything/\"\u003eWomen Do Everything\u003c/a\u003e. Tonya\u0026rsquo;s company provides home repair and management services for professional women and couples in the Atlanta Metro Area. Hicks is also looking for office space and wants to hire full-time staff, with benefits. BRE coordinator Cesar Vence told her about the benefits of locating in an Opportunity Zones, as well as the Eastside TAD grants and small business loans available through Invest Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;The feedback from my presentation was very good for me,\u0026rdquo; said Hicks.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMayor Reed first had the vision for WEI during his first campaign for mayor, and under the leadership of Executive Director Theia Washington Smith, WEI has provided the first group of entrepreneurs a high-quality workspace at the Flatiron Building, tech resources through Microsoft, and mentorship opportunities. In its first year, WEI has already become more than a brick and mortar resource\u0026mdash;it\u0026rsquo;s now a vibrant, collaborative and supportive community that will support entrepreneurs for years to come.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and WEI will continue to support program participants as they build their companies, and both organizations are especially focused on providing the right resources to make the path to job creation more accessible for Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s entrepreneurs.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpencer and Vence were excited to find out all of the entrepreneurs said they were planning to stay and grow, hiring locally in the City of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;We want to stay here and keep our business here,\u0026rdquo; said Lynn Lill of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://craftboxgirls.com/\"\u003eCraftbox Girls\u003c/a\u003e. \u0026ldquo;We love Atlanta!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"},{"id":134,"title":"Invest Atlanta Co-Hosts Women’s Fitness and Empowerment Event","promo_title":"Invest Atlanta Co-Hosts Women’s Fitness and Empowerment Event","published_date":"2016-11-14","featured_image":{"id":366,"parent_id":33,"resource_file_name":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event-featured.jpg","resource_content_type":"image/jpeg","resource_file_size":191401,"resource_updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:21.999-05:00","caption":"","description":null,"attachable_id":null,"attachable_type":null,"assets_resource_uses_count":1,"created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:22.153-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.519-05:00","filename_hash":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event-featured_ZO6mDzK.jpg","width":400,"height":300},"filename":"invest-atlanta-co-hosts-womens-fitness-and-empowerment-event","meta_data_id":null,"published":true,"token":"CtBPBg","created_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.022-05:00","updated_at":"2017-12-21T15:44:47.022-05:00","video_link":"","promo_description":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg-basic promo_description\"\u003e\n Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) invited #PowerWomenSweat founder Amber Grimes to lead networking and fitness event\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","project_year":"2016","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"datatype-wysiwyg content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta and the Atlanta Women\u0026rsquo;s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) invited #PowerWomenSweat founder Amber Grimes to lead a networking, empowerment, and fitness event for women who contribute daily to the growth of Atlanta.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHeld on the final weekend of October in the Atlanta City Hall Atrium, the event recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raised more than $1,100 for the Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta Foundation.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eInvest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich co-hosted the gathering with Candace Byrd, chief of staff for the City of Atlanta, and WEI Director Theia Washington-Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e#PowerWomenSweat promotes the maintenance of an active lifestyle and healthy relationships for women through an intense two-hour seminar that includes a networking workshop and dance workout routine.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGrimes described the benefits of her unique program this way: \u0026ldquo;Women tend to be stripped of their egos in a fitness environment and become more vulnerable, approachable and pleasant. It\u0026rsquo;s the next generation of networking events, because it actually works!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n","category_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field category_id\"\u003e\n Businesses\n\u003c/span\u003e\n","location_id":"\u003cspan class=\"datatype-select_field location_id\"\u003e\n \n\u003c/span\u003e\n"}]}