A bright new crop of entrepreneurs celebrated and demonstrated their burgeoning businesses Wednesday afternoon as Augusta nonprofit theClubhou.se held its “Demo Day” for graduates of Make Startups, its entrepreneurial skills training program, to commemorate both their successful completion and to allow them to present their startups.
“It’s the rising tide of our community,” said Grace Belangia, co-founder of theClubhou.se with president Eric Parker, about the budding business owners. “All of you guys here could be their customers, you could be their investors, you could be their advocates on social media.”
TheClubhou.se hosted the free, public celebration during its monthly Beer & Bytes event, on the roof of the Hull-McKnight Building at the Georgia Cyber Center.
Make Startups consists of three months of training and mentorship, in which entrepreneurs build their businesses while learning more about how to successfully operate them.
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The training culminates in the earning of an entrepreneurship certificate, six months of office space and, on Demo Day, pitching their businesses to the community, including representatives from partners of the program, like Wells Fargo (who also sponsored Wednesday’s event) and South State Bank.
Joanne Williams, a chef who aims to open AKUA, her New York-style deli shop, at a Broad Street location in two months, touted her signature pastrami, roast beef and smoked turkey sandwiches.
“I got some of the best friends that I could have in my life,” said Williams about going through the program. “I never thought that I could open up my own business, I was afraid. They gave me the tools that I need to make it.”
Program graduate Arkia Ivy presented her wellness brand, From Phoenix Candle Co., as aiming to help people decompress, resist hustle culture and reflect on the lives that they’re leading.
“At first I wanted to just give my candles and stand behind the scenes,” said Ivy. “I just wanted to help people. But it really forced me to stand on my power and my confidence.” Each class, she notes, required a 30-second pitch and presentation, which she says pushed her to be more assured.
Several of the new enterprisers offered praise for the course’s instructor, business coach Michael Newton Jr., who became part of the program after initially presenting as a guest speaker. Newton said all of the participants were more intent on making an impact with their businesses than merely being profitable.
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“They were really focused on having a purpose,” he said. “So we really homed in on that. When they’re clear about their purpose, and they surround that with some good processes and systems and then the profits will come.”
The goal of the program, and theClubhou.se’s efforts, is to close the gap for entrepreneurs between concept and launch, regardless of where they are financially, said Parker.
“I feel like when we talk about startup culture in general, I’m assuming people are still thinking about somebody in a dorm room with a hoodie, cranking out some code,” said Parker. “This is the face of entrepreneurship in Augusta. These are the people making a difference in our community by creating jobs, pursuing their passion, and they need our support.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
