ACE’s Speed Coaching Event Helps Educate Entrepreneurs of Financial Solutions to Grow a Business

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Antonio Barrios of UGA SBDC at Kennesaw

Pictured Above: Deonta Wortham of Social Enterprise@ Goizueta at Emory University

ATLANTA (November 16, 2016) – Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Inc. hosted its third annual Speed Coaching event on October 17, 2016, at Georgia Power’s Arkwright Auditorium in Atlanta. Approximately 40 small-business owners registered for the event to meet one-on- one with business leaders and financial experts from the Atlanta area who volunteered to be coaches and offer their experience and insights.

Speed Coaching takes its name and structure from the traditional speed dating concept and adds an entrepreneurial twist. The impactful event enabled each registered business owner to meet one-on- one with coaches in 20-minute increments to discuss strategies and solutions for their businesses. The event’s focus was on financial preparedness and access to capital, both of which are critical elements to helping entrepreneurs move their businesses forward as well as business planning, cash-flow forecasting, loan and financing options, credit reporting and more.

Leida Speller, CFP

Feedback from one of the attendees, Karen Earp of Pop! Bubble Tea and Coffee Bar, said:”It was a perfect venue and I found the event to be extremely beneficial. The coaches were great and the ACE team did a wonderful job of organizing the event. I look forward to having the opportunity to learn even more at the next event.”

About Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Inc. (ACE)

ACE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides loans and business consulting services to help borrowers throughout metro Atlanta and North Georgia create and grow stable, sustainable businesses that generate jobs. ACE specializes in working with underserved

Lisa Calhoun of Valor Ventures

populations, particularly women, minorities and low-income business owners, to help drive economic mobility and build stronger communities. Founded in 1999, ACE has loaned more than $37 million to entrepreneurs, which has created or saved more than 6,600 jobs in Georgia. As a nonprofit, ACE relies on operating and program grants and private contributions to support a portion of its budget. ACE has offices in downtown Atlanta and Cleveland, Ga., and an ACE Women’s Business Center in Norcross, Ga.

About the ACE Women’s Business Center

The ACE Women’s Business Center provides a full range of services for women at all stages of business planning, implementation, and growth. It offers long-term classes, workshops, seminars, and one-on- one counseling. All services are offered in English and Spanish.