(March 21, 2025 – Norcross, Georgia.) In 2015, ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs established a group of women who were high potential to excel in their businesses through its Business Advisory Service (BAS) program. ACE Financial Advisors made recommendations from their portfolios of women business owners to participate in the cohort. The criteria included businesses with current ACE loans who had an annual business revenue near or exceeding $500,000, who displayed an historical growth pattern, and were committed to the 24-month program.
Under the leadership of ACE business consultant Linda Jameson, the inaugural group thrived. The High Performing Group (HPG) received monthly personalized coaching sessions and were able to build a community of mutual support with like-minded women entrepreneurs which led to the successful scaling and thriving of the cohort businesses to grow their companies. Sessions included guest speakers, business coaches, and mentors who shared leadership and actionable strategies and advice to assist business owners with the unique issues they experience at their various stages of business growth. One of their most valuable learnings was gaining a deeper understanding of the financial side of their businesses.
Upon graduation of the original cohort group, the program was re-invented and a new group of high potential, ambitious, and driven entrepreneurs was identified as HPG 2.0. The inaugural group agreed to continue in the program by serving as mentors to the new cohort members. On March 20th, the kickoff meeting was held where new business participants, mentors, and ACE staff met to share their respective business journeys and what they expect to get from the new HPG program.
Feedback from attendees was encouraging, from mentors sharing why they agreed to mentor the new group – “I wanted to give back to ACE what they have given to me,” shared one mentor; to entrepreneurs looking for the support they need to scale – “ACE gave me confidence,” said one business owner.
One of the common themes shared from some of the new participants was that although they had previously received business funding from ACE (in some case multiple loans), they regretted not engaging ACE Business Advisory Services sooner for company support because they were too busy – after all, “Life Happens.”
What differentiates ACE from other lenders are the “coaching and connections” elements of our work. Complimentary business coaching is included with every ACE loan to assist entrepreneurs with growing their businesses no matter what it’s size.
“What may seem like part of our routine job is sometimes someone’s lifeline,” shared Karen Málaga who is the Senior Business Advisory Manager at ACE. “We not only process loans and provide technical assistance, but what we do also touches people’s lives – in some cases when they are at their lowest.”
The event was a great reminder of the #RippleEffect of exponential impact ACE provides through the communities where companies and businesses have received ACE loans and supportive business advisory services.
To learn more about how to apply for an ACE loan to help your business, visit aceloans.org.
Photographed: Back row (L-R): Ray Pennie, Tennille Carter, Jada Moore-Ruffin, Gail Mapp, Fredericka Jones, Jamine Moton, Nicole Wimpy, Fern Pegus, Latasha Crenshaw, Shandron Forte, Carla Carson, Juan Colon, Al Gibbs
Front row (L-R): Martina Edwards, Laura Estrada, Deb Rowe, Beverly Fontenot, Linda Davis Jameson, Sebrina Barrett, Tracy Driver, Melissa Loggins, Vickie Jumper, Karen Málaga