Browse Tag

Atlanta

1 min read

ECOMSPACES: The One-Stop Shop for E-Commerce Business Success

Atlanta-based ECOMSPACES provides a collaborative workspace that caters specifically to the needs of online retailers.

From marketing assistance to private offices, dedicated desks, and inventory management solutions, ECOMSPACES equips entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive.

In this interview, co-founder and CEO Maïré Bavarday-Rosa shares her inspiring journey from a bedroom startup to a global e-commerce support hub.

Topics Covered:

  • The founding story of EcomSpaces
  • Comprehensive e-commerce services under one roof
  • Success stories of member brands
  • Global reach and international client support
  • Plans for expansion and growth
  • Insights into the e-commerce industry

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1 min read

Tambor Party: Building a Community Through Music

Tambor Party is a dance movement and event inspired by ancient drum ceremonies and centered around Afro House music. It was founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 2009 by DJ Stan Zeff, a pioneer in London’s Afro House music scene.

Tambor Party has since flourished, capturing the attention of enthusiasts worldwide.

In this interview, Stan and Jackie discuss the unifying power of music and share their insights on empowering Black creatives in the industry.

tambor party

The founders also provide a glimpse into their upcoming event in Egypt, promising a captivating celebration of music and culture against the backdrop of Egypt’s rich heritage.

by Tony O. Lawson

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1 min read

Collab Capital Raises $50 Million To Invest In Black Founders

Collab Capital is an Atlanta-based investment firm on a mission to establish an institution that provides a viable pathway to sustained wealth for the Black community.

In 2018, the firm launched with $2 million in capital, a $50 million target, and a mission to focus on investing in Black founders specifically.

Despite being told that their focus on Black founders was too narow and that there aren’t enough qualified Black founders to back, Collab Capital perservered and today announced that they have now raised over $50M to invest in the best Black led early stage startups over the next few years.

Black founders
Collab Capital founders: Barry Givens, Jewel Burks Solomon and Justin Dawkins

Backers include Apple, Goldman Sachs, Google, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Mailchimp and PayPal, making it one of the largest funds closed from an entirely Black-led firm solely committed to Black founders.

The firm will invest in 50 startups across the US over the next 3–5 years. The majority of the investments will fund companies in cities like Atlanta,  DC, Houston, Detroit, St. Louis, and New Orleans, which have a high concentration of Black entrepreneurs and a low concentration of risk capital.

Tony O. Lawson


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3 mins read

New Partnership Creates a $300 Million Tech Fund, The Largest in The Southeast

Dr. Paul Judge, serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of TechSquare Labs, has spent nearly 20 years developing and launching new tech companies in Atlanta. Yesterday, it was announced that he and Marik Buffington, CEO of Atlanta’s BIP Capital, have partnered to form Panoramic Ventures.

Panoramic Ventures is an Atlanta based venture capital firm that focuses on diverse founders and university startups located in the Southeast, Midwest, and other regions across the country where high-potential companies are often overlooked. The firm plans to open new doors for overlooked founders, giving more entrepreneurs access to capital to build leading tech companies.

The goal for its first fund is $300 million, according to the partners, and will focus on funding startups from their seed stage to Series B.

Judge, a Morehouse and Georgia Tech grad, is also the co-founder and executive chairman of Pindrop, co-founder of Purewire (acquired by Barracuda), and CTO of CipherTrust (acquired by Secure Computing).

Panoramic Ventures
Paul and his wife, Tanya Sam, director of Partnerships at TechSquare Labs

He recognizes that “the thing that’s missing is a meaningful venture capital firm that’s anchored here and that’s really active across multiple stages.”

“[If we] put our efforts together we could make a new firm that really fills that gap and is there to support everything that Atlanta and the Southeast really deserves to be over the next decade,” Judge added. “The $300 million size is really intentional because we can be active at the seed stage but we can also lead Series As and lead Series Bs.”

“After years of building companies as an entrepreneur and angel investor, I felt that I could have a greater impact by working with more founders, which is why we created Panoramic Ventures,” said Judge. “As a minority who has built companies outside of the traditional tech hubs, I know what it is like to be an overlooked founder. From Atlanta to Miami, from the Southeast to the Midwest, Panoramic wants to back promising founders and extend capital opportunities that may not have previously existed.”

 

Tony O. Lawson


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2 mins read

National Black Bank Foundation To Refinance a $35 Million Loan For The Atlanta Hawks

The nonprofit National Black Bank Foundation and its investment unit, the Black Bank Fund, were formed in 2020 to uplift Black-owned banks and the communities they serve.

On Wednesday, the  National Black Bank Foundation announced that it has organized a syndication team of 11 banks that will refinance a $35 million construction loan for the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.

National Black Bank Foundation

According to the team, this is the first time a professional sports franchise has had a “significant loan” underwritten exclusively by Black banks.

Georgia-based Carver State Bank served as the syndicate’s lead arranger. Other banks involved were Carver Federal Savings Bank, Citizens Savings Bank, Citizens Trust Bank, Commonwealth National Bank, Industrial Bank, Liberty Bank & Trust, M&F Bank and Optus Bank.

“By selecting an all-Black bank syndicate to provide this financing, the Hawks are strengthening all of our banks. What we earn from this loan strengthens our collective ability to provide even more loans and financial services to Black small businesses and consumers, and we are able to show our ability to pull off a large, sophisticated loan transaction. Tony and his team are real allies in the movement for racial equity,” said Robert E. James, II, President, Carver Development & Chairman-Elect, National Bankers Association.

National Black Bank Foundation
The National Black Bank Foundation general counsel Ashley Bell

“Because Black-owned banks are so starved for capital, they’ve previously not been able to compete with major commercial banks or scale to meet the unique needs of borrowers of color, who are rejected for credit at twice the national rate,” said National Black Bank Foundation general counsel Ashley Bell.

Through this agreement, the Hawks are using their strong credit rating to “bolster the capital cushion for Black banks so that they can better serve their traditional customer base,” the team said in a news release. They’re also “trying to demonstrate that Black banks can compete with money center banks for commercial loans.”

 

Tony O. Lawson


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3 mins read

Black Owned Vegan Spot in Atlanta Offering Free Food For a Day

Black-owned vegan fast-food spot, Slutty Vegan, is well-loved by locals and celebrities alike. This week, Lala Anthony, Ludacris, Chris Paul, and Gabrielle Union-Wade have teamed up to buy out the restaurant’s offerings for a day, when “free food will be [given away] in support of Pinky Cole’s business, and her community impact.”

Today, Tuesday, June 30th, the Atlanta location will be free all day thanks to the generosity of these celebs, who rallied around the founder Pinky Cole after her establishment was targeted and false online reviews claiming negative experiences were posted in response to her charitable deed a couple of days ago.

Last week, Cole decided to set up college funds alongside Clark Atlanta University for the children Rayshard Brooks, a Black Atlanta resident who was fatally shot by police at a Wendy’s on June 12th. Brooks is survived by four kids, who range in age from 1-years old to 13-years old. These college funds will cover the full cost of tuition and room and board for each of his children and are valued at $600,000 each.

Cole’s generous deed received praise online, but also quickly became a target of a negative online harassment campaign, as “Slutty Vegan’s Yelp and Google Business pages became inundated with false and negative reviews along with one-star ratings, claiming they had poor experiences at the establishment.”

black owned vegan

In response to this, loyal customers quickly came to Cole’s rescue, flooding the Yelp and Google Business pages with accurate, positive reviews, receiving over 18,000 positive Google reviews within a 72-hour time span.

To add to this push for positivity, a press release announced celebrities were also rallying around Cole: “This free food giveaway is LaLa Anthony, Ludacris, Gabrielle Union-Wade, and Chris Paul’s way of standing behind the popular brand that has done so much for the community since it’s inception in 2018.

“Slutty Vegan is located at 1542 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW. Free food items will be provided on Tuesday from 12noon – 7:30 pm. Social distancing will be encouraged and enforced.”

Source: The Beet


Related: Meet the Owner of Slutty Vegan, Atlanta’s Hottest Vegan Spot


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2 mins read

Atlanta man assembles portable hand washing stations for homeless

Terence Lester is bringing portable hand washing stations to people experiencing homelessness throughout the city.

Lester, one of the organizers of Love Beyond Walls, a group that supports the needs of homeless residents, said he came up with the idea to create hand-washing stations last week as more updates related to coronavirus were being released.

Terence Lester
Terence Lester

“I started wondering how homeless people would keep their hands cleans, it’s already difficult,” Lester said.

And when the Center for Disease Control told the public to go into social distancing, it heightened his concern for people without access to clean water.

“The reality is some people are going to live on the streets and be on the streets,” Lester said.

Lester got on the phone and started contacting RV manufactures, who could use technology that helps build portable hand washing stations.

Within a week, 15 portable machines have been donated to Lester, each holding between 5 and 10 gallons of water.

Members from Love Beyond Walls will be taking the machines throughout the “heart of the city,” according to Lester.

During our phone interview, Lester revealed he experienced homelessness as a teenager.

“When I was experiencing homelessness being out there, you would have to go a mile or two to wash your hands or go to the bathroom,” Lester said. “I wanted to make sure we put stations in parts where people are under bridges, just in case someone wants to stop and wash their hands.”

Lester says he hopes to help other organizations throughout the country give the homeless freshwater resources.

 

Source: 11Alive

5 mins read

Meet the Owner of Slutty Vegan, Atlanta’s Hottest Vegan Spot

What do you get when you mix the growing popularity of vegan food with brilliant marketing and a great product? A line of people, several blocks deep, outside your business on opening day. This is the “problem” that Atlanta’s newest vegan eatery, Slutty Vegan had when it opened on January 14th.

We reached out to owner Pinky Cole to find out more about her and her business.

Slutty Vegan
Slutty Vegan owner, Pinky Cole (credit: Ty Pleas)

What inspired you to start Slutty Vegan?

Slutty vegan was created summer of 2018 in my small two-bedroom apartment. I was lying in bed late in the evening and had a serious hankering for vegan junk food.

At the time, there was no place here in Atlanta at had what I needed. I figured it was time to satisfy that need. Boom! Slutty Vegan came to life.

Photo credit: Ty Pleas

What has been the most challenging and the most gratifying thing about owning a business thus far?

Since its creation, like all businesses, Slutty Vegan has run into its fair share of challenges. Most challenging, surprisingly, has been keeping up with the demand from the city.

Pinky and Uncle Snoop

Because of our sensational growth, we have had to learn how to grow at an exponential rate while making sure we have excellent customer service and every customer is satisfied.

Crazy lines on opening day (Credit:Westview Atlanta)

However great this difficulty, we appreciate and love the community support. Interestingly enough, that challenge has been one of the most gratifying aspects. Imagine me, a young single mom from Baltimore jump-starting the vegan movement here in Atlanta!

Tha crazy growth has been nothing short of inspiring and the pleasure I get knowing the culture and health shift I’m at the forefront of is so humbling. I am so thankful for the opportunity and pressure.

The Slutty Vegan crew

In the past 5 years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?

Having faith and striving to attain goals that previously, I would have been afraid would have failed. In the past 5 years, my prayer life has shifted my outlook, perspective, and approach to life. Prayer has removed said fear and I can step out of faith regardless of imminent outcome. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t shoot.”

What is one thing about you that may surprise most people?

I think it surprises people that I’m truly an HBCU ride or die regular or maybe not so regular girl.

I attended Clark Atlanta University where I pledged, pageanted, and excelled. Atlanta has truly adopted me, and most would even think I’m from here; sometimes it even feels like that.

#TBT Miss Clark Atlanta University

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

If I had to give any advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, it would be to write every idea and thought down and to stay consistent and persistent. Most small businesses take years to see a profit and the millennial generation is microwave and expects overnight success.

Opening day

Generally, this won’t happen, and successful businesses are grown from “long game thinking.” Understanding and planning for long term success and preparing yourself to be persistent on the journey there will make the difference.

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

In 5 years, I see Slutty vegan country-wide providing vegan experiences in communities where they would have otherwise never had that opportunity. We are here for the community.


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2 mins read

Tyler Perry Just Sold His Former Studio Lot For $18.5 Million

In 2007 Tyler Perry purchased his first studio lot. A year ago, the property was put for sale (for $25 million), so that the company could move to a larger studio on the grounds of an old abandoned Army base (Fort McPherson) located just outside Atlanta. The studio reportedly sold for $18.5 million and closed on Dec. 13, 2018.

tyler perry
Former TPS listed the studio in July for $25 million

The property was purchased by Ozzie Areu, former president of production of Tyler Perry Studios, and his brother, Will Areu. To purchase the complex, the Areu Bros. raised $4.5 million in a recent funding round, according to an SEC filing. According to an Areu Bros. release, they will be the first Latinos to own and run a major film and television studio in the United States. Will Areu will continue to work for Tyler Perry Studios as president of production.

Previously the world headquarters for Delta Airlines, the lot in the Greenbriar area of Southwest Atlanta sits on 60 acres and includes five sound stages, four office buildings (126,000 square feet) with executive offices, post-production facilities, a theater, a commissary, and fitness center.

The studio also has a back lot consisting of a suburban neighborhood with eleven homes and a city street.

Ozzie Areu,(R) former president of production of Tyler Perry Studios, and his brother, Will Areu (L)

 

Tyler Perry Studios at Ft. McPherson

 

-Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson (IG @thebusyafrican)

 

4 mins read

Nashville’s Slim & Husky’s Pizza is Opening Two Atlanta Locations

North Nashville’s hip-hop-inspired Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria is opening two Atlanta locations in 2019. In addition to 581 Metropolitan Parkway in Adair Park — announced in January — owners Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore, and Emanuel Reed will also open a Slim & Husky’s in the former One Rooster space (née Real Chow Baby) at the corner of Howell Mill Road and 11th Street in Westside. That location should open in late February or early March.

The partners had hoped to open on Metropolitan Parkway this year. The plan was to build several commercial units there, in addition to Slim & Husky’s. However, those plans have been restructured to only include the restaurant. Metropolitan Parkway should open next summer.

“We wanted to open something in Atlanta in early 2019 so, when the Howell Mill space became available in our search, we liked it,” Gray tells Eater Atlanta. “It’s a turnkey project and gives us the opportunity to be in a busy area like Howell Mll, as well as in a more underserved community, like Metropolitan Parkway and Adair Park.”

Demolition has already begun on the Howell Mill outpost. Gray is actively looking for Atlanta artists to produce pieces for the restaurant. The partners see the potential foot traffic from residents of the future mixed-use apartment complexes under construction between 14th and Marietta Streets and from visitors to existing area attractions, like Westside Provisions District and the Northside Tavern, as a big plus.

Pizza

The menu for both Atlanta locations will be the same as their three restaurants in Nashville. Most pizzas are named for songs by various hip-hop and R&B artists — the Rony, Roni, Rone!, for instance, is named for the group Tony! Toni! Toné! and includes three types of pepperoni.

Slim & Husky’s just introduced a new meat lovers pizza to the menu, the Cee No Green. Gray and his partners fed Atlanta’s Goodie Mob and the pizza’s eponym, CeeLo Green — the crooner from the group — before they performed in Nashville last month. Apparently, the members of Goodie Mob and CeeLo loved the pizza.

Gray says Slim & Husky’s ATL vibe will be felt most in the artwork throughout the restaurants and the beers offered from local Atlanta and Georgia breweries. Dine-in and take-out are planned for both locations. A take-out window is being installed at the Metropolitan restaurant, which is staying open later in the evening to better serve students attending Morehouse, Clark-Atlanta University, and Spelman.

And, this won’t be the last Atlanta locations. There are plans to expand Slim & Husky’s to other areas around the city.

“We really feel like Atlanta will be a great city for Slim & Husky’s. Opening here is big for us. I know our friends from Hattie B’s are finding success in Atlanta,” says Gray. “We hope to be the next Nashville restaurant to find success in Atlanta. We’re excited to be in the ATL.”

1016 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta; 581 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta. slimandhuskys.com

 

Source: Atlanta EATER