The Creative Coast | Cultivating the Innovation Economy in Coastal Georgia.

Lunchtime Topics ft. Jeremy Fletcher

In 2013 there were only a handful of cryptocurrencies available for purchase. Today there are over 4,000 available! The blockchain technology market is currently valued at around $1.2 billion. "Forecasts suggest that global blockchain technology revenues will experience massive growth in the coming years, with the market expected to climb to over 39 billion U.S. dollars in size by 2025." (Source: https://www.statista.com/topics/4495/cryptocurrencies/) Whether cryptocurrency confuses you and this all seems over your head or not, this is the best meetup to learn about Crypto and what to expect in the industry in the coming years. Jeremy Fletcher is at the center of it all with his business Ledgerama and his digital WallaWallet, a wallet for the $hbar currency (the native cryptocurrency of the Hedera public network). #hashgraph #hedera Register to attend and learn!

Moving From Ideation to the Planning Phase of Business Development ft. Nita Penn | Lunchtime Topic

The workshop will give an overview of the Three Phases of Business and how ideation is used throughout the phases via iteration. However, the primary focus of the workshop will be on the preamble/startup phase. Most people generally refer to ideation as “brainstorming” but adding Strategy, SMART goals, and Prioritization makes it IDEATION and will set you up for greater success and make you more likely to gain access to capital. About Nita: Nita Penn is the Director of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Women’s Business Center, Savannah Region. Nita is passionate about facilitating conversations around the everchanging sociopolitical climate and strategizing opportunities for individuals and organizations to be more authentic, personable, efficient, and effective. She has over 10 years of experience strategizing creative and innovative organizational development experiences for clients as small as a one-person team to a 600-soldier battalion of the United States Army National Guard. She has helped photographers show their work in international exhibitions, voice-over actors land deals with national brands, muralists display their artwork in the heart of their hometown, and textile designers sell their products in West Elm. She additionally consults in the areas of lifestyle and creative services. Her overall mission is to function with high moral fiber and deliver research, facilitation, and advocacy/training services that will aid our society in the fight towards social and racial equity. Focus as the Director of the ACE WBC, Savannah Region: The Savannah center will focus on Coaching & Connecting that will lead to referrals to our local CDFI partners to attain Capital. As the Director she will center the interconnected vision of making sure that our city is a place where everyone can grow and thrive. As a Savannah native, it is vital that this vision is more intentional and inclusive. Emphasis will be placed on low to moderate-income BIPOC, women-led businesses who are: (1) Transition from “Side-Hustling” to true Entrepreneurship (2) New Businesses/Idea Phase (3) Businesses ready to expand/grow/pivot (4) Mome who want to start a business/life transitions (5) Corporate women who want to transition to business owners Most of ACE, Women’s Business Center, Savannah Region programming centers around: – Collaboration and capacity building – Community outreach and involvement – Relatable and restorative business practices ______ About the Creative Coast Our Mission Our Mission is to catalyze the innovation economy in Coastal Georgia. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. Our Vision Propelled by The Creative Coast, Savannah will be transformed into a vibrant hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our History The Creative Coast was founded in 1997 by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Chatham County and the City of Savannah to create/foster the creative technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our activities, we strive to make an economic impact on our community, our city, the region and our state, through the creation of high-wage, high-tech and creative jobs. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org.

Resume-Ready & Professional Polishing with the Top Tier Business Executive in Mind

This Lunchtime Topic is an opportunity for business leaders to ensure their resumes are still up-to-date. Even business owners should be ready for any contracts that may become available or interest them. Speaker Jordan Riles will also help attendees and listeners polish their business etiquette to include proper introductions, LinkedIn, and professional protocol. About Jordan: Ms. Jordan Riles is a May 2011 graduate of Savannah State University, earning her Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications for Public Relations with a minor in Sociology. She completed her Master of Professional Communication & Leadership from the GA Southern University Armstrong/Savannah campus. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and has held the positions of Miss Ebony Fashion Fair 2008, Miss Savannah State University 2010-2011 and Miss Black Georgia USA 2013. Riles established her own LLC, Joy Enterprises, LLC in April of 2012 which houses Impressum Etiquette and Riles Resumes Plus+. Ms. Jordan is the recipient of the 2014 SSU Influential Alumni Award, the 2016 Juneteenth GA Outstanding Citizens Award and the 2018 Now Generation Award at the 50th MLK Commemorative Celebration. She received her Corporate Etiquette Instructing Certification from the prestigious American School of Protocol, Atlanta, GA and her Pageant Judge’s Certification for the states of GA, FL and SC. She served for one year as the Culture & Communications Specialist at the Law Offices of Atty Mike Hostilo (Mike Hostilo Law Firm) following her internship with the company and in 2021, transitioned to Full-Time entrepreneurship. She encourages everyone to follow their passion and pursue their purpose because both are possible. ______ About the Creative Coast Our Mission Our Mission is to catalyze the innovation economy in Coastal Georgia. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. Our Vision Propelled by The Creative Coast, Savannah will be transformed into a vibrant hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our History The Creative Coast was founded in 1997 by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Chatham County and the City of Savannah to create/foster the creative technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our activities, we strive to make an economic impact on our community, our city, the region and our state, through the creation of high-wage, high-tech and creative jobs. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org.

So You Want a Career in the Tech Industry? ft. Kevin Lawver

Kevin Lawver is a 26 year veteran of the tech industry. He spent the first 13 years of his career at AOL, which was supposed to be a summer job, where he built search engines, social media things before the term existed, and spoke at conferences around the world. He spent the next 13 years working at small startups, building things, breaking things, getting his heart broken, and saving the internet. He’s now at Gusto, where he’s working on building tools to make life easier for business owners and employees around the country. We’ll be talking with Kevin on Wednesday the 9th at noon to learn what it’s like to work in the tech industry. We’ll be discussing things like... -The general advantages of working at a tech company – Typical salary level for entry-level computer programmers – Challenges and hurdles new coders often face – How to break into the industry without any experience – What it’s like to work at a startup company as opposed to a well established one ________ About the Creative Coast Our Mission Our Mission is to catalyze the innovation economy in Coastal Georgia. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. Our Vision Propelled by The Creative Coast, Savannah will be transformed into a vibrant hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our History The Creative Coast was founded in 1997 by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Chatham County and the City of Savannah to create/foster the creative technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our activities, we strive to make an economic impact on our community, our city, the region and our state, through the creation of high-wage, high-tech and creative jobs. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org.

Starting & Growing a Business With Limited Resources.

About Amy: Amy Shippy is the cofounder of Marche’ de Macarons and owner of Blue Poppy Designs headquartered in Savannah, Ga. Amy is a strong business development professional with proven success in the food & beverage industry. Amy’s journey to success was built from impactful lessons that taught her the fundamentals of business success. Amy was born and raised in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and later moved to Savannah, GA, in the ’90s to study Graphic Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). While at SCAD, Amy created her first business, a computer training company, as a spinoff service of a notable electronic superstore. Due to the success of the company, Amy found her footing and heart for entrepreneurship. Amy later went on to start a successful furniture store hitting $14 million in sales per year over ten years. She quickly learned the art of scaling fast and on a budget. The recession of 2008 took a toll on her business and forced it to close its doors. Still, Amy’s passion for entrepreneurship along with her heart of hustle proved resilient even in times of economic uncertainty. In 2012, Amy and her best friend started Mache’ de Macarons with a budget of $400 and lots of tenacity (hope and hustle). Mache’ de Macarons provides highly sought-after desserts for customers seeking decadent palatable experiences and unique touches for special occasions. Marche’ de Macarons continues to increase in sales and expand its reach year after year. Amy’s macaroons are featured in shops in Hilton Head, SC , Savannah, GA, and are shipped to store locations nation-wide. Amy later opened Blue Poppy designs, a coastal-inspired, hand-crafted design print company, to supplement her sons’ college education. Amy’s business idea won Biz Pitch Hilton Head in 2019, proving that her ambition resonates in everything she does. Amy’s endeavors have been featured in Savannah’s South Magazine, Chatham County Living Magazine, and Savannah Morning News. Her greatest accomplishment is raising two sons and instilling the same hustle principles in them in hopes that those principles are carried on to the next generation. Armed with a degree in Religious Studies and relentless compassion for helping others succeed, Amy also equips other women seeking help in navigating the potential pitfalls of business. Amy shows women how to use the skills they have, or in some cases, don’t have to make their business profitable as quickly as possible. Amy also continues to (humbly) make her mark on the world through her charitable endeavors and mission work both locally and internationally. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org

The Design & Creative Checklist for Starting a New Business ft. Thomas Smith

In this Lunchtime Topic, we’ll discuss the easiest and most cost-effective ways to accomplish your startup brand guide. Startups need a good design foundation to set the tone for their brand. The difference between a good design and a bad design is your customers seeing you as a multi-million dollar empire vs. joe schmo’s garage business. Establishing your identity the right way at the offset will save you expensive changes in the future. About Thomas Smith: Thomas Smith is a local creative entrepreneur and SCAD alumni. He began his career by working corporate design jobs in the Greater NYC area before going solo as a freelance designer and becoming a digital nomad. He returned to Savannah in 2018 and took a job as Creative Director for a tech startup (Candor USA) in the healthcare space. Since leaving Candor, Thomas has been busy. He founded a creative agency called Anchor Point Collective where he currently serves as CEO, he runs a freelancing/entrepreneurship blog called Motmill, and he will be serving as the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) for a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency startup. In his free time, Thomas enjoys cooking the best dang pasta sauce in Georgia, hitting up the gym, and sipping cocktails at his favorite bars around Savannah. Learn more about Anchor Point Collective at https://anchorpointcollective.com/. ________ About the Creative Coast Our Mission Our Mission is to catalyze the innovation economy in Coastal Georgia. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. Our Vision Propelled by The Creative Coast, Savannah will be transformed into a vibrant hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our History The Creative Coast was founded in 1997 by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Chatham County and the City of Savannah to create/foster the creative technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our activities, we strive to make an economic impact on our community, our city, the region and our state, through the creation of high-wage, high-tech and creative jobs. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org.

Tips & Tools for Building a Successful Marketing Campaign | Bernice Loman

Are you intimidated my the thought of running a marketing campaign? Does it seem like running a campaign is a super involved process best left to big corporations with big budgets? If you have a message or a product or service that caters to a variety of people, then you need your message, product or service promoted in different types of media. This Webinar will give you tools to help create a successful marketing campaign so that your message, product, or service gets the reach it deserves. About Bernice: Bernice is a woman of Faith, Business Coach, Marketing Campaign Specialist, Author and has plenty of titles. She has a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management and serves as the overseer, visionary and designer for Loman Creative Services, Loman Creative Marketing and MoTalents. It’s definitely possible through God’s grace. She has a passion for marketing campaigns, business development, economic growth, as well as developing inspiring business owners, entrepreneurs and spiritual leaders. She is a Certified Solution Provider of Constant Contact, Certified Executive Business Coach, Zoom Partner & Zoom Certified in Zoom Rooms, Meetings, Webinars & Phone Systems and Google Certified for Mobile Websites. She also hosts an annual Christian Business Owners Business Summit for Christian business owners, entrepreneurs and ministries. She enjoys traveling and educating with her fun-filled workshops and webinars. In her spare time, she enjoys youth & music ministry, serving as a Chairperson for Kimtech Training College in Africa, composing music and spending time with family & friends. .

Tools and tips to improve website performance with the UGA SBDC | Lunchtime Topics

Join the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center for a no-cost webinar on how to make your business stand out on Google Search and Maps. Show the world what’s unique about your business and reach customers that are searching for what you offer. We will discuss tools and tips to improve website performance and help your business appear across Google Search and Maps. About Becky Brownlee – Area Director, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center Mrs. Brownlee has been a small business owner for over 20 years. She has owned businesses in manufacturing, specialty retail, beauty and trade schools, health and fitness, agriculture and real estate and construction. In addition to owning her own businesses, she also has experience in the financial, hospitality and insurance sectors. Mrs. Brownlee’s businesses have encompassed both independent and franchise operations. She specializes in financing and access to capital and all aspects of commercial real estate including site/space selection, building/ land acquisition and financing, lease negotiations, zoning, construction and permitting. About Nadia Osman – Business Consultant, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center Nadia Osman joined the UGA Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in 2020 and has over a decade of experience designing, marketing and implementing programs for public-private partnerships, startups, non-profits and the U.S. Air Force, valued at over $6 billion. Her career prior to the UGA SBDC included developing affordable housing, new businesses and public events in the Central Georgia region, as well as launching the Shop Local Macon initiative, the area’s first makerspace and Georgia’s first Young Entrepreneurs Academy. Throughout her previous roles, Osman developed a passion for helping people making a living doing what they love. Her areas of expertise include business plan development, data analysis, digital marketing and advertising, email marketing, graphic design, print marketing, financial projections, marketing strategy, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and website optimization. ________ About the Creative Coast Our Mission Our Mission is to catalyze the innovation economy in Coastal Georgia. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. Our Vision Propelled by The Creative Coast, Savannah will be transformed into a vibrant hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our History The Creative Coast was founded in 1997 by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Chatham County and the City of Savannah to create/foster the creative technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our activities, we strive to make an economic impact on our community, our city, the region and our state, through the creation of high-wage, high-tech and creative jobs. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org.

What Small Business Owners Need to Know ft. Nadia Osman | Lunchtime Topics

Are you up-to-date on your digital marketing knowledge? Digital marketing is ever-changing and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and platforms. In this Lunchtime Topic, we are chatting with Nadia Osman, Business Consultant at the UGA Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC), to cut through all of the noise and talk about the areas of digital marketing that you should focus on to amplify and grow your business. Talking points include: – What entrepreneurs often get wrong when it comes to digital marketing – The importance of developing a sound digital marketing strategy – Top components to incorporate in your company’s digital marketing strategy – An overview of the various and most popular platforms out there currently About Nadia: Nadia Osman joined the UGA Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in 2020 and has over a decade of experience designing, marketing and implementing programs for public-private partnerships, startups, non-profits and the U.S. Air Force, valued at over $6 billion. Her career prior to the UGA SBDC included developing affordable housing, new businesses and public events in the Central Georgia region, as well as launching the Shop Local Macon initiative, the area’s first makerspace and Georgia’s first Young Entrepreneurs Academy. Her area of expertise is digital marketing, and she is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional. ________ About the Creative Coast Our Mission Our Mission is to catalyze the innovation economy in Coastal Georgia. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. Our Vision Propelled by The Creative Coast, Savannah will be transformed into a vibrant hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our History The Creative Coast was founded in 1997 by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Chatham County and the City of Savannah to create/foster the creative technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our activities, we strive to make an economic impact on our community, our city, the region and our state, through the creation of high-wage, high-tech and creative jobs. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org.

How to Make Your Business More Environmentally-Conscious & Lessen Its Carbon Footprint

In honor of Earth Day on Friday, April 22nd, we’re focusing on the theme of “Investing in Our Planet.” So how do we invest in our planet? Businesses, governments, and individuals must work together to act, innovate, and implement to preserve our planet. This requires us to take into consideration how our everyday choices affect the health of our planet and then make changes to our actions in order to protect our world. Katie Rodgers-Hubbard joins us to chat about how all businesses can become more environmentally friendly and lessen their carbon footprint. Katie is the founder and owner of Lite Foot Company, Georgia’s first refillery. Through her company, Katie aims to make the sustainable lifestyle journey less overwhelming and simpler for others. About Katie: Katie Rodgers-Hubbard is a life enthusiast, a wedding reception dancer, and a Leslie Knope wannabe. She is a midwesterner, army spouse and a small business owner. Katie started Lite Foot Company because she realized that a sustainable lifestyle is a journey, and that journey can be overwhelming. Her mission is to help people on their own journey, no matter where they are on it. She aims to make sustainability simple and accessible. Learn more about Lite Foot at at https://www.litefootcompany.com/. ________ About the Creative Coast Our Mission Our Mission is to catalyze the innovation economy in Coastal Georgia. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. Our Vision Propelled by The Creative Coast, Savannah will be transformed into a vibrant hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our History The Creative Coast was founded in 1997 by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), Chatham County and the City of Savannah to create/foster the creative technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our activities, we strive to make an economic impact on our community, our city, the region and our state, through the creation of high-wage, high-tech and creative jobs. Learn more at https://thecreativecoast.org.