Celebrating the First Graduates of Beltline Business Ventures

The Beltline Business Ventures program was launched in 2023 by the Beltline Business Solutions Office, in partnership with The Center by Lendistry and CVM Worldwide. Offering tailored services and resources for scaling businesses, the three-month program operates as an accelerator for small business owners seeking to locate their businesses along the Beltline.

On December 12, 2023, the first cohort of business owners participated in a graduation ceremony featuring keynote speaker James Harris, Co-Founder and Partner of The Core Venture Studio, which provides mentorship for Atlanta’s entrepreneur and business startup community.

Beltline Business Ventures Graduation. (Photo credit: The Sintoses)

Mr. Harris told the 24 graduates, “Your ego is both your best and worst business partner. You have to be a student of entrepreneurship. As an entrepreneur you have a superpower: the ability to see the unseen.”

Lana Harris, CEO of The Honey Pot Energy and Art, participated in the first cohort, and shared how impactful the program was for her. “This has been the most eye-opening education. I feel more confident than ever. Before I started, I was literally considering closing my business. Now, I have the confidence and knowledge to rebrand, reinvent, and disrupt.”

Natalie Jones, the Beltline’s Project Manager for the Business Solutions Office, said, “the ceremony not only celebrates the achievements of our Beltline Business Ventures graduates but also recognizes the importance of fostering a thriving local economy as part of the overarching vision for the Atlanta Beltline project.”

BBV Graduation certificates. (Photo credit: The Sintoses)

In her closing remarks, Jones emphasized how empowering this program can be, saying, “please know you are not leaving with just a token of accomplishment but with the support of a community, the wisdom gained from experienced mentors, and the confidence to navigate the road ahead.”

This is an ongoing program and recruitment for the second cohort for Winter/Spring 2024 is underway. Each three-month session hosts up to 25 promising ventures. If you are a small business entrepreneur interested in applying for an upcoming session, get more information here.