“The new year is not just about a change in the calendar; it's about setting fresh goals, embracing new opportunities, and believing in your own potential.”

– Unknown

ACE WBC is Celebrating a Decade of
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

This year marks the 10th anniversary of ACE’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) – Metro Atlanta, a milestone that celebrates a decade of empowering women entrepreneurs. Since its launch, the WBC has provided vital training, coaching, resources and support to over 18,000 business owners, guiding them turn their dreams into businesses. As we reflect on this remarkable journey, we remain committed to fostering growth, innovation, and success for women in business for years to come. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our clients for believing in us and to our partners and volunteers for their unwavering support year after year.

Sandra Font, Sr. ACE WBC Director & Martina Edwards, ACE’s President & CEO

Welcoming Martina Edwards:
A New Chapter of Leadership at ACE

As we begin a new year, we are also starting an exciting new chapter at ACE. I am thrilled to welcome Ms. Martina Edwards as the new President & CEO of ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs.

Martina joined ACE six years ago, and from the moment I met her, I was struck by her exceptional personality, drive, confidence, strategic mindset, and outstanding communication skills. Throughout her tenure at ACE as Chief of Strategic Partnerships, Martina has consistently demonstrated her ability to build strong relationships and secure funding. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Martina is a trailblazer dedicated to empowering small businesses by championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in access to capital.

The ACE WBC team welcomes Martina to this new role, wishes her much success, and looks forward to continuing to grow this incredible organization together.

Sandra Font, Sr. Director @ ACE Women’s Business Center

Introducing ACE’s Newly Launched
Business Directory!

Get more exposure for your business with a listing in the all-new ACE Client Network Directory

We are excited to announce our new, dynamic ACE Client Network Directory for business owners in the ACE community. Discover a community of entrepreneurs who share ACE as a source of capital, coaching and connections for their businesses.

Some of the features of the directory include: Easily filtering businesses by category, type, services, location, etc. along with marketing tools and resources (videos, photos, sales opportunities & ads) and customer reviews and testimonials.

Register your listing today HERE. Participation is only $49 annually for WBC clients.

Introducing Coffee Power Hour

We are excited to announce the launch of Coffee Power Hour – Live Q&A with a
Business Expert! Starting in February, these interactive chat sessions will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on the first Friday of each month.

Each session will feature a subject matter expert sharing valuable tips on various topics. Participants can submit questions in advance or ask them live during the event. And, of course, don’t forget to bring your favorite mug of coffee or tea to sip on while you join the conversation!

Mark your calendars for our first Coffee Power Hour on Friday, February 8th. We will dive into the topic “Compliance and its Impact on Cash Flow”. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights and connect—join us! Check our Calendar of Events for more information HERE.

National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)
Announces Release of 2024 Annual Report

The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) proudly announced the release of its 2024 Annual Report. This comprehensive document explores women entrepreneurs' unique challenges while highlighting transformative pathways for growth in today’s dynamic economy. This year, NWBC remained focused on access to capital and opportunity, and shifted to include a focus on inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Download the report HERE.

Client Spotlight: Sharonda Stewart

We would like to start the new year by highlighting our client, Ms. Sharonda Stewart. The Appliance Gals is a trusted, woman-owned appliance repair company in Metro Atlanta, GA, specializing in essential household appliances like washers, dryers, stoves, and refrigerators. “For many years, ACE Women's Business Center has been instrumental to the growth of The Appliance Gals. Whether it was a webinar or an in-person event, the knowledge and resources provided by ACE have helped me understand the different nuances of running a successful business. My favorite yearly event provided by ACE is the Speed Coaching event. I always walk away with new connections that provide me with the services needed to continue to grow my business,” says Sharonda Stewart. Congratulations, Sharonda, on this recognition! We wish you much success throughout the year!

We Connected! Now, What?

Networking is more than exchanging business cards—it’s a critical tool for business growth and success. Join us for an engaging training that explores the fundamentals of networking and how to leverage it effectively to expand your business and personal brand.

January 14, 2025 @ 6:00 - 7:30 pm. | IN-PERSON

Mastering Credit: Building Personal & Business Financial Strength

Understanding credit is essential for both personal and business financial success. Participants will learn key components influencing credit scores, practical tips for managing personal credit, and strategies for building and strengthening business credit. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your financial future.

January 16, 2025 @ 12:00 – 1:00 pm. | VIRTUAL

Strategic Selection & Negotiation:
Commercial Real Estate for Small Businesses

Navigating the commercial real estate market is crucial for small business success. This session will guide attendees through selecting the right property, negotiating favorable leases, assessing business needs, and evaluating locations based on key factors like demographics and zoning.

January 24, 2025 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. | IN-PERSON

10 College Street, NW. Norcross, GA 30071

Small Business Access to Capital

Looking for funds for your business? Join us and learn about ACE’s loan products and requirements, business plan tool, who is funding start-ups and all the resources ACE and the Women's Business Center offer to support small businesses.

January 29, 2025 @ 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | VIRTUAL

Join the 2025 Women-Owned
Small Business Cohort

Women Entrepreneurs: Take Your Business to the Next Level in 2025! Are you a woman business owner ready to compete in the multi-billion-dollar federal marketplace? If so, join our WOSB Cohort!

This program includes a series of virtual and in-person trainings designed to guide you through the process of submitting your Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) self-certification on the SBA portal.

The WOSB Cohort kicks off in February—don’t miss this opportunity to position your business for growth and success! Click HERE to Learn More and Register Now!

If you couldn’t attend our training sessions, you can access them at your convenience through our website. Seeking guidance on a particular topic? Explore them right HERE.

We extend our gratitude to all the volunteers who shared their expertise in December!

Bart Njoku-Obi with the SBA GA District Office

Keep yourself informed about the most recent updates regarding entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the economy...

The No. 1 Business Skill You’ll Need in 2025: If you want to take on the competition, the incumbents, and the AI hype, you’ll need to use their momentum against them. Read More

70% of Small Business Owners Experience Monthly Burnout. Follow These 3 Rules to Avoid the Same Fate: A Walmart Business study shows that 70% of small business owners experience burnout at least once a month and only 10% feel they take enough vacation. This statistic highlights the challenge most entrepreneurs face in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Read More

Make Your Money Manage Itself — How to Automate Your Personal Finances and Keep Your Goals on Track: Keeping up with your finances doesn't have to be a juggling act anymore. With just a few adjustments, managing your money can go from daunting to downright simple — here's how. Read More

We value building ongoing relationships with our clients. As a result, we kindly request that new clients participate in at least one of our webinars or training sessions prior to booking a complimentary one-on-one coaching session. This coaching session, lasting 45 minutes, can be scheduled to discuss a specific topic in-depth, at the client's convenience. To begin the process, Create a Client Profile HERE and have access to all the services and resources the WBC provides. Register only once, it’s easy and free!

Keep yourself informed about WBC's resources, classes, and offerings. Stay connected with us on social media to receive real-time updates on announcements and events.

Want to be kept in the loop? If you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter HERE. Is there a specific need or question we haven't addressed? Feel free to inform us HERE.

* All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis | Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance | Contact acewbc@aceloans.org for accommodations