Kennesaw State Partnership Equips Local Entrepreneurs with Tools for Success

Introduction

Kennesaw State University has partnered with MUST Ministries, a nonprofit organization in Marietta, to launch the Aspiring Community Entrepreneurs (ACE) program. This program, based on the University of Notre Dame’s Urban Poverty and Business Initiative, aims to provide resources and support to disadvantaged individuals in the metro Atlanta area who want to start and grow their own businesses. Through a combination of classroom education, business mentorship, and active consulting, participants in the ACE program are equipped with the tools they need to turn their business ideas into viable plans of action. This partnership between Kennesaw State and MUST Ministries is a beacon of opportunity for those facing social, physical, economic, and vocational disadvantages, offering them a chance to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

The ACE Program: A Beacon of Opportunity

The ACE program was developed in collaboration between Kennesaw State University and MUST Ministries, with guidance from the University of Notre Dame’s Urban Poverty and Business Initiative. The program identifies individuals who are interested in starting their own businesses but lack the financial means to do so. Through the expertise of faculty and students in the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State and the resources provided by MUST Ministries, the ACE program offers hope and support to disadvantaged residents of metro Atlanta.

A Partnership for Success

MUST Ministries, Notre Dame UPBI, and Kennesaw State University recognized the potential for a successful partnership in helping aspiring entrepreneurs. By combining the expertise and resources of both organizations, they are able to provide participants in the ACE program with the best mentors and teachers possible. The program offers participants the opportunity to learn from faculty and students at Kennesaw State’s Coles College of Business, who have a standing mission to engage with and help the local community. This partnership is a win for everyone involved, as it allows Kennesaw State to leverage its expertise to make a difference in the lives of aspiring entrepreneurs.

The ACE Program: Empowering Disadvantaged Individuals

The ACE program is unique in that it focuses on individuals who are facing various disadvantaged conditions, including social, physical, economic, and vocational challenges. MUST Ministries identifies applicants through the services it offers, ensuring that those who are most in need of support and resources are given the opportunity to participate in the program. By providing classroom education, business mentorship, and active consulting, the ACE program empowers participants to develop their business ideas into viable plans of action.

A Path to Entrepreneurial Success

The ACE program begins with a six-week bootcamp, where participants receive instruction from experts in law, finance, and business development. This intensive training equips them with the foundational knowledge and skills they need to start and grow their own businesses. Throughout the program, participants are assigned a peer mentor and receive guidance from business students, who help them refine their business ideas and work towards their goals. The program culminates in a graduation ceremony, where participants showcase their accomplishments and celebrate their journey to becoming successful entrepreneurs.

Stories of Success

Tracey Graves, a Master of Business Administration student at Kennesaw State, has been involved with the ACE program as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs. She has found it to be a rewarding experience, as she witnesses the passion and determination of the program’s participants. Graves is particularly inspired by those who want to start nonprofits, despite having very little themselves. These individuals exemplify the power of giving and demonstrate that one does not need to have much to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Fulfilling a Dream

Iletha Dodds, a Marietta resident and participant in the ACE program, has always had a dream of opening her own nail salon. However, the demands of being a single mother and working full time made this dream seem impossible. When she learned about the ACE program, she saw it as an opportunity to finally pursue her passion. Dodds, a licensed nail technician for 29 years, plans to open a nail school for high school students and adults interested in becoming licensed nail technicians. She wants to bridge the gap between education and employment in the beauty industry, empowering others with the skills they need to succeed.

Conclusion

The partnership between Kennesaw State University and MUST Ministries through the ACE program is providing a beacon of opportunity for disadvantaged individuals in the metro Atlanta area. By combining the expertise of faculty and students at Kennesaw State’s Coles College of Business with the resources and support of MUST Ministries, the ACE program equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. Through classroom education, business mentorship, and active consulting, participants develop their business ideas into viable plans of action. The ACE program is empowering individuals to overcome the challenges they face and realize their entrepreneurial dreams.