Fearless Fundraising for Your Small Business - Gwinnett
Fearless Fundraising for Your Small Business
The Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is excited to announce the seventh 2024 FIN FIT (Financially Fit) event will be held at the Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, GA, Building A, Room 506/401. We are proud to partner with Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and the Gwinnett UGA Small Business Development Center for this small business event. This event is free and open to all Georgians. Free continental breakfast and workbook included in registration.
Our panelists will discuss how to fearlessly raise capital to finance your small business as well as discuss the details of the Invest Georgia Exemption (IGE). IGE can be a powerful tool for Georgians looking to raise capital and fund their new venture or just grow their already thriving business. Our workshop portion will cover the topics of developing your fundraising goals, preparing your fundraising package, what to consider before you say yes, and managing your investor relationships for continued success and sustainability.
Program Schedule
8:30am | Registration & continental breakfast served |
9:00am | Opening remarks from Megan Lesko, Vice President of Membership, Gwinnet chamber of Commerce Welcome message from GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Panel discussion & audience Q&A |
10:50am | Break & transition to LAB |
11:00am | Learning LAB by Marguerite Pressley Davis: |
12:25pm | Closing statements Presented by Noula Zaharis, Assistant Commissioner of Securities, Division Director of Securities & Charities, Georgia Secretary of State |
12:30pm | Program concludes |
Panelists
Moderator
Donna Lowry is an award-winning journalist who combines a passion for storytelling and a desire to empower others with communication and critical thinking skills surrounding political, educational, and financial issues.
Through her firm, Donna Lowry Communications, she provides consulting, writing, and producing services for educational, media, professional, and business outlets.
Donna serves as host/producer for several programs, including Lawmakers on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Donna is an eight-time Emmy award winner, a three-time national Gabriel Award recipient, and has garnered honors from countless organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, Georgia Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE).
Her media peers inducted Donna into the prestigious NATAS Southeast Silver Circle to recognize her lasting contributions to the broadcast industry.
Donna has a master's in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's in Mass Communications and Administration and Management from Chatham University.
Her professional affiliations include the Atlanta Press Club, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Southeastern Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS SE).
In her 15th year as a Girl Scout Leader, Donna has led girls ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade. Her community service affiliations also include Magnolia (GA) Chapter of Links, Inc., and Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Donna and her husband, Army Major (Ret) Bennet W. Reid, Jr., are the parents of three daughters.
Area Director UGA SBDC in Gwinnett
Prior to joining the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, Mr. Anduze served 8 years in the United States Navy during the Desert Storm campaign as a Plane Captain for the A-6 Intruder and the F/A-18 Super Hornet. During his tour, he had the distinct honor to train with Navy Special Forces. After service, he spent 12 years as a manager in the mining industry for Lafarge North America. He was involved in numerous projects including the “Big Dig” in Boston Massachusetts, and the runways at Dobbins Air Force Base and Hartsfield International Airport in Georgia. During this time, he earned a Masters Degree in Accounting and eventually became an accountant for Jack F. Gamel, CPA PC. As an accountant, he provided tax services and financial advice/planning to businesses. He has since completed a B.S. in Psychology and is currently working on expanding his knowledge in Psychology. Mr. Anduze now utilizes his experiences in the military, retail/manufacturing environments, and accounting services to assist businesses and promote the University of Georgia Small Business Development Centers.
- MPAcc, Accounting, University of West Georgia
- B.B.A. Accounting/Management, University of West Georgia
- B.S. Psychology University of West Georgia
Gwinnett Market President/SVP, Georgia Banking Company
Jennifer has been in the banking industry for 28 years. After graduating from Georgia State University, Jennifer began working for BrandBank where she stayed for 23 years until the bank was acquired by another financial institution. Jennifer accepted a position as the Gwinnett Market President and Relationship Manager with Georgia Banking Company in May 2021. Jennifer’s focus in banking has been in commercial real estate, community banking, and offering first-in-class customer service. Jennifer enjoys focusing on the total client relationship, from loans to deposits to treasury. She excels in customer service skills, as well as relationship building and mentoring others within the organization.
Jennifer’s banking experience includes financing and managing a loan portfolio of over $200 million and over $50 million in deposit accounts. Her community service experience includes holding active roles with Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter as Chairwoman for the Board of Directors, Gwinnett Tech Foundation – Board of Trustees, and Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Directors. Jennifer also serves as a Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Jennifer has been married for 28 years to her husband, Tommy, and has 2 daughters. She enjoys traveling to the beach, thrift and antique shopping, decorating, being with friends and family, and giving back to her community. Jennifer spent her entire life in Gwinnett County, GA until moving to Walton County, GA in 2001.
President of Carter Construction
Allen Carter is an Atlanta native, born with a passion for building, real estate development and engineering. He earned a bachelor's degree in Real Estate from Georgia State University. Allen immediately started his career in commercial construction after graduating college and has to-date been involved in more than $2 billion worth of projects within the commercial and industrial sectors. While working within the construction industry, Allen earned a Masters of Science in Construction Management from Southern Polytechnic State University. After a successful 15 year career in construction management, Allen is now the Owner and President of Carter Construction Partners, Inc. a company that specializes in commercial construction projects with clients within both private and government sectors. He recently earned his license as a Real Estate Broker and invests in residential properties. He is an entrepreneur with a vision of operating businesses across several industries.
Director of Lending, ACE-Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs
Chris is an esteemed professional with over thirteen years in community banking, focusing on growth and stability within communities. He believes in finance's power to create equitable opportunities and advocates for inclusive financial ecosystems.
Chris holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and an MBA from Georgia College & State University. His academic background blends historical insights with modern financial practices, driving positive community impact.
Beyond his profession, Chris is committed to community service, contributing to metro Atlanta through leadership roles on advisory boards for community development financial institutions and affordable housing agencies. He has been instrumental in reducing barriers to financial accessibility and promoting sustainable development.
As the Director of Lending for ACE, Chris empowers entrepreneurs by providing capital, coaching, and connections, supporting underserved communities. His leadership at ACE fosters partnerships and strategies to ensure resource accessibility. Chris's career and volunteer work are driven by a vision of economic opportunities for all, reflecting his commitment to bridging gaps in financial literacy and advocating for equitable community development.
Founder & CEO, Finance Savvy CEO™ and creator of Your Profit Playbook™
Marguerite, a former Wall Street financial analyst, business strategist, and top ranked business money expert, was named Atlanta’s 40 Under 40 by Atlanta Business Chronicle, co-authored “Girl Power Uncensored” with her chapter “From Wall Street To Helping Main Street”, is an accredited angel investor, host of the podcast “Finance Savvy CEO”, the creator of Your Profit Playbook® - the leading business financial planning training program for small business owners, and Founder & CEO of financesavvyceo.com. Marguerite spent the early stages of her career as a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs, controlling an over $2 billion portfolio of private equity, alternative energy, and commercial real estate investments. She transitioned after business school at the NYU Stern School of Business into a successful career in Mergers & Acquisitions as a Manager at Deloitte Consulting, advising Fortune 500 companies through the full deal cycle from target screening, deal structuring, valuations, and due diligence, all the way through day 1 readiness and post-merger implementations. Marguerite continued to push the ceiling when she sought to make wedding planning less stressful and more fun for brides by creating Tulle la la, a global retail technology company that combines technology with a project management-based approach to wedding planning. In 2018, Tulle la la won the modern luxury diamond award for Best Wedding Technology. Marguerite had a successful exit from the company within 5 years, and today, Tulle la la continues to serve thousands of brides across the globe each year. Marguerite now focuses her attention on her EdTech FinTech platform, Finance Savvy CEO, created to help close the gender & racial wealth gap by focusing on profitable entrepreneurship. Finance Savvy CEO supports business owners on an ongoing basis, through programming and members-only access, to increase the financial health of their business and intentionally create long-term organic financial sustainability. Marguerite is passionate about building generational wealth through entrepreneurship and is always excited to help entrepreneurs navigate their pathway to profitability.
Engineer, Founder CEO, MerchLogix, Inc., Angel Investor
Nickolas (Nick) Downey is founder and CEO of MerchLogix, Inc., an Atlanta-based software company. Nick graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2002 with a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Nick is a former member of the Atlanta Technology Angels and sits on the Board of Directors of several Atlanta organizations. Nick has served as a coach for the Georgia Tech Business Plan competition, and the Startup Runway Foundation.
Senior Vice President, Managing Director-National Market Operations, TruFund Financial Services
As the Senior Vice President I Managing Director - National Market Operations, Dr. Kim Carter Evans is responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of market operations, lending, program implementation and economic development community strategies. Dr. Carter Evans leads the market teams with an emphasis on growing the portfolio while enhancing the entrepreneurial education and support culture as well as market expansion. In addition, Dr. Carter Evans oversees all corporate communications & marketing functions across TruFund's national footprint building brand awareness and advancing TruFund's strategic agenda. With over 20 years' experience as a business and economic development professional having worked in both the government and non-profit sector, Dr. Carter Evans brings extensive experience in disaster recovery program implementation; municipal economic development strategy consulting, federal fund administration to include Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG); strategic partnership and relationship management. Dr. Carter Evans joined TruFund in 2012 responsible for resource development, strategic partnerships and program implementation in the Louisiana market.
Dr. Carter Evans is an active community volunteer currently serving on the Board of Directors of Jubilee Impact Fund (Chicago, IL); Center For Empowerment and Development (Atlanta, GA); Reimagine Women's Center (Baton Rouge, LA); Jefferson County Revolving Loan Fund Advisory Board (Birmingham, AL) and is Board President for IGNITE Alabama. (Birmingham, AL) Dr. Carter Evans holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communications Public Relations from Xavier University of Louisiana; a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - International Business Communication from University of Phoenix and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration & Entrepreneurship from Trinity International University.