Georgia Small Business Owner Highlight

Pandemic sparks entrepreneurship for rural candlemaker

Talia Waller

Middle school teacher Talia Waller started making her own organic candles for fun because the price point for similar products are so high in stores. In the early days of the pandemic, her candle-making hobby became a successful side hustle for Talia. These days, Catherine Ann’s Candles—named for Talia’s two grandmothers—is a thriving business with a storefront and bulk contracts with her local supermarket.

Georgia Events

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Women's History Month: Celebrating Women in Business
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET

Join Small Business Majority for an inspiring virtual event in honor of Women's History Month where we will celebrate the stories and accomplishments of women entrepreneurs.

Webinar | National

Quickbooks DIY Training: Ask a Tax Expert
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 6:00pm ET

Attention entrepreneurs and self-employed business owners! Are you looking to take control of your bookkeeping and accounting with QuickBooks?

Workshop | Atlanta, GA

Digital Marketing 101: How to leverage analytics to benefit your business
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 12:00pm ET / 9:00am PT

Join Small Business Majority and Coolest Nerd Ever for a free webinar on leveraging website analytics to drive business growth.

Webinar | National

Building Your Business Plan and Tools for Success
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | 12:00pm ET

Are you looking to create a successful business plan but not sure where to start? Join Small Business Majority and Operation HOPE for an informative event focused on building a business plan that will set you up for success.

Workshop | Atlanta, GA

Women's History Month Business Forum: Amplifying our voices
Friday, March 31, 2023 | 9:30am ET

In honor of Women's History Month, Small Business Majority and the Women's Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project, Inc. (WEOP) are excited to invite you to a women's business event aimed at empowering and supporting women in the entertainment and media industry.

Conference | Atlanta, GA

Digital Marketing 101: Website design & social media best practices
Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 11:00am ET

Calling all entrepreneurs! Are you looking to improve your online presence and build brand awareness? Join Small Business Majority and Coolest Nerd Ever for an exciting event focused on best practices for website design and social media tactics.

Workshop | Atlanta, GA

Budgeting basics & credit money management
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 | 12:00pm ET

Join Small Business Majority and Operation HOPE for an informative and practical event on budgeting basics and credit money management for entrepreneurs!

Workshop | Atlanta, GA, GA

Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship: Mental health and wellbeing
Thursday, May 25, 2023 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Join us for an important discussion on the importance of prioritizing mental health for young entrepreneurs.

Workshop | Atlanta, GA

Starting a Business in Georgia: Everything you need to know
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 | 12:00pm ET

Have you ever thought about starting a business in Georgia but weren't sure where to begin? This event is for you! Join us for an informative and interactive session on everything you need to know to start a business in Georgia.

Workshop | Atlanta, GA

Accessing capital & funding options for young entrepreneurs
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 | 12:00pm ET

Are you looking to secure funding to take your business to the next level? Join Small Business Majority for an informative event focused on funding options for small businesses and how to successfully apply for small business grants.

Workshop | Atlanta, GA

Setting goals for entrepreneurial success in the new year
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | 12:00pm ET

Join Small Business Majority for a special event to help you set and achieve your entrepreneurial goals for the upcoming year. As the year comes to an end, it's important to reflect on your accomplishments and plan for the future.

Workshop | Atlanta, GA

See all upcoming events and on-demand webinars »

Georgia Policy

Browse our latest state-based regulatory comments and legislative testimony in this area below, or click the button to view all records.
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Monday, February 6, 2023

Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is at the center of a thriving and inclusive economy in Georgia. The state’s 1.2 million small businesses comprise 99.6% of all businesses in the state, and they employ 1.7 million residents—nearly half of all Georgia employees.

Monday, March 13, 2023

Today, Georgia Director, Rachel Shanklin, submitted a letter to Georgia's House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee on House Bill 334, which would expunge qualifying criminal records, and Senate Bill 154, which would reform occupational licensing barriers for justice-impacted individuals. Nearly a dozen small businesses added their names in support of these bills.

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive policy agenda to ensure young entrepreneurs have the tools they need to contribute to a thriving and equitable economy. In the United States, there are nearly 5.9 million entrepreneurs under the age of 35.

See all policy statements »

Georgia Research

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State reports: Small business owners support criminal justice reforms to address persistent workforce challenges

Published:
Wed, 01/25/2023

While small businesses employ nearly half (46.4%) of the private workforce in the United States, many are struggling to hire and retain a ready workforce. One viable solution to their persistent workforce challenges is the passing of Clean Slate policies, which seal and expunge certain criminal records and allow justice-impacted individuals to seek employment opportunities and entrepreneurship. Individual state analyses of small business responses in Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas found widespread support for Clean Slate policies at the state and federal level.

Georgia small business owners support criminal justice reforms to address persistent workforce challenges

Published:
Wed, 01/11/2023

A new poll of Georgia small business owners reveals strong support for criminal justice reforms at the state and federal level. Georgia small businesses believe that Clean Slate policies can help employers fill gaps in their workforce and remove barriers to employment or entrepreneurship opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Georgia small business owners continue to face setbacks from the pandemic, identify policy solutions to support their businesses

Published:
Tue, 03/02/2021
Small business owner wearing mask

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained Georgia’s economy and public health system, while small businesses across the state continue to face significant financial setbacks that are hampering their recovery. A new survey sheds light on the state of small business in Georgia, as well as their views on policy solutions that can boost their businesses and provide important support to their employees.  

See all research reports »