Starting and Growing Atlanta's Small Businesses
About Us
Start:ME is a free intensive 14-session business training program for promising small businesses that provides entrepreneurs the tools and connections necessary to build and grow successful businesses.
What Start:ME Delivers
Networks
Connections to mentors, support services, and fellow entrepreneurs
Capital
Grants for promising ventures and connections to capital providers
A Snapshot of Our Network
Our Communities
Start:ME Stories
Entrepreneurs
Mentors
Entrepreneurship is a Team Sport
Start:ME is a partnership between Emory's Goizueta Business School and trusted community non-profits.
Meet Our Team
Brian Goebel
Program Director
Brian facilitates Start:ME sessions and guides its strategic initiatives.
Fun fact: he played bass guitar in what esteemed critic Kathleen Goebel called the “best rock band in Detroit.”
Erin Igleheart
Program Manager
Erin manages Start:ME and engages other small business support organizations.
Fun fact: she summited Mount Kilimanjaro. The view was pretty awesome.
Alina Bills
Program Associate
Alina oversees the operations, marketing, and alumni programming of Start:ME.
Fun fact: she was a shuttle driver through New York City in the Bronx and Manhattan boroughs.
Kareem Hall
Southside Program Lead
Kareem manages and delivers the Southside accelerator program.
Fun fact: he is a world class baby toy assembler.
Sushma Barakoti
Clarkston Coordinator
Sushma manages the Clarkston program’s coalition, recruitment, and local alumni programing.
Fun fact: she is also a Start:ME alum and actively working her business, Sunavworld.
Mercedes Rivera
East Lake Coordinator
Mercedes manages the East Lake program’s coalition, recruitment, and local alumni programing.
Fun fact: she loves to travel - Mercedes has backpacked to 12 countries, 20 states, and Puerto Rico. Including biking from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Ghent, Belgium.
Claire Slade
Southside Coordinator
Claire manages the Southside program’s coalition, recruitment, and local alumni programing.
Fun fact: she is a die-hard UNC fan. Don’t ask her about those blue devils.