Start:ME Spotlight:

Lisa Haygood

Organization

IBM

Your sister, Kara, was an entrepreneur in last years program. Has the experience been anything like she said it would?

Yes, the experience has been "something" like Kara said it would. The entrepreneurs were eager, excited, expectant yet subtly doubtful just as she was when she began her StartMe journey. About mid-way through program, the ice is broken (a few times), and the conversations become easier, the visions clearer and the confidence starts shining through. My sister's experience starting "Hay, Good Dog!" was also my experience to a certain degree. I shared in her journey in person, via phone conversations and through pictures, videos, text messages and emails. I helped fine tune her collateral and listened to her Hay, Good Dog! pitch (numerous times) as she prepared for neighborhood night. I feel like I was there! And truth is... Kara is the real reason I am "there" as a mentor this year. She believed that I had something unique to offer others like her. And so...I am here.

You recently had an Accelerated Moment of your own, as you received an award for your volunteer work at Carver YMCA in South Atlanta. Can you explain a little about that accolade?

Yes, I was honored and humbled to be named YMCA Volunteer of the Year representing the Villages at Carver Family YMCA where I have volunteered for the last 8 years. Volunteering in general gives me strength, provides growth opportunities and is always a learning experience - - volunteering at the Carver YMCA adds in elements of fun and community accomplishment. It is important that volunteers are aware of the relative position of the communities that we serve - - we should be good stewards of our volunteer energy and careful not to shape our volunteerism and service for all self-satisfying reasons. When volunteers are appropriately serving their communities, both parties typically walk away winners.

Those are not the only way you are involved in the South Atlanta community. What drives you to be so engaged in the community?

Volunteering is a source of Energy for me.
Volunteering also helps me to Strengthen my South Atlanta Community.
Volunteering gives me a Peace within me that I am able to feel externally in the Community.