SparkMacon

05/20/2026

It’s Innovation Wednesday!

Start your morning with the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses Weekly Economic Roundtable featuring Ms. Beverly L. Hill at 8:30am via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88212103160

Then join us tonight for “Planning, Zoning & Your Business: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know” with Jeffrey C. Ruggieri, Executive Director of Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission.

If you are starting a business in Macon+Bibb County, this is one session you do not want to miss.

6:00pm-7:00pm at the 478 Incubator at the Macon Mall (Enter on the side near the food court).
Event Link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18XMr7rqZC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

At SparkMacon, we’re committed to making entrepreneurship more accessible by connecting entrepreneurs directly with the people and resources that help businesses move forward.

Join us!

05/19/2026

One of the most important parts of entrepreneurship is understanding the process of starting a business in your area before investing your time, money, and energy.

At SparkMacon, our goal is to help make entrepreneurship more accessible for entrepreneurs across Macon+Bibb County, and one of the ways we do that is through our Small Business Readiness series.

Before signing a lease, operating from home, purchasing equipment, or launching your business, entrepreneurs need to understand zoning classifications, permits, location restrictions, and whether their business can legally operate in a specific space. Too many entrepreneurs skip this step and end up losing valuable time and money.

Join us tomorrow as Jeffrey C. Ruggieri, Executive Director of Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission, helps entrepreneurs better understand how to navigate the process of starting a business in Macon-Bibb and gives attendees the opportunity to ask questions directly.

Wednesday, May 20, 6:00pm-7:00pm, at the 478 Incubator at the Macon Mall. Please enter on the side near the food court.

Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/18XMr7rqZC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/13/2026

Congratulations to Quintessa Hardy on her feature in The Macon Melody for Mental Health Awareness Month!

The article highlights the importance of mental health awareness, breaking stigma, and reminding people that they are not alone. We’re grateful for the work Quintessa continues to do in our community and proud to see her insight and impact recognized!

Be sure to check out the feature and learn more about the important work she’s doing right here in Macon+Bibb County.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Quintessa Solomon-Hardy, a Community Support Services Program Manager at River Edge Behavioral Health, talks about why mental health deserves to be understood, supported and taken seriously.

05/13/2026

Innovation Wednesday is here!

Start your morning with the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses Weekly Economic Roundtable featuring Dr. Shelton Land, Executive Director of the The Douglass Theatre, as he leads a conversation on upcoming Juneteenth celebrations, community engagement, and opportunities for collaboration across Middle Georgia.

Join the morning session at 8:30 AM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88212103160

Then join us this evening for “So, You Want to Start a Business?” facilitated by SCORE Mentors. This session is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to better understand the first steps of starting and structuring a business.

Please remember our new summer location. From May through August, our first and second Wednesday Innovation Wednesday sessions will be held at the Booker T Washington Community Center while the Washington Memorial Library hosts its summer programming.

Tonight’s session begins at 6:00 PM at:
Booker T. Washington Community Center, 401 Monroe St, Macon, GA 31201

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GnNrPWv3r/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We look forward to seeing you!

05/09/2026

This past Wednesday’s Financial Literacy session was an incredible conversation about what it really means to prepare for entrepreneurship.

Led by Quintessa Hardy, the session encouraged entrepreneurs to take a holistic look at their lives when assessing their readiness to start a business. From finances and work-life balance to job satisfaction, personal health, spirituality, and overall stability, the conversation centered on the importance of evaluating the full picture before taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

One of the biggest takeaways from the evening was the reminder that starting a business out of financial desperation or urgency is rarely the best path forward. Building a thoughtful plan, understanding your capacity, and connecting with entrepreneurial education and support resources can help individuals make informed decisions about their future.

A special thank you to Quintessa for leading the session with such knowledge, empathy, and compassion, and thank you to the Booker T Washington Community Center for helping us bring this important programming to the community this summer.

If you missed this week’s session, lock in with us next Wednesday for “So, You Want to Start a Small Business?” led by SCORE Mentors.

Event Link:
https://facebook.com/events/s/so-you-want-to-start-a-small-b/1851658088829740/

We can’t wait to meet you!

05/06/2026

Innovation Wednesday is here.

Start your morning with the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses Weekly Economic Roundtable featuring Rachel Moore, CEO and Founder of Moore of Rachel Inc., as she leads a conversation on leadership, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and building meaningful networks that support growth and success.

Join the morning session at 8:30 AM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88212103160

Then join us this evening for our May Financial Literacy session, “I Want to Start a Business… But Should I?” led by Quintessa Hardy.

Please note our new summer location. From May through August, our Financial Literacy and So You Want to Start a Business? sessions will be held at the Booker T Washington Community Center while the library hosts its summer reading programming.

05/05/2026

Innovation Wednesday continues tomorrow with our May Financial Literacy session, “I Want to Start a Business… But Should I?” led by Quintessa Hardy.

We’re excited to host this session at a new location, the Booker T Washington Community Center. During the summer, the library hosts its annual reading programming, which gives us the opportunity to partner with another incredible space in our community. From May through August, our first and second Wednesday sessions will be held at Booker T. Washington.

Our third Wednesday Small Business Readiness sessions will remain at the 478 Incubator, and our fourth Wednesday Entrepreneur’s Night will continue to rotate locations each month.

Summer is here, and this is your opportunity to lock in and commit to yourself and your business!

Join us tomorrow at 6:00 PM at the Booker T. Washington Community Center. We can’t wait to meet you!

05/04/2026

It’s National Small Business Week, and we’re celebrating all week long here in Macon+Bibb County!

While we love highlighting local opportunities, we also encourage entrepreneurs to take advantage of statewide and national resources that can help you grow.

The FREE Virtual Summit starts tomorrow and includes workshops, mentoring, networking, and more.

Register here: https://www.sba.gov/nsbw

05/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this week’s virtual Serenity for Startups session.

A special thank you to Quintessa Hardy for leading such a meaningful and honest conversation. From Entrepreneur’s Night to Serenity for Startups, and now stepping in to lead this month’s Financial Literacy session, she continues to show up for our community in a real and consistent way. That level of commitment does not go unnoticed, and we’re grateful for her partnership!

We’re excited to continue the conversation next week as Quintessa leads our May Financial Literacy session, “I Want to Start a Business… But Should I?”

Join us here:
https://facebook.com/events/s/2026-financial-literacy-i-want/972589108560892/

We’d love to see you there!