‘Beyond the Build:’ Habitat for Humanity kicks off annual entrepreneur series
Habitat for Humanity is known for its global work building houses for low-income families, but nonprofit leaders say the organization goes “beyond the build” with long-term wraparound services.
A group of volunteers, donors and program participants joined in one of Habitat’s additional programs at an April 25 “Boss Talk,” where a panel of entrepreneurs shared their stories about starting a business in the city.
The “Boss Talk” conversation series is part of Habitat for Humanity’s “Vision. Goals. Action!” program created in 2015.
Every year, VGA kicks off with a panel and a series of elective courses and program offerings centered around entrepreneurship. The programs culminate in a “Shark Tank” style competition called “Launch!” that people can apply to. A panel of judges will review the pitches and pick winners to receive a scholarship and grant prize.
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Rosalyn Merrick said building people’s homes is “just one aspect of the services we provide to the families.”
Through the help of volunteers who provide physical labor and wisdom, the organization works on “helping them purchase their home, build their home and move into it successfully, and keep that success for 30 years.”
Habitat for Humanity serves as the mortgage holder for families, which Merrick said keeps a decades-long connection to them. Across those decades, the nonprofit continues its work.
“Now that you’ve achieved your first dream of home ownership, what else do you dream to do?” Merrick said.
People in the home-building program have to take no less than 17 courses on topics like personal finance, budgeting, effective saving and how to manage a home. People can join comprehensive financial literacy programs like “My Money, My Future” or pursue further education and certificates — or they can become entrepreneurs.
That’s where the “Boss Talks” come in. Merrick said Habitat for Humanity wants successful business owners to pass down what they wish they knew, which better prepares the fledgling entrepreneurs for the challenges ahead.
The COO said she also wants people to “know it’s okay to be bold and make space for yourself and your passion.”
At the April 25 panel, longtime entrepreneur Margaret Weniger moderated a conversation with Marsha Archer, owner of M-Squared PR and former public relation manager for The Home Depot, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Habitat for Humanity International; Trish Miller, owner of Atlanta-based swim school SwemKids and Kristine Reed, owner and CEO of Mobile Beauty Bar ATL.
During the panel, each of the women shared their paths toward leaving a full-time job and starting a brand-new business.
Miller, who left a government job to open SwemKids, called it a “leap of faith.” She started the business after a near-death drowning experience in college. SwemKids serves all ages and backgrounds, but she focuses on teaching Black children to swim — the CDC reports Black children ages 10 to 14 drown at rates 7.6 times higher than white children in swimming pools.
“I decided to bet on Trish,” Miller said at the panel.
The business owners advised the crowd to never burn bridges, find trustworthy advisors and “accept being delusional” while working towards success.
Merrick said Atlanta Habitat for Humanity picked the panelists in part because they are all women of color from working backgrounds. Over 80 percent of the people the nonprofit serves are women of color who are leading their households.
“It’s important to see people who reflect your lived experience,” Merrick said.
The Atlanta Habitat leader hopes to show program participants what’s possible for them.
Miller said she wanted to speak to the audience because she started her business as a single parent and found it important to share her story for those on the fence.
“It’s always fun because I’m hoping to say something that can inspire someone,” Miller said.
Miller said while it may not be an immediate inspiration for everyone, she hopes the chat planted a seed that can germinate and one day make a new entrepreneur.
