Empowering Charlotte Entrepreneurs: Navigate Possibility With CLT Alliance Foundation’s Connections and Programs
Entrepreneurship can be incredibly rewarding and daunting, and for many, it can feel lonely and uncertain. The CLT Alliance Foundation understands these highs and lows all too well; as entrepreneurs, small business owners and leaders, our organization has walked the walk and understands just how important having a network of support is for our entrepreneurial community.
Our philosophy is simple: we believe that everyone has the opportunity to have a great business idea. Our mission is to provide the connections and social capital necessary to turn that great idea into a successful business. Here are a few ways we intentionally open doors and help Charlotte business leaders navigate possibilities.
We Make it Possible to Grow Confidence and Skills
We believe that every brilliant idea deserves its moment to shine. Yet, transforming a concept into a thriving business can be overwhelming without the right skills and confidence. That's why the CLT Alliance Foundation is committed to helping entrepreneurs develop these essential attributes.
Our programs cover crucial topics such as business planning, financial management, marketing strategies, and leadership development. We partner with seasoned experts who provide practical knowledge and actionable insights for business leaders to apply. However, we don't just teach; we empower them with the confidence to take bold steps and make informed decisions.
We Make it Possible to Build Financial and Social Capital
One of the biggest challenges small businesses face is securing the capital needed for growth. Recognizing this, we partnered with local partners to launch the Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund—a $40 million initiative to support over 2,000 local businesses. This fund explicitly addresses essential needs like payroll, rent, and equipment purchases.
This fund is not just financial aid; it's a lifeline that allows businesses to focus on growth and innovation rather than being hindered by financial constraints. Providing crucial capital enables companies to scale new heights and unlock their full potential. Business leaders can learn more and apply for this support through our dedicated platform at Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund.
Aside from the money, we seek out partnerships and relationships that encourage the Charlotte business community to come together in order to support its business leaders. By looking at ways that we can work together, we gather stakeholders in a room and leverage social capital to create possibilities, like the Accounting for Charlotte Entrepreneurs program.
We Make It Possible to Maintain a Healthy Well-Being
Running a business is not just a financial endeavor; it's an emotional and mental journey. Understanding this, we partnered with Hooky Wellness to introduce Catch Your Breath, which emphasizes the importance of personal well-being, financial wellness and stress management for entrepreneurs.
Through Catch Your Breath, we provide resources to help our business leaders prioritize their self-care and wellness. This initiative is geared towards building the “person” behind the business and involves community events, guided support and resources, a cohort model, and a wellness stipend, culminating with a wellness retreat. If you’re an entrepreneur who needs to catch your breath, visit Catch Your Breath.
We Make It Possible to Scale & Grow
No matter your business, it is incredibly challenging to quickly or reliably scale your business. In fact, less than 4% of all businesses reach $1 million in revenues, and even fewer minority and women-owned businesses reach that same mark. Scale-Up CLT is a business accelerator that provides connections, skills and the social capital necessary to scale your business through partnership with the EO Accelerator program.
Specifically designed for minority and women-owned businesses with $250,000 to $1 million in revenue, this accelerator develops leaders and catalyzes growth for Charlotte’s entrepreneurial community. The Scale Up CLT scholarship provides more than $10,000 in benefits, including coaching and tuition assistance for those who qualify.
We Make It Possible To Thrive
The CLT Alliance Foundation is more than just a support network; we are your partner throughout the entrepreneurial journey. Our programs and initiatives are designed to address the multifaceted needs of business leaders, from access to capital and skill-building to emotional well-being and leadership training.
We’re entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders. While every business is unique, we understand firsthand the shared challenges facing our community. By equipping leaders with the opportunities to grow, connections and capital, we’re able to help the entire region navigate possibility.
Let’s navigate possibility together. Click here to learn how you can get involved.
Scale Up CLT Entrepreneurs Achieve 7-Figure Milestone, Earn Top Honors
The CLT Alliance Foundation is excited to celebrate Scale Up CLT participants Sharon Allen, Alaa Bou Ghanem, Dr. Sharon Jones, and Jack Ossa, a group of remarkable entrepreneurs from the Charlotte Region who have recently graduated from the Entrepreneurs' Organization Accelerator (EOA) program, surpassing the $1 million revenue milestone. It's particularly impressive to note that 2023-2024 participants, Sharon Allen and Alaa Bou Ghanem, achieved this significant milestone within their first year in the program. Their success stories exemplify the potential and impact of Scale Up CLT.
In addition to celebrating these revenue milestones, we are proud to recognize several of our participants who have received prestigious awards for their contributions and leadership:
Award Winners:
- Raymond Jordan, Thirst for Learning
- Giovani Gonzalez, Trust and Respect
- Alaa Bou Ghanem, Think Big, Think Bold
- Jack Ossa, Together We Grow
All award winners are or have been a part of the Scale Up CLT program, highlighting the caliber of entrepreneurs and leaders within the program.
Additionally, the Visionary Leadership Award was presented to Bryan Delaney, a current CLT Alliance Foundation board member. Delaney, who has been at the forefront of the creation of the Scale Up CLT program, was recognized for his forward-thinking and innovative approaches. Delaney’s visionary leadership and dedication to fostering an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive have been instrumental in shaping the success of the program. His efforts have not only benefited the participants, but also have contributed significantly to the economic development and competitive edge of the Charlotte Region.
“The success of the Scale Up CLT participants is a reflection of their hard work, innovative spirit, and the strong support network provided by the program,” Jonathan Evans, program manager at the CLT Alliance Foundation, said.
Evans expressed immense pride in all their accomplishments and looks forward to supporting more entrepreneurs in their journeys: “Seeing the entrepreneurs hit the $1 million revenue milestone, especially within their first year, is incredibly inspiring. The awards won by the participants further demonstrate the outstanding talent and leadership within the community.”
These accomplishments underscore the impact of the Scale Up CLT program in empowering underrepresented small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in the Charlotte Region. The CLT Alliance Foundation remains committed to fostering an environment where our entrepreneurs can thrive and achieve their fullest potential.
Scale Up CLT Participants ‘Envision New Possibilities’ With AT&T’s Support
The CLT Alliance Foundation proudly celebrates our Scale Up CLT participants who recently attended the Exploring Economies trip in Phoenix. This impactful event brought together more than 125 local government, business, and community leaders for several days of immersive professional development, insight into Greater Phoenix’s economic development success, and invaluable networking opportunities.
Thanks to a generous $10,000 contribution from Kathleen Evans and AT&T, transportation costs were covered, ensuring our entrepreneurs could fully benefit from this opportunity.
Kathleen Evans, regional director, external affairs at AT&T, expressed her excitement about joining the Scale Up CLT participants in Phoenix. She emphasized the importance of the event in bringing together leaders to build relationships, receive mentoring, and pitch their products and services.
"AT&T supports Scale Up CLT, which empowers underrepresented small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in the Charlotte Region to grow and thrive,” Evans said. “I’m proud to work for a company so committed to helping small businesses succeed."
Alaa Bou Ghanem, principal at A.B. Group, found the event enriching and enlightening. He appreciated the opportunity to delve into the economic drivers and innovative strategies that define Phoenix, offering valuable lessons to bring back to Charlotte. He remarked that the collaboration and discussions among diverse leaders sparked ideas and lasting connections that will significantly contribute to Charlotte's growth and competitiveness.
For Chris Davis, CEO of Buff Beauty Academy, the trip exceeded expectations. She highlighted the immeasurable value of the connections made and the insights gained about Phoenix’s offerings. Davis is eager to bring some of those same offerings and ways of thinking to the Charlotte Region.
Tammy Foster-Knight, CEO of Optional Solutions, LLC, thoroughly enjoyed the event’s vibrant atmosphere. She focused on nurturing authentic connections, meaningful conversations, and cultivating trust. Foster-Knight believes that the relationships built during the trip will be grounded in shared experiences and mutual respect, fostering a genuine desire to support each other.
Highlights from the Trip
The participants had the opportunity to visit several key venues that showcased Phoenix's economic dynamism and innovative spirit. The tour included a visit to Arizona State University, where they explored cutting-edge research and development initiatives. They also visited the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, which highlighted the region's advancements in health care and biotech industries. These venue visits provided invaluable insights and inspiration, helping our entrepreneurs to envision new possibilities for their ventures in the Charlotte Region.
This trip was not just a professional development opportunity; it was a chance for our entrepreneurs to build lasting relationships and bring back innovative ideas to the Charlotte Region. We are incredibly proud of our Scale Up CLT participants and grateful to AT&T for making this experience possible.
Thank you, AT&T, for your unwavering support!
Public-Private Partners Unveil Historic Access to Capital Opportunity for Charlotte’s Small Businesses
Community lenders, local corporate partners and the City of Charlotte today announced the launch of “Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund,” a fund aiming to provide $40 million in loans to more than 2,000 underserved small businesses over the next four years. This is one of the largest non-pandemic access to capital opportunities directed at small businesses in the history of Charlotte.
Loans and outreach will be done through community development financial institutions (CDFIs) whose mission is to support underrepresented small businesses; it is anticipated that more than 70% of these loans could benefit entrepreneurs of color.
“As a top destination for new businesses, Charlotte has one of the most vibrant economies in the country,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. “With the Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund, we aim to level the playing field, ensuring every resident shares in our city’s growth and has equitable access to entrepreneurial opportunities.”
The fund is managed and operated by Scale Link, a CDFI that expands access to inclusive small business lending through its nationwide secondary market to buy and sell small business loans originated by CDFIs. Catalytic funding for Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund comes from Ally Charitable Foundation, Atrium Health, Bank of America, the City of Charlotte and Truist.
The CLT Alliance Foundation leveraged its access to capital to establish the fund and is providing ongoing support and coordination. Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund delivers on part of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative launched two years ago.
Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund details include:
- Available loans range in size from $1,000 to $250,000.
- Loans have fixed interest rates of 9% to 12%; origination and application fees range from 3% to 5%.
- Average loan length is 48 months.
- The fund is open to all businesses headquartered in Charlotte, but is especially designed for businesses that do not qualify for traditional bank loans due to age of the business, credit history, or lack of collateral.
- Advising for applicants is available from participating CDFIs and other local partners to help entrepreneurs qualify for loans.
As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Charlotte and its small business sector are flourishing. However, not all Charlotte businesses have the same access to capital and resources to grow. For instance, only 14% of minority-owned Charlotte businesses have access to a bank loan at start-up.
Nearly 40% of Charlotte’s small businesses are minority-owned, meaning it is an economic imperative to expand access to capital for these entrepreneurs. CDFIs are mission-based lenders that specialize in delivering capital to underserved communities, making them exceptionally well-positioned to close Charlotte’s small business financing gap. However, CDFIs themselves are often undercapitalized, which is why this fund provides essential liquidity to Charlotte’s frontline small business lenders.
“The economic opportunities for small business owners in Charlotte right now are truly exciting,” Brett Simmons, CEO of Scale Link, said. “The Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund will deliver the capital community-based lenders need to support the city’s diverse, growing small businesses. We’re honored to work alongside our CDFI partners, in collaboration with the City of Charlotte, our investors, and everyone at the CLT Alliance Foundation, to support Charlotte’s Entrepreneurs.”
“The CLT Alliance Foundation is proud to play a supporting role in providing greater access to the number one resource small businesses need to grow their businesses, and our economy by extension – capital,” Nate Hogan, president of the CLT Alliance Foundation, said.
Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund will boost the local lending capacity of CDFIs through an innovative platform – operated by Scale Link and LoanWell – that will match businesses seeking funding with one of six participating CDFIs. CDFIs participating in Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund include Ascendus, ASPIRE Community Capital, Business Expansion Funding Corporation (BEFCOR), Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF), andDreamSpring. Scale Link will leverage its innovative secondary market model to purchase and sell loans made by CDFIs through the fund, helping expand CDFI liquidity and enabling them to scale their lending.
Business owners interested in receiving funding through Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund can learn more and apply online here.
Spotlight On: Kim Rosas, Entrepreneur and Founder of Period.Shop
I’m Kim Rosas, founder of Period.Shop and a trusted reusable period products expert.
I started my ecommerce store Period.Shop in 2020 to bring top quality brands of menstrual cups, discs, pads, period underwear, and cleaning accessories under one roof. Our store is paired with expert educational resources including our product matching quiz because there is no such as thing as a “one size fits all” approach to period care; Period.Shop helps you navigate the buying process to ensure a “one size fits you” experience.
In 2012 I tried a reusable menstrual cup for the first time and the experience was so much better and less wasteful than using tampons. I kept a blog at the time and began sharing videos and articles about my experiences making the switch to a menstrual cup. The content proved to be popular and within a few years I found myself teaching workshops across the US. I became known as one of the top experts on the products and people trusted my advice. At that time the best source for reusable period care was Amazon, however shopping there has always felt counter to the mission of sustainability and presented ethical concerns. That platform was also overrun with questionable quality products. In 2020 I launched a new business; the first reusable period products store in the US, and used my decade of experience to curate a more trustworthy selection of products for mindful consumers.
The challenges were numerous - in 2020 we were still in the thickest part of Covid and I had just left a previous business to build a new one from scratch. I was in charge of my children’s virtual school while simultaneously working 10-12 hour days to launch a new business. Rather than begin small by shipping from home or renting an affordable small office we found a local 3rd Party Logistics warehouse that could accommodate our growth no matter the speed. Sourcing brands was an early hurdle - some were reluctant to work with a new store and others only sold to brick and mortar locations.
I used my connections and reputation in the menstrual products industry to secure the brands that were critical to our store. After many Zooms with the CEOs of each company to explain the vision for Period.Shop every one of those meetings resulting in a wholesale relationship, even from boutique brands who refused to sell via online only retailers.
Now, in our third year of business Period.Shop has secured many more wholesale partners and even exclusive products with our brands. For the first three years of business we relied mostly on our social media presence and educational videos to organically grow our sales. Joining Scale Up CLT has come as a crucial time for us. Sales remain strong but our growth is now less of a straight line up and more of a gentle slope. Learning more about how to grow our sales pipeline in other ways is going to prove important to us over the next few years.
How To Close Widening Racial Socioeconomic Disparities in the Charlotte Region
Racial disparities across workforce, industries, and wealth remain pronounced in the Charlotte Region. Regional socioeconomic mobility initiatives show slight progress in business ownership, but not enough to reduce racial gaps. Minority groups and their families are still experiencing the economic effects of the pandemic, especially in the current inflationary environment, causing significant pressures on generational wealth. A significant number of minorities are unable to climb the economic ladder due to a number of reasons including, but not limited to, low income and educational attainment, and lack of opportunities for business ownership. While the share of unemployed minorities (50.5%) is not much higher than white counterparts (49.4%), average wages earned by minority groups for at least a year of employment across all industries are significantly lower – almost two times less than their peers.
Recent demographics across regional workforce reflect racial disparities. About 63% of workers are white, 23% are Black/African American, 8% are Hispanic of any race, 4% Asian, and 2% for two or more races. While Black Americans make up 23% of the overall workforce, they account for more than 30% of the workforce across industries historically known of having higher concentration of minorities and lower wages (e.g. health care and educational services, warehouse and transportation, accommodation, and food services, etc.), and less than 15% in professional and technical services.
Total workforce by race and ethnicity, Charlotte Region
Source: Lightcast, U.S. Census Bureau 5-year estimates, CLT Alliance analysis, 2024
Racial disparities remain similar across occupations with varied differences among racial groups. For instance, while Asians make up only 4% of the workforce, they are more concentrated in health care occupations (e.g. physicians, health scientists, pharmacists, etc.) that require higher educational attainment and wages. Further, minorities continue to be less represented in management positions, with white counterparts dominating the management of companies and enterprises.
Total occupation by race and ethnicity, Charlotte Region
Source: Lightcast, U.S. Census Bureau 5-year estimates, CLT Alliance analysis, 2024
Implementing strategic and actionable diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are critical to improve parity. DEI trends across the nation remain controversial at workplaces, educational institutions, businesses, and social settings. Lack of flexibility arrangements, low parity in terms of promotion among racial groups, and income inequality are impeding career advancement, financial stability, and overall socioeconomic growth of minority groups.
The latest data available for business ownership by race and ethnicity indicates a slight growth in minority-owned businesses. Lending Tree ranks the Charlotte metro among top 10 metro areas with a high percentage of black-owned businesses, according to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau Annual Survey. However, this growth is not quite significant to shape diversity and inclusion, and close racial gaps in the regional business community. If Black businesses represented about 24% of employer firms, almost equivalent to the Black population, there would be an additional 13,500 Black-owned businesses. Further, on average, 9 jobs per firm are created by Black businesses compared to 22 for all businesses. And these businesses could create over 31,000 jobs, if the average employee per Black business reached parity.
Business ownership by race and ethnicity, Charlotte Region
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census Builder, 2022
Creating sources of opportunities to increase the number of small business owners will enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem. About 5% of employer firms are Black-owned businesses, 7% are Asian-owned, and 4% are Hispanic-owned. Creating and bringing awareness to programs, grants, and initiatives targeted at minority small business ownership are essential to reduce barriers for entry in the business ownership sphere in the region. While the region currently provides a plethora of these resources, easy access for minority owners remains limited.
Racial gaps in workforce, occupation, income, and business ownership are barriers to wealth and consequently homeownership. Initiating more income-restricted homeownership policies will improve housing affordability for minorities. In 2022, the median net worth of an average white family was six times greater than that of a Black family. Unequal racial representation associated with differences in income, financial resources, and intergenerational wealth gaps affect housing affordability. Although homeownership rates increased slightly across races over the last decade, gaps widened. According to the National Association of Realtors, homeownership rates in 2022 for white Americans remained higher, at 75% in North Carolina, and 79% in South Carolina, compared to Black Americans at 47% and 56%, respectively.
Data availability to understand the underlying issues of the persistent gaps across racial groups remains a challenge. Creating a centralized data platform to collect racial disparities trends will stimulate more evidence-based policy decisions. One of the main issues hovering over the continued widening gap between minorities and their white counterparts is the lack of available, accessible, and consistent evidence-driven resources about race and ethnic representation across economic growth characteristics. Policymakers and leaders must advocate for more funding for data collection and governance, especially at lower geographical levels (e.g. metro, county, zip code, census tract, neighborhood, etc.).
Prioritizing Inclusive Economic Growth
The CLT Alliance stands at the forefront of efforts to create a community where economic opportunities are not only available, but also inclusive and equitable. The CLT Alliance actively supports initiatives aimed at enhancing access to capital, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs from diverse and marginalized backgrounds. Additionally, we advocate for policies that promote the availability of affordable and workforce housing, as well as increased participation in rental assistance programs, ensuring that economic prosperity is within reach for all members of the community.
With a vision to catalyze transformative growth in the Charlotte Region, the CLT Alliance Foundation endeavors to build a brighter future where dynamic small businesses and business leaders thrive. To further its mission, the CLT Alliance Foundation has implemented a range of impactful programs:
- Scale Up CLT: a growth-oriented program for minority entrepreneurs in the region that helps them understand how to scale financially to seven figures and build reputational capital.
- RISE: a new AI-powered digital resource hub that aims at helping entrepreneurs and small business owners across the region with resources for starting, running, and growing a business.
- The Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund (launching Spring 2024): a public-private partnership that matches small businesses to the lender that is best able to serve them.
- African American Leadership Academy of Charlotte: focusing on expanding the number and impact of African American leaders in Mecklenburg County, the Academy is built to help equip, empower, and advance local Black professionals to strengthen the pipeline of executive leaders in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors.
Recognizing the critical importance of addressing racial disparities, the CLT Alliance and the CLT Alliance Foundation are unwavering in their commitment to ensuring socioeconomic mobility initiatives continue. By taking proactive steps, the CLT Alliance and the CLT Alliance Foundation strive to provide economic opportunities to all members of the community, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous future for the Charlotte Region and its residents.
Spotlight On: David Hunt, Founder of Framewrk
David Hunt’s early battle with childhood chemotherapy forged in him an unyielding spirit, propelling him to dedicate his life to making a positive impact. In addition to his work, each year he serves as a counselor at Camp C.A.R.E. supporting children with cancer.
David’s contributions extend far beyond the realm of community service. He’s the visionary founder of Framewrk, a company that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and community collaboration to steer startups and small businesses toward the attainment of a minimum $1 million in net profit. His impactful journey is marked by a diverse professional history. He’s navigated the corridors of experience at Fortune 500 companies, delved into the intricacies of venture capital, invested in multiple startups and small businesses, worked at a Shark Tank funded startup (acquired by Sallie Mae), and displays an unparalleled dedication to turning bold visions into reality.
David’s work was recently recognized by the broader Charlotte community. He was the recent recipient of the Innovation and Tech Award from the CLT Alliance Foundation, which celebrated excellence in business.
“The work is not finished; I mean, not even close,” he said. “But that’s okay because that’s fun and something that’s inspiring.”
David’s journey, however, isn’t just about career milestones. It’s also etched in the realm of authorship, as he’s penned two influential books, including the acclaimed “Inevitable: The Founder Handbook for Day Zero.” His voice resonates on panels about socioeconomic mobility and economic empowerment. But what truly sets him apart is his ability to forge meaningful connections, to peel back layers and ask questions that dive deeper, fostering an environment where vulnerability is celebrated as a catalyst of potential.
David’s narrative is about the remarkable power of resilience and enduring impact on the world.
“Innovation and technology can lift the tide of economic parity and economic growth and skills, but we have to make that choice,” he said.
See more of David’s story here.
Connecting People to Greater Possibility | AT&T and CLT Alliance Foundation Aim To Build Social Capital for Region’s Small Businesses
Our vision of catalyzing transformative growth in the Charlotte Region where dynamic small businesses and business leaders thrive cannot be accomplished without a heavy emphasis on building social capital for both of our vision’s constituencies. Entrepreneurs need access to decision-makers to build meaningful relationships so they have visibility to contracting prospects and real opportunities to compete for those contracts. Equally important, business leaders need access to professional development opportunities and executives at the most senior levels to grow their careers. This is why our foundation focuses on creating customers, connections, and capital.
The 2001 Harvard Business Review article is amazingly relevant 22 years later. While the focus isn’t on small businesses or business leaders necessarily, the intentionality mentioned throughout and the three core concepts of making connections, enabling trust, and fostering cooperation are central to building the social capital needed for everyone working in business.
This 2023 Forbes article, Social Capital Is Your Most Valuable Asset, rightly points out that “Discerning entrepreneurs know their success would not have materialized without strategic connections, shared lessons and knowledge.” This is exactly why our Scale Up CLT business accelerator participants are provided access for free to our Investor Quarterly, Exploring Economies, and other events where they’re in the room with more than 100 decision makers, creating unmatched opportunities for entrepreneurs to engage directly with the people who can help them grow their businesses.
One misconception about social capital is that proximity alone guarantees a desired outcome. As we point out to our Scale Up participants, no one is going to walk into the room with a contract and ask for your signature. Being in the room is only half the battle (one that AT&T is going to make available for even more participants), the other half is having an effective pitch, demonstrating the value of a product and service, and establishing trust with your target audience.
As we continue to address barriers to access, we are grateful our friends at AT&T have granted our foundation $10,000 to help cover travel expenses for 10 Scale Up participants to attend our 2024 Exploring Economies intercity visit to Phoenix. This event brings together more than 100 leaders from across the Charlotte Region to learn, grow, and build relationships, while focusing on supporting the region’s vibrant economy.
“Small businesses are often referred to as the backbone of the economy,” Kathleen Evans, regional director of external affairs for AT&T North Carolina, said. “They create jobs, foster innovation, and contribute to local communities. AT&T assists entrepreneurs through a variety of initiatives and services, including technology solutions, educational resources, and community outreach, like our support of the CLT Alliance Foundation Scale Up CLT program.”
AT&T’s purpose is connecting people to greater possibility and it aligns perfectly with the work we do in the CLT Alliance Foundation. Thank you, AT&T, for everything you do in our community to connect people to greater possibility!
Spotlight On: Alaa Bou Ghanem, Founder and Owner of Architect Builder Group
Hello, my name is Alaa Bou Ghanem, and I am the founder and owner of Architect Builder Group, AB Group for short. Although I am new to Charlotte like many others, I stand apart as a native of Lebanon. I consider myself a product of the American Dream, and I chose to travel to the United States to learn about a new culture as part of my college experience. I graduated from the School of Architecture at UNC Charlotte (Go Niners!) and have been working in Charlotte for 10 years.
Since my childhood, I have aspired to become an architect. Over time, my passion for contributing to a better world through art and design grew stronger. Later, I discovered that this passion has a name and is known as Neuroaesthetics - a field that explores the psychological impact of beauty in design. This field emphasizes that aesthetically pleasing designs have a positive impact on our well-being by blending beauty, functionality, and esthetics. This sounds incredible, doesn't it? Are you wondering how this works?
Extensive research has been carried out in this field, and Jay Dee Dearness suggests that incorporating beauty in design through neuroaesthetic principles creates a sense of shared community and allows us to feel, among other things, grounded, safe, happy, and connected. As my family lives far away, it is crucial to me that I not only create a sense of community in Charlotte, but also help others feel connected through good design that provides safety, connection, and a sense of well-being that we all need.
Although we might have different opinions on what defines beautiful design, we can all agree that a clean and well-lit space with an open and airy atmosphere is the ideal environment for creative endeavors. Nowadays, modern office designs adopt the concepts of minimalism, simplicity, openness, and airiness, but we sometimes fail to realize the impact on our well-being until we are faced with an environment that lacks these features. Recently, one of my friends visited a vendor whose office was a typical 80's style with a series of boxed offices, each with a small window and a door leading to a hallway. The atmosphere was dull, dark, and anything but conducive to creativity. My friend, who works in an open office space with ample natural light and designated areas for collaboration, was taken aback by the outdated design of this "Dark Ages" office and felt depressed sitting in the waiting room. Even though this vendor doesn't work in a creative field, updating their space could bring about significant improvements. How?
Creating intentional design in the workplace can lead to several benefits such as lower employee turnover, increased positive emotional experiences, higher engagement, and positive effects on learning, and social and emotional wellness. Feeling safe and having a sense of pride in our workspace can greatly improve our overall well-being. As an employer, our goal is to ensure that our employees are engaged, have learning opportunities, and experience a positive sense of well-being.
Architects and designers are not solely responsible for good design. Engineers, builders, and you, yes, you can have an impact on helping entire communities thrive by understanding the positive emotional and psychological impact of good, intentional design.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have remarkable college professors and many mentors who have shared their journeys. As an emerging leader in the architecture and design field, I hope to be able to do the same for others through ScaleUp CLT. Good design, beauty, functionality, and giving back are the keys to being a good community partner.
New AI-Powered Tech Helping Local Business Owners ‘RISE’
A new AI-powered digital resource hub is launching today to help entrepreneurs and small business owners across the Charlotte Region connect to resources for starting, running, and growing a business.
RISE (Regional Innovation and Support for Entrepreneurs) utilizes innovative AI-powered technology to offer a one-stop-shop resource hub for business owners throughout their business life cycle. The online hub is now available to help entrepreneurs navigate the complex ecosystem all in one place, allowing them to engage with the small business community, discover resources, jobs, events, and more. The interactive online tool offers a perpetually updated resource directory curated specifically for businesses in the Charlotte Region.
“This is the problem solving that they didn’t know they needed,” Tya Bolton, CLT Alliance Foundation director of small business and entrepreneurship, said. “It is going to help them to relieve some stress of knowing where the resources are, how to navigate them, and at what point in the journey to access them.”
RISE is one of many strategies the CLT Alliance Foundation is employing to provide entrepreneurs the resources they need to be successful. The CLT Alliance Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Digital Equity, will lead a comprehensive strategy to introduce the new online interactive hub to entrepreneurs as part of its mission to empower small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in the Charlotte Region.
"RISE is a game-changer for entrepreneurs in the Charlotte Region," Nate Hogan, president of the CLT Alliance Foundation, said. “RISE by itself won’t remove every barrier in front of entrepreneurs, but we believe in an all-of-the-above approach. So, whether it’s trying to find access to capital or equity issues in the ecosystem, we believe we need to address every barrier in front of our entrepreneurs. RISE is an important step in that direction.”
“We know that many of our neighbors need a working computer, affordable internet, and the skills to thrive in the world today,” Bruce Clark, executive director of the Center for Digital Equity, said. “We also know many of those neighbors are entrepreneurs. Supporting RISE and the important work the foundation is leading is part of the collective impact approach it takes to make it easy for business owners to adopt these critical tools.”
RISE is now available online and can be accessed here.