In May, Atlanta was the host of the first WBENC LIFT in the Community brought to you by Fifth Third Bank event of 2025 at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). Building on the success of the 2024 WBENC LIFT in the Community events in Tampa, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Washington, DC, our women-owned and small business attendees were ready to learn how to fuel their financial readiness and develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need to compete and grow.
Featuring national and local leaders from across the entrepreneurial eco-system and a panel comprised of women-entrepreneurs and capital providers, attendees engaged in networking and thoughtful discussion to address their capital challenges and connect with their fellow entrepreneurs and capital provides to sustain and fuel growth.
In the words of one attendee,
“Today’s programming helped me recognize and confirm critical gaps in my business model and gave me information and contacts to strengthen our financial readiness. Through peer networking and access to real conversations about funding to scale my business. I’ve been able to explore new capital opportunities with more confidence and clarity. I’m proud to be part of a community that champions women entrepreneurs like me.”
– Jeannette Flores-Katz, Founder of Buenos Dias Pupusas
Andrew Gaeckle
(WBENC) and Carla Cobb (Fifth Third Bank) kicked off the event spotlighting the national impact WBENC LIFT in the Community has had on women-owned and small businesses. WBENC Regional Partner leader Roz Lewis (Greater Women’s Business Council) highlighted the valuable resources available through the WBENC network and Lovette Russell and Monica Delores Hooks shared the Russell family’s enduring commitment to economic empowerment including and the impactful work of RICE, inspired by HJ Russell in the Atlanta community.
The heart of the event was an engaging panel featuring accomplished women entrepreneurs:
- Ahriana Edwards, Founder & CEO of Vaila Shoes
- Kanchana Raman, Founder & President of Avion Networks & Avacend
- Leslie Zinn, CEO of Arden’s Garden
As well as three capital providers representing a traditional bank, a CDFI, and a venture capital firm:
- Bonita Doster, Commercial Loan Officer at ACE (Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs)
- Erica Moses, Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank
- Khadijah Robinson, General Partner at Fictive Ventures
The WBE Panelists shared their unique perspectives, stories and insights regarding their capital journey, while the capital providers offered tactical advice on preparing for funding, developing relationships with capital partners, and aligning capital sources with business goals. Key insights from the panel included:
- Building a strong financial foundation is critical for the success of your business.
- Understanding your long-term capital needs and growth strategy are key to informed decision making for your business.
- A strong team of advisors (bankers, CPAs, lawyers) is invaluable.
Tresaca Hamilton, Founder of The Sid Center shared, “This WBENC LIFT in the Community event gave me valuable insights that will help me improve my financial readiness for business capital. I appreciated the diverse backgrounds of the panel, and learning about obtaining business capital from business owners, a banker, a CDFI commercial loan officer and a venture capitalist was helpful in showing the variety of business capital options available.”
Thank you to all who joined us! By providing access to the financial readiness, capital connections, and networks, WBENC LIFT in the Community empowers women entrepreneurs to thrive.
Be sure to look out for additional WBENC LIFT in the Community events across the WBENC Network through 2026!
