Chamber Launches Small Business Incubator Program

Six local entrepreneurs have made the leap from an online presence to a real-world, physical enterprise, with the help of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce’s new program, the Small Business Incubator Program.

Chamber President Julie Paysen explained the purpose of the program, stating, “Our mission is to identify, engage and provide support for high-growth entrepreneurs and their teams as they begin the journey towards having their own brick and mortar presence in Toccoa. Our Chamber is partnering with the Cornerstone Antique Market and with Paul and Lisa Garrison, owners of Mountain Cove Pottery, to provide our small business incubator participants with an actual retail storefront on Doyle Street for full exposure as we roll into the holiday shopping season.”

The area entrepreneurs invited to partner with the Chamber for the initial round of the Small Business Incubator Program and participate in the Chamber Pop-up Shop at Cornerstone Antique Market-Downtown Toccoa include:

Rose-Hannah Meeks with Rose + Clay – earrings and pottery; 

Drew Ekback with Red Rock Wood Works – cutting boards, charcuterie boards, trivets, bookmarks, etc.; 

Cadie Lowery with Caddy’s Car Pals – customized air fresheners; 

Morgan Wilkinson with Jewelry by Morgan – earrings; 

Melvia-Lynn Dickinson with The Petal and Vine – decorative wreaths; 

and Joley Hicks with PeachyDesigns – graphic designed t-shirts

Paysen said, “Since each business has already established a customer base in our area through various avenues, we want to give them the opportunity to be part of our Chamber of Commerce Small Business Incubator Program … and an opportunity to bring their business ideas to the next level with the support of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.”

Funding for the Chamber’s Small Business Incubator Program comes, in part, from a grant from the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. 

This year, the Association’s Emerge Task Force, in partnership with the Georgia Power Company, announced a new opportunity for chamber members to fund new, innovative programs by offering Emerge Grants for Innovative Programs.

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce was one of four Georgia Chambers to be awarded the $2,500 grant in 2023. Recipients were chosen on the basis of their efforts to implement an “innovative idea or project that will strengthen their organization, enhance membership benefits, and/or address a community need.”

Other Chambers chosen for this year’s Emerge Grants were the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Paysen said, “We are honored to be the only small-town Chamber of Commerce in the State of Georgia to be awarded this grant.”

In addition to the physical storefront location, participation in the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber’s Small Business Incubator Program services offered to startups through the Chamber include a business plan brainstorm session with a team of Chamber members; concierge support, credit card processing, a customized business plan, GOAL analysis, and networking with Chamber members. 

Paysen added, “Mentorships are available as well to help entrepreneurs get expert help when they need it most. Entrepreneurship can be intimidating, but our community of Chamber Member Mentors have been there! We connect these new business owners with experienced individuals and teams who are passionate about seeing entrepreneurs grow and succeed in Toccoa-Stephens County and help navigate new-business challenges such as fundraising, hiring and managing employees, accounting, and more.”

For more information, visit toccoagachamber.com or call Paysen at (706) 886-2132.

The Chamber Pop-up Shop at Cornerstone Antique Market is located at 23 Doyle Street in Downtown Toccoa.