Meet The Businesses of the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator – Cohort 2!

Forge News and Updates, Member Spotlight | 0 comments

In August 2026, we welcomed the second cohort of the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator! This fall, 13 Birmingham-based small businesses are joining us for 12 weeks of focused learning, collaboration, and intentional growth.

Following the success of our first cohort, which took place in the spring, we were excited to welcome a new group of local entrepreneurs and continue the momentum of the program. Seeing the progress, connections, and growth that came from Cohort 1 reinforced the value of bringing business owners together with the right tools, resources, and support. We’re excited to see how Cohort 2 builds on that foundation and puts what they learn into action within their own businesses.

Throughout the 12 weeks, participants will work through Traction and apply its principles directly to their businesses. From strengthening day-to-day systems to setting clearer goals and strategies, the accelerator is designed to give local business owners practical tools they can continue using long after the program ends.

Thanks to the support of the City of Birmingham and the Bold Grant, we’re able to provide scholarships for Birmingham residents, helping make valuable business resources, education, and community more accessible to local entrepreneurs.

One of our favorite parts of the accelerator is the community that forms along the way. Each week, this group comes together ready to share ideas, learn from one another, ask questions, and take meaningful steps forward in their businesses. With 13 unique businesses represented, there is so much knowledge and experience in the room, and we’re already excited by the energy this cohort brings.

We can’t wait to see the progress Cohort 2 makes between now and November and to celebrate everything they accomplish along the way. We’re proud to support another group of entrepreneurs who are investing in their businesses and contributing to Birmingham’s growing small business community.

Meet The Businesses of the Accelerator:

Diehard Sports Network – Tim Stephens

Diehard Sports Network is building the next-generation media infrastructure for underserved college sports communities. We partner with local publishers covering Group of Six and FCS programs, providing the technology, AI-enabled editorial and business tools, distribution, monetization support and operating infrastructure they need to build sustainable local media businesses. Our network combines professional local coverage, podcasts, video, newsletters and fan communities under a scalable economic model designed around markets national and legacy media have abandoned. Diehard allows talented local publishers to focus on what humans do best — reporting, relationships, expertise and community — while our platform provides the infrastructure that once supported great local journalism. www.diehardsportsnetwork.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwstephens/

The Mack Master Professional Organizing – Jessica Cammack, MSM

The Mack Master Professional Organizing is a full-service home organization and transition management company helping busy professionals, families, and individuals reclaim their homes, time, and peace. We provide customized, hands-on support for clients who want more than a tidy space—they want someone they can trust to manage the details and create a home that functions beautifully for their real life. From professional organizing and whole-home resets to packing, unpacking, move management, downsizing, closet organization, and ongoing home maintenance, our team takes overwhelming projects off our clients’ plates and guides them from beginning to completion. Our approach is personal, discreet, judgment-free, and tailored to each household. You don’t have to clean up before we arrive or figure out where to begin—that’s what we’re here for. We organize homes for real people with real lives — serving Birmingham and beyond. www.themackmaster.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mack-master

Hashtag Consulting Pros – ShaElla Askew

Hashtag Consulting Pros is a communications and community engagement consulting firm that helps schools, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations strengthen their brand, tell their story, engage their communities, and grow their impact. Services include strategic communications, social media management, branding, website development, enrollment and outreach strategy, AI training, and community engagement support. www.hashtagconsultingpros.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaellaaskew87/

Evans Tree Service – Evans Hess, Carl Hess, Andrew Hess

Evans Tree Service is a family-owned Birmingham business that has been providing professional tree care to the community for more than three generations. With roots dating back to 1912, the company combines decades of experience with modern equipment and techniques to help homeowners and businesses keep their properties safe, healthy, and beautiful.

Their services include tree removal and trimming, storm cleanup, stump grinding, tree planting, certified arborist services, and tree risk assessments. From routine maintenance to complex or hazardous tree removal, the Evans Tree Service team approaches each project with an emphasis on safety, reliability, and expert care.

Proudly serving Birmingham and surrounding communities, Evans Tree Service has built its reputation on honest guidance, quality workmanship, and a commitment to taking care of both its customers and their properties. https://evanstreeservice.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanschess/

It’s A Trip – Judson Young

 
It’s A Trip LLC is a Birmingham-based hospitality and property-management company helping property owners transform residential real estate into professionally managed, income-producing accommodations. From short-term stays and corporate housing to co-hosting and property-management solutions, It’s A Trip combines hospitality, technology, local market knowledge, and hands-on management to create better experiences for both property owners and guests.

https://itsatrip.host/

Global Team Staffing, LLC – Greg Minard

Global Team Staffing’s mission is to connect exceptional people with meaningful opportunities while delivering reliable workforce solutions to our clients. As a minority owned staffing firm based in Birmingham, we provide skilled talent across diverse industries, including hospitality, light industrial, administrative, information technology, and engineering, helping businesses grow and communities prosper.

SARCOR – Ashley Newton, Selena Rodgers Dickerson, Greg Dawkins, Antoine Liddell

SARCOR, LLC is a Birmingham-based civil engineering and infrastructure consulting firm specializing in transportation planning and engineering, aviation, civil engineering, and public utilities. The company serves public- and private-sector clients, providing practical infrastructure solutions that support safer, more accessible, and sustainable communities.

https://www.sarcorllc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sarcor-llc 

Flip The Culture – e. Josiah Kenty

Flip the Culture is a platform to help student-athletes build identity, self-regulation, and life skills through transition into the workplace. It’s built around the framework “The Player. The Person. The Plan.” — with the core belief that “society believes athletes could be more later, we believe in the more that’s in them now.”

FlipTheCulture.com

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. – Tanesha Sims-Summers and Clem Summers

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. is a family-owned artisan kettle corn company located in the heart of Birmingham’s historic Woodlawn community. Since 2014, we’ve been making the world a little sweeter through fun, fresh, and festive flavors, memorable experiences, and a commitment to community. We specialize in a small-batch, kettle-to-hand process. One of our Pophead favorites is the Birmingham Mix, our signature blend of French Toast and Cheddar kettle corn. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory—like breakfast in a bag. Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. helps people celebrate life’s sweet moments in a variety of ways. Guests can pop into our Woodlawn location on select retail days, and we offer nationwide shipping and local delivery. Our services include catering, corporate and client gifting, employee appreciation, fundraising, resale partnership opportunities, event activations, custom-branded orders, and gifts for celebrations and special occasions. Our kettle corn is also used for corporate meetings and conferences, weddings, birthdays, graduations, school and university events, nonprofit initiatives, community celebrations, swag bags, welcome bags, event favors, hotel amenities, real estate closings, care packages, client and employee gifts, and everyday moments of appreciation. We offer customization and custom-branded packaging for businesses, organizations, events, campaigns, and celebrations. Customized options can include individually packaged snacks featuring company or organization branding, event-specific labels, conference snacks, favors, client and employee gifts, and larger-volume orders. Ms Poppy, our signature kettle corn food truck, is another part of the Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. experience. Ms Poppy is available for select catered experiences, corporate gatherings, private celebrations, school and university events, community events, and other special occasions. You may also see Ms Poppy popping up throughout Birmingham at festivals, markets, sporting events, and community celebrations. Community is at the heart of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. From our home in Woodlawn, we proudly work alongside schools, nonprofits, small businesses, corporations, municipalities, and community organizations. Through fundraising, donations, collaborations, event partnerships, and community activations, we use our business to create joy, strengthen relationships, support meaningful causes, and invest back into the communities we serve. From feeding a crowd and recognizing employees to celebrating milestones, supporting fundraisers, partnering with retailers, sending gifts across the country, or simply enjoying a favorite snack, Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. is centered around creating sweet experiences that connect people and communities. It’s not just kettle corn. It’s connection. It’s celebration. It’s community.

The ForgeCo Group – Carol Forge Hatcher

The ForgeCo Group, a multifaceted entity that primarily focuses on financing, development, real estate, and construction management. We primarily serve as a solutions provider to clients which include city, state, and government.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-forge-hatcher-923a0423a/

J Opler Co – Jack Klein

Custom embroidery, screen printing, and company store programs for teams, brands, and institutions across the Southeast. Delivered with a concierge approach, on every order.

https://www.oplerco.com/

Junk Father LLC – Antoine Ward

We don’t just remove junk we remove problems. From junk removal to dumpsters and demolition we show up get it handled and keep your project rolling Building relationships and changing lives one property at a time🏡
Junkfatherdumpsters.com

Pink House Creations – Monique and Jeffrie Johnson

Pink House Creations is a Birmingham-based custom printing and branding company helping businesses, organizations, and individuals bring their ideas to life. From DTF printing and custom banners to branded tents, tablecloths, signage, and event displays, Pink House Printing offers a variety of creative solutions designed to help brands stand out.

With a focus on quality, convenience, and eye-catching results, Pink House Creations makes it easy for customers to turn their vision into professional, personalized products. Whether supporting a small business with branded materials or helping create a memorable setup for an event, Pink House Creations is passionate about making a lasting impression.

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