Member Spotlight |
National Women’s Small Business Month 2024 was celebrated during the month of October. This was a time to recognize and celebrate all of the hard-working women entrepreneurs that are so crucial to the business world and the economy. At Forge, we believe that fostering a supportive environment for women entrepreneurs is crucial for driving innovation and community growth. Running a small business can be both challenging and immensely rewarding. We truly admire the women who have dedicated themselves to building successful business. We encourage everyone to support women owned small businesses!
Not only is Forge a woman owned small business, but we also have several female small business owners and employees as part of our Forge community. We have showcased a few below:
Shea Doriety: Shea Shea Beauty&Brown
Tell us about what your business does: “My business is dedicated to working with clients natural beauty. We work on creating a new look according to each individual clients brow and face goals.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“I love being able to not only help my clients feel better about their look, but also about themselves. Empowering each client that leaves my door is my goal and highlight of my career.”
How has being a female entrepreneur shaped your business? Shaped you personally?
“I started in the beauty industry in 2004 when I was 17 years old. There’s no doubt that being around so many strong women my whole life gave me the confidence to branch out and start my own business.”
What challenges have you faced in running a business?
“I opened my location full time two weeks before Covid shut it down for two months. Learning how to navigate proper safety, countless last minute cancellation due to Covid, and rebuilding my clientele at a new location.”
What is one of the biggest things you have accomplished in the past year?
“My biggest accomplishment this past year was finally taking the time to upgrade my office suite. Since I found out one day before I re-opened I’d be allow to work again I never took the time to make my office suite my dream work space!”
What female entrepreneur inspires you?
K’la Inman: Getting Starting Acting and Modeling LLC
Tell us about what your business does:
“My business is dedicated to helping parents navigate the entertainment industry and launch their children’s careers the right way. We specialize in securing opportunities for print work, commercials, television shows, and films, ensuring that each family has the guidance and support they need to succeed in this competitive field.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“I love seeing dreams come true! Our tagline is- your dream, our team, real results.”
How has being a female entrepreneur shaped your business? Shaped you personally?
“Being a female entrepreneur has truly shaped both my business and my personal growth. As women, we’re often naturally nurturing and emotionally attuned, and that side of me helps me build deep, meaningful connections with my clients. I don’t just see them as numbers or projects; I care deeply about their success and their journey. That emotional investment drives me to go above and beyond to deliver results. It’s about creating a genuine partnership, and I think that personal touch is what sets me apart.”
What challenges have you faced in running a business?
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to effectively delegate tasks and build a solid team. As an entrepreneur, it’s tempting to try to do everything yourself, but I quickly realized that to scale and grow, I needed to trust others and create a strong support system. Building the right team has been key to expanding my business and allowing me to focus on the bigger picture.”
What is one of the biggest things you have accomplished in the past year?
“I won Entrepreneur of the Year in Birmingham!”
What female entrepreneur inspires you?
“
Jordan Hosey, a realtor here in Birmingham, truly inspires me. She’s constantly innovating and disrupting the real estate industry, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. What I admire most is how she fearlessly tests limits and shows others what’s possible when you think outside the box. Her drive and creativity are a constant source of motivation for me.”
Melissa Ralph: R Consulting
We are excited to highlight: Melissa Ralph with
R Consulting !!
Tell us about what your business does:
“Media & Tech Consulting”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Learning about my client’s businesses and goals”
How has being a female entrepreneur shaped your business? Shaped you personally?
“Starting my business empowered me to have the confidence to know my worth and value.”
What challenges have you faced in running a business?
“The continual fight for room, space, time, attendance, acceptance, etc.”
What is one of the biggest things you have accomplished in the past year?
“I’ve finally started telling people the name of my business and calling myself a business owner”
What female entrepreneur inspires you?
“Kim at Forge!”
Kim Lee: Forge
We are excited to highlight our owner: Kim Lee with
Forge !!
Tell us about what your business does: “Forge is a membership based coworking space in the heart of downtown Birmingham above the Pizitz Food Hall. Our memberships include Private Offices, open Coworking Memberships and Virtual Office memberships. We also have conference rooms and event space. We primarily serve small business owners, entrepreneurs, remote workers and remote teams!”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“At Forge we say we are in the “business of growing businesses,” it brings me so much joy that we can provide a place and resources to help other businesses succeed. I love that we get to play a role in helping and supporting other businesses! Our day is always made when one of our members comes in and tells us about a win they just had with their business.
Most of the time people come to Forge because they have a need for a place to work. But the real magic of Forge happens when our members start to get to know each other and then become the biggest champions for each other. So, the other favorite part of my job is the community that is built among our members and seeing the impact that the our community has on each other. And I include myself in that, the community at Forge has played such a huge role in supporting me on this Small Business journey!”
How has being a female entrepreneur shaped your business? Shaped you personally?
“Honestly, this is not something that I think about a lot. But looking back at the growth of Forge over the years and the culture we have created for our members at Forge it is clear to see the impact that my leadership style has had on the business. From day one I have wanted to create a community and a space where our members feel known and valued. Being a small business owner is very hard and can be isolating. At Forge we want each of our members to know they are not in isolation! We are always there for them – on their really hard days and on their really good days! I do believe that being a female, this comes more naturally. I naturally lead my team to always look for ways to support, cheer on and care for our members!”
What challenges have you faced in running a business?
“Some of the biggest challenges I have faced over the years all revolve around learning how to become the type of leader that I really desire to be. I have had some great bosses over the years that led with mission and vision. They led with grace and inspired me to be the very best I could be. I have learned that this type of leadership takes a lot of work on myself! You don’t just wake up one day and all the sudden are this great leader! Over the years I have had fantastic team members that have been very gracious with me and helped me learn how to lead and create the culture that I desire to have on our team.”
What is one of the biggest things you have accomplished in the past year?
“This year we changed our team structure. We hired two new employees and one to a new position. Over the last six months, I have watch them fully embrace the mission and vision of Forge. They are fantastic at what they do and love serving our members and helping Forge full it mission to every one of our members. To me, that is the best accomplishment I could have!”
What female entrepreneur inspires you?
“Being a small business owner is hard! There are so many ups and downs. Jacqui Jones has been a member at Forge since day one. She started
One Degree around the same time that I started Forge. We have had many ups and downs together. Her positive attitude, resilience, leadership, creativity and determination, regardless the situation always inspires me to keep going and push myself a little bit harder every day!”
It is an honor to have these female small business owners as members at Forge, along with so many others! We admire and celebrate all the hard work each of them does! Are you a small business owner that needs a place to work and further your business? Join our supportive community at Forge!
Sign up for a tour today!
Member Spotlight |
National Nonprofit Day 2024
National Nonprofit Day is celebrated on August 17, 2024. This is a day where we recognize and celebrate Nonprofit organizations and all of the hard work they do. The impact of nonprofits on surrounding communities and around the world is admirable and essential to societal support. At Forge, several of our members work for nonprofit organizations and we are excited to honor, celebrate and highlight them this week.
Freedom Preparatory Academy
Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does: “We are a charter school organization opening our flagship school in Birmingham this fall to Kindergarten students. I work closely with our team’s Executive Director and School Leadership to ensure an easy operational transition for our school. I help us dot “i’s” and cross “t’s.””
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Helping students and families achieve their academic and personal goals through the school community. Working with bright, amazing children and families.”
What do you enjoy about nonprofit work?
“Having people as the final product and being able to contribute positively to communities and families.”
What made you want to go into this field?
“Deep interest in ensuring that ALL students have excellent educational options and outcomes, especially in my home city and state (I’m a Birmingham native!).”
How has being a member at Forge helped you in your work?
“It gave us a place to land that has been welcoming and perfect for what we needed to get going.”
Project EMS
We are excited to highlight: Drèson Russell, Co-Founder and Executive Director of
Project EMS, Inc. !!
Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does: “I am a co-founder and executive director of Project EMS, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering under-resourced students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. We provide mentorship, tutoring, scholarship opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences in STEAMM fields—science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and medicine. Additionally, I founded Unified Healing for Rural and Global Health, which focuses on making healthcare accessible and affordable for underserved communities both in rural areas and globally. In terms of education, I recently earned my Master of Business Administration (MBA) and am currently pursuing both a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After completing medical school, I plan to attend law school to obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) to further expand my ability to advocate for health equity, education, and policy reforms.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“While I enjoy many aspects of my work, my favorite part is being actively involved in developing and implementing programs that align with our mission at Project EMS. There is something incredibly fulfilling about seeing our students thrive. Understanding their individual needs and watching them grow, excel, and embrace their potential is what makes this work truly meaningful to me.”
What do you enjoy about nonprofit work?
“Nonprofit work allows me to directly contribute to meaningful change in the lives of others. It’s about creating impact, seeing the tangible results of our efforts, and knowing that what we do is helping to break down barriers to sectors like education, health, and opportunity for under-resourced communities.”
What made you want to go into this field?
“I was driven by the desire to make a lasting impact on communities that face significant challenges. Growing up in an under-resourced area myself, I saw firsthand the gaps in education and healthcare. I wanted to contribute to closing those gaps by creating opportunities for others and advocating for equitable access to education and health resources.”
How has being a member at Forge helped you in your work?
“Forge has been instrumental in advancing the mission of Project EMS. The exceptional workspace, resources, and networking opportunities available through Forge have allowed us to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. The supportive community has provided invaluable connections and insights that have helped us expand our reach and impact.”
New and improved website coming soon!
Great I Am Ministries
Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does: “I founded the organization in 2003 with the purpose of engaging the community and address its needs. I oversee the daily operations of the organization.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“My favorite part of the job is when I get to go out into the field, assess the needs of the people (community engagement), and fulfilling that need (community outreach).”
What do you enjoy about nonprofit work?
“The ability to make a difference in the lives of people is my main motivation for enjoying nonprofit work.”
What made you want to go into this field?
“As a former homeless individual and a working class person, I understand the challenges people are facing in trying to survive and live. I was helped in many forms over the years. I want to pay it forward and help someone else.”
How has being a member at Forge helped you in your work?
“I have a quiet place to work. It’s the place I do the work behind the scenes so that the field work will be successful.”
http://www.greatiamministries.org
We so enjoy having each of these nonprofit workers, as well as other nonprofits as members at Forge! We admire and celebrate all the hard work each of them does! Are you a nonprofit worker that needs a place to work and further your business? Join our supportive community at Forge!
Sign up for a tour today and ask about our nonprofit discount for coworking!
Forge News and Updates |
It’s August! The beginning of a new month is always a great time to think about your goals and what habits you are bringing into the new month, as well as what you are leaving behind. At Forge, we always encourage our members to think of their short-term and long-term goals and encourage each other to succeed!
Overall, setting goals is a key strategy for achieving success and fulfillment in various aspects of life, whether professional or personal. When setting goals, it can be helpful to consider what is involved in the process by breaking it down into “ins” (things to do) and “outs” (things to avoid). This approach makes it clear what you should do to support your goal and what to avoid that might be holding you back.
Ins for August:
Including the following elements in your work life can greatly enhance overall satisfaction and effectiveness in your work. Here’s why we think each of these elements should be “in”:
- More Productivity:
- Increasing productivity is key to hitting your business goals and getting things done. When you focus on getting things done efficiently, you can finish tasks on time and see better results.
- A Professional Workspace:
- A well-organized and professional workspace promotes a positive impression and helps create an environment beneficial to focused work. It can improve concentration, reduce distractions, and support a more professional attitude in your work day.
- Community of Other Business Professionals:
- Networking with other professionals can lead to valuable connections, collaborations, and opportunities for growth. A community of like-minded individuals can provide support, share knowledge, and offer insights that enhance your own professional journey. Forge is filled with other like-minded business professionals to network with and many opportunities to do so.
- Flexible and Clean Workspace:
- Flexibility in your workspace is helpful to support different preferences of work styles as well as opportunities for a variety in your work day. Also, a clean workspace is crucial for reducing stress and promoting a healthy work environment.
- Fun Events:
- Attending the fun, member and community events fosters team bonding, boosts morale, and creates a positive work culture. These events can also provide opportunities for relaxation and informal networking, contributing to overall job satisfaction. At Forge, we offer both member only events as well as events open to the community. There are always ways to connect in community and do enjoyable things to reward yourself for working hard!
- Complimentary Domestique Coffee:
- Forge offers complimentary, high-quality Domestique coffee that is brewed fresh every morning. This can enhance your work experience by providing a small but appreciated perk in your day. It can also improve mood, increase energy levels, and serve as a social aspect for conversations with other members in the kitchen.
- Affordable Membership and Leasing:
- Cost efficiency is essential for maximizing the value of your workspace. Forge has a variety of membership levels and valuable amenities that accommodate a range of budgets. Coworking spaces are a more budget-friendly option compared to traditional offices, giving you great value without breaking the bank.
By integrating these elements to your work life, you can create a more motivating and professional atmosphere that drives you and your business to success.
Outs for August:
Removing or avoiding the following elements can significantly improve the work experience and overall productivity. Here’s why each of these should be “out”:
- Isolation and Being Stuck at Home All Day:
- Isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and decreased motivation. Working from home without in-person interaction with others can limit opportunities for collaboration, networking, and social engagement, which are important for personal and professional growth.
- Distractions at Home While Working:
- Home environments often come with various distractions that can disrupt focus and reduce productivity. A dedicated workspace helps minimize these interruptions and allows for a more professional and efficient work environment.
- Overpriced Coffee:
- High costs for coffee can be financially straining. Having an alternative access to complimentary coffee enhances convenience and can improve morale in an affordable way. Forge members have access to complimentary Domestique coffee that is brewed fresh every morning in the kitchen.
- Leasing an Expensive, Traditional Office:
- High leasing costs for traditional office spaces can be very expensive, especially for startups and small businesses. Affordable and flexible office solutions can reduce financial strain and offer more adaptable options for various business needs.
- Working in Solitude:
- Working in complete solitude can lead to a lack of collaboration, motivation and support. Interaction with other professionals can spark creativity, provide feedback, and foster a sense of community, all of which contribute to a more dynamic and engaging work environment and success.
- Trying to Find a Seat at a Crowded Coffee Shop:
- Crowded coffee shop can create an uncomfortable and unproductive work environment. Finding a seat can be stressful and may lead to interruptions or a lack of focus. A more dedicated workspace and guaranteed spot offers a stable and reliable environment for work without the hassle of finding a place to work.
By eliminating these factors, you can create a more effective, enjoyable, and supportive work environment that enhances productivity and satisfaction.
Memberships at Forge
What are your Ins and Outs for this month? Forge is the perfect space to implement and achieve your goal and form habits that increase productivity and success in your business. We offer different levels of membership to fit the needs of each individual or team.
Interested in becoming a member at Forge? Give us a call at 205.870.7558 or reach out to info@workatforge.com with any questions! Or, book a tour today to come check out the space and talk through how Forge could be the right fit for you!
