The Businesses of the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator

The Businesses of the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator

Forge News and Updates, Member Spotlight | 0 comments

In January 2026, we launched the first-ever cohort of the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator. We are incredibly grateful to have 10 Birmingham-based small businesses participating in this program and committing to intentional growth together.

Over the course of this 12-week accelerator, participants will work through the book Traction, applying its principles directly to their businesses with the goal of building stronger systems, clearer strategies, and sustainable momentum.

This program is made possible through the support of the City of Birmingham and the Bold Grant, which allows us to offer scholarships to Birmingham residents and ensure local entrepreneurs have access to meaningful resources and support.

What truly sets this program apart is the people. The business owners and team members in this cohort show up each week ready to learn, collaborate, and grow—bringing dedication, curiosity, and a shared desire to make their businesses the best they can be. Their commitment is what makes this program special, and we’re excited to see the impact they’ll continue to have on Birmingham’s small business community!

Meet The Businesses of the Accelerator:

Dumpster Daddy – Amin Mohd and Misty Reeves

At Dumpster Daddy, our mission is simple: to provide Birmingham and the surrounding areas with the most reliable, efficient, and customer-friendly dumpster rental services. We understand the importance of timely and dependable service in keeping your projects on track. Whether you’re a contractor, homeowner, or business owner, we are here to meet your waste disposal needs with professionalism and a smile.

Www.dumpsterdaddyal.com

Dee Dee’s Driven Automotive Detailers – Khalil Saadiq

 

We’re mobile, automotive detailers who use techniques derived from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence and the latest in Automotive Body/Collision Repair to ensure we provide showroom quality cleaning, sanitation, and protection for vehicles. Most importantly, we bring this high level of professional service right to our customers’ doorstep.

https://www.instagram.com/drivenautodetailers/

Cha House Bham – Cierra Lober and Alexis Unger

Cha House, located in Avondale on 41st Street, helps Birmingham flourish through the power of tea and community. We believe in the power of tea to bring people together and help us slow down in the present moment. We have an extensive menu featuring every category of tea. We host daily events with a variety of facilitators, artists, and musicians.

https://www.chahousebham.com/

 

Brianna’s Natural Infusions – Brianna Butler

 

BNI makes natural skin care and hair growth products such as soaps, body butters, sugar scrubs, body oils, and pain relief products.

www.bninfusion.com

OnFireSales.AI – Tapio Ikonen

 
OnFireSales.AI is a sales-growth agency for SMB businesses in the United States and Finland. We help our customers break their revenue records in 90 days with content marketing, 10X Sales Coaching and marketing automation.
onfiresales.ai

Partyology Event Planning – Renee Price

 
Partyology Event Planning creates fun, stress-free events through full-service planning, entertainment, décor, and interactive experiences for private, corporate, and community events.
www.partyologyevents.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/partyology-event-planning/

Civitas Consulting Group – Nathalie Nelson Parker

Civitas Consulting Group helps cities, institutions, and mission-driven organizations turn bold ideas into measurable impact through proven strategy, smart systems, and scalable execution.
https://www.civitasconsulting.group/

Mogul Mission – Gibril Davies and Joe Smith

Mogul Mission is a marketing and business development company that also has a podcast network that creates content for entrepreneurs, creatives, tech, community, and business professionals.

Brainsavers – Jaclynn Maxwell Hudson

Brainsavers.co provides a variety of small business consulting services. It focuses on helping early-stage startups, solopreneurs, and small companies build out operations and start to scale.

JIREH Logistics – DaVonté Lee

JIREH Logistics is an aggregate hauling company. Its primary focus is on streetscape resurfacing and paving.
Introducing the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator

Introducing the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator

Forge News and Updates | 0 comments

 

A 12-Week Program to Strengthen, Focus, and Grow Your Business

Small businesses are the backbone of Birmingham — and at Forge, we see every day how much passion, grit, and creativity go into running one. But we also know the truth many business owners feel and rarely say out loud: the day-to-day demands can make it hard to step back, get clarity, and build a healthier, more effective business.

That’s why we’re launching the Birmingham Small Business Accelerator — a new, hands-on program designed to help small business owners bring structure, focus, and momentum to the way they run their company.

Why This Accelerator?

 

This 12-week accelerator is built around the foundational tools and disciplines from Traction (Entrepreneurial Operating System®), which has helped thousands of companies create stronger systems and more aligned teams.

But this isn’t another course you’ll watch and forget about.

This accelerator is intentionally small, intentionally practical, and intentionally focused on implementation. Each week, you’ll apply one or two core disciplines directly to your business — supported by a cohort of peers who are committed to taking action, not just absorbing information.

What Participants Will Gain

Over 12 weeks, business owners will work through:

  • A simple, powerful framework for clarifying your vision and strengthening operations

  • Weekly accountability to stay focused, follow through, and build new habits

  • A supportive peer group that pushes you, encourages you, and keeps you from falling back into old patterns

Each session includes context, practical application, and real action steps — so you finish the program with meaningful progress, not just notes.

We have 10 Full Scholarships available ($5,800 value!) and 2 Partial Scholarships available

Continued Support After the Program

We designed the accelerator to create ongoing momentum, not just short-term breakthroughs. After the 12-week program wraps, participants will meet quarterly for 2-hour accountability sessions to:

  • Review progress

  • Identify and solve issues

  • Set priorities for the next quarter

This cadence helps business owners maintain traction long after the program ends.

A Full Year of Coworking Included

 

To make sure participants have the space, support, and community they need, each accepted business owner will receive one full year of coworking at Forge.

That means access to workspace, connection with other business owners, and an environment where focus comes naturally.

Our Goal

 

Our goal is simple: To equip Birmingham’s small business owners with the tools, clarity, and accountability needed to build a healthier and more effective organization.

Whether you’re in your first year or your tenth, this accelerator will help you strengthen the core areas of your business so you can grow with more confidence and less chaos.

Applications Open December 1

If you’re ready to invest in yourself, your business, and the systems that support both — we’d love for you to apply.

👉 Applications open December 1.


Learn more and apply here!

Why Local Businesses Choose Forge for Their Meetings

Why Local Businesses Choose Forge for Their Meetings

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When it’s time to gather your team, meet with a client, or host a workshop, the space you choose makes all the difference. Forge has become a go-to meeting destination for Birmingham’s business community — and for good reason.

A Space That Fits Every Type of Meeting

 

Whether you’re leading a strategy session with your team, presenting to a client, or hosting a hands-on workshop, Forge offers meeting rooms that flex to fit your needs.


Each room is equipped with everything you need to stay focused and productive — from whiteboards and large-screen displays to high-speed Wi-Fi and comfortable seating that encourages collaboration.

“We had a conference for our management team at Forge, and had an excellent experience! They made the whole experience seamless and easy. I was able to go through the furniture set-up with them a couple days in advance, and I walked in to it fully set up for us on the morning of the event. Access to A/V equipment was available and simple to set up. A great space for teams to meet. We will be back!”

Laura

 

Rooftop Conference Room

Convenient Downtown Location

 

Located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Forge is surrounded by great restaurants and coffee shops — perfect for a pre-meeting pick-me-up or post-meeting lunch. We love the convenience of eating downstairs at The Pizitz Food Hall at restaurants like The Standard, Unos Tacos, Silver Kati, Ono Poke and more! Parking is simple in The Pizitz parking deck, and our team is always on hand to help guests find their way or make setup a breeze.

Professional Atmosphere, Local Hospitality

Local businesses love that Forge blends a professional, modern setting with the warmth and friendliness you’d expect from a locally owned space. Guests can easily add snacks, coffee and drinks to their meeting room booking and the Forge staff will have everything arranged when you arrive.

 

Forge’s Cahaba Room

“Forge is absolutely fantastic! We use it when we want to change up our meetings or if we know we need a space to brainstorm for lengthy periods of time. It’s been especially nice to use while we’ve worked from home and needed a meeting space.”

Ashley

Trusted by Birmingham’s Business Community

 

From small business owners to larger corporate teams, Forge has hosted hundreds of local meetings and workshops. Companies trust Forge because we make it easy — flexible booking options, reliable amenities, and a space designed for getting great work done.

“Excellent staff. Great meeting space with plenty of space to spread the team out. And of course easy lunch at the Pizitz Food Hall!”

Lori

Vulcan Room

Ready to Book Your Next Meeting?

 

Book a meeting room before November 30 and get 25% off your first booking.


👉 Reserve Your Room Today

Member Spotlight: Glenny Brock

Member Spotlight: Glenny Brock

Forge News and Updates | 0 comments

 Glenny Brock

Meet Forge Member, Glenny Brock!

Glenny is the Project Consultant for The Lincoln Theatre

In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do:

“The renovation of the Lincoln Theatre is the first major initiative of The Holland Project, a nonprofit organization founded by acclaimed actor and Bessemer native André Holland. Along with the renovation of the Lincoln, the only undestroyed Black theatre in Bessemer, future plans include renovation of the historic Woolworth/Albano building, just one block away from The Bright Star.”
Lincoln Theater

What is your favorite part about your job?

 

“I love and admire my colleague Mary Holland; I learn from her every time we talk. My second favorite part of the job is learning about the history of Bessemer.”
Lincoln Theater

What made you decide to join Forge?

 

“We have A LOT to do — and we have incredible momentum right now, thanks in part to grant support from the Susan Mott Webb Foundation and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. But we first worked at Forge way back in 2017, the earliest days of our organization and of Forge too.”

What is your favorite thing about Forge?

 

“I love coming to work in a historic building in downtown Birmingham to plan a future where many people work in historic buildings in downtown Bessemer.”

What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?

 

“I usually work in the oversized chairs or the elevated desk counter that overlooks the courtyard. I appreciate how that area is flooded with sunlight. Plus I get in hundreds of steps every time I want to go seek good counsel from Jacqui Jones.”

What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?

 

“The Pomodoro app, playing the Shinkansen Train soundtrack. When I am strict with myself about 25-minute work intervals and five-minute breaks, I get a tremendous amount of work done.”

Is there a product you cannot live without?

 

“Right now the answer is Dr. Bronner’s peppermint hand sanitizer.”

What is the last show you binge-watched?

 

“THE GILDED AGE. I didn’t love it, but I couldn’t stop.”

What is your ideal weekend in Birmingham?

 

“The following delights in any order: a walk on the Vulcan Trail, a walk in Railroad Park, walk the entire length of Highland Avenue, ceviche at El Barrio, a slice at Zaza, cold beers on the Rojo patio, hot coffee at House 11 or Red Bike, buying tamales at Pepper Place Market, volunteering with the Alabama Theatre organ crew, and seeing a Sunday matinee at the Sidewalk Cinema.”
10 Reasons Forge is the Ultimate HQ for Your Hybrid Team

10 Reasons Forge is the Ultimate HQ for Your Hybrid Team

Forge News and Updates | 0 comments

The workplace has changed — and so have your team’s needs. Gone are the days of one central office and daily commutes. Today’s best companies are building hybrid teams: flexible, distributed, and empowered to work wherever they thrive.

But even remote-friendly teams need a place to connect, collaborate, and feel like a team. That’s where Forge comes in.

Here are 10 reasons why coworking memberships at Forge are the perfect fit for your hybrid or remote team:

 

1. A Central Hub Without the Overhead

Think of Forge as your team’s home base — a flexible, professional HQ your team can use when they need it, without the cost or commitment of a traditional office lease.

Forge Coworking

2. Plans Built for Your Team’s Needs

Need regular meeting space? A few private offices? Or just a place for your team to drop in a few times a week? Forge offers customizable plans designed around how your hybrid team actually works.

3. Face Time, When It Matters

Zoom is great — until it’s not. Forge gives your team a consistent space to gather in person, brainstorm together, and strengthen working relationships that can’t be built in Slack threads alone.

Forge Coworking

4. Connection to Something Bigger

Your team won’t just be connecting with each other — they’ll also be surrounded by other professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives. That built-in community creates a richer, more energizing workday experience. Forge hosts monthly Members-Only events to foster a strong community.

5. Boosted Morale & Engagement

Working from home can feel isolating. Forge helps fight that by giving team members a space where they feel seen, supported, and inspired — which leads to better engagement and retention.

6. Attract & Retain Top Talent

The best employees want flexibility and connection. Offering a Forge membership shows you’re invested in building a work culture that supports both — which helps you stand out in a competitive hiring market.

Forge Coworking

 

7. Support for Focus & Productivity

Whether it’s a quiet desk, strong Wi-Fi, or fewer interruptions than a home office, Forge gives your team the tools to do their best work — on their own terms.

8. Private + Shared Space Options

Need to host a client meeting? Want a private office for heads-down days? Or prefer a more open coworking vibe? With Forge, your team can choose the space that fits their day’s goals.

Domestique

 

9. Built for the Hybrid Economy

Forge was designed with the hybrid workforce in mind. We’re not just adapting to this new model — we’re helping shape it, with spaces that balance autonomy and connection, flexibility and structure.

10. A Better Way to Work Together

Forge brings your hybrid team the best of both worlds: the freedom of remote work, and the connection of in-person collaboration. It’s not just coworking — it’s a smarter, more human way to work.

Ready to make Forge your team’s HQ?

Let’s build a custom plan that fits the way your team works — and thrives.

We are currently offering (through July 31) a BOGO deal– buy one month and get your second month FREE! Interested? Schedule a tour now!