Member Spotlight |
MEET FORGE MEMBER, Norman (Nick) Walton CEO and Founder, 3 Levels of Game
Q: In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do / what your company does.
A: 3 Levels of Game is a Full service digital marketing agency (July 14th Launch) + Real Estate Coach & Investor
Q: What made you decide to join Forge?
A: Seeing a business grow & reach new heights. Helping business owners reach their revenue goals.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Forge?
A: The access to other business owners and ability to forge new business relationships.
Q: What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
A: My desk.
Q: What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
A: Chat GPT & similar AI tools
Q: Is there a product you cannot live without?
A: No. I am able to adapt. Only thing essential is the Divine Source we came from .
Q: We hear a lot of people call you “Coach Nick” that come to visit you at Forge, how did you get this nickname?
A: I’ve been coaching since I was 16. My gift and purpose is to educate first and coach second because that’s what Coach Patton was to me. But pretty much my whole adult life, that became my name because I was always with the kids in the different neighborhoods I coached in…they called me Coach Nick because I was their coach in basketball, soccer, and in anything else. I guess it just stuck and now that’s at the core of my identity.
Q: What’s the last show you binge-watched?
A: Top Boy & Suits
Q: What’s your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
A: Networking on someone’s rooftop bar
Member Spotlight |
MEET FORGE MEMBER, Kennan Henderson-Waylay Director of Community Projects, Motion
We love having Kennan at Forge! Anytime you see Kennan, he always has a smile on his face. We love how Kennan is using his passion for life and love of people to serve our Birmingham community by creating ways for businesses to make lasting social impact on our city!
Q: In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do / what your company does.
A:Most recently, I’ve taken the rains as Director of Community Projects at a new social Impact firm called Motion. It’s a member based organization focused on helping small and medium businesses create big and lasting social impact on their communities while building momentum for their business.
Q: What made you decide to join Forge?
A: Well firstly, Forge is a pillar in the Birmingham community. The sense of community and passion that I’d received and witnessed at Forge made joining a no-brainer. The energy here is unparalleled when you factor in the location, staff and atmosphere.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Forge?
A: Definitely, the location, the staff and the sense of community.
Q: What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
A: I actually really enjoy the large tables. It’s one of the most inviting spaces to work and it makes those great surprise visits from other members more common.
Q: What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
A: I really enjoy Zapier, it’s integration across multiple platforms is second to none. A few others on my list would be Apple shortcuts, Airtable, Google task, and Notion.
Q: Is there a product you cannot live without?
A:A good notepad! Although it’s hard to beat the convenience of text to speech but, there’s not much better that an inspiring notepad and pen.
Q: What’s the last show you binge-watched?
A: The Sandman on Netflix!
Q: What’s your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
A: Breakfast at Hero’s! A hike at Oak Mountain, and a stroll in uptown to include a stop at Cantina, and a local game either indoor or outdoor. Some bike riding through Downtown, Lakeview, and Avondale with a few stops at some of the awesome local bars and eateries ending with a show at Alabama Theater! Definitely, some live music events in one of the entertainment district venues, and a show Red Mountain Theater!
Member Spotlight |
MEET FORGE MEMBER, Charilyn McConnico Project Manager, Project EMS
Q: In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do / what your company does.
A: Project EMS, Inc. is a non-profit organization that motivates and supports under-resourced students from multiple socioeconomic demographics on their journey toward a successful academic education through mentoring, tutoring, scholarship opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). My role as the Program Manager is to oversee the coordination of projects and the employees that run them. I develop program strategies, evaluating the performance of project teams, and allocating resources across projects and departments.
Q: What made you decide to join Forge?
A: Despite the convenience of home, I found it challenging to maintain focus which often led to procrastination and decreased productivity. By joining forge workspace, I can benefit from a professional setting, dedicated resources, and a community of like-minded individuals, fostering productivity and motivation in my work.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Forge?
A: Forge goes far beyond finding a work place or office space. It give you a sense of belonging and a supportive community. At Forge, individuals and businesses thrive because of the diverse and vibrant community that exists within its walls. At Forge, members are surrounded by like-minded individuals who are all striving towards excellence. Through shared experiences, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, Forge fosters an environment where people can grow both personally and professionally. By joining this community, I can gain more than just a workspace; I gain the ability to make meaningful connections, build valuable relationships, and unlock new opportunities for growth and success.
Q: What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
A: My favorite place to work will be the Nook office pods.
Q: What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
A: My iPad Pro is my go-to tech tool for work and organization. Its portability, versatility, and wide range of apps make it indispensable for productivity and staying on top of my tasks.
Q: Is there a product you cannot live without?
A: My phone
Q: What’s the last show you binge-watched?
A: New Amsterdam
Q: What’s your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
A: My ideal weekend in Birmingham involves shopping at the many stores and hiking in the various hills and mountains.
Member Spotlight |
MEET FORGE MEMBER, Rawan Odeh Owner, Odeh Digital
Q: In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do / what your company does.
A: Odeh Digital is a digital advertising agency. I do ecommerce, building online brands.
Q: What made you decide to join Forge?
A: I wanted a place to be able to go to work without being distracted by things at home!
Q: What is your favorite thing about Forge?
A: Great working spaces. I like the events and the networking opportunities as well as meeting like minded individuals – especially other women in business.
Q: What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
A: One of the Nook wellness pods. Or a seat with a downtown view.
Q: What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
A: Slack and Trello
Q: Is there a product you cannot live without?
A: My phone, thanks Apple!
Q: What’s the last show you binge-watched?
A: Chicago Fire
Q: What’s your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
A: Top Golf for a fun activity followed by some mocktails at a Birmingham Rooftop hangout.
Member Spotlight |
MEET FORGE MEMBER, Ross Blankenship Founder and Principal, Tuesday Advisors
Q: In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do / what your company does.
A:Tuesday Advisors is my leadership coaching and consulting company. I have a PhD in consulting psychology and spend most of my time coaching business founders and leaders, helping them become more intentional and effective in their work. I do in-depth assessments for hiring/due diligence, onboarding, and leadership development, and work with teams to improve psychological safety, communication, and decision making. And the semester is almost over, but I also teach a course I developed called “Navigating Complex Decisions in Work and Career” at the University of Virginia.
Q: What made you decide to join Forge?
A: I work solo, so Forge was the perfect way to get some office space and still be around other people who are doing interesting things.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Forge?
A: The energy and the people. Also the Pizitz Food Hall (shoutout to Ashley Mac’s sammies that keep me going).
Q: What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
A: My office.
Q: What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
A: Various Google tools (Keep, Tasks, and Calendar) and the reminder app on my phone are the only way I get things done.
Q: Is there a product you cannot live without?
A:Honestly, I’m not sure there is. But I’ll say this, when I’m working my Apple watch is pretty crucial. The “Hey Siri remind me to ______” feature keeps me on track.
Q: What’s the last show you binge-watched?
A: Am I obliged to mention how much I enjoyed “Shrinking,” given my background? I’m also working my way through “Daisy Jones and the Six” right now and loving it.
Q: What’s your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
A: Kids sleep in on Saturday morning so my wife and I can drink coffee together, then pastries from Continental followed by some sort of outdoor activity with the whole fam (we have two daughters and two dogs), lunch around the kitchen island, exercise in the afternoon, then date night with my wife at the bar at Bottega Cafe.
