Member Spotlight |
We love getting to know more about our members and what they do for our community. Read more to learn more about Chris and the non profit he recently founded!
Chris Nam of Project Sunflower
What is the name of your business and what do you do within the business?
Project Sunflower: Founder and CEO
Why did you start Project Sunflower?
I wanted to bring joy and happiness to healthcare facilities and also give students in the medical route an opportunity to get volunteer and community service hours.
Chris and some of his volunteers!
What have been some of the biggest challenges so far?
Students signing up to volunteer and not being responsive, funding, finding the right people with the right heart
What is the most rewarding part of Project Sunflower?
Seeing the smiles on people’s faces, whether it’s the people making the bouquets or the ones receiving them!
Project Sunflower brings joy to healthcare heroes.
Where do you see Project Sunflower in 5 years? 10 years?
Our vision for this project is for it to reach hundreds or thousands of universities across the nation or even the world, so that we can spread the same kind of joy to those in healthcare facilities around the world, and not just in the city of Bham.
What is your favorite thing to do in Birmingham?
On a nice Saturday morning, going to golf with friends and getting lunch! Cajun Roux and Masaman Thai Kitchen are some of my favorite restaurants, as well as Seeds Coffee for the best iced chai tea in town.
An example of their gorgeous bouquets.
Member Spotlight |
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
My name is Spencer Dixon, and I’m a recent graduate from the UAB Collat School of Business. I received my bachelors in Information Systems along with a minor in Entrepreneurship where I had the chance to work alongside multiple startups and local leaders in the Birmingham community. In addition to this new role at Forge, I am also on the management team at Warby Parker right here in The Pizitz. When I’m not working, I’m exploring Birmingham’s specialty coffee scene, hiking, and checking out local markets like Pepper Place and Art Walk.
What do you do at Forge?
I recently started as Forge’s first Business Development Intern. In the coming months, I’ll be working on member acquisition with new startups in the Greater Birmingham Area, optimizing conference room bookings, and working on various other projects for Forge’s short term and long term goals.
What is your future career plan?
With a background in Information Systems and Entrepreneurship, I plan on further developing my skills in data analysis and working towards an analyst role focused on growth strategy for startups. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Birmingham’s entrepreneurial community, and I’d love to start my own business one day.
What do you think is interesting about Forge?
Forge is a great centralized hub for startups, solopreneurs, and remote employees alike to network and grow their business right in the heart of Birmingham. Whether you need to have a large meeting for potential clients or partnerships or just need a place away from the home desk to get some work done, Forge provides access to a great variety of resources to promote productivity, community, and growth.
What is your favorite thing to do in Birmingham?
Exploring all of the different hiking trails around town! Red Mountain and Oak Mountain are two of my favorite places to go when we’ve got nice weather- which we’ve had plenty of lately. If you haven’t done the King’s Chair Loop at Oak Mountain, I highly recommend it. The overlook is one for the books and makes the steep trek up worth every step.
Is there a playlist or album you keep on repeat?
Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s “How to:” album is a long-time favorite of mine.
Member Spotlight |
When we give tours of Forge’s workspace we are often asked “What type of companies work in this space?” And we love sharing about the unique companies represented in our community. The Forge community is made up of podcasters, marketers, architects, lawyers, photographers, influencers, nonprofit organizations and much more.
If you’re wondering if you would fit into the Forge family, read on. We’re sharing about several of the companies who office out of Forge. I bet you too can find your place in our coworking space!
HomeFit
HomeFit is centered on the idea of creating customized fitness solutions adapted to the specific needs of each client. HomeFit’s team of Fitness professionals provide detail-oriented personal training services, and enable you to achieve your most-wanted fitness goals. They analyze your needs, goals, lifestyle, and motivations, then work with you to provide a program suited for you!
And here’s the best part… because of the daily time constraints that most of us experience, HomeFit works around your schedule and in the comfort of your own home or office. We loved learning about HomeFit when Matthew Foster, CEO of HomeFit joined Forge!
Ranked College Football
Forge Member Jake Gillikin is the Founder of Ranked– a brand new app for college football fanatics! In the Ranked app, you can filter games by rank, kickoff time, conference, game rating, and more. And even compare stats and trends side-by-side between teams and players. Users can set up notifications for teams and game info like spreads, tv channel, and kick off time. If you love college football, you have to check out Ranked.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards turns all your retail and restaurant receipts into savings. Simply scan any grocery, retail or restaurant receipt after you shop, and save on thousands of popular products throughout the store. Earn points on every receipt or eReceipt you scan. Then turn receipts into gift cards for online retailers, e.g. Amazon, Target, and others! We love having some of the Fetch team working out of Forge!
We loved this meme from Fetch’s Instagram account!
Focus Creative
Most companies mistakenly use stock or low quality images to showcase their business. Your business is a reflection of you – your hopes, your dreams, your visions. And Focus Creative can help you by creating great photos and video you can use in your business marketing efforts so the world sees your business as it really is. They offer professional photography plus visual and marketing consulting.
Focus Creative recently won the Campaigns & Elections Reed Award for “Best Use of a Social Platform” with their work on the Patrick McClusky campaign in Homewood. Forge Member Stuart Franco is the Owner of Focus Creative, and we love having him in the Forge community!
Check out Focus Creative on Instagram to see the brands they work with!
GoodJob
GoodJob simplifies the hiring process by serving companies qualified job-seekers who will fit their company’s culture. The GoodJob algorithm is highly accurate at predicting whether someone is a great match for your position. You can post a job with a short description and key details, and they’ll match you instantly with the top applicants on their platform based on their comprehensive recruitment system. We love having a few of the GoodJob team members working from Forge!
We know working from home can feel isolating. Are you looking to make a change? Schedule a tour of Forge! We would love for you to join the Forge community!
Member Spotlight |
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
My name is Brenna Truitt and I am a senior Entrepreneurship major at Samford University. I grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and plan on moving back to that area after graduation. I am the president of my sorority (which keeps me pretty busy) but in my free time I love to spend time with my friends and family, watch movies, and bake!
What do you do at Forge?
As the Forge Intern I work on posts for the Building Birmingham Together Podcast and run the Birmingham Coworking Collective Instagram account.
What do you like about being an Entrepreneurship major?
What I love most about being an Entrepreneurship major is getting to take classes in each area of business. I have an understanding of accounting, economics, finance, and entrepreneurship so It is almost like being all business majors at the same time.
What is your career plan?
My goal is to one day own a dance studio. I have had this dream since I was a kid and now have it as a long term goal. I know that having a successful business, like a dance studio, doesn’t happen overnight and that it might not happen in the direct months following graduation; so I am still thinking about what to do in between graduation and starting the studio. However, I am determined to make it happen. I have always loved business and the idea of being a business owner, plus, I have loved dancing since the age of three. Hopefully one day I can combine these two passions and have a successful business.
What do you think is interesting about Forge?
What I think is so interesting about Forge is the positive environment of all the members and the employees. Everyone knows each other and always stops to ask questions about their day or things going on. I have been here for two weeks and already feel so welcomed by everyone that I meet.
Member Spotlight |
The Forge community is full of diverse members from different backgrounds with so many different career paths. We love hearing the stories from our members about how they ended up where they are today. Jay Barrett is the owner and operator of Fetch! Pet Care franchises in Washington DC and Birmingham. Let’s hear more about him and his business!
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
My name is Jay Barrett. My husband, Klint, and I have a 4 year old son named Mac. We live in Jasper, but commute into Birmingham every day.
What do you do – your elevator pitch?
My team and I own and operate Fetch! Pet Care franchises in Washington, DC and Birmingham metros. For the past 14 years we have provided dog walking and pet sitting for some of the areas best clients and pets. Currently we have over 140 employees between the two locations.
Photo from the Fetch! website
How did you get into this business? What lead you to start it or become a part of it?
I started out in Atlanta, GA as a Fetch! Pet Care client for my own dogs. I traveled full-time and there were many months my dogs saw our Fetch! sitter more than they saw me. During the financial crisis in 2008 we moved to back to Birmingham and I purchased my first Fetch! franchise. We quickly grew the team and client base to what is it today.
I can imagine that it can be difficult to juggle all of the demands of work and life. How do you do it?
Delegate. There was a time I felt like I had to do everything myself and I struggled with delegation to my team. Sometimes it’s still a struggle but it’s so important to any team. I also try to have fun and always put myself in my employee’s shoes.
What is the biggest lesson or takeaway you’ve gathered over the course of your career?
Focus. Entrepreneurs often focus on too many opportunities at one time. I know I did early in my career and once I was taught to focus my efforts on fewer items my company grew faster.
If you were to give advice to your younger self what would it be?
ABC. Always be closing. I would also tell him not to take everything so seriously and take his failures as opportunities.
Photo from the Fetch! website
What is something you wish more people knew about you and the industry you work in?
Pets are family and deserve the best care. Our team exists to provide that care every day.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I love the freedom of owning my own business and watching my team work together to do amazing things. I know that sounds hoity but it’s the truth.
Photo from Fetch! website
Why did you decide to join Forge?
Location, location, location. I needed something that was clean, convenient and easy. Forge is amazing and I am thankful to have it’s resources.
Are you interested in trying out Forge? We provide open workspaces, private offices and meeting rooms designed to foster the growth of your business while connecting you with our thriving community! Book your tour today.
