Okay, so I knew I needed to write this (and more), but I didn't want to try to write it same day because I wanted to process it first. I don't even know if I have processed it or if there was anything to process? *Thinking face emoji* Anyways, yesterday, Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, I graduated from Goodwill's GoodBiz program!!! *Confetti emoji* *Laughing tears emoji*
This is a continuation of April 19th, 2014 (part 2) where I tell the story that I've been trying to tell all along. How did I even get started with taking these business classes and eventually starting a business. Non-operating at the moment but still my business. *Saweetie "I know that's right" meme* Okay Ima stop with that but I was the first person to sign up for this business class in the summer of 2023.
Let me start by saying that I was holding out for the hope of going back to Memphis, TN so bad that when I learned I had to get a Georgia license for the program to show that I am an actual Georgia resident I was almost like nah, I'm good, I guess I can't do it. I did not want to give up my Tennessee license because I felt like that would be confirmation that I wasn't going back and staying in Georgia still wasn't a part of my plan, even three years after quitting teaching and leaving Tennessee. But I came to my senses and said, I have been wanting to take this class. In the past I have considered starting a business so while I am still here (with what plans or money I was going back to TN with IDK), and I have the opportunity let me just see. I completed all the paperwork for the class. I found a new real job after going back and forth with Family Dollar and I told them day one. I have a business class that I am participating in so I'm going to need my schedule to work around that. They said cool. The class was supposed to start in June that Thursday, same week as my job but the business class ended up not starting until September 2023.
Before I knew that the class was still happening though because we were not hearing anything, or getting any updates and it was September, three months after the starting date I was like let me just buy me a laptop, so I can get started with whatever I need to do. I want to be an author, I've always wanted to be an author, so I was like if I need to just go ahead and starting writing and start doing something, let me do that. The end of September came, and I got an email that I ignored because it mentioned a business class, but I didn't know if it was real or the person it said it was coming from so, I actually did miss the first in person class, introductions, orientation, etc. Yall I was so mad but then I was like the class is starting that is good enough for me. And now that I know there is a virtual option to attend, I am ready, and I bought headphones too so I'm super ready.
From there every Thursday, from 5 - 7PM we met at the Goodwill Career Center (east side) in Athens, GA for the GoodBiz program. Classes that would help us learn to start a business and actually start the business. I had no idea what to expect but I got to get off work early at 3PM on Thursdays and I loved that for me. My job is a good role but 1. It's not permanent. 2. I am not getting paid for real. 3. It's not what I want to do long term. So, I loved these classes, and I took them serious like I wanted to see what could possibly come from it. I was at every class. Virtually because I didn't feel comfortable going in person (my own ick), but I was there.
The classes were centered around us going through the process of creating a feasibility plan which is like a little less than a full-blown business plan but still a good way to get somethings defined and in order since most of us were coming into the class with an idea only, just wanting to start a business with no prior experience. I went with the first idea that I knew which was really just a name for a business, but I stuck with that and really came to create a purposeful business that was just a pretty name. I really started to create the world business world and empire that I had in my head before but just wasn't really clear on and defiantly not intentional about making it happen. After 12 weeks of classes and putting together this feasibility plan and a presentation for our business we came back into the Goodwill career center and registered our business with the Secretary of State online, with no cost to us.
The program definitely has its benefits because along with all the knowledge and support, for completing the first class the program not only paid for our business registration but gave us I think $500 to spend on our business in the form of a wish list. We picked put a list of items that we needed for our businesses up to $500 each, submitted that list and the program staff bought those items for us. I got a tumbler press and a heat press. Then I got an email and call a few weeks after that saying that they had selected some students from part one of the class to participate in a GoodBiz 2.0 class and we would receive another wish list item for participating in this 5-week class. I was there again. Even though these classes were held Saturday mornings 10 AM - 12PM. During that 2.0 class we also got introduced to our own individual business coach that we could work with for like 10 hours. So, I was working Monday through Friday, at meetings with my business coach Thursday nights working to complete all the different registration paperwork to make it official official, and attending business class Saturday mornings. I was so helpful. I went from zero to something. The 2.0 class was definitely more tailored with applicable information for where we were. I took a lot from that.
In the end all in all I got to actually create a business from participation in the class instead of just thinking man I hate these jobs. I turned my idea and inspiration from words into something I am passionate about. I got to create a feasibility plan, I got some books, and additional resources I can refer to. I got to work directly with a business coach and experienced entrepreneur. I got to register my business for free and learn that process from someone. I got a heat press, a tumbler press, and my wish list item from the 2.0 class, I got a sublimation printer which was over budget for the first round of wish lists.
I would recommend Goodwill (yes, the donation thrift store) to anyone. Specifically, the Goodwill Career Center. I have lived near the Goodwill career center for over 10 years (since high school), and I think I learned of it and those resources from someone else (my mom?). So, I while I struggled to figure it out for ten years, on and off having a job, improving some, and then going backwards. I would always end up back at Goodwill searching the right opportunity, going to their job fairs, and using their computers to search for jobs, and phone (when mine was off) to talk to businesses. Looking for a job just wasn't fulfilling what I was looking for and felt I needed so I am glad I got to experience this GoodBiz program. I am going to improve my career and have one, but I am going to work on my business and my real dreams at the same time until I can fully focus on that. I am going to create this business empire that I have in my mind and be a successful, entrepreneur with several multi-million-dollar businesses.
And last thing the graduation aspect was a surprise. I didn't know we were actually going to do that, and this is a big deal for me because I have never been to one of my graduations. I didn't go to my high school one, I told everyone I wasn't going but they didn't believe me. I walked to the school to get my diploma a couple days after. I didn't go for my Psychology associates degree, or bachelor's, or my master's degree in education. I have just had this whole thing about truly showing up for myself and celebrating my accomplishments, as well as allowing other people to show up for me. It's a whole thing that I will definitely have to discuss in therapy one day, but I went to my first graduation. I went alone. I hated waiting a whole extra hour for things to start but it wasn't that bad. They had food. *Laughing emoji* Seriously, I am truly grateful and thankful for Goodwill and the career center, the staff and the GoodBiz program. I am going to tell this story a lot when my businesses do become successful multi-million dollar businesses and I will always remember Goodwill and aim to give back in the way that it was given to me. Thank you!
- Sequonia Smith