Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.
- deshaywilliams3
- Jul 7
- 4 min read
How a Record-Breaking 2025 is creating an even Stronger 2026.
Spark Thomasville Mid-Year 2026 Community Impact Report
Tuesday, July 7
9:00 a.m.
Spark Thomasville Executive Director
A record-breaking 2025 proved what was possible.
The first half of 2026 is proving something even more important.
Last year, Spark Thomasville celebrated the largest graduating class in our history.
This year, we're celebrating something even more meaningful...
Entrepreneurs are coming back.
They're returning to sharpen their skills, strengthen their businesses, expand their networks, and continue investing in themselves.
That distinction matters.
Because at Spark Thomasville, we've never believed our success is measured by how many entrepreneurs complete a program.
We believe our success is measured by what happens after graduation.
Do entrepreneurs continue learning?
Do they build stronger businesses?
Do they create jobs?
Do they become community leaders?
Does Thomasville become stronger because they succeed?
Those questions have shaped every decision we've made.
The results tell a powerful story.
2025: Expanding with Purpose
Growth was never the goal.
Impact was.
When our community needed more childcare providers, we developed a childcare cohort.
When conversations turned toward workforce and affordable housing, we created opportunities for entrepreneurs preparing to lead those industries.
The result was our strongest year yet.
70 Entrepreneurs Graduated in 2025
A record-breaking year that doubled Spark's impact compared to its first six years combined.
Alger Reed has completed 2 Spark trainings: Construction Cohort and Tax Prep.
Telesia Adkins completed 3 Spark trainings: Tax Prep, CEO Success Summit, and ServSafe Food Handler.
Ordette Thomas completed 3 Spark engagements: Signature 12-Week Entrepreneurship Training, Tax Prep, and Monthly Alumni Engagement.
Their journeys reflect a defining characteristic of Spark Thomasville: entrepreneurs don't simply graduate—they continue learning, building relationships, and strengthening their businesses.
That continued investment in themselves is exactly what transformed a record-breaking 2025 into an even stronger 2026.
2026: Going Deeper, Not Just Bigger
Graduating more than 140 entrepreneurs challenged us to think differently.
Instead of asking how to graduate more entrepreneurs, we asked how to create greater impact for our graduates and the entrepreneurs already building businesses across our community.
We built a bridge that led to stronger financial readiness.
Improved curriculum.
We expanded CEO Success Summits, alumni engagement, ServSafe certification, and additional financial training workshops to help our graduates develop their business, create jobs, and the workforce they need to grow.
Spark evolved because our entrepreneurs helped shape what came next.
That work has also been strengthened by partners who believe that successful businesses are built through continuous learning and practical support.
As longtime Spark partner and training facilitator Ava O'Neal Wilson reminds every entrepreneur she serves:
"Collaboration is critical. It's non-negotiable."
She explains that entrepreneurs cannot scale their businesses in isolation. They need mentors, technical assistance providers, financial institutions, community partners, and peer networks.
That philosophy has become one of Spark's greatest strengths.
We're not simply delivering workshops.
We're connecting entrepreneurs to the people, knowledge, and relationships that help businesses thrive long after graduation.
The First Six Months of 2026
11 Training Programs
↓
139 Participant Engagements
↓
Nearly 50% Returning Participant Engagements
Pause for a moment.
Nearly half of every participant engagement this year came from entrepreneurs who had already graduated from Spark.
It has become a community where entrepreneurs continue building knowledge, confidence, partnerships, and opportunity.
That is what lasting impact looks like.
The Community Behind Every Number
None of these accomplishments belong to Spark alone.
They belong to entrepreneurs who had the courage to invest in themselves.
To coaches and facilitators who transformed expertise into practical learning.
To volunteers, community partners, sponsors and donors who invested in opportunity.
To customers, neighbors, friends and family who chose to support local businesses.
Spark’s role has been to bring people together around a shared purpose.
Briana Butler captured that spirit best at the conclusion of her Tax Prep Workshop Series:
"Empowering small business owners to feel confident about their finances is what I love to do. When you understand your numbers, you can lead with clarity and peace. They're not just doing taxes—they're building legacy."
Looking Ahead
A record-breaking 2025 expanded our reach.
The first half of 2026 is expanding our impact.
We'll continue listening and adapting.
We'll continue strengthening partnerships.
The 2026 Spark Thomasville Theme is…
Developing Vision to Legacy—Together.
Will you join us?
Interested in joining us as a speaker, coach, entrepreneur, volunteer, or supporter?
Visit Spark Thomasville's Contact Page and let's start the conversation.
Our Contact Information
DeShay Williams, Executive Director, Spark Thomasville
125 North Broad Street, Suite 216, Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 843-4888 office
(202) 821-9874 cell
Spark Thomasville: Building Community…One Business at a Time.
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