Partnership in Action: Esther-Marie Lawrence on Entrepreneurship, Opportunity, and the Chamber of Commerce
- deshaywilliams3
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Tuesday, June 30
7:00 a.m.
Spark Thomasville Executive Director
Dear Spark Community,
"The Chamber is interested in supporting businesses, and Spark is interested in supporting entrepreneurs who are creating businesses. Our missions very much go hand in hand." Esther-Marie Lawrence, Imagine Thomasville
If you've spent any time around entrepreneurship in Thomasville, chances are you've crossed paths with Esther-Marie Lawrence.
As Executive Director of the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, she works at the intersection of business growth, leadership development, workforce development, and economic opportunity. It's a role that draws on a career spanning banking, community development, real estate management, event planning, education, and entrepreneurship.
"This was definitely not on my bingo card," she laughed when reflecting on her path to the
Chamber.
Yet the more she shared her story, the more it became clear that helping people build something Impactful has been a common thread throughout her professional life.
Businesses.
Programs.
Organizations.
Relationships.
"Being the Executive Director of a nonprofit means wearing a lot of different hats."
Entrepreneurship Matters
Entrepreneurship wasn't just part of Esther-Marie's professional journey.
It was part of her family story.
Her father launched a software company in the late 1980s, creating inventory management software for used car dealerships long before today's digital tools existed. Watching that journey gave her a firsthand look at the risks, challenges, and persistence required to build a business.
The company itself evolved in ways no one expected, but the lesson stayed with her.
Building something from the ground up takes courage.
Today, she sees many of those same qualities in entrepreneurs throughout Thomasville and Thomas County.
"Small businesses are such an important piece of any community's economic development."
For Esther-Marie, entrepreneurship is about more than opening a business. It's about creating opportunities, solving problems, serving customers, and contributing to the long-term vitality of a region.
"Having that constant influx of new entrepreneurs and new business ideas only helps the business community here."
Responsive to What Matters
One of the things Esther-Marie appreciates most about Spark is its willingness to listen and adapt.
Over the years, Spark has launched programming around business finance, tax preparation, childcare entrepreneurship, housing development, food safety certification, and government contracting readiness. Each initiative was developed in response to challenges and opportunities affecting local entrepreneurs and employers.
"I feel like Spark has been very responsive to the needs of the community."
She pointed specifically to Spark's childcare cohort as an example.
Access to childcare affects families, employers, workforce participation, and economic growth. By helping childcare providers strengthen their businesses, Spark wasn't simply training entrepreneurs; it was addressing a broader challenge impacting the region.
That ability to identify needs and build practical solutions around them is something she believes sets Spark apart.
"The fact that you can be nimble and responsive, I think, is a big strength of Spark."
Celebrating community support at Spark Tank Pitch Competition 2024: (L-R) Esther Marie Lawrence of Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, first-place winner Angela Murphy, business coach Patricia Powell, TNB banking partner Melvin Hugans, and Spark Thomasville Executive Director DeShay Williams unite to empower underestimated entrepreneurs through education, coaching, and access to capital.
Celebrating Progress
Ask Esther-Marie about her favorite Spark memories, and the conversation quickly turns to entrepreneurs.
Not programs.
Not organizations.
Entrepreneurs.
"Spark ribbon cuttings are some of my favorites."
Why?
"It's so cool to see all of the support that shows up."
The family members.
The customers.
The coaches.
The fellow entrepreneurs.
The business leaders.
The people who helped along the way.
"It's full of excitement and hope and optimism."
She shared a similar perspective when reflecting on her experience as a Spark Tank Pitch Competition judge.
While the competition recognizes outstanding pitches, what stood out most to her was the courage it took for entrepreneurs to stand up and present their ideas.
"Just the fact that they were standing there pitching their business was a victory."
Those milestones matter.
Whether it's presenting at Spark Tank, opening a new business, celebrating a ribbon cutting, joining the Chamber, or seeing a company logo displayed publicly for the first time, each represents progress on an entrepreneurial journey.
One Chamber benefit that often surprises Spark graduates is the opportunity to have their business featured on the Chamber's digital billboards.
"I've had several Spark entrepreneurs just be so thrilled by that. My logo is on a billboard in Thomasville."
The Chamber also offers discounted first-year memberships for Spark graduates, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to further connect with business leaders, leadership programs, promotional opportunities, and the broader business ecosystem.
Better Together
Throughout our conversation, one theme surfaced again and again.
Partnership.
Both organizations believe that entrepreneurship, business development, and leadership matter.
Both believe strong businesses strengthen Thomasville.
Both believe opportunities should exist for people willing to invest in an idea and do the work required to bring it to life.
And both take pride in seeing entrepreneurs succeed.
Perhaps Esther-Marie said it best when reflecting on Spark's impact.
"It's been really cool to see some of those entrepreneurs go on to form really successful businesses. Obviously, we're not the ones doing the main lifting, that's Spark, but I feel like we get to share a little bit of that glory too."
That shared investment in the success of local entrepreneurs is what makes this partnership meaningful—and why it continues to create opportunities for the next generation of business leaders across Thomasville and Thomas County.
To learn more about Chamber membership, visit the Chamber's membership page: Imagine Thomasville Chamber Membership Information
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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