WEDA has moved! Our new location is

675 Metropolitan Pkwy SW
Suite 2026
Atlanta, GA 30310,

in the Metropolitan Lofts complex. The complex is located at the intersection of Metropolitan Parkway, Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard and Northside Drive and is minutes from both the Georgia Dome and Turner Field. With approximately 2,800 square feet of space, our new office provides us with many new capabilities. As always, these new facilities are handicapped accessible. On the first floor, clients can take advantage of our computer lab that holds twelve PC computers with cable internet capabilities. Also on the first floor is the training room that enables us to conduct all workshops, seminars, and meetings onsite. The second floor, in addition to WEDA employee offices, holds three additional offices, where new small business owners can use our space as a "starter office" at a discounted rate.

The moving process was quite an adventure-IMA graduate Jimmy Garcia of Jimmy Construction, LLC remodeled the entire space in a matter of weeks! We are very pleased with the result and are sure that you will be, too. Please look for information on our upcoming open house.

On May 1 and 3, 2007, MARTA and WEDA co- sponsored a procurement readiness workshop for minority and small business owners looking to do business with MARTA. The two organizations decided to form this partnership because MARTA's Department of Diversity and Equal Opportunity expressed interest in attracting contract bids from minority and small business owners and WEDA knew plenty of minority and small business owners that would be eager to provide their services to MARTA. The result was this two-part, two-day workshop, covering topics such as Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ("DBE") certification, competitive bid solicitations, procurement procedures and guidelines, and how to bid on MARTA projects. Many workshop attendees did not previously know that MARTA contracted with small businesses, as it is such a large organization. Upon learning to the contrary, they praised both organizations for providing information on the types of MARTA procurement opportunities that can potentially assist in the growth and development of their businesses. WEDA and MARTA were pleased with the success of the event and plan on working together again in the future.

WEDA now offers an online business directory and network. The General Directory, located at http://weda.collective x.com, is open to everyone in the WEDA community, including clients, stakeholders, board members, employees, etc. There are also two specific branch directories, the Women-Owned Business Directory (http://womenbiz .collectivex.com) and the Minority-Owned Business Directory (http://minoritybi z.collectivex.com.) Links to them are on the General Directory's site. With more specific directories, people may easily search only women- owned businesses or only minority-owned businesses.

This WEDA network is better than a simple directory because members can not only search for each other, but they can correspond with each other directly through the site. Among other activities, members can also network with other business professionals, start online discussions, and leverage business contacts. The best part about the service is that membership is absolutely free. This network is ideal for small business owners who are eager to expand their businesses and meet other small business owners like themselves.

If you have not already, we encourage you to sign-up for the network. Again, sign-up is free and takes less than a minute.

For Nadiyah Pierre, managing a business is like taking care of "an expensive baby that you must nurture and nurse into a self-sustaining entity." Pierre manages a franchise of Cartridge World, a company that recycles and refills printer cartridges, saving customers up to fifty-percent off retail prices. The rapidly-expanding company has over 1,200 Cartridge World stores worldwide, thirty-three of which are in Georgia.

The inspiration for Pierre's business came from her printer at home. Replacing her printer's cartridges was either expensive or inconvenient and messy. Then she discovered the business of cartridge refilling and recycling through Cartridge World. Pierre decided opening a franchise of the company would be a promising business venture.

That was when Pierre enrolled in WEDA's Atlanta Microenterprise Initiative (AMI) program. This program helped her focus her efforts and develop a business plan. AMI also helped Pierre foresee business challenges and adapt to unexpected obstacles. "WEDA helped give me a sense of direction. WEDA helped me put a map together so I can guide this business out of any storm." More importantly, WEDA empowered her with the education necessary to realize her entrepreneurial goals.

Pierre opened her Cartridge World franchise on December 12, 2006. Her staff includes two full-time employees (excluding herself) and a part-time sales representative. While her expected revenues are $250,000 for her first year, she expects her business to grow and expand in the coming years. Though stressful at times, Pierre believes business- ownership has been a rewarding experience. "It is definitely rewarding when I can share time with my family as a result of a more flexible work schedule."

While Pierre works full- time at Cartridge World, she does not forget the organization that helped her. She plans to raise $1,000 for WEDA in ninety days. A portion of her sales will go to WEDA, if the customer mentions the organization.

Nadiyah Pierre
Cartridge World, Lindbergh
720 Morosgo Dr.
Suite 130
Atlanta, GA 30324
Telephone: 404-231-5000
Fax: 404-231-5004
Mobile: 404-509-3682
[email protected]