Nineteen Wiregrass students have successfully completed the six-week Guardian Bank Entrepreneurship Academy. This is the second series sponsored by Guardian Bank. The classes began in September and are free for current Wiregrass students and alumni. The UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Valdosta State University is partnering with Guardian Bank and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to deliver six courses with 12 hours of total class time.  The business topics to be discussed include: writing a business plan, money finance and accounting, marketing, human resources, and planning. The courses will have knowledgeable speakers in specialized business areas, self-evaluation, and opportunities to participate in question and answer time with guest speakers. The UGA SBDC will also provide one-on-one consulting for participants.

Those that participated were Ashley Cook, Dawn Diamond, John Ference, Sharolyn Ferguson, Amanda Garnto, LaToya Hampton, Joyce Henderson, Samantha Jernigan, Michele Krull, Jacquelyn Mallard, Dawn Mathis-Longieliere, Kim Miller, Darlene Moss, Joyce Singletary, Charlene Tait, Benjamin Thornhill. Christina Turner, Jonathan Wood, and Kellie Wood.

“The Guardian Bank Entrepreneurship class was the opportunity of a lifetime. This class afforded me an increased level of knowledge and proficiency to effectively run a business, all while providing great nuggets of information to help maximimize potential profits! This program is one of Valdosta's best kept secrets,” shared participant Ashley Cook.

This Entrepreneurship Academy was made possible thanks to the generous pledge of $50,000 over a 5-year period by Guardian Bank. “This provides a wonderful opportunity for many of our students who have career goals of starting their own business,” shared Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson.  “Any graduates who are looking to start their own business, the Entrepreneurship Academy can provide valuable knowledge.”

“Guardian Bank is proud to financially support a viable community partnership which provides strong support for those individuals wishing to enter into the small business arena,” added Guardian Bank CEO Parrish Clark. “We were especially interested in touching the lives of those who possess a creative spirit for owning their own business and becoming an integral part of the local economy. Guardian Bank looks forward to a productive relationship with Wiregrass Technical College and VSU’s Small Business Development Center.”

The dates of the spring classes are February 5 through March 11, every Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 3 pm.  The classes will be held at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College located at 4089 Val Tech Road, Lowndes Hall, Room 7134 in Valdosta.