place based ORGANIZATIONS

Over the last 23 years in Atlanta, I have created a company that builds community organizations - with the community - for neighborhood commercial districts. Working with community stakeholders to develop and manage the organization which educates, connects and organizes for the benefit of all businesses within the neighborhood(s). 

My journey has given me expertise in project management, time management and an overall talent to connect information from one neighborhood to another. Relationships with business owners, property owners, the City of Atlanta and the residential community are all connected. I am dedicated to the process and development of tools that support a unified, organized approach to building community organizations that strengthen entrepreneurship and connect neighborhood organizations to the City in which they reside.

Nonprofits. Membership. Events. Community.

Does your community desire a framework and pathway to support a common unified purpose that benefits all?

BUILDING + SUPPORTING PLACE-BASED ORGANIZATIONS SINCE 2003!

DIRECTED.

2003-2006 | Little 5 Points Business Association

2012-2018 | Old Fourth Ward Business Association

2015 -2018 | West Midtown Business Alliance

2015- 2022 | Kirkwood Business Owners’ Association

2019-2023 | East Atlanta Business Association

2019- Present | Piedmont Heights Business Alliance

2023-Present | Northwest Business Association

CONSULTED.

2015 | Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association

2020 | PACC Rails and Trails Business Association

COHORT.

2019-2023 | Atlanta Main Street + Main Street America Conference

place based ORGANIZATION PROGRAMS

EXISTING BIZ ASSOCIATION ASSESSMENTS.

ASSESSMENT PURPOSE: To identify the strengths, challenges and opportunities of the organization in order to create a pathway for growth and sustainability.

60 day Scope Includes:

Meetings: includes in person meetings with board of directors, staff and other volunteers. As well as the Assessment review at the end of the program.

High Level Review: Organizational Boundaries, Public Facing Information, Governance, Management, Communications, Membership, Finances, Member/General Meetings: Frequency, Focus, Publicized, Attendance, Events, Work Plans/Strategic Plans and Collaborations/Partnerships.

Recommendations: Based on meetings, high level review and 20+ years experience building, managing and directing small business associations with small business and property owners for neighborhood commercial districts in the City of Atlanta.

  • Recommendations for every high level topic that was reviewed will be provided in a written report.

  • Focus on sustainable operations, communications and management recommendations with estimated expenses.

Next Steps: Moving from assessment to action. idealDESIGN models for organizational development, engagement and implementation.

NEW ASSOCIATION DEVELOPMENT.

GOAL: Establish the foundation of the organization, implementation plan and timeline to develop a free standing 501 (c)6 nonprofit organization that works in collaboration and coordination with the City of Atlanta economic development, with associated civic and nonprofit organizations interested in supporting a thriving neighborhood commercial district.

PHASE 1: INFORMATION SESSION: A one hour in-person meeting for all interested business and property owners, and other civic organizations that want to collaborate, communicate and coordinate for the betterment of the entire community.

PHASE 2: STAKEHOLDER DISCOVERY MEETING #1: A 2-hour meeting to identify current status of business, what do business owners need to sustain/grow their business and drive more business to the neighborhood commerical district(s). This meeting involves written business surveys, business association education and discussion around organization development such as purpose, fundraising, branding, chartering board members etc...

PHASE 3: WALK THE DISTRICT

PHASE 4: STAKEHOLDER DISCOVERY MEETING #2: A 2-hour meeting to review and discuss highlights from Phase 1 -3 as well as possible funding and membership structure, community engagement, coordination, and measures of success.

PHASE 5: PLAN PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS: ​A 2 hour meeting to present development plan that includes all discovery, recommendations and implementation timeline for chartering board, fundraising direction, membership program and overall timeline with initial budget including idealDESIGN,inc time and payment schedule for implementation.

  • Goal is to invite the entire business community to the presentation and include adjustments from general participation.

iD HIRING PROGRAM.

In 2022, we launched the iD Hiring Program for small business associations. The program includes an extensive job description, community specific online application, job postings and vetting, building and managing a hiring committee consisting of board/community members, virtual interviews, hands-on project and in-person interviews.  The entire process is designed to be inclusive and equitable.  In fact the applicants are anonymous until the virtual interview.  New team members are onboarded, trained and managed for three months by idealDESIGN to ensure success!  * The program is managed through the organization.

  • 2022 | Kirkwood Business Owners’ Association: Part Time Community Administrator and Contract Event Coordinator for The Kirkwood Wine Stroll

  • 2019-2022 | East Atlanta Business Association: Part Time Main Street Coordinator

FACILITATION + EVENTS

MEETINGS.

3000+ FACILITATED TO DATE!

Business association hold a public general meeting every month as well as board of directors meetings. iD works with the board of directors to create the meeting agenda, disseminate and facilitate the meetings. All meeting minutes are public and posted on the organization’s website.

Meetings range from one to four hours for Board Retreats.

In-Person and Virtual facilitation available.

EVENTS.

50-20,000 ATTENDEE SIZED EVENTS

Events run smoothly with consistent planning and building an event structure that can be renewed each year. iD works with our clients to develop an event strategy and plan that includes operations, logistics, marketing, volunteer and day of event management.

2020-2023 | HYPE Night for Hope for Youth, Inc.

2022-2023 | People Make the Place Fundraiser for Little 5 Points Alliance

2023 | Sol Dance Presents Mose + Deya Dova

2016-2021 | Kirkwood Wine Stroll for Kirkwood Business Owners’ Association

2015-2017 | Fire in the 4th for Old Fourth Ward Business Association

TOURS.

TOURS ARE A GREAT WAY TO ENGAGE!

I love leading tours for neighborhood commercial districts. iD works with the organization to create the tour, engage tour locations and collaborations with local businesses.

2005 | Concierge Tour of Atlanta for Little 5 Points Business Association

2014 | Concierge Tour of Atlanta for Old Fourth Ward Business Association

2016 + 2017 | Fire in the Fourth Bike Tour with Atlanta Bicycle Tours

2019 | Atlanta Photo Walk for Little 5 Points Alliance

2024 | Atlanta BeltLine The City is a Circle. Community Currents