Local Entrepreneurs Win Habitat Atlanta’s Third Annual “Shark Tank” Style Contest

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity recently awarded cash, technology prizes and business mentorship as part of a program to support entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses.

Atlanta Habitat’s third annual Vision. Goals. Action! (VGA), Launch! Business Competition was sponsored by the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, Bank of America, The Home Depot Foundation and Wells Fargo. The business competition, hosted by Vincent Bailey featured three finalists, Atlanta Habitat homeowners who pitched their business start-up ideas to a panel of judges. Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship President and CEO, Jay Bailey, provided an inspirational keynote with insights about the community-changing power that entrepreneurs hold.

Judges for the contest included: Spencer Sutlive, entrepreneur and founder of Rugged Road Outdoors; Saville Williams, Co-Founder of the Black Economic Mobility Coalition, and Paulette Thweatt, master seamstress and owner of Thweatt’s Originals Formal Wear.

First Place winner Angela Banks topped the game-show styled competition for her business, Exquisite Hair, which sells customized hair extensions. Banks invested her winnings in more products and supplies as well as a graphic design class.

The viewers choice award went to Denise Lumpkin, owner of Let Your Hair Down LLC, a mobile hair styling service specializing in locs. Lumpkin, who has been in business for two years, used her winnings to purchase much needed supplies such as flat irons and hair dryers.

As part of the submission process, each contestant completed entrepreneurship classes and submitted extensive business plans.

“Atlanta Habitat has been such a blessing to me and my family. We have benefited from classes and programs since getting into our home more than five years ago,” said first place winner and entrepreneur Angela Banks.