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Goodwill of North Georgia Raises $419K to Provide Critical Funds for Local Entrepreneurs & Support Essential Training Programs for Georgians

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

Goodwill of North Georgia - one of the largest retail operations & workforce training agencies in Georgia with a mission to put people to work - held its annual Battle of the BIZ! competition at this year’s Gala celebration, benefiting the agency’s GoodBIZ! program and essential training programs. Goodwill raised $419,035 to support its 14 Career Centers and provide critical funds for local entrepreneurs participating in the GoodBIZ! Entrepreneurship Program. This year’s fundraising efforts not only broke last year’s record but also exceeded 2023 fundraising goals set by the agency.
A landmark program for Goodwill, GoodBIZ! provides aspiring entrepreneurs a path to running a successful business through career coaching and an 8-to 15-week workshop, at zero costs to jobseekers. Over the last five years, GoodBIZ! graduates have started 243 new businesses and created 431 new jobs.
On Saturday night, the top three 2023 GoodBIZ! graduates battled it out for the grand prize of $10,000. Kristel Valencia, founder of Cafexito Mexican Coffee Shop, was the winner and took home the grand prize. As the lead supporter of the GoodBiz! program, Truist Foundation Head of Strategy & Community Affairs Meghan Pietrantonio announced this year’s winner and presented them with the grand prize check. Truist Foundation is proud to help strengthen small businesses across North Georgia by supporting the GoodBIZ! program with a $200,000 grant.
Cafexito Mexican Coffee Shop is a culture-based coffee experience launched in August 2019. The company values sustainably sourced coffee beans to ensure fair payment for farmers in their homeland. Cafexito’s mission is to celebrate and educate on Mexican culture through every cup of Cafexito sold. It also prioritizes intentional connection with its community through events, fundraising, and support. The company’s goal is to bring the colors, flavors, and traditions of Mexican culture to the east coast through coffee and pastries. Cafexito launched as a pop up at Piedmont Park, selling out within four hours. By October 2019, Cafexito secured a permanent pop-up space at the Met in Southwest Atlanta.
"Our purpose at Goodwill of North Georgia is not just about creating jobs but fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship. Every dollar raised signifies a beacon of hope, a dream realized, and a brighter future for the residents of North Georgia,” said Keith Parker, CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia. “Through Battle of the BIZ! and our landmark GoodBIZ! program, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of Georgia's entrepreneurs and helping them pave their way to success. This gala isn't just a celebration; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of our community coming together to uplift one another and shine a spotlight on the landmark training programs Goodwill offers across its 14 Career Centers, at no cost for the community.”
In addition to the Battle of the Biz! winner, Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s, received the first-ever Iron Will Award, celebrating her entrepreneurial spirit and “never say die” attitude; and The Home Depot was this year’s recipient of the Power of Work Award, honoring companies empowering people to discover their potential through the power of work.
Sponsors of Battle of the BIZ! includes:

  • 2023 Graduate Sponsor

    • Chick-Fil-A

    • Kaiser Permanente

    • Fifth Third Bank

  • 2023 Advocate Sponsors

    • Farmers & Fisherman Purveyors

    • Capital Group

    • Norfolk Southern

    •  The Home Depot Path to Pro

    •  Pollack Orora

    • Marriott Marquis Atlanta

    • Wilson Marketing Group

    • Mailchimp

    • MastersFirst Services

    • Enterprise Holdings

    • Genuine Parts Company
Goodwill of North Georgia serves a 45-county territory with 100+ stores and donation centers. The organization also operates 14 career centers to support job training and placement services offered free of charge to tens of thousands of North Georgia job seekers. In fiscal year 2022, Goodwill of North Georgia was recognized as the number one Goodwill in the nation when it comes to people employed, helping over 16,000 North Georgians get connected with jobs. Through the career centers and training programs, Goodwill serves veterans, people with disabilities, youth, single parents, the under-employed, people with criminal backgrounds, and anyone else looking for work. To learn more about Goodwill of North Georgia’s career services and job training programs, please visit www.goodwillng.org.  
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