Invest Atlanta’s Open for Business Fund is reshaping the future of minority-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. Backed by a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, the fund supports small business owners in building wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology. 

Through this grant, entrepreneurs received critical funding, guidance and support, enabling them to develop products and services that serve their local communities.

Aiskrimu Ice Cream: Creating a Sweet Community Impact

For entrepreneur and physical therapist Jason Davis, opening up an ice cream shop meant fulfilling a life-long dream. Ice cream has always been a love of Jason’s as it serves as a comfort food that you can enjoy with family and friends any day or every day. Seeing a gap in his area for a nearby dessert destination, Jason partnered with Open for Business to create Aiskrimu Ice Cream Bar (which means ice cream in Swahili) in Cascade Heights.

Jason’s journey began in March 2020 when he started researching locations for his shop and found a clothing boutique that would work perfectly. After signing up for Invest Atlanta emails, he came across the Open for Business program and immediately applied in spring of 2022. Jason became a recipient of The Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG), receiving $38,000 to bring the space up to code and renovate the location into a welcoming and bright community spot for people and their pets. 

In reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Aiskrimu, Jason is humbled by the success of his business. Aiskrimu is projected to double sales and the team has now expanded with the addition of one full-time employee and one part-time employee. Additional enhancements like new equipment (including an upright freezer) to sell cakes and pints along with an expanded menu are ensuring more patrons can enjoy all that Askrimu has to offer. 

There is great pride in opening a dessert spot in a food desert, all of which wouldn’t be possible without support from the Open for Business program. Jason shared,“I can't reiterate enough how thankful I am to have been a recipient of the OFB Grant. It lifted a huge burden off of my shoulders. I was able to focus on growth rather than worrying about financial strains.”

City Dogz: Pawsitive and Secure Pet Boarding and Daycare

Azhia Brown is a local change maker. A dog lover and young entrepreneur, Azhia saw a gap during the pandemic for safe and secure doggie daycare and boarding in her community.

Right before 2020, she launched her business City Dogz ATL, a unique boutique dog grooming and boarding facility. The opening of her business not only offered community members a trustworthy location for their pets to play and a space for pet owners to connect with one another, it also engaged individuals in the area looking for employment. After opening and feeling the challenges of many first time business owners, she found Invest Atlanta and applied for the the Atlanta Open for Business Commercial Property Improvement Grant (CPIG). 

Fast forward to today and City Dogz has created jobs and a safe outdoor space for pets in an urban area thanks to support from Open for Business. The funds helped Azhia scale the business by transforming a parking lot into a secured area for dogs. This upgrade has tripled the number of dogs they can accommodate daily—from a maximum of seven to up to 25.

Additionally, the grant funded mixed-use container spaces for better organization and storage, which has streamlined their operations. With this growth, Azhia has expanded her team, now employing four full-time and two part-time staff members. She’s also committed to involving the community, focusing on hiring local talent and creating job opportunities.

Reflecting on her progress, Azhia is so grateful for the Open for Business Fund, sharing,“Invest Atlanta is such a great resource for small businesses. In an area that needs redevelopment, having support helps individuals like me explore and encourages growth. It is important to be involved in the community we serve and Invest Atlanta made that happen for us!”