Discover the next frontier for the Art & Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship as we surpass over 1,100 entrepreneurs served.
A LETTER A LETTER
When we launched the Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship in the spring of 2022, Art Lucas tasked us with a single charge: make more entrepreneurs. This inaugural magazine celebrates that work and the 1,100+ founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and small business owners supported by the Lucas Center in just over three years.
As we developed the content for this issue, I did something I rarely (as an unapologetically futurefocused leader) do I took a moment to look back. Inspiration, resilience, resourcefulness, passion, and drive make up the stories in these pages and the lives of the hundreds of entrepreneurs not included here.
Dr Ande Noktes, CEO, is a serial social entrepreneur. Ande (sounds like Gandhi) has an MBA from Emory University and completed her doctorate in Public Policy at Northeastern University in Boston
Thinking back on my own entrepreneurial ventures over the last 25 years, I launched each one with a deep commitment to creating spaces and opportunities for people to grow into their fullest potential As the founding leader of the Lucas Center, this commitment translates into the best job ever: helping entrepreneurs bring their dreams to life
With tremendous gratitude,
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
The Founding
By Dr. Skip Mounts
An economist’s journey to entrepreneurship
WHERE WE BEGAN
Everything has a beginning, even the Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship
Publishing this first edition of Founders is a special moment for the Art and Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship Many other issues will follow as we have many things to share.
For one, each of our entrepreneurs has a story to tell that needs telling Every story will be unique I look forward to those that tell about the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey For me, this is the purest moment of entrepreneurship, when the journey begins These stories will be about moments of creativity and dreams, and their search for personal agency
Everything has a beginning, even the Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship It only seems appropriate for the first Founders to tell you about the beginnings of the Lucas Center This is not about the opening or the start of the Center in March 2022 with Ande’s first day. The beginning is when the dream began
First, my confession I am an economist with areas of interest that include monetary history, labor economics and econometrics I say this as entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship were not on my professional radar I would, however, mention entrepreneurs on the first day of my Principles of Economics class “Entrepreneurs are one of the four factors of production that would give the others place and purpose. ” That was it. Total class time allocated to entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship was less than a minute.
Then, in middle of spring semester 2014 at the College of Coastal Georgia, four of us in the School of Business and Public Administration had to cover the class offerings for a faculty colleague. We had to decide who would teach what from his list of classes As one might expect when a group of academics must decide something, we drew straws. I drew the Entrepreneurship class straw The economist who could care less about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, had to now care more to get the class of three students across the finish line of the semester
Almost immediately and to my surprise, I was having fun in class Teaching entrepreneurship was a change of pace from my normal supply and demand lectures.
Once the semester ended, I curiously started searching the web for places l could go to learn about how entrepreneurship should be taught This took me to the three-day Icehouse program at the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurship This was the summer of 2014 Even if the class did not work out, at least, I could see the Kansas City Royals play
Then my world changed In the first 10 minutes of the program, I realized that I knew nothing about entrepreneurship and there was so much I wanted to know
Where had all this information been? Why had I allowed all this to pass me by?
On day two of Icehouse, we went to a 1 Million Cups event in the Kauffman Center auditorium Every Wednesday at 9 am, two entrepreneurs stood before 250 people and told their entrepreneurship story. This was more than a pitch. It was their personal story about their beginnings. It was about them and their ideas
And then my beginnings began. I thought that 1 Million Cups was something we needed to do in Brunswick. Surely, there are entrepreneurs who would tell their stories to others, and these stories would stimulate other stories. My gosh, maybe we could even create a culture in Brunswick– an entrepreneurial ecosystem - that would support the creation of entrepreneurs and change our community with the power of entrepreneurship
And so, it began in 2017, 1 Million Cups - Brunswick
Dr Mounts speaks at a Lucas Forum event
Two entrepreneurs, the first Wednesday of each month, at Tipsy McSway’s would tell their stories The curious would come, listen, dream, and create One thing led to another, and Art Lucas and I started having breakfast that would lead to him asking, “Skip, what do we need to do have a center that supports entrepreneurs?”
So, here we are Ande, Kay, Pryce, Gavin, AJ, Bootcamp, 6SEED, ACCELER8, the Lucas Forum, the Lucas Challenge, St Mary’s, Kingsland, Darien Incubator, Vidalia, Waycross, 1,100 dreamers, and now the Founders All from unexpectedly covering a class in entrepreneurship. Go figure. Button up, more to come, and it will be wonderful and exciting I promise
Dr William S Mounts, Jr is the Dean of the School of Business and Public Management at Coastal Georgia, as well as a professor of Economics Dr Mounts came to the College in 2011 after 33 years at Mercer University in Macon, GA. He received the Ph.D., M.A., and BBA degrees in economics from the University of Georgia Dr Mounts has over 50
academic articles, books, and presentations His presentations have been at national and international conferences, including the Southern Economics Association, the Western Economics Conference, and the central bank of Switzerland Journals in which he has published include the Economics of Governance, Journal of Macroeconomics, Southern Economic Review, Public Choice, Journal of Sports Economics, Journal of Money, Banking and Credit, and the Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics Dr Mounts also has an active consulting practice specializing in economic valuation and interest rate forecasting. On several occasions, he has received the Distinguished Faculty Award for excellence in the classroom and for his research
ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT
The Glamour Manor
Where History Meets Sparkle
How one entrepreneur turned a 120-year-old Victorian home into a pink-hued destination of joy, confidence, and community
Meet Kim Stephens
The woman behind the magic
Q: How did your journey begin?
What began in 2019 as twelve rental tents from a family friend evolved into spa parties, movie nights, and The Glamour Camper, a mobile spa on wheels. Each idea built on the last, leading to the creation of The Glamour Manor
Q: How did your background lead you here?
After moving from Atlanta to Waycross in 2013, I opened Run N Chase, a boutique named after my son, before pioneering South Georgia’s first mobile fashion truck That spark shaped everything that followed when creativity turned into community.
Q: What does The Glamour Manor offer? Today, the Glamour Manor includes: Magical Mini Tent Parties for kids, The Glamour Camper mobile spa experience, The Jumbo Canvas Tent for outdoor events, and soon The Glamour Manor School of Etiquette
Q: What are some major highlights in your journey as an entrepreneur?
So far my major highlights include: Being appointed to the Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisory committee
Graduating from the Leadership Georgia program and becoming an SBDC Ambassador
Participating in the second cohort of the Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship’s ACCELER8 program
Q: How does community show up in your work?
My proudest milestone is creating jobs and hiring staff. The Waycross community embraced my vision before they even knew my name. I have collaborated with local schools, small businesses, and camps
Q: What’s next on the horizon for The Glamour Manor?
My next goal is simply to grow sustainably, employ more locals, and to keep creating spaces where people feel celebrated, confident, and connected.
Tucked in the heart of Waycross, The Glamour Manor is a restored 1905 Victorian home reimagined as a boutique destination for overnight stays, unforgettable parties, and community gatherings.
ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT
Where History Meets Sparkle
The Glamour Manor
The Golden Isles Children’s Business Fair
ow one entrepreneur turned a 120-year-old Victorian home into a pink-hued destination of joy, confidence, and community.
Where Kids Become Business Owners
Introducing Lina Bareno
Inspiring
the next generation of entrepreneurs
Q: How did your journey begin?
My journey with the Children's Business Fair began when my daughters Victoria and Violeta asked to have a lemonade stand The day was a success and we quickly realized this was more than selling lemonade and cookies They practiced skills that will serve them for life like problem solving, sales, public speaking, creativity, growth mindset, and more We thought "wouldn't it be great if all the kids in our community had this experience?”
Q: How did your background lead you here?
I'm a marketing strategist For the past few years I have supported community leaders and organizations to drive growth, build community, and create social change through strategic marketing and business development I also participated in the Lucas Center ACCELER8 program.
Q: Where are you in your journey today?
Our fourth annual Children's Business Fair in Brunswick celebrated 44 businesses and 67 young entrepreneurs The Golden Isles Children's Business Fair also recently evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Q: How does community show up in your work?
My community shows up every step of the way! We couldn't have done this without the support of incredible community leaders and local business owners. I also support the Historic Downtown Brunswick business community as a Main Street Manager for the Brunswick Downtown Development Authority
Q: What’s next for the Children’s Business Fair?
We are exploring downtown event partnerships where our participants will have more opportunities to sell their products and showcase their talents We are also finalizing an educational curriculum and exploring implementation in local schools.
The Children’s Business Fair has hosted 5 events and over 250 entrepreneurs in the last 4 years Some young entrepreneurs are even selling their products nationwide!
1,100+ Entrepreneurs served 417+ Program graduates
5 Counties across the region
Our Programs
A look at the impact of Lucas Center programs on community growth and economic development.
Idea Bootcamp
A no-cost, one-day intensive hosted at various locations across the region where participants go from idea to startup plan in a single day
237 Entrepreneurs have completed Idea Bootcamp
52% of Idea Bootcamp participants launch their business
149 Entrepreneurs have completed ACCELER8
6SEED
Adynamic,six-weekprogramdesigned specificallyforstartups,sidehustles,and volunteer-runnonprofitsthatarereadyto growintotheirfirstfulltimeemployee
Thisno-costprogramculminatesinapitch eventforseedfunding
ACCELER8
Aneight-weekprogramdesignedasa catalystforexistingbusinessesand nonprofitswhoarereadytogrow Thisno-costprogramculminatesina investorordonorpitchevent
Program Mentors
These volunteers regularly support our in-person programs.
AJ Alston
Alison Shores
Bill Garlen
Bruce Miles
Bryan Farmer
Craig Watkins
Daren Pietsch
Darren Harper
George Ragsdale
Jeff Barker
Jennifer Lee
Jim Harper
Jim Lane
John Gross
Ken Jacobsen
Lance Sabbe
Linda Casotti
Mary Schellhorn
Megan Desrosiers
Scott Bird
Skip Mounts
Vanessa Wagner
Our Ecosystem Partners
These community resources play a significant role in our success and the success of our entrepreneurs.
Brunswick Downtown Development Authority
Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce
Camden County Chamber of Commerce
Camden County Joint Development Authority
City of Brunswick
Coastal Area District Development Authority
Coastal Regional Commission
College of Coastal Georgia
Darien-McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce
Forward Brunswick
Georgia Center for Innovation
Golden Isles College & Career Academy
Golden Isles Development Authority
Golden Isles Talent Development Committee
McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority
One Hundred Miles
St Marys Methodist Church Foundation
Georgia Institute of Technology GaMEP
The Okefenokee Partnership
The UPS Stores of the Golden Isles
University of Georgia Small Business Development Center
OUR FRIENDS & FOUNDERS
Thank you to the generous donors who make our work possible
Executive Founders
Our Most Invested Donors
Arthur and Lindee Lucas Family Foundation
St Marys Methodist Church Foundation
The Evergreen Foundation
Bradbury Family Trust
Jim Hunter, Impact Assets
Robert L Guido
Coalition on Adult Basic Education
William (Skip) Mounts
Lee Cohen
Robin B Durant
Russel S. Mentzer
Scott N Ledbetter
Torras Family Foundation
Ande Noktes
Director Circle
Strategic Supporters of our Mission
City of Brunswick
Earl E Benson
Rita Spalding
Pryce May
Tom Draffin
Alston Industries Limited Co
Daren and Angie Pietsch
Don Wright
Friends of the Lucas Center
Our Champions in the Community
Argent Foundation
John B Peters
Peyton Garris
Colette Fried
Certiport
Rees M Sumerford
S Lloyd Newberry
Terry Bridges
The Chapel
Tony Guthrie
Catina Tindall
Don G Myers
Golden Isles Development Authority
Greer Anderson
Release Marine
Savannah Distributors
TM Project Management Consulting Group
Vanessa Wagner
Tanya McDowell
McKenzie and Aaron Padgett
Robert B Fisher
Ronald Jacobs
Marcyline Bailey
Clyde Smith
Syvillia Averett
Evie Staples
Kayawna James
Ashley Jackson
Expand Coaching and Consulting
Madison Schroeder
AJ Alston
Gavin Noktes
Radiant Counseling