2nd Annual Funding Pitch by Southern Crescent Women In Business

Welcome to

The Southern Crescent’s Second Funding Pitch Hosted by Southern Crescent Women in Business

September 17, 2020 6:00pm-8:30pm

Message From Ariel Shaw, MBA Founder and President of Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc

“Thank you to all that made this event happen during a very stressful time in our great country and local community. Even more now, small businesses are important and we must do all that we can to support the local community and the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs. Congratulations to all the ladies that are participating in this event. Thank you to our amazing sponsors, community, and our leaders for supporting businesses and Southern Crescent Women In Business�

About Founder

Ariel Shaw, MBA, is the Founder and President of Southern Crescent Women In Business. A conglomerate of women owned businesses and women in business. Ariel’s goal and mission behind the creation of Southern Crescent Women in Business to provide foundational support for women-owned businesses and women in business in the Southern Crescent. Currently with three active chapters, Henry County Women In Business, Fayette County Women In Business and Clayton/Dekalb Women In Business.

Southern Crescent Women In Business has created networks where women can do business with each other and also increase the viability and sustainability of their businesses. Ariel is founder of a logistical management firm which operates out of Georgia. Find out more about Southern Crescent Women In Business at: www.scwibga.org

ABOUT Understanding the challenges that women entrepreneurs face, Southern Crescent Women in Business have developed key partnerships with the banking and finance industry to help increase access to capital. Southern Crescent Women In Business has also partnered with key leaders and political leaders to cohost the First Economic Summit in the Southern Crescent, bringing together some of the most influential thought leaders in the economic development and wealth building space.

According to the US Department of Labor Statistics, the fastest growing market of entrepreneurs are women. These female entrepreneurs are supporters and employers within their respective community. Women have created more businesses and contributed more than $40 Billion dollars in revenue over the last 10 years. There are more women in business than ever before and across all demographics. However, with this increase, also comes the reality that there is a need for more foundational support in order to be successful and Southern Crescent Women In Business hopes to be a key component of that needed support. Support of women owned businesses is an increase in job stability, family stability, a stronger school system and a more productive and robust economy.

Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc., has received Proclamations from the Georgia Senate, Fayetteville Mayor, Henry County Board of Commissioners, and more.

Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc has received Commendations from the Office of US Congressman David Scott and the Office of the Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Southern Crescent Women In Business seeks to level the economic landscape in assisting women owned business.

Southern Crescent Women In Business is a conduit to help strengthen and build key business relationships.

Southern Crescent Women In Business will provide the foundational support that is needed for women owned businesses and women in business in the Southern Crescent and beyond.

Southern Crescent Women In Business will help build upon key relationships with key stakeholders, community and business leaders to provide access of information and funding to women owned business and women in business in the Southern Crescent.

Agenda

Run of Show for Funding Pitch Date: Thursday, September 17, 2020 Location: Virtual Time: 6pm to 8:30pm 1.

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Music Opening Host and Program Begins Intro of Judges Presentations by Elected Officials Pitch Contestants Present and Judge Questions Intermission/Judges Deliberate/Audience Voting Certificate of Participation to All Participants Winner Announcements Wrap Up

DJ Kandy

DJ Kandy hails out of Birmingham, Alabama, and DJs all across the nation. When not performing, she spends her time in the “lab” creating her own mixes and perfecting her craft of mixing and blending. Her enormous love for, and knowledge of, all music genres allows her to create an atmosphere that is sure to keep your head nodding, your feet tapping, and your body on the dance floor. DJ Kandy is a highly desired DJ and her skills speak for themselves.

In 2019, she was voted ATL’s Hottest Female DJ. Her motto is: If the music is good, dance!

Markithia Haynes

At the tender age of 8 years old, Markithia Haynes began bellowing from the depths of her soul.

She has been singing ever since. As she got older, she began using her musical talent with an R&B group. This landed her to have two major record deals. However, spending most of her life in church, things began to change for her. Who she was singing to and for began to shift.

At the age of 18 years old Markithia became the worship and arts director for her home church Zion Baptist Church in Hampton, GA. She helped coordinate actives and lessons for Sunday school as well as leading worship for Sunday morning services. Markithia stopped singing R&B music at the young age of 22, in an effort to sing gospel music solely. This is where she made the best decision of her life. She began singing and leading worship from that point on.

Singing and leading worship has been a passion of hers since making that life-changing decision. Having the ability to encourage others to be their best selves and bringing them into the awareness of the God she serves is the gift that God has buried deep inside her very existence. So, in 2015 Markithia transition into the role of youth worship and arts direct at Tabernacle of Praise Church International in McDonough, GA. There she has been instrumental at teaching the next generation of worshipper from the ages of 5-18 years old how to cultivate the worship experience for their peers. All the while still leading worship in the main sanctuary to develop her gift more.

When she leads worship, the mere presence of God is felt almost immediately. Her heart’s desire is to give people the opportunity to hear what God has for them simply through the ministry of song. The anointing that she possesses is like no other, and it’s because of this that God has opened so many doors for her. Doors such as singing BGV’s (background vocals) for the likes of Tasha Cobbs, Jonathan Nelson, Micah Stampley, Vashawn Mitchell and Kelli Lewis.

Markithia is a pure example of walking in your calling, living in your purpose and allowing God to use the instrument that he’s gifted you for the saving of souls

Young Women Of Excellence is a program under Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc. Its focus is to influence, mentor, and train young women to be ready for the professional world.

It has developed partnerships with local colleges and universities to provide hands on training to assist college freshman and sophmores in career development, professional development, internships, and more.

We are excited about the opportunity to partner with local universities to provide this one on one life changing mentorship.

If you are interested in how you can partner, please email us at info@scwibga.org. “You really can change the world if you care enough.�

Marian Wright Edelman

We Advocate for Women-Owned and Small Businesses Advocacy for women owned businesses is an important pillar and aspect to what our organization does. Our advocacy reaches for the local, state, and national levels.

Through much advocacy, we were able to partner with elected officials and introduce House Bill 992. House Bill 992 requests tax breaks to help incentivize investing in women owned businesses.

Read the full bill

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LC 44 1443

House Bill 992 By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Kendrick of the 93rd, Thomas of the 39th, Thomas of the 56th, and Jackson of the 64th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

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To amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to

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income taxes, so as to provide for an income tax credit for investors in women owned

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businesses; to provide for definitions; to provide for registration with the commissioner of

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revenue; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for recapture; to provide for

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rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other

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purposes.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

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SECTION 1.

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Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes,

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is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

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"48-7-40.37.

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(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

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(1) 'Allowable credit' means the credit as it may be reduced pursuant to paragraph (3) of

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subsection (h) of this Code section.

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(2) 'Headquarters' means the principal administrative office of a business located in this

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state which conducts significant operations of such business.

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(3) 'Pass-through entity' means a partnership, an S-corporation, or a limited liability

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company taxed as a partnership.

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(4) 'Professional services' means those services specified in paragraph (2) of Code

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Section 14-7-2 or any service which requires the obtaining of a license from a state

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licensing board pursuant to Title 43 as a condition to the rendering of such service.

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(5) 'Qualified business' means a registered business that:

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(A) Is either a corporation, limited liability company, or general or limited partnership

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located in this state;

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(B) Was organized no more than five years before the qualified investment was made;

H. B. 992 -1-

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LC 44 1443

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(C) Has its headquarters located in this state at the time the investment was made and

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has maintained such headquarters for the entire time the qualified business benefited

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from the tax credit provided for in this Code section;

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(D) Employs 20 or fewer people in this state at the time it is registered as a qualified

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business;

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(E) Has had in any complete fiscal year before registration gross annual revenue of

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$500,000.00 or less on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with the

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Internal Revenue Code;

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(F) Has not obtained during its existence more than $1 million in aggregate gross cash

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proceeds from the issuance of its equity or debt investments, not including commercial

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loans from chartered banking or savings and loan institutions;

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(G) Has not utilized the tax credit described in Code Section 48-7-40.26;

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(H) Is primarily engaged in manufacturing, processing, online and digital warehousing,

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logistics, online and digital wholesaling, software development, information technology

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services, research and development, or a business providing services other than those

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described in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph;

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(I) Is owned and controlled by one or more women; and

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(J) Does not engage substantially in:

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(i) Real estate;

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(ii) Gambling;

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(iii) Natural resource extraction;

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(iv) Financial, brokerage, or investment activities or insurance; or

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(v) Amusement, recreation, or athletic or fitness activity for which an admission or

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membership is charged.

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A business shall be substantially engaged in one of the activities listed in this paragraph

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if its gross revenue from such activity exceeds 25 percent of its gross revenues in any

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fiscal year or it is established pursuant to its articles of incorporation, articles of

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organization, operating agreement, or similar organizational documents to engage in such

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activity as one of its primary purposes.

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(6) 'Qualified investment' means an investment by a qualified investor of cash in a

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qualified business for common or preferred stock or an equity interest or purchase for

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cash of qualified subordinated debt in a qualified business; provided, however, that funds

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constituting a qualified investment cannot have been raised or be raised as a result of

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other tax incentive programs. Furthermore, no investment of common or preferred stock

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or an equity interest or purchase for cash of qualified subordinated debt shall qualify as

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a qualified investment if a broker fee or commission or a similar remuneration is paid or

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given directly or indirectly for soliciting such investment or purchase.

H. B. 992 -2-

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LC 44 1443

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(7) 'Qualified investor' means an accredited investor as that term is defined by the United

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States Securities and Exchange Commission who is:

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(A) An individual person who is a resident of this state or a nonresident who is

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obligated to pay taxes imposed by this chapter; or

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(B) A pass-through entity which is formed for investment purposes, has no business

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operations, has committed capital under management of equal to or less than $5 million,

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and is not capitalized with funds raised or pooled through private placement

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memoranda directed to institutional investors. A venture capital fund or commodity

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fund with institutional investors or a hedge fund shall not qualify as a qualified investor.

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(8) 'Qualified subordinated debt' means indebtedness that is not secured, that may or may

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not be convertible into common or preferred stock or other equity interest, and that is

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subordinated in payment to all other indebtedness of the qualified business issued or to

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be issued for money borrowed and no part of which has a maturity date less than five

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years after the date such indebtedness was purchased.

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(9)

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commissioner as a qualified business at the time of application to the commissioner.

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(b) A qualified business shall register with the commissioner for purposes of this Code

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section. Approval of such registration shall constitute certification by the commissioner

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for 12 months after being issued. A business shall be permitted to renew its registration

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with the commissioner so long as, at the time of renewal, the business remains a qualified

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business.

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(c) Any individual person making a qualified investment directly in a qualified business

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in a particular calendar year shall be allowed a tax credit of 25 percent of the amount

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invested against the tax imposed by this chapter commencing on January 1 of the second

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year following the year in which the qualified investment was made as provided in this

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Code section, 15 percent of the amount invested against the tax imposed by this chapter

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commencing on January 1 of the third year following the year in which the qualified

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investment was made as provided in this Code section, and 10 percent of the amount

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invested against the tax imposed by this chapter commencing on January 1 of the fourth

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year following the year in which the qualified investment was made as provided in this

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Code section.

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(d) Any pass-through entity making a qualified investment directly in a qualified business

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in a particular calendar year shall be allowed a tax credit of 25 percent of the amount

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invested against the tax imposed by this chapter commencing on January 1 of the second

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year following the year in which the qualified investment was made as provided in this

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Code section, 15 percent of the amount invested against the tax imposed by this chapter

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commencing on January 1 of the third year following the year in which the qualified

'Registered' or 'registration' means that a business has been certified by the

H. B. 992 -3-

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LC 44 1443

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investment was made as provided in this Code section, and 10 percent of the amount

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invested against the tax imposed by this chapter commencing on January 1 of the fourth

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year following the year in which the qualified investment was made as provided in this

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Code section. Each individual who is a shareholder, partner, or member of an entity shall

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be allocated the credit allowed the pass-through entity in an amount determined in the same

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manner as the proportionate shares of income or loss of such pass-through entity would be

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determined. If an individual's share of the pass-through entity's credit is limited due to the

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maximum allowable credit under this Code section for a taxable year, the pass-through

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entity and its owners may not reallocate the unused credit among the other owners.

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(e) Tax credits claimed pursuant to this Code section shall be subject to the following

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conditions and limitations:

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(1) The qualified investor shall not be eligible for the credit for the taxable year in which

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the qualified investment is made but shall be eligible for the credit for the second taxable

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year beginning after the qualified investment is made as provided in subsection (c) or (d)

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of this Code section;

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(2) The aggregate amount of credit allowed an individual for one or more qualified

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investments in a single taxable year under this Code section, whether made directly or by

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a pass-through entity and allocated to such individual, shall not exceed $100,000.00;

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(3) In no event shall the amount of the tax credit allowed an individual under this Code

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section for a taxable year exceed such individual's Georgia net income tax liability. Any

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unused credit amount shall be allowed to be carried forward for five years from the close

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of the taxable year in which the qualified investment was made. No such credit shall be

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allowed against prior years' tax liability;

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(4) The qualified investor's basis in the common or preferred stock, equity interest, or

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subordinated debt acquired as a result of the qualified investment shall be reduced for

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purposes of this chapter by the amount of the allowable credit; and

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(5) The credit shall not be transferrable by the qualified investor except to the heirs and

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legatees of the qualified investor upon his or her death and to his or her spouse or incident

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to divorce.

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(f) The registration of a business as a qualified business shall be subject to the following

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conditions and limitations:

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(1) If the commissioner finds that any of the information contained in an application of

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a business for registration under this Code section is false, the commissioner shall revoke

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the registration of such business. The commissioner shall not revoke the registration of

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a business solely because it ceases business operations for an indefinite period of time,

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so long as the business renews its registration;

H. B. 992 -4-

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LC 44 1443

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(2) A registration as a qualified business may not be sold or otherwise transferred, except

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that, if a qualified business enters into a merger, conversion, consolidation, or other

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similar transaction with another business and the surviving company would otherwise

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meet the criteria for being a qualified business, the surviving company retains the

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registration for the 12 month registration period without further application to the

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commissioner. In such a case, the qualified business must provide the commissioner with

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written notice of the merger, conversion, consolidation, or similar transaction and such

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other information as required by the commissioner; and

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(3) The commissioner shall report to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the

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Senate Finance Committee each year all of the businesses that have registered with the

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commissioner as a qualified business. The report shall include the name and address of

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each business, the location of its headquarters, a description of the types of business in

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which it engages, the number of jobs created by the business during the period covered

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by the report, and the average wages paid by these jobs.

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(g) Any credit claimed under this Code section shall be recaptured in the following

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situations and shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations:

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(1) If within two years after the qualified investment was made, the qualified investor

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transfers any of the securities or qualified subordinated debt received in the qualified

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investment to another person or entity, other than a transfer resulting from one of the

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following:

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(A) The death of the investor;

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(B) A transfer to the spouse of the investor or incident to divorce; or

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(C) A merger, conversion, consolidation, sale of the qualified business's assets, or

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similar transaction requiring approval by the owners of the qualified business under

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applicable law, to the extent the investor does not receive cash or tangible property in

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such merger, conversion, consolidation, sale, or other similar transaction;

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(2) Except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, if within five years after the

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qualified investment was made, the qualified business makes a redemption with respect

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to the securities received or pays any principal of the qualified subordinated debt;

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(3) If within two years after the qualified investment was made, the investor participates

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in the operation of the qualified business. For the purposes of this paragraph, a qualified

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investor participates in the operation of a qualified business if the qualified investor, or

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the qualified investor's spouse, parent, sibling, or child, or a business controlled by any

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of these individuals, provides services of any nature to the qualified business for

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compensation, whether as an employee, a contractor, or otherwise; provided, however,

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that a person who provides uncompensated professional advice to a qualified business,

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whether as an officer, a member of the board of directors or managers, or otherwise, or H. B. 992 -5-

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LC 44 1443

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participates in a stock or membership option or stock or membership plan, or both, shall

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be eligible for the credit;

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(4) The amount of the credit recaptured shall apply only to the qualified investment in

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the particular qualified business in which the investment was made;

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(5) The amount of the recaptured tax credit determined under this subsection shall be

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added to the qualified investor's income tax liability for the taxable year in which the

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recapture occurs under this subsection; and

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(6) In the event the credit is recaptured because the qualified business ceases business

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operations, dissolves, or liquidates, the qualified investor may claim either the credit

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authorized under this Code section or any capital loss the qualified investor otherwise

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would be able to claim regarding that qualified business, but shall not be authorized to

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claim and be allowed both.

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(h)(1) A qualified investor seeking to claim a tax credit provided for under this Code

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section shall submit an application to the commissioner for tentative approval of such tax

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credit between September 1 and October 31 of the year for which the tax credit is claimed

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or allowed. The commissioner shall promulgate the rules and forms on which the

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application is to be submitted. Amounts specified on such application shall not be

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changed by the qualified investor after the application is approved by the commissioner.

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The commissioner shall review such application and shall tentatively approve such

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application upon determining that it meets the requirements of this Code section.

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(2) The commissioner shall provide tentative approval of the applications by the date

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provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, provided that the total aggregate amount of

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all tax credits allowed to investors or pass-through entities for investments made in a

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calendar year and claimed and allowed in the following taxable year shall not exceed $5

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million in such year.

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(3) The commissioner shall notify each qualified investor of the tax credits tentatively

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approved and allocated to such qualified investor by December 31 of the year in which

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the application was submitted. In the event that the credit amounts on the tax credit

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applications filed with the commissioner exceed the maximum aggregate limit of tax

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credits under this subsection, then the tax credits shall be allocated among the qualified

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investors who filed a timely application on a pro rata basis based upon the amounts

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otherwise allowed by this Code section. Once the tax credit application has been

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approved and the amount approved has been communicated to the applicant, the qualified

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investor may then apply the amount of the approved tax credit to its tax liability for the

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tax year for which the approved application applies.

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(i) The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement

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and administer this Code section."

H. B. 992 -6-

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LC 44 1443 SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

H. B. 992 -7-

Judges

SCWIB Leadership & Representatives

Contestants

Southern Crescent Women In Business is Award Winning

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LC 121 0308

Senate Resolution 905 By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Anderson of the 43rd, Williams of the 39th, Davenport of the 44th, Jordan of the 6th and others

A RESOLUTION

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Recognizing Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc.; and for other purposes.

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WHEREAS, Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc. is a conglomerate of women-owned

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businesses and women in business who are working to change the economic landscape in the

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southern crescent of Georgia, which includes Henry County, Fayette County, DeKalb

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County, Clayton County, South Fulton, and more; and

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WHEREAS, the organization seeks to level the economic playing field in assisting

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women-owned businesses, using its platform to help strengthen and build key relationships;

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and

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WHEREAS, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fastest growing

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market of entrepreneurs is women, and women have contributed more than $40 billion in

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revenue over the last ten years; and

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WHEREAS, with this increase, Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc. works to provide

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the foundational support that is needed for women-owned businesses and women in business

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in the Southern Crescent area and beyond, and it will help build upon important relationships

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with the key stakeholders and community and business leaders to provide access to

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information and funding for women-owned businesses; and

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WHEREAS, understanding the challenges that women entrepreneurs face, Southern Crescent

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Women In Business Inc. has developed key partnerships with the banking and finance

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industry to help open access to capital; and

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WHEREAS, Southern Crescent Women In Business Inc. continues to bring influential

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leaders in economic development, finance, and entrepreneurship in order to strengthen

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communities, reach economic advancement, and open opportunities for other dynamic

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women.

S. R. 905 -1-

Advertisement and Digital Sponsors

Congratulations to the Southern Crescent Women in Business On their 2nd Annual Funding Pitch

Board of Directors

James C. Carter, Jr./Chairman

Warren Holder/Vice Chairman

Carlotta Harrell/Secretary

Zuwena R. Poole

Cletonya LaGrand Stidom

Lindy Farmer, Executive Director

We show businesses why their future is brighter in Georgia.

New jobs have a powerful effect. Every factory or tech firm that opens its doors makes surrounding communities that much stronger. That’s why Georgia Power works hard to bring new businesses here, creating over 134,000 new jobs in the last 10 years alone. And showing people across our state more possibilities than ever before. To see how we’re generating opportunity, visit GeorgiaPower.com/growth. ©2018 Georgia Power. All rights reserved.

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