John Paschal is a revered Business Coach with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. His expertise includes, provide coaching, training, and resources, assisting with business plans, and loan applications. He has a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs today.
FMM: You are a Business Coach with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. Share your background.
I have been in the financial world for about 18 years. I was a branch manager with Wells Fargo and one of my tasks was to train and coach business bankers. I also worked in the mortgage industry for 5 years, which gave me a lot of experience in how to get your financials ready for funding.
FMM: Tell us about your small business coaching and how you are helping entrepreneurs today.
I work with all types of businesses; from start up to growth. Everything we do at the Urban League is free of charge. I like to consider myself more than just a coach. I try to build relationships with my clients. If they know I care about them and I am invested in their growth, then we can accomplish true success. I push my clients to get out of their comfort zone. My moto is “We can’t be secret agent business owners”. We must get out and let the world know about our business, be ready to discuss and give people your elevator pitch. I am your business partner that doesn’t want any money.
FMM: The Urban League of Greater Atlanta has been empowering communities and changing lives for years. What resources do you offer?
We offer Accelerator classes (10-week classes) for start-up and growth level businesses. We have a product accelerator course, a food service course, and general business course. We have a business plan bootcamp, a Young CEO’s program, as well as an AARP class for 50+ business owners. We get out into the community with Information sessions to let them know who we are and what we have to offer. We have an annual event called “Meet the Money People” in which we bring in all levels of lenders, Venture Capitalist, Angel Investors, Banks, CDFI’s and Alternative Lenders. It allows the business owners to understand what is required to get funding straight from the lenders.
FMM: Can you share a few success stories?
I have many clients who have had some great success while working with me. One is Che’ Renee owner Che Houston. I have a client I recently started working with who has been in business for many years but was so excited with the information I gave her. I was able to connect her with opportunities that have increased her business and brought her more awareness in the community. She was on a radio show and a podcast over the last few weeks.
I have a client who listened to me and brought her cupcakes to every event we had and she was able to partner with a restaurant and provide the desserts for that restaurant and was able to get a free vendor table at a festival in Clayton Co.
FMM: What other areas do you focus on for the community?
The Urban League of Greater Atlanta has a Community Emergency Relief Fund, Work Force, Youth and Young Adult Center, YouthBuild, Re-entry Program, Housing and Financial Education, Department for Social Justice, and of course The Entrepreneur Center.