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Stanley Martin Homes has acquired a 17.13-acre site located at 1065 Fayetteville Road SE in DeKalb County, Georgia. This development site, known as Sugar Creek, will feature 103 townhomes, catering to new home buyers just 15 minutes from Downtown Atlanta. 

Sugar Creek is 3 miles from the East Lake MARTA train station, 1.6 miles from the Moreland Street MARTA bus station, 1.5 miles from Memorial Drive, and 1 mile to the nearby East Lake Golf Club. The neighborhood will feature a three-story townhome that will appeal to different lifestyles with its open-concept floor plan and home office on the first floor. Stanley Martin will also be offering a larger two-story townhome that will live like a single-family home. 

“We are excited to bring this new community to DeKalb County,” said Mike Walters, Division President at Stanley Martin Homes. “Sugar Creek will provide buyers with contemporary townhomes in an ideal location close to Atlanta’s amenities and transportation options, helping us meet the growing demand for urban housing.” 
Land development and design work are now underway, and Stanley Martin Homes plans to begin home sales by mid-2026. The homes’ price points will reflect a range of options, offering accessibility and variety to meet the needs of different buyers. 

This new addition to Stanley Martin Homes’ portfolio is part of its ongoing commitment to creating communities in convenient locations that combine quality craftsmanship with increasing housing needs. 

The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association hosted the 44th annual Professionalism (OBIE) Awards on Saturday, October 19th, at the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Under the leadership of Lori Lane, President and Managing Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division and their builder/developer clients took home an incredible 22 gold and 6 silver awards.

Pictured: Lori Lane, Jim Beveridge, DeAnn Golden, and Liz Treadwell.

The OBIE Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in homebuilding, highlighting excellence in building, marketing, and personal accomplishments across more than 100 categories. This year, the New Homes Division was honored with 14 gold and 2 silver marketing awards, including Best Website – Community, Best Website – Associate, Best Online Banner Ad, Best Interactive Tool, Best Social App, Best Marketing Campaign, Best Brochure, and Best Newspaper Ad.

In addition to their marketing success, the division’s builder clients—Trilith Development, Patrick Malloy Communities, JW Collection, McKinney Builders, Baker Homes, Vision Development Partners, and David Patterson Homes—were also recognized with top honors, solidifying their status as leaders in Atlanta’s homebuilding industry.

Lori Lane, who also serves as Senior Vice President of Luxury and Global, has been a transformative figure in the real estate world. Her innovative strategies for marketing and selling new construction homes have earned her and her team hundreds of industry awards. Lane emphasizes, “True success is a journey fueled by dedication and passion; it’s about building not just homes, but lasting relationships and a legacy of excellence.”

Pictured: (Top): Laura Watkins, DeAnn Golden, Lori Lane, Tim Baldus, Stefanie Bloom, Emiko Yang. (Bottom): Shelley Washer, Anna Bailey, Brooke Feldman

Over the past 18 months, the New Homes Division has consistently held the position of the #1 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in the region. The division has also earned a coveted spot among the top 30 offices in the global Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, a remarkable achievement reflecting their unwavering commitment to excellence in sales and marketing.

The New Homes Division’s contributions extend beyond awards and sales figures. Lane and her team are reshaping Atlanta’s real estate landscape through innovative marketing strategies and a client-first approach. “We’re fortunate to collaborate with builder and developer partners who inspire us daily. Together, we’ve redefined what’s possible in real estate marketing and sales,” Lane added.

As they continue to elevate standards in both new home and luxury real estate sales, the New Homes Division remains a driving force in the industry.

Associated Credit Union (ACU), a financial institution that serves more than 158,000 members at 18 locations in Georgia, is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at North Springs High School (7447 Roswell Road) on Monday, December 16. Participating North Springs students, along with school and ACU leadership, will officially open the dedicated space for ACU’s Work-Based Learning Program in the school.  

WHAT: The Work-Based Learning Program is part of ACU’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment. This student program is integrated within the school environment to alleviate transportation concerns typically associated with after-school jobs and effectively connect students with valuable work experience that leads to future careers.

By investing in the growth of future leaders, ACU aims to support their success and enhance their potential within the financial industry and beyond.The North Springs collaboration integrates with ACU’s e-branch department, offering students the opportunity to work as junior interactive service representatives. These students gain valuable hands-on experience by engaging in a range of financial operations, from processing deposits and withdrawals to assisting with loan payments for customers utilizing interactive teller machines (ITMs.)

 The program expansion into North Springs follows the student success last school year experienced at Marietta High School and underscores ACU’s commitment to providing meaningful career pathways for students and supporting community development. 

WHO:               Participating Students: 

• Elizabeth Peddi
• Jayden Austin 
• Zahria Inglis

Representatives from the School:

• Principal Michael Scott Hanson
• Brian Patterson
• Sandy Spring Chamber of Commerce
• Fulton County School System

Representatives from ACU:

• Heiwote Tadesse – EVP of Member Relations
• Raj Subramanian – Business Development Manager
• Michael Huff – VP of Retail Services 

WHEN:             Monday, December 16 @ 8:30am

WHERE:            North Springs High School (7447 Roswell Road)

Emory University is proud to announce the launch of the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program, a collaboration between The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, Goizueta Business School’s Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Techstars, the world’s most active pre-seed investor. This proven pre-accelerator program is designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs with world-class startup education, mentorship, and opportunities to scale their ventures.

Applications are now open through January 17 for the inaugural cohort of 20 ventures, launching early 2025. 

• The program will culminate in a pitch competition in April, where participating teams will showcase their innovative ideas to investors, mentors, and the entrepreneurial community.

• Participation is open to all members of the Emory community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

• Teams need at least one Emory-affiliated member actively involved with the startup and must commit to weekly in-person sessions. 

• Participation in the Founder Catalyst program is free of charge for all founders, and there is no requirement to share equity in the startups or accept onerous investment terms to participate.

For more information and to apply for the Spring 2025 cohort, visit the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst webpage or contact entrepreneurship@emory.edu

“Partnering with Techstars, an internationally renowned accelerator, allows us to extend the impact of entrepreneurship across Emory and beyond,” said Ben Garrett, Director of The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation. “The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program builds on our commitment to equipping the next generation of founders with the tools, mentorship, and confidence they need to bring their innovative ideas to life, no matter the industry or focus.”

The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation has long been at the forefront of entrepreneurship education at Emory. The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program will replace its existing Startup Launch Accelerator in 2025, reflecting a strategic evolution in Emory’s entrepreneurship offerings.

“This collaboration with Techstars represents a significant step forward for Emory’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Brian Cayce, Managing Director of The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “By connecting our community with Techstars’ global expertise, we’re positioning Emory founders for exceptional success on both local and national stages.”

Emory will again turn to Christy Brown as the Lead Facilitator, an experienced entrepreneur and instructor who has guided startups through early growth stages. Brown emphasized the program’s hands-on approach, stating, “Entrepreneurship is all about action. Through this program, founders will not only learn from the best but also actively build and test their ventures, developing the resilience and creativity they’ll need for long-term success.”

Under the leadership of Wilbur Lam, Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship at Emory, the university has focused on enhancing resources and connections for innovators across disciplines. “Emory’s partnership with Techstars exemplifies the collaborative spirit that drives our entrepreneurial vision,” said Lam. “We are deeply committed to creating opportunities that empower our students, faculty, staff and alumni to turn their ideas into impactful ventures.”

Techstars brings unparalleled expertise to this collaboration. As the world’s leading pre-seed investor, Techstars has helped launch and scale thousands of successful startups worldwide. Katie Smith, Head of Startup Community at Techstars, shared her excitement: “We’re thrilled to bring Techstars’ proven pre-accelerator model to Emory University. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to combine Emory’s incredible talent with Techstars’ resources and global network, creating a launchpad for tomorrow’s leading innovators.”

Vaycaychella, Inc. (OTC Pink: VAYK) (“VAYK”) today announces that it has renewed the joint-venture agreement to renovate and operate Rufus Rose House, the only standing Victorian mansion in downtown Atlanta, which has 123 years of history and is a National Register of Historic Place. The property currently has a cost value of $2.1 million, and is anticipated to reach a market value of $5 – 8 million upon completion of renovation.

20% Sweet Equity on $5-8 Million Airbnb Property

Under the renewed JV agreement, VAYK will continue to manage the renovation of this historic landmark into a boutique, multi-unit short-term rental (Airbnb etc.) property. VAYK is entitled to a 20% “sweet equity” of the JV, and will receive more equity proportionally when it raises capital for the JV. 

“Rufus Rose House is a unique historic treasure and has unrivaled value as a short-term rental, “says Stephanie Anderl, interim CEO of Vaycaychella. “Not only its stunning and aged beauty, both interior and exterior,  will appeal to tourists and vacationists who appreciate its antique value, but also its ideal location — sitting in the busiest street, only one block from the tallest downtown building (the Bank of American Tower), and within walk distance to numerous attractions including the historic Fox Theater –  promises a future for it to become the most sought-after Airbnb place in downtown Atlanta.”

“Most Sought-After Airbnb Place” to Be Completed Prior to FIFA 2026 

In the year 2023, 71.3 million visitors set their feet in downtown Atlanta.

Tourism to Atlanta is expected to explode as the city will host FIFA 2026 world cup. Soccer is the most popular sports in the world and FIFA world cup is the most important event of soccer, held only once every 4 years. VAYK aims to complete the renovation of Rufus Rose House and put it into operation prior to FIFA 2026.

$157 million Federal Funds granted to Nearby Neighborhoods 

In addition, the city of Atlanta has started a grand project with $157 million of federal funds, called “the Stitch”, which is only two blocks from Rufus Rose House. The Stitch (https://thestitchatl.com/) is a transformational civic infrastructure investment committed to reconnect Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. Once implemented, the Stitch will create approximately 14 acres of urban greenspace and transportation enhancements atop a new, 3/4-mile platform spanning the Downtown Connector between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue. The Stitch is expected to stimulate $2-3 billion in private real estate investments in surrounding neighborhoods.

Before the launch of the Stitch,  Vaycaychella management estimated that the short-term rental business of Rufus Rose House may generate $500,000 to $700,000 annually.  Now VAYK management believes that “the upside of Rufus Rose House will be much higher” despite that no specific numbers have been provided.

The current owner of Rufus Rose House bought this property in 2021 for $1.65 million, and had since then spent several hundreds of thousands to repair and reinforce its structure. Its original goal was to renovate it into an upscale office building. However, Vaycaychella convinced the owner that this property is more suitable for short-term rental, and was entrusted with the exclusive rights to manage its renovation, and to operate it as an Airbnb after renovation.

Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies’ contracts, the companies’ liquidity position, the companies’ ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.

The holiday season is upon us. Perhaps your loved one’s wish list includes concert tickets for Metallica, Post Malone or other acts touring in Atlanta this upcoming year. And, aside from the inevitable fad gadget-of-the-moment, it’s likely the most expensive item on there.

Read More At: The Atlantic Journal-Constitution

Constant Contact, a digital marketing and automation platform that has helped millions of small businesses and nonprofits globally, today announced its latest Small Business Now report. Featuring insights from over 1,600 small businesses (SMBs) and 3,000 consumers across the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the findings indicate that an unstable global economy and shifting consumer behaviors are putting pressure on SMBs as they strive to make the most of the year’s final quarter.

Many small businesses rely on a strong holiday season to make ends meet, and while inflation has cooled from previous highs, its longtail impact is being felt by both SMBs and their customers. Constant Contact’s Small Business Now report reveals that 89 percent of SMBs globally have been impacted by inflation, and 52 percent of consumers have reduced their spending at SMBs due to inflationary pressures. With 33 percent of SMBs saying they feel the most pressure to drive revenue in the fourth quarter, adjusting their marketing to account for these challenges will be essential to their success this holiday season.

“Small businesses are incredibly resilient, but as they head into a holiday season filled with uncertainty, they must get proactive in their marketing to ensure success,” said Sarah Jordan, chief marketing officer at Constant Contact. “Our study shows that despite inflation, shoppers still want to support small businesses, so the SMBs who thrive will be the ones who start their holiday marketing early, streamline their work with automations, and engage customers consistently throughout the season.”

Inflation is forcing SMBs and consumers to adapt their holiday approach

Almost every SMB polled is taking action to mitigate the impact of inflation on their business, and holiday shoppers are rethinking where they purchase gifts.

• 46 percent of SMBs have cut back on expenses to manage costs, and 39 percent have raised prices
• Canadian small businesses are the least likely to have raised their prices (35 percent)
• 52 percent of consumers globally have reduced their spending at small businesses this year, led by Australia (60 percent) and Canada (56 percent)
• The percentage of U.S. consumers planning to decrease their spending at small businesses (52 percent) has almost doubled since 2022 (27 percent)
• 62 percent of consumers cite price as a key factor in their holiday shopping decisions

During their busy season, SMBs are not confident in their marketing

Small businesses plan on getting most of their annual revenue during the holiday season, and that urgency causes them to spend extra time on marketing during the fourth quarter. However, many SMBs spread themselves too thin and struggle to see a return on their efforts.

• The percent of SMBs that attribute at least 50 percent of annual sales to the holiday period has nearly doubled since 2023
• Canadian small businesses are the most reliant on holiday sales, with 21 percent stating at least half of their annual revenue is generated during the last quarter
• 65 percent of SMBs struggle with either budget constraints or time management during the last quarter
• 79 percent of SMBs who measure their marketing effectiveness feel uncertain that their holiday strategy was effective in 2023
• 20 percent of SMBs have no way to measure the impact of their holiday marketing

Waiting until October to plan is a missed opportunity for SMBs

October is considered the unofficial start to the holiday season, but there’s reason to believe that SMBs shouldn’t wait that long to switch into holiday mode. Consumer desire to support small businesses remains constant throughout the year, so planning ahead can help SMBs beat the holiday rush.

• 99 percent of consumers revisit the same businesses each year to do their holiday shopping
• 92 percent of consumers who revisit businesses during the holidays plan to include SMBs in their shopping plans this year
• 58 percent of U.K. consumers start thinking about the holiday season before October, compared to 38 percent of consumers globally
• 42 percent of SMBs globally wait until at least October to start prepping for the holidays
• 30 percent of SMBs in Australia have not started their holiday marketing by November
• 57 percent of SMBs begin to increase the frequency of their marketing communications in the last three months of the year

Small marketing tweaks can help SMBs attract shoppers and avoid last season’s mistakes

Small businesses stated that the biggest holiday mistake they made in 2023 was trying to do too many things at once with their marketing. This year, SMBs are aiming for improved efficiency and measurable results as they try to capitalize on shopper intent and insulate themselves from economic uncertainty.

• The top three things SMBs are doing to have a successful holiday season are improving their efficiency (35 percent), offering special promotions or discounts (28 percent) and creating an end-of-year marketing strategy (26 percent)
• Canadian small businesses are significantly more likely than other regions to test new marketing tools or technology in preparation for a successful end-of-year
• Small businesses in Australia are much more likely to start ordering inventory earlier than usual
• 78 percent of consumers plan to holiday shop at a small business they have never purchased from before
• 51 percent of SMBs believe social media marketing and email marketing have the biggest impact on their holiday goals

To learn more about the findings from Constant Contact’s Small Business Now, download the report.

Every bit as proud of the award-winning work The Edge Agency creates on behalf of its clients, founder Alexandra Radford also revels in her company’s stature as a women-owned business. The Metro Atlanta branding firm recently received two prestigious certifications – Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB). Both mark significant achievements for Radford’s company seven years after opening its doors in 2017. To celebrate, Radford and her team gifted clothing, makeovers, and a professional photo shoot to the residents of the House of Cherith. The support of the women-focused nonprofit served as a way for The Edge Agency to pay their accomplishments forward to women in need. 

Launched in 2014, House of Cherith provides safe housing and supportive services where women can recover from the trauma of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The Edge Team selected the nonprofit because they were touched by its mission to help its residents reclaim their dignity and self-worth, renew their faith in humanity, and rekindle their passion for a lifetime of success. The branding agency partnered with Beauty Babes ATL to provide hair and makeup to House of Cherith residents. In addition to the gifts of a makeover and photoshoot, Edge is taking up a collection of gently used clothes to help the nonprofit’s residents build a wardrobe and feel empowered. Radford and her team welcome the community to join them by bringing their clothing donations to Thrive Coworking space at 500 Buford Highway in Suwanee through the end of 2024. 

“Women can be incredibly impactful, and I’m beyond honored that The Edge Agency is made up of so many talented and powerful women,” said Radford. “Both of our certifications were achieved after a rigorous vetting process, and – instead of simply celebrating in a traditional way – we felt compelled to pay it forward. As a branding company founded in faith, the choice to support House of Cherith was a natural one for me and my team. We chose to honor its residents because, honestly, nothing breaks our hearts more than the most basic human rights being denied to anyone. We loved the idea of planting a seed of hope in women who have felt hopeless. So many successful female leaders get to enjoy the little luxuries of life. If for no other reason than to make the residents of House of Cherith feel special for a day, that was enough for us to lavish these ladies with some well-deserved glitz and glam. After all, that’s what women do best – we lift each other up when we’re down. That’s what it’s about. It was an impactful day, and everyone in the room got the opportunity to feel beautiful. Besides being made to feel as special as they are, these ladies now have professional headshots that they can use on their social media profiles and resumes as they get back on their feet.” 

Widely recognized by corporations, government agencies, and other entities, to achieve the WBENC Certification, companies must be at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. Established in 1997, the WBENC is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States and a leading advocate for women-owned businesses in corporate and government supply chains. An offering from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the WOSB certification levels the playing field for women business owners – paving the way for The Edge Agency to compete for federal contracts. 

In addition to achieving these two certifications, The Edge Agency is a participant in the inaugural Gwinnett Chamber Foundation Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program – designed to open doors for supplier diversity certifications and opportunities for women, minorities, and veterans alike. Companies or organizations seeking to launch, pivot, or elevate their brands are invited to learn more about The Edge Agency, its capabilities, skilled team, and the industries it serves by visiting www.TheEdgeAgency.net. They are also encouraged to follow The Edge Agency on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.