Spark Thomasville Celebrates Entrepreneurial Achievements at 2025 Milestone Event

On November 25, 2025, Spark Thomasville marked a significant occasion by celebrating the graduation of the Fall 2025 Signature Entrepreneur Training Program and the impressive performances at the 2025 Spark Tank Pitch Competition. The event, held at SRTC (Southern Regional Technical College), highlighted the community’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Celebrating Innovation and Community Support

This year’s event was themed “From Dreams to Reality,” reflecting the spirit of local entrepreneurs who showcased their innovative ideas. The evening commenced with an Entrepreneur Expo, where participants displayed their products and services, providing an opportunity for networking and community support.

During the event, Pastor Israel Blake led a dedication honoring the legacy of founding Board Member Nathaniel Abrams, Jr. and entrepreneurs Kentrella Shoats and Chynekqua Lott, whose contributions continue to inspire the mission of Spark. Board Member Jay Flowers emphasized the importance of backing underestimated entrepreneurs, sharing his personal journey as an entrepreneur. “I started from scratch. It’s really hard to start from scratch when you’ve been left behind,” he stated, urging the community to support local entrepreneurs.

Showcasing Entrepreneurial Talent

After extensive preparation, the entrepreneurs took to the Spark Tank stage to deliver compelling pitches. Their efforts were supported by Spark’s training, coaching, and the access to affordable capital provided by the Spark Alumni Loan Fund, serviced by InvestTVL and underwritten by Albany Community Together (ACT).

ACT Founder and Executive Director Dr. Thelma Johnson commended the cohort, stating, “Spark’s entrepreneurs are extraordinary. Several are truly finance-ready, and all demonstrated a strong grasp of their numbers and business goals.” She noted that the financial workshops significantly impacted the entrepreneurs’ understanding of key business concepts.

Special awards were presented to outstanding participants. Marcus Paytee Jr. of Power 4 Ease Electric was named the Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Cohort. DeBorah Warren of Care-Apy Coaching & Events received the Spirit of Community & Mentorship Award, while Candiece Jackson of Candy’s World Hair & Nail Salon earned the Resilience in Entrepreneurship Award.

Graduate Anthony Rauls shared his transformative experience in the Spark cohort, stating, “My experience in the Spark cohort was truly impactful. It helped me grow as a business owner, tighten up my systems, and build real confidence in what I’m doing.” Rauls expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the lessons learned throughout the program.

Executive Director DeShay Williams reflected on the organization’s remarkable progress in 2025. “From 2019 to 2024, the community helped Spark graduate 70 entrepreneurs. In 2025 alone, we graduated another 70. One year equaled the impact of the previous five years combined. This isn’t just growth — it’s a community breakthrough,” she stated.

Williams elaborated on the various cohorts designed to cater to both entrepreneur and community needs. These included the Business Finance Essentials Series, Tax Preparation Assistance, Construction Cohort, Childcare Provider Business Training, and the Signature 12-Week Program. She emphasized the collaborative nature of Spark’s mission, illustrating it with the image of four connected circles creating a spark at the center. “When we live the Spark mission together, transformation happens,” she concluded.

The event showcased the resilience and creativity of Thomasville’s entrepreneurs and underscored the importance of community support in fostering economic mobility and opportunity.