State Representative Arlene Beckles (D-Norcross) has been chosen to deliver the opening remarks at the Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) Women’s Business Center’s first Financial Small Business Clinic: Path to Capital. The clinic is a six-week pilot program aimed at helping small business owners gain financial knowledge and tools to secure funding and support sustainable growth.
“I am honored to have been selected to deliver opening remarks for this critical pilot program,” said Rep. Beckles. “Programs like this make it possible for small business owners to expand on their business skills and increase their understanding of financial tools available to them. When small business owners are financially empowered, our communities and state thrive. This clinic is a vital resource to our entrepreneurs and, in return, our state’s economy. I look forward to meeting current and future local business leaders.”
The program will run from August 5 through October 14, 2025, with 17 participants attending both in-person and virtual sessions. Rep. Beckles will open the program by emphasizing the role of financial literacy among small businesses in supporting economic development across the Atlanta metro area.
Sandra Font, senior director of ACE Women’s Business Center, oversees the initiative, while Dr. Eric Stanley Bonaparte serves as facilitator. The clinic is part of ACE’s ongoing efforts to provide entrepreneurs with practical financial education.
Participants will receive 12 hours of group training along with personalized coaching on subjects such as financial management basics, cash flow optimization, analyzing financial statements, interpreting business metrics, credit evaluation, loan underwriting processes, planning for funding acquisition, connecting directly with lending representatives, exploring funding sources, and using practical tools like Excel templates and SAGE accounting system demonstrations.
Burns was elected as a Republican representative for Georgia’s 159th House District in 2005 after Ray Holland.
