06/01/2026
I’ve remained quiet up until now…
What’s happening to the small business community in Douglasville is something I’ve never truly experienced before — not as an entrepreneur, and not even as an employee.
When I first stepped foot in Douglasville, I made it my business to connect with fellow business owners. I wanted to hear the truth: the pros, the cons, and what it really meant to build in a “growing” city.
Over time, I’ve watched 10+ small businesses close their doors or make the tough decision to pivot and relocate. It’s happening at an alarming rate. So much so, you eventually start safeguarding your own business — only to realize there’s only so much YOU can do when you’re trying to buy into a place that doesn’t always buy into its own.
I quickly realized I could not be the savior without feeling the full weight of my efforts.
There is no amount of viral videos, celebrity shoutouts, or social media moments that can override the reality of a plummeting local economy. And this is coming from someone entering Year 3 of business in a city I took a chance on.
The upside? I’ve learned that if I can survive and thrive here, I can thrive anywhere.
Sending love to the businesses that gained enough momentum to pivot and relocate — and even more love to the ones who exhausted every option and still had to make the heartbreaking decision to close their doors.
If you’re reading this and you’re a small business owner, I want to encourage you to…
Keep going. Keep building. Keep choosing purpose — even when the place you’re building in makes it harder than it should be.
