
In the glossy world of entrepreneurship, success stories dominate the headlines. But what happens at 9:59 AM when you're one minute away from losing it all? For those navigating the complex waters of business ownership — from triumphs to foreclosures — the Empower Success Fest Accelerator promises something different: real conversations about real challenges, and most importantly, real paths forward.
Launching in February 2025, this groundbreaking six-week cohort brings together entrepreneurs who understand that success isn't about maintaining a perfect record — it's about getting back up after every fall. Led by Jessica Myers, Hakiim Herring, and Dre Parker, three entrepreneurs who've navigated both historic victories and humbling setbacks in real estate and entrepreneurship, the accelerator aims to transform the narrative around business challenges from whispered conversations to powerful teaching moments.With a focus on both the mental and financial aspects of success, the six-week cohort will focus on entrepreneurship, generational wealth, inner wealth and health, and community. The in-person and virtual meet-ups will feature experts and resources designed to help entrepreneurs of all kinds — from seasoned business owners to those on the cusp of launching their first venture. The mission is clear: to help participants overcome fear, build lasting wealth, and most importantly, stay grounded in their personal purpose.
"At some point, every entrepreneur faces that moment when everything they've built stands on shaky ground," says Myers, who made headlines as one of the youngest hotel owners in the country before later facing her own business challenges. "What matters isn't the setback — it's what you do next. We're creating the community I wish I'd had during my darkest moments, where entrepreneurs can find both practical solutions and emotional support."
"Success looks different when you've faced foreclosure when you've had to rebuild from scratch," explains Parker, a self-described “money legacy and life coach” with a decade-long experience in the financial space. "We're not just teaching people how to avoid failure — we're showing them how to navigate through it. The real victory isn't in never falling; it's in knowing how to rise again."
The weekly sessions will highlight the importance of inner wealth — a term the organizers use to describe the emotional resilience and mental clarity needed to thrive as an entrepreneur. “Most people fail at reaching their goals because they don’t have the right mindset,” said Parker. “If you don’t work on your beliefs, your mindset, and your emotional health, everything else will fall apart. We help people get their mental game right so they can achieve their dreams.”
The event is part of a larger initiative, an outgrowth of the Empower Success Fest event held in September 2024 in Atlanta’s historic West End community, which brought together hundreds of participants to explore and learn a step-by-step framework on how to turn their entrepreneurship dreams into reality. "Most business programs focus solely on success strategies," said Herring, a real estate broker, investor, and coach in metro Atlanta with more than 20 years of experience who helms the community-based organization Wealth Partners. "But what entrepreneurs really need is someone who can say, 'I've been there. Here's what works, here's what doesn't, and here's how to protect your mental health while you're figuring it all out.'
The accelerator’s four key themes are designed to provide a holistic approach to business success:
• Inner Wealth and Health: Fostering mental clarity and emotional resilience to support entrepreneurs’ personal and professional growth.
• Entrepreneurship Skills: Providing both aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs with actionable strategies to scale their business or career.
• Generational Wealth: Teaching participants how to align their businesses with their purpose and build wealth that lasts for generations.
• Community: Building accountability through a supportive network of like-minded individuals who are committed to helping one another succeed.
The weekly convenings will feature a range of expert speakers, including financial strategists, real estate moguls, and mental health professionals, who will share valuable insights on everything from wealth-building strategies to emotional intelligence and leadership.
One of the key messages emphasized by the event’s leaders is the importance of community. “When you're in the midst of business challenges, it's easy to forget that some of the most successful entrepreneurs have faced similar situations,” said Myers, an Atlanta-based international real estate developer. “We're creating a space where it's okay to be honest about the challenges while focusing on solutions and growth.”
The Empower Success Fest Accelerator is for anyone looking to make a positive change in their life — particularly those who feel stuck or are uncertain about how to take the next step to realize their entrepreneurial dreams. “Fear holds so many people back from starting,” Myers said. “But what’s scarier than staying stuck in a job or situation that doesn’t fulfill you? If you want to build wealth and live a life of freedom, you have to get uncomfortable. That’s the only way growth happens.”
For those hesitant about taking the leap into entrepreneurship, the event will address common fears and misconceptions. “A lot of people think they need a lot of money or the perfect business idea to get started,” said Herring. “But what they really need is the right mindset, the right resources, and the right people around them. The money will follow when you have those pieces in place.”
The organizers stress that the Empower Success Fest Accelerator is not about quick success or fast money. Instead, it’ll focus on building long-term wealth and sustainability. “It’s easy to make a quick buck, but can you sustain it?” asked Parker. “People get excited about real estate or flipping houses, but they don’t realize that wealth isn’t just about the next flip. It’s about creating a legacy — a lasting empire that keeps growing.”
With 2025 now underway, the organizers say the Empower Success Fest Accelerator is offering an opportunity for entrepreneurs to enter the new year with clarity, purpose, and a game plan for success. “These gatherings will equip attendees with not only the tools to achieve their business goals but also the emotional intelligence to handle the inevitable challenges along the way,” said Myers.
Parker said the Empower Success Fest Accelerator is poised to become “a game-changing event for entrepreneurs in Atlanta and well beyond. For more information or to register, visit EmpowerSuccessFest.com
“We want to help people transform their vision into reality,” he said. “And it all starts with believing in yourself and the right people supporting you along the way.”
Myers, Parker, and Herring are available for interviews on all media platforms. For more information about the Empower Success Fest Accelerator or to schedule an interview, please contact Elaine Tipton at 770-634-4932.