Whether you’re just starting to brainstorm your idea or ready to turn your passion into a profitable venture, this class will give you a roadmap to success. You’ll learn what you need to start a business in Georgia, from assessing the feasibility of your idea to marketing, finding financing, building a team, and operating legally. You’ll leave with actionable steps, essential tools, and resources to start your business on a strong foundation. Small businesses are the backbone of America; this class will help you start yours.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
This is a Zoom webinar. Upon registration, you will receive your Zoom link via email.
Govantez Lowndes is the area director for the UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University.
With a twenty-year senior leadership and management career at IBM and extensive experience as a management consultant, Govantez brings a wealth of expertise in sales, marketing, product development, pricing, financing, operations, and customer engagement to SBDC clients. His experience and work span numerous industries, including finance, technology, logistics, healthcare, professional services, consumer goods, and consumer products, with hundreds of marketing-leading firms and entrepreneurial ventures.
Govantez has developed and implemented customer/stakeholder-focused consulting approaches and resources throughout his career, enabling businesses to act on what matters to create sustainable customer value and growth.
In addition to his consulting work, Govantez has successfully owned, launched, managed, and sold small businesses in technology, digital media, hospitality, and professional services.
Govantez has served on advisory boards for the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, School of Industrial & Systems Engineering, and Athletic Association Alexander Tharpe Fund. He was a TEDxAtlanta organizer for eight years and continues to actively volunteer in mentoring, education, arts, and community development initiatives across Atlanta.
All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
382 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30602-5412
P: (706) 542-2762
