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Edupreneur Spotlight: Melissa Cooper

Blog Originally posted on: We Restore More on 12/21/21

Check out our interview with Melissa Cooper, the Founder of Good Community in Atlanta, GA.

How and why did you become an educator? Narrate your path for us.

Melissa – In 2007, I was a Doctoral student at a university where I faced some racial discrimination towards the end of my first year and decided to leave the program. In 2008, I was blessed to join Teach for America Charlotte because I wanted to equip my students with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets both academically and culturally to navigate our world. Fast forward, I have been an educator for 12 years and have been able to work in various non-profits, charter, and public school systems. Joining Teach for America is one of the best decisions I made.

Jamal – I was blessed to have an amazing teacher in 5th grade named Mr. Evans. He inspired me to be a teacher at an early age.

What inspired you to start Good Community? What’s the mission?  

  • Good Community is a calling. Good Community was birthed during my maternity leave when we just had our son JCIII. I was intentional during this time to pause, reflect, and to understand what my God-given purpose was. I started reading a book, titled Circle Maker and prayed for 40-days. Soon after, the idea of Good Community came to me. Jamal and I prayed and decided to move forward with building out this ministry.
  • We are blessed to have participated in Life Groups at our church. We started Good Community, because we wanted to help people build/continue to build a relationship with Christ outside of the church.  Since COVID-19, many churches are slowly opening or haven’t opened yet, so this gives us an opportunity to build community and strengthen our mental, emotional, and spiritual health with men and women across the nation digitally and hopefully in person in the future.
  • Mission: Good Community LLC seeks to bridge generational divides, often characterized by racial, socio-economic, and other lines of differences by way of faith-based curated community groups and socially conscious apparel. Our community groups provide intentional opportunities for relationship building, resource exploration, intimate storytelling, and healing that increase awareness and promote social change on a diverse range of topics. We provide the training, platform, and framework to build a Good Community wherever you are.  We truly believe there is power in community!

What’s the hardest part of starting a business? 

  • In your first year, it can be challenging to get super clear on your mission, vision, value proposition, and your services.
  • Figuring out what your brand is and getting your brand out there.
  • Staying true to your brand. I think it is so easy to look to the right and left to see what other people are doing.  But, it’s so important to stay true to your calling, mission, and your identity.

What have you learned about yourself during the journey? 

  • I learned that perseverance is important. Starting a business has a ton of highs and lows, but the reality is that you need to stay the course through it all.
  • Change will happen in your business. You can have one idea, but be okay pivoting. The world is changing and your clients may need something different.
  • Comparison steals your joy and can steal your calling if you’re not careful.  Be confident and comfortable in your gifts and the skin you’re in. It’s easy to look to the left and the right and think that you need to be like someone else, but that isn’t true.

What advice would you give to educators who have a passion & talent that could become profitable and want to act on it, but are fearful? 

  • I’ve heard so many times at church that fear stands for false evidence appearing real. If God gave you a purpose, He will give you everything you need to fulfil it.
  • Don’t rush. Move at a pace that is good for you, your family, and your finances.
  • Surround yourself with a good community and wise counsel to help support and provide guidance regarding your venture/business.

How can our followers stay in touch with you and support your work? 

  • Instagram: @GoodCommunityLLC
  • Facebook: Good Community LLC
  • Website: www.goodcommunityllc.org
  • Email: [email protected]
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