BUSINESS
THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 - 20, 2019 • Page 11
Women share business stories, tips at monthly roundtable
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
When Quinay Baker
was working in the fabric
industry in New York City
she noticed a busload of
women who had come
fabric shopping from
Atlanta. “I remember
thinking, ‘Why would an
entire bus full of people
come all the way from
Atlanta to buy fabric?’ Then
it hit me there must not be a
store in Atlanta that sells the
fabrics that are available in
New York’s famed garment
district.”
Baker, CEO and founder
of Q & A Fabric Studio
in Atlanta, told that story
Nov. 7 at Collab Atlanta’s
Women’s Entrepreneur
Roundtable at Fleurty Wick
Candle Co. in Avondale
Estates. Her realization that
there were opportunities to
grow and diversify Atlanta’s
fashion industry prompted
Baker to come South. “I
could see that Atlanta needs
a garment district similar to
the ones in New York and
LA. I wanted to help make
that happen. I left New York
with a vision and $83.”
With help from
relatives, Baker brought her
knowledge of the fashion
industry to Atlanta in what
she said is “a special way”
that would “bring together
the fashion community
and assist designers with
resources that they may not
have had access to in the
past.”
At Q & A Fabric Studio,
DeKalb County resident
Baker hosts seminars and
offers classes in such skills
as sewing, pattern making
and starting a fashion
collection for people
throughout the Atlanta area
who have an interest in
Kim Braud, left, hosted the November meeting in the offices of her
Fleurty Wick Candle Co. business, where Quinay Baker, right, was the
guest speaker.
Roundtable sessions are limited to 20 participants to keep the gatherings intimate and informal.
fashion. She said her dream
is to be one of the leading
women in Atlanta’s fashion
industry and for Atlanta to
be recognized as a fashion
capital.
Baker, who studied at
the Fashion Institute of
Technology and worked
many years in the fashion
industry, explained that
her interest in fashion was
inspired by a seamstress
aunt. “She could literally
look at a dress in a
department store window
and go home and make that
dress. I grew up fascinated
by fashion fabrics and
everything related to it.”
She added that Q & A
Fabric Studio is “just the
beginning” of what she
hopes to bring to Atlanta’s
fashion scene.
The monthly
roundtables, which include
speakers such as Baker as
well as informal discussions
of business issues, are open
to women who are small
business owners or are
starting a business. “This is
a space to provide resources,
network with other women
who own small businesses,
share leads and grow
your business. Our guest
speakers will be people and
organizations that can help
you to scale up and assist
in areas that you may need
help,” states roundtable
host Kim Braud, owner of
Fleurty Wick Candle Co.,
in her online description
of Women’s Entrepreneur
Roundtable
Braud said the sessions
are limited to 20 women
to keep them intimate and
casual. “From business
concept to million-dollar
organizations, we have
representation every step of
the way. We highlight local
women owned businesses
and give them a platform
to share their journey while
celebrating their success,”
she said.
The Nov. 7 session
included a discussion on
ways small businesses can
best take advantage of the
upcoming holiday season.
“You know Black Friday,
the day after Thanksgiving
is just part of a cluster of
spending days right after
CITY OF BROOKHAVEN FY 2020 BUDGET REVIEW,
PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND ADOPTION
The proposed FY 2020 City of Brookhaven Budget will be presented to Mayor and
Council by the City Manager on October 22, 2019 at the regularly scheduled Council
Meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. The City of Brookhaven will hold a public hearing on
the proposed FY 2020 Budget at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday,
November 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Another public hearing will be held during the City
Council meeting on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Following the public
hearing on November 26, 2019, the City Council will vote to adopt the FY 2020 Budget.
The FY 2020 Budget will be available for public inspection at City Hall, 4362 Peachtree
Road, and on the website www.brookhavenga.gov October 22, 2020.
Thanksgiving. The day
following Black Friday is
Small Business Saturday
and the following Monday
is Cyber Monday,” Braud
reminded the group. “People
are ready to spend, and you
should be ready to respond.”
Braud offered
suggestions on pulling in
customers during the post-
Thanksgiving weekend by
offering short-term sales,
special giveaways and hints
at new items that will be
available for the holiday
season.
There also was a
discussion on using social
media to promote business.
Group members told others
of apps and strategies that
have worked well for them.
Masonry work
Stone
Brick
Block
Concrete repairs
Martinez 1
Masonry
404.408.4170
MartinezMasonry281@yahoo.(
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and Council of
the City of Pine Lake will hold a Public Hearing on
the 2020 Proposed Budgets on November 26, 2019
beginning at 7:00 PM. Final adoption of the budget
is scheduled for the December 9, 2019 City Council
meeting to be held in the City Council Chambers, 459
Pine Drive, Pine Lake GA 30072 beginning at 7:00
PM. The proposed budget will be available for public
review on the website and at City Hall beginning the
week November 18, 2019 during normal business
hours.
NOTICE OF MEETING OF DEKALB COUNTY
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
To the public: Please take notice that the DeKalb
County Hospital Authority’s October 2019 meeting
has been rescheduled for the date, time, and
location listed below. This meeting is open to the
public.
• A rescheduled meeting of the DeKalb County
Hospital Authority will take place on November 19,
2019 at 12:00 pm. This meeting will be held in the
Thrasher Conference Room in the administration
suite at Emory Decatur Hospital, 2701 North
Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033.
Please note that the Thrasher Conference Room
will be open to the public attendees for purposes of
this meeting.
