Beatrice Wilson is living proof that purpose doesn’t expire. At 80 years old, the metro Atlanta entrepreneur just opened her eighth business—a vibrant new nail salon called Bee Nails — nestled on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. With each ribbon cut and door opened, she’s not just running a business—she’s building a legacy. A former employee at local car dealerships, Wilson didn’t find her stride until later in life. After completing nail school, she struggled to land a job in an industry that too often overlooks women of a certain age. But instead of shrinking back, she bet on herself—launching her first salon when no one else would give her a chance. Since then, she’s built and sold seven s uccessful salons across metro Atlanta. She retired in 2021, but as Wilson puts it, "You’re never too old. It’s never too late to follow what you love doing." So when the calling returned, she answered—with grace, courage, and a plan. Her newest venture, Bee Nails, is her biggest yet. Thoughtfully designed with warm tones and a welcoming atmosphere, the salon was created with the Adamsville neighborhood in mind—a space meant to be as nurturing as it is stylish. The grand opening drew applause and affirmations, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and City Councilmember Andrea Boone in attendance. Wilson, moved to tears by the support, reflected on the journey: “It’s very heartwarming for me… I’m just excited.” But beyond the buzz, Wilson’s story teaches us something deeper: You can pivot at any age. Barriers can be the birthplace of bold ideas. Service to your community adds meaning to success. Beatrice Wilson didn’t just build businesses—she built a life anchored in purpose, connection, and determination. Her journey is a reminder that innovation lives in action—and sometimes the most powerful moves are made long after others stop trying. Cover Photo: Beatrice Wilson Opens Her Eighth Business at Age 80 Photo Credit: 11 Alive
Some companies chase market share; others chase meaning. And then there are rare brands that change what we believe is possible—by honoring history, elevating community, and building with intention. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, founded in 2017 by serial entrepreneur and author Fawn Weaver, has done exactly that. In just a few short years, it has reached a jaw-dropping milestone: a $1.1 billion valuation —a level few brands ever achieve, especially one rooted in restoring the legacy of a Black innovator history nearly erased. This is more than a business success story. It’s a story of restoration, courage, and excellence. A Legacy Restored Uncle Nearest honors Nathan “Nearest” Green—the master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the craft. His contribution was hidden for generations, but Weaver made it her mission to put his name where it always belonged—front and center, in history and on every bottle. And the results speak loudly: Uncle Nearest is now the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in history , reshaping the identity of an industry that rarely reflected the pioneers who built it. Numbers That Tell a Bigger Story In seven years, Uncle Nearest has: expanded into 30,000+ venues across 12 countries built a 432-acre distillery experience in Tennessee tripled sales since 2021 projected $100M in revenue in 2024 These aren’t just business milestones— they’re cultural statements. When legacy meets leadership, markets take notice. Built on Purpose, Backed by Performance At the center is founder Fawn Weaver—a visionary leader who combined emotional intelligence, historical truth-telling, and world-class execution. She didn’t build a whiskey company. She built a movement. Her team reflects that mission, with women and people of color leading across the organization—making it one of the most inclusive leadership models in the spirits industry. Every bottle is a message: Black excellence has always existed—now we must recognize it. Lessons Emerging Entrepreneurs Can Apply Uncle Nearest offers timeless wisdom for anyone building something meaningful: Honor the past. Truth builds trust—and trust builds brands. Build with integrity. Excellence is a decision, one detail at a time. Scale with purpose. When your mission is clear, momentum follows. Lead courageously. It takes vision to correct a narrative—and courage to tell the truth beautifully. A Toast to the Future. What started as a tribute has become a global powerhouse. And the story is far from over. With an expanding footprint, generational impact, and a billion-dollar valuation, Uncle Nearest is proving something powerful: You can build legacy while rewriting history—and claim your place in the future at the same time. In a marketplace full of noise, this brand reminds us that authenticity beats hype, and excellence—real excellence—never fades. For everyone building something with cultural meaning and global ambition, let this be your proof: You don’t have to choose between honoring the past and shaping the future. You can do both—brilliantly.
Kevin Hart has proven once again that impact is bigger than celebrity. Through Gran Coramino® Tequila—co-owned with Juan Domingo Beckmann—Hart is using his platform to lift entrepreneurs who are building businesses rooted in community. More than $1.5 million has now been granted to small business owners through The Coramino Fund—a partnership with LISC designed to strengthen founders who are creating opportunity one customer at a time. And that says something powerful: great business isn’t only profit-driven—it’s purpose-driven. A Fund With Vision “Our vision is to lift up the hard-working entrepreneurs who keep our communities strong.” —Kevin Hart Most funding programs invest in ideas; this one invests in people. The Coramino Fund has now supported more than 150 businesses in retail, transportation, food, wellness, hospitality, and more—many of which serve neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked. Impact starts local. More Than Money—Skills That Scale What makes this initiative noteworthy is not only the grants, but the education attached to them. Recipients completed a three-session AI training series , equipping business owners to: increase efficiency sharpen competitive positioning explore new growth opportunities This is a reminder to all of us: today’s entrepreneur must master technology—not fear it. Who Is Getting Funded Matters Last year’s grantees represented powerful demographics: 52% Black-owned 36% Latinx-owned 12% Black & Latinx-owned 67% women-owned This is intentional equity—investing not simply in entrepreneurship, but in economic mobility for communities that have historically lacked access to capital. Principles Emerging Entrepreneurs Can Take Away 1. Your business idea is needed Communities don’t move forward without entrepreneurs who solve real problems close to home. 2. Don’t count yourself out More than 35,000 people applied. The ones who received grants simply took the bold step of applying. 3. Money helps—but knowledge multiplies Funding helps you start. Skills help you grow. 4. Entrepreneurship is leadership You’re not just selling products—you’re helping shape the future of your community. An Inspiring List of Builders From janitorial services, gourmet desserts, auto services, coffee shops, transportation, floral design, skincare, marketing, senior care, and so much more—the 2025 grantees show there is no single pathway to entrepreneurship. You can start where you are, with what you have, and build something the world needs. A Final Reflection Kevin Hart is back on movie sets filming blockbuster projects—but what may matter most are the lives being impacted off-camera. This grant program teaches a powerful truth: Success is not measured by what you achieve for yourself, but by what you make possible for others. To every entrepreneur reading this—keep building, keep applying, keep learning, and keep believing. The world needs what you’re creating.
Tade Oyerinde, captured by Alex Choi A Bold Vision Rooted in Access, Equity, and Possibility Tade Oyerinde isn’t just building a tech platform—he’s challenging a national system that has historically shut out low-income, first-generation, and overlooked students. His company, Campus , launched in 2022 as the nation’s first online community college built intentionally for affordability, flexibility, and debt-free pathways to economic mobility. In just three years, Oyerinde has raised more than $100 million , proving that the future of education belongs to innovators who believe every student, no matter their ZIP code, should have access to world-class learning and real economic opportunity. Why This Is More Than a Fundraising Headline Across our communities, student loan debt has become a generational barrier. By offering accredited associate degrees taught by top professors , Campus is eliminating the need for young people to choose between education and survival. Students can earn degrees in business administration, applied artificial intelligence, paralegal studies, AWS cloud administration, and more—building real-world skills that actually translate into jobs, advancement, and long-term income. Even high school students can begin earning college credit for free , shaping career futures before they enter adulthood. “Elite education for everyone.” Oyerinde’s message is both audacious and grounded in truth: “In America, we should have elite education for everyone… and this should all be possible without going into debt.” That is not just a mission—it’s a movement. Influential Leaders Are Betting on Campus From OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to the tech founders of Discord, Notion, and Figma, investors are lining up to support the vision. General Catalyst Chairman Ken Chenault —one of the most respected business leaders of our time—has joined the board, offering powerful validation that this model is both needed and inevitable. This is not charity. This is innovation with purpose. Why This Matters for the Urban Enterprise Community When working-class students and underrepresented communities gain access to education without lifelong debt, everything changes: earnings career options family stability generational wealth and economic mobility Campus represents a new pathway—one rooted in equity, affordability, and real-world opportunity. This is exactly the type of transformation Urban Enterprise champions: education that leads to enterprise, enterprise that leads to income, and income that leads to impact. Top Takeaways for Urban Enterprise Readers 1. Education is economic empowerment. Degrees that translate into real employment strengthen families, neighborhoods, and communities. 2. Affordability should not be a privilege. Debt-free learning should be a national standard—not a rare exception. 3. Technology makes access possible. Online, accredited pathways remove geographic and financial barriers. 4. Innovation belongs in underserved communities. We are not waiting to be included—leaders from our community are building the future. 5. The highest levels of investment are moving toward equity. When major investors support models centered on access, transformation becomes scalable. Campus isn’t just disrupting education—it’s redefining who gets to succeed. This is how generational change begins: one founder, one bold idea, one community at a time. Learn more about the platform via its official website at Campus.edu Also, be sure to follow them on Instagram
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