Continuing the Conversation with Emerging Entrepreneurs, presented by Westbridge Solutions

Event Details
Do you have a hobby or passion that you dream of making a full-time career? Maybe you’ve already started a business from your hobby and are eager to take it to the next level. This event has something for every entrepreneurial heart!

Come hear from previous winners of the Emerging Entrepreneurs award, as they share their tips & tricks to take you from Side Hustle to Start-Up to Seasoned Business Owner! Held over lunch, this event features a panel discussion and Q&A with these award winners as a continued conversation from the Gwinnett Chamber’s Small Business Awards.

When: Tuesday, March 21st, 11:00am – 12:30pm

Where: Atlanta Tech Park (107 Technology Pkwy, Peachtree Corners, GA  30092)

Who’s invited? All young professionals between the ages of 21-35 who either live, work, or play in Gwinnett County are invited to attend.

Panelists include:

Ali Jamal — Founder & CEO, Stable Gold Hospitality

Anthony Chen — Financial Advisor, Lighthouse Financial Network LLC

Elizabeth M’balu Oke — Founder & President, Pivot Path

Naveed Tharwani — Founder & CEO, SynerGrx and Gwinnett Drugs

Meet Our Panelists

Ali Jamal — Founder & CEO, Stable Gold Hospitality
The torch of determination was passed on to him by his family who landed in Canada and the United Kingdom, respectively, with little more than $10 in their pockets as refugees. Not too long after he was old enough to get his first job pumping gas, Jamal soon learned about the value of real estate when his mom, always an entrepreneur at heart, demanded that he use his initial savings for a down payment on a new condo in downtown Vancouver.

While his dreams of driving a sexy new sports car flew out the window, another one came to pass.

The real estate market in Vancouver took off like rapid fire, with property values tripling in value over a short period of time. Jamal continued building his real estate portfolio and, in a few years, proved successful enough to start his own real estate investment firm, Stablegold Hospitality (SGH), in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2011.

Since that time, the firm has grown to $80 million of assets under management with a portfolio that includes economy hotels, vacation rentals, single family homes, and event facilities.

What started in 2011 as one rundown and shutdown hotel is now a thriving business employing over 200 people across the United States

Anthony Chen — Financial Advisor, Lighthouse Financial Network LLC
Anthony started his career in financial services back in Buffalo, NY with MetLife in 2008. Little did he know, there was a MetLife advisor that helped his family’s finances when he was only a few weeks old at the time. Due to the actions of this advisor, he is one of the lucky few college graduates to start his career without the need to taking on student debt. Coming full circle, he then started his career with MetLife to help other families with their finances.

Fast forward to 2019, he and his wife moved down to Georgia to make it their new home. An avid runner and fitness enthusiast, he looks to weave the long-term approach of training for and running a marathon into his client’s financial journey. He brings a different perspective where “wealth management” is not just about the dollar signs in an account, but the bigger picture of what it means to live a truly enriched life. From physical to relationship health to the community at large.

Elizabeth M’balu Oke — Founder & President, Pivot Path
Elizabeth M’balu Oke is a Strategic Brand Marketing and Communications Consultant with over a decade of experience. As a Sierra Leonean American, her passion is using the power of storytelling to connect organizations with their audiences.

As President and Founder of PivotPath, Elizabeth served as a Consultant for the European Union, DeKalb County Government, Gwinnett County Government, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and state agencies. These experiences helped Elizabeth understand the challenges and opportunities to resonate with stakeholders in a real, recognizable, and relatable way.

She has also developed and conducted dozens of Economic Development and capacity-building training seminars for prestigious organizations, including the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone, Emory University, the International Rescue Committee, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Georgia Institute of Technology.

Elizabeth’s enlightened experiences internationally have helped her deeply understand the issues and challenges related to branding, strategic planning, and communications. With every project, she has new and valuable insights that are poured back into the execution of her work.

Elizabeth is a member of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Government Communicators, the Black Marketers Association of America and For(bes) for the Culture. She is also an Africa Development Promise Board Member, Start:ME mentor, Mastercard Foundation Global Give Back mentor, 2021 Best of Gwinnett Marketing Firm, and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2007-2008.

Naveed Tharwani — Founder & CEO, SynerGrx and Gwinnett Drugs
Naveed Tharwani is the owner of multiple pharmacy locations and most prominently Gwinnett Drugs, a locally owned and operated business serving the community for 10 years. John graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia and has been working as a pharmacist for over 10 years. In addition to managing the daily operations of the pharmacy, Naveed is also involved in various community organizations and initiatives, including the development of a program to help Medicare individuals with chronic disease states . He is passionate about helping people and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to his patients. In his free time, Naveed enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

Meet Our Moderator

Berthine Crèvecoeur West | CEO, Westbridge Solutions

Berthine Crèvecoeur West (ber-TEEN KREH-vah-kor west) is Learning & Development Subject Matter Expert and Conflict Resolution Strategist, Executive Advisor, Corporate Trainer, Award-Nominated Podcast Host and Best-Selling Author. Berthine obtained both her Bachelor of Arts degree (Government & Politics), as well as her Master of Arts degree (Government & Politics/International Relations) from St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY and her Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business & Technology. Berthine established Westbridge Solutions, a boutique management consulting firm, in 2014. She has facilitated trainings and seminars throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Berthine’s goal is to help individuals and teams work together more productively by focusing on managing diversity, soft skills training and understanding behavioral styles to deliver outstanding client service.