Albany Area Chamber of Commerce holds 2nd annual “FLEXpo” showcasing young entrepreneurial talent of 4C Academy

ALBANY, Ga. – A few Albany students are getting a chance to show off their small businesses thanks to the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce hosting their 2nd annual “FLEXpo.”

For a few of these students, they’re following a passion they’ve had for a majority of their lives…

“I’ve been playing for eight years. I play the saxophone as a musician for hire,” said Michael Anderson II, Senior, 4C Academy.

“I started sewing around the age of six. My grandma, she was changing, altering church clothes, and that’s when I started to pick the habit up,” said Tobari Mathis, Owner, Malik’s Perfect Stitch.

It’s thanks to the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s FLEX program geared towards helping student-run businesses get off the ground.

“Today we are at FLEXpo, which is an opportunity for the top 10 student businesses to showcase their products and services to the students at the school, and also the business community and the general public as well,” said Laura Russ, Coordinator, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

This year, the event was open to the general public for the first time…

And, after a successful start in the Dougherty County School System in 2023, it’s proving to be a good way lay the ground work for future small business owners.

“…And, this program’s goal is to encourage innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit, to ultimately build the next generation of job creators and rural prosperity. So, we’re really excited to have the FLEXpo and give these students a chance to develop and practice those employability skills,” said Russ.

And, for the students at the 4C Academy, Friday was a golden opportunity to get the word about their businesses out to the public.

“It’s a big thing. I am very proud and happy that 4C gives us the opportunity to do this. To be at this FLEXpo to meet the general population of Albany, it’s such a great thing,” said Mathis.

“It’s giving us the chance to get our business out there without the usual means. Because instead of walking around and being like ‘hey, come support my business’ we have the people from 4C that came through and the Chamber that are already our customers,” said Samantha Aberdeen, Co-owner, SJ Apparel.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get my name out as much, if it was just me trying to do stuff on my own. But, the Chamber has been willing to hire me for bigger events…” said Anderson II.

For young entrepreneurs like these 4C students to get a push forward from the Chamber, they’re going to be well on their way to making sure their businesses are heard across the city.

The Albany Chamber of Commerce Foundation says that the top 3 businesses will be recognized at the finals on March 22nd at Albany State University’s Campus.

Brian Roche reporting.

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