January 13, 2023 - Kivo Daily

Investors Academy: A Resource Hub for Underserved Individuals in Metro Atlanta

Kivo Daily Staff on January 13, 2023

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

Being driven to help others and improve the quality of life for those in the community is a noble and fulfilling pursuit. It takes a special kind of person to be motivated to make a difference in the world, and those who are able to channel their passion and compassion into meaningful action can truly have a positive impact. As members of a community, we have a responsibility to support and uplift those who are struggling. For many individuals and families in Metro Atlanta, this struggle is all too real, whether it’s due to homelessness, unemployment, disability, or other challenges. That’s where the Investors Academy comes in.

Fueled with a passion for making a difference in the community, Montra McKenzie founded the Investors Academy as a resource hub in Metro-Atlanta to serve underserved individuals and families, including homeless veterans, the disabled, those living with chronic illnesses, ex-offenders, and those struggling with unemployment or food insecurity. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need and helping them achieve a better quality of life.

“My services are solving problems because we are not only providing job readiness skills to allow those in need to enter the workforce and be prepared to thrive, but we also offer a clothing closet to help them be “Dressed for Success” and then have interviews. We even take it a step further with our food pantry at our resource center to help alleviate any food insecurities that our trainees may be facing while trying to rise above their hardships. We are committed to helping the less fortunate in the community rise,” Montra McKenzie shared.

The Investors Academy offers a range of services and programs designed to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency, ranging from housing support, wrap-around services, a full-service food pantry that is open to the public, a computer lab, a job readiness program, job placement, financial coaching, and life skills training. In the past year alone, the Investors Academy has served over 3,000 families, housed 500 homeless veterans, coached and trained over 300 people, and provided jobs to over 300 individuals.

One of the standout programs offered by the Investors Academy is the Youth Outreach Program, which provides employment opportunities, workplace skills training, financial management and saving skills, counseling, and connections to education and job opportunities to at-risk youth aged 15-24 in Metro Atlanta. This program prioritizes those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, mental health issues, difficulties in traditional education settings, and a lack of access to resources for personal and career development.

The Investors Academy’s Youth Apprenticeship Job Training Program is another key initiative, offering hands-on job training in the warehousing industry to underserved youth. Participants receive training in warehousing skills, pallet jack operation, warehouse safety, and OSHA guidelines, giving them valuable skills that can be used in the real world. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Investors Academy has trained and employed over 30 at-risk youth in the inner city and has provided supportive housing for veterans facing homelessness.

The Investors Academy is well on its way to furthering its cause, expanding its services to accommodate more people in Metro Atlanta toward self-sufficiency. Its focus on helping at-risk youth develop valuable skills and access education and job opportunities have already made a difference in the lives of many, and with continued support, the Investors Academy has the potential to continue driving positive change in the community.

High Business Energy Costs: How Can It Affect Your Business

Kivo Daily Staff on January 13, 2023

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

Did you know that the average business spends thousands of dollars on energy costs annually? This number can vary depending on the size and type of business, but it’s a significant expense for any company. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t take the time to research how they can reduce their energy expenses. But understanding how your business energy costs can affect your bottom line is essential to ensure you are not spending more than necessary.

Utilizing a Business Energy Comparison tool can help you identify ways to save money. You can find the best option for your business by comparing different energy providers and their prices. But how can high business energy costs affect your bottom line?

Reduce Your Profit Margins

One of the most direct ways high business energy costs can affect your business is by reducing your profit margins. When your electricity, gas, and other forms of energy use are costing more than you anticipated, it takes away from the amount of money you can make. This puts a strain on your budget and can leave you struggling to cover overhead costs and other operational expenses.

Not only can high business energy costs cut into profits, but it can also lead to higher prices for your products or services. Customers may be less likely to purchase from you if the price is too high, which could result in a loss of revenue and reduced market share.

Risk of Job Losses

Another consequence of high business energy costs is the risk of job losses. If higher energy bills squeeze your profits, there may not be enough money to cover wages, benefits, or other overhead expenses. This could result in layoffs, furloughs, and other cost-cutting measures that would hurt morale and productivity.

Moreover, businesses that don’t have enough money to hire new employees may find it difficult to stay competitive in the marketplace. This could lead to a loss of market share and even bankruptcy.

Decrease Your Productivity

High energy costs can greatly affect the productivity of a business. As electricity bills become more expensive, businesses may be forced to reduce staff or limit operations to maintain their budget. This can lead to slower output and fewer products or services, which can minimize overall income. Furthermore, if businesses cannot keep up with rising energy costs, they may be unable to take on more business or expand their operations as quickly as they would otherwise.

Higher Business Energy Costs Lead to More Debt

Businesses of all sizes are faced with increasing energy costs, which can have a profound effect on the financial health of a business. When businesses have to cover higher energy costs, it can quickly eat away at their profit margins. This could lead to debt accumulation that leads to decreased cash flow for other areas of operation. These high energy costs can also force businesses to cut back on employee wages and benefits.

Lower Employee Productivity

High energy costs can affect employee productivity in more ways than one. First, when expenses are tight due to high energy costs, employers may be forced to reduce payroll and hours for their staff. This can lead to fewer resources and a lack of incentives for employees to work hard or stay motivated. Furthermore, if less money is available to invest in new equipment or technology, employees may be less productive due to outdated tools.

Additionally, high energy costs can lead to higher temperatures within the workplace. This makes it more difficult for employees to concentrate on their work, leading to lower levels of productivity and efficiency. Moreover, if your business has air conditioning that is not working properly, this can cause additional discomfort for employees.

Decrease Customer Satisfaction

High business energy costs can also lead to decreased customer satisfaction. Customers expect businesses to take the necessary steps to reduce their environmental impact, and if you are not doing so, your customers may take their business elsewhere. Additionally, high energy bills can mean businesses cannot afford to provide amenities such as air conditioning or heating that customers expect when visiting your business facility, further reducing satisfaction.

Reduce Your Cash Flow

One of the most significant impacts of high business energy costs is on your cash flow. Your overall operating expenses will likely increase, leading to a decrease in available cash flow. These higher operating costs may prevent you from acquiring new customers or investing in growth opportunities that could benefit your business in the long run. You may also be forced to cut back on employee salaries or benefits due to the lack of available cash flow.

Decrease Your Business’s Efficiency

High energy costs can also lead to a decrease in efficiency. If your business is spending too much on energy, that money could have been used for other aspects of the company. You may need more funds to increase productivity or purchase new equipment. As a result, your business’s overall efficiency will suffer.

What Can Be Done?

By taking the time to research different energy providers, you can find ways to reduce your energy costs. Additionally, implementing energy-saving measures such as installing LED lighting or using natural light during the day can help lower your energy bills and improve profitability. Finally, educating employees on conserving energy in their daily activities can also help reduce business energy costs.

High business energy costs can have a significant impact on your bottom line. It is important to take the necessary steps to reduce your energy bills, improve efficiency, and maintain customer satisfaction. By researching different energy providers and implementing energy-saving measures in your business, you can lower your energy costs and ensure that every dollar spent is well worth it.

When managed correctly, business energy costs can be kept low and help your company reach its goals. So take the time to research different energy providers, understand how energy is used in your business, and invest in measures that will help reduce costs. Doing so now can pay off in the future.

Day: January 13, 2023

Follow us on: