South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Crisp County Center Accounting Instructor Tammy Hamilton facilitated a finance-focused training session for the students, educators, business leaders, and community partners who participated in the hands-on Foundational Leadership & Entrepreneurship X-perience (FLEX) Business/Finance Workshop at Sumter EMC.
FLEX is designed with a clear mission: to create prosperity and transform rural communities by equipping students with foundational entrepreneurial, leadership, and financial skills. By blending real-world business exposure with innovative learning opportunities, FLEX empowers young people to see themselves as future business owners, community leaders, and agents of positive change.
Behind the success of the FLEX initiative is a strong team committed to student growth and community engagement including: Benjamin Pope, Agriculture Teacher, FFA Advisor, and FLEX Co-cordinator; Elizabeth Suggs, Work-Based Learning Coordinator; and Tonya Jones, Community Relations Manager for Sumter EMC. These individuals worked diligently to create an educational process that supports students in pursuing and achieving their entrepreneurial goals. Their leadership in coordinating resources, designing meaningful learning experiences, and building strong community partnerships has been vital to advancing the FLEX mission.
The Business/Finance Workshop hosted at Sumter EMC offered students a deep dive into financial literacy, business planning, and the operational fundamentals required to run a successful enterprise. Participants engaged in interactive sessions focused on budgeting, investment basics, financial decision-making, and understanding the role that financial institutions play in supporting small business growth.
SGTC’s Accounting Instructor Tammy Hamilton facilitated the finance-focused training. Her expert guidance helped students understand the responsibilities tied to entrepreneurship and the importance of sound financial management. Hamilton’s engaging teaching style and real-world examples made the content accessible and relevant to the aspiring young entrepreneurs.
Twenty-two students from Sumter County High School attended the workshop representing the top 10 student-led companies selected for the FLEX program. As a part of their continued development, each company formalized its commitment to the entrepreneurial process by signing a promissory note, symbolizing their dedication to turning their business concepts into viable ventures. This milestone marked an important step in their journey as emerging business leaders.
Local business professionals and community leaders also played a vital role throughout the day by sharing their experiences, offering mentorship, and reinforcing the connection between education and economic growth. Their involvement underscored the significance of partnerships in supporting rural innovation and long-term community development.
The event at Sumter EMC represents another successful step in FLEX’s ongoing mission to prepare the next generation of rural entrepreneurs. With each workshop, FLEX continues to cultivate leadership, spark creativity, and empower students to build a stronger and more prosperous future for their communities.