AJC Her+Story

How a first-time entrepreneur creates a multimillion-dollar business

In 2019, Adria Marshall had $75,000 in annual sales for her hair care business, Ecoslay. By 2024, that jumped to $3.6 million.

Adria Marshall founded Ecoslay in her metro Atlanta home. Five years later, annual sales are more than $3.5 million. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

In partnership with

From pig farming to pickling, these Georgia women are cooking up success

How 8 Georgia women entrepreneurs are shaping food habits and culture around the globe from their kitchens, restaurants, farms and boardrooms.

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

AJC HER+STORY

Thursday is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. Here’s what that means.

Thursday July 10 is the day recognizing how far into the year Black women must work to earn what white men earned in the previous year. What's the reason for the pay gap?

Credit: WireImage for Parkwood

How TikTok, live tours and brand deals have shaken up the music industry

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

AJC HER+STORY

UTA music exec Dina Marto is the ‘great connector.’ Here’s why

Dina Marto, a music executive at United Talent Agency’s Atlanta office, has made it her mission to empower women in the male-dominated music industry.

Credit: Handout

AJC HER+STORY

For women, by women: Atlanta’s female-led startups get female-led funding source

ATL TrailblazHER Angels is a women-led group of angel investors aiming to bring together entrepreneurs and seasoned and first-time investors to support female founders.

AJC HER+STORY

Women in business have made gains in Georgia and the U.S. But gaps persist

There are now more women in executive leadership ranks in Georgia and across the U.S. than there were a decade ago. But gaps persist.

Atlanta’s first bar for women’s sports opens this week in Pullman Yards

Jolene Jolene, an Atlanta bar specializing in women's sports, will kick off its residency at Brick and Mortar in Pullman Yards on July 4th.

AJC HER+STORY

Women-focused Atlanta coworking space seeks help to stay afloat

The LOLA is asking its community to help it raise $200,000 to cover tens of thousands in overdue rent and help it pivot its business model.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Like father, like child: Metro Atlanta families carry on police, fire traditions

Taylor Walker is one of several in metro Atlanta whose Father’s Day is especially meaningful, having followed dad’s footsteps into law enforcement or the fire service.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

New GOP officer Salleigh Grubbs says women can’t win Georgia’s top jobs

The new first vice-chair of the Georgia GOP told a conservative talk show host that the state's electoral history shows women can't win statewide.

First woman named police chief in Cobb County is ready to get to work

When Shameta Jones-Harrell joined the Austell Police Department, she brought with her goals of solid community policing and keeping citizens safe.

AJC HER+STORY

Pilates studio founder moves from tragedy to helping others heal

Stephanie Dietrich opened Reformology Pilates Studio to help others find the self-care and healing she did after her husband died while she was recovering from back surgery.

Events

THU

SAT

Woman Evolve

July 31 – August 2, 2025

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Cost not provided

One State Farm Drive, GA, 30303, US

Description

Presented by Wells Fargo, Woman Evolve 2025 is the largest gathering of Black women of faith in America and a sold-out spiritual and economic force. For the first time, the nationally acclaimed conference comes to Atlanta, drawing more than 20,000 women and generating a projected $35 million in local economic impact.

Led by Sarah Jakes Roberts, newly installed co-senior pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, this year’s theme, "Freedom", anchors a transformative weekend designed to uplift women at the intersection of faith, business, wellness, and generational leadership. Global voices from across finance, entrepreneurship, mental health, and the performing arts will join Jakes Roberts to equip attendees for every dimension of growth.

Impactful speakers joining Jakes Roberts to help attendees break free, include:

· Christine Caine, speaker, author and activist

· Dr. Anita Phillips, psychologist and best-selling author

· Touré Roberts, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and faith leader; founder of ONE and The Called

· Bianca Juarez, pastor and author

· Dr. Joy Bradford, clinical psychologist and founder of Therapy for Black Girls

· And more to be announced

Upcoming Events

AUG

BOLD Women's Leadership Summit

12150 Morris Road #7, Alpharetta, GA 30005

OCT

Atlanta Women’s Foundation Luncheon

285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

OCT

DRESS FOR SUCCESS ATLANTA'S Signature PINK Women's Empowerment Event

3315 Peachtree Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30326

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AJC HER+STORY

Burnout hits everyone. These Atlanta women have advice for managing it.

Successful female Atlanta executives share tips and advice gleaned in their decades of experience at the pinnacles of their fields.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Metro Atlanta native Ebonie Ward builds creative hub in city’s music scene

In an interview with the AJC, Ebonie Ward talks about the origins of 550 RMG and her future goals.

Credit: (Courtesy of Justin Chan Photography 2020)

Still tired after 8 hours in bed? Two former Spanx execs could have your fix.

The Inactive Company is shaking up the sleep space with the science-backed 'performance sleep mask' The Inactivator, which helps you rest deeper, longer and more naturally.

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

The ‘mental load’ of motherhood is real. Moms need our support

Atlanta-based content creator Lauren Chambers shares how her mental load is both a challenge and a familiar companion that all moms can relate to.

This mother and daughter are in business together. How they make it work

A mother-daughter duo at Merrill Lynch in Atlanta tell how they came to work together in an AJC Her+Story Q&A.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

‘My personality, with my mother’s roots’: Daughter embraces Nan Thai legacy

The daughter of Nan Thai Fine Dining's owners wasn't always ready to embrace the family legacy, but developments in recent years changed her mind.

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mother-daughter team share lessons on navigating the teen years in faith-based book

Sandra Stanley and her daughter Allie Stanley Cooney have written a faith-based book for teens and their parents. Stanley is the wife of megachurch pastor Andy Stanley.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

AJC HER+STORY

AJC Her+Story

How a first-time entrepreneur creates a multimillion-dollar business

In partnership with

From pig farming to pickling, these Georgia women are cooking up success

Thursday is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. Here’s what that means.

How TikTok, live tours and brand deals have shaken up the music industry

UTA music exec Dina Marto is the ‘great connector.’ Here’s why

For women, by women: Atlanta’s female-led startups get female-led funding source

Women in business have made gains in Georgia and the U.S. But gaps persist

Atlanta’s first bar for women’s sports opens this week in Pullman Yards

Women-focused Atlanta coworking space seeks help to stay afloat

Like father, like child: Metro Atlanta families carry on police, fire traditions

New GOP officer Salleigh Grubbs says women can’t win Georgia’s top jobs

First woman named police chief in Cobb County is ready to get to work

Pilates studio founder moves from tragedy to helping others heal

Woman Evolve

Upcoming Events

BOLD Women's Leadership Summit

Atlanta Women’s Foundation Luncheon

DRESS FOR SUCCESS ATLANTA'S Signature PINK Women's Empowerment Event

More

Burnout hits everyone. These Atlanta women have advice for managing it.

Metro Atlanta native Ebonie Ward builds creative hub in city’s music scene

Still tired after 8 hours in bed? Two former Spanx execs could have your fix.

The ‘mental load’ of motherhood is real. Moms need our support

This mother and daughter are in business together. How they make it work

‘My personality, with my mother’s roots’: Daughter embraces Nan Thai legacy

Mother-daughter team share lessons on navigating the teen years in faith-based book

Meet the nonprofit working to get more underrepresented women into tech

People, not profit, inspire Chantell Glenn to redevelop south Atlanta

Atlanta launches program to support ‘legacy’ businesses with grants, new app