Get a head start on your holiday shopping with this year’s Goizueta Gift Guide!
We’ve gathered a short list of businesses founded by Goizueta alumni, as well as beneficiaries of Goizueta’s Start:ME program, which offers grants and coaching to microentrepreneurs from underserved communities in the greater Atlanta area. The products and services they offer run the gamut of classic crowd-pleasing goods to niche wares, which offers you—our shopper—opportunities to find something for both your next-door neighbor and your picky hipster nephew. Shopping small supports big dreams for entrepreneurs in the Goizueta community while providing you the added bonus of skipping past the ho-hum and opting for something your kith and kin have never heard of or seen before.
We’ve included a yellow heart (💛) for businesses that are specific to the Atlanta area. For a full list of Start:ME microbusinesses, including an extensive array of Atlanta-centric services not represented in the list below ranging from doula support and textured hair care to professional photography and mural painting, see this year’s Start:ME guide.
Also be sure to check out the Goizueta Swag Shop for hats, shirts and tumblers featuring cute Goizueta and Atlanta-themed designs your friends and family are sure to love!
The Pet Parent
Nepalese Dog Treats from Kathmandu’s
Kathmandu’s delivers happiness with Himalayan yak chews, crafted for canines and cultivated by community farmers. Combining premium pet treats with purposeful trade, they bring joy to your pets while supporting livelihoods in Nepal’s remote Himalayan regions.
💛Treat a Pup to Fresh Air with Chattapoochie Dog Hiking Adventures
Chattapoochie Dog Hiking Adventures offers exhilarating excursions for your canine companions, blending fitness and fun on Atlanta’s scenic trails. Their certified handlers lead small groups, ensuring personalized attention and safe, social experiences tailored to each dog’s needs. Transform your pup’s routine with our adventurous outings that promise wagging tails and happy trails!
The Sustainably-Minded Friend
A Win-Win for your Body and the Planet with Insect-Based-Protein from WunderGrubs
Inspired by an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown in Haiti, these entrepreneurs saw the enormous potential of utilizing insects for protein (some 2 billion people around the world already supplement their diet with insects). These nutty-flavored protein powders and baked goods featuring edible insects have more protein than meat or fish, are high in omega-3s and fiber as well as many other vitamins and minerals, while using a fraction the amount of resources to cultivate that meat requires. Truly the future of food!
Body Butters and more from Better Quality Ingredients
Borne in the hearts of three sisters with skin and food allergies and sensitivities, JAS is a child-preneur powered skincare and beauty company that inspires others to make healthy choices, pursue their dreams, and look good while doing it. These handcrafted skincare products are cruelty-free and use only natural and organic ingredients.
Gifts that Give Back
The Latest “It” Water Bottle with UV Technology from Ben Kander 12BBA
Designed so you can spend more time hydrating and less time cleaning, these triple-walled copper vacuum-insulated bottles feature a UV cap that cleans and purifies water. They come in a punch of color and a convenient bamboo loop cap to comfortably carry or clip to your bag. Check out the camp cups, too! For every bottle you buy, Welly donates 1%+ of sales to charity projects that bring clean water solutions to communities worldwide. Goop calls these bottles “a minimalist take on the water bottle…it’s a day-to-night dream: keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, or hot for 14.”
Crafted & Curated Handicrafts & Apparel made by Refugee women in Clarkston
Johari Africa brings eco-friendly elegance, handmade with heart by refugee women artisans in the Clarkston, GA area. Crafted with authentic African fabric, recycled paper, coconut shells, and local seeds, each piece reflects vibrant culture and sustainable creativity. Empowering women toward self-sufficiency, Johari Africa turns artistry into opportunity across Georgia, Ghana, and Kenya.
House Warming Home Decor and more from Sunavworld
Sustainable style with soul, supporting artisans and artistry across Nepal and beyond. Every fair-trade piece—from vibrant wardrobe additions to home décor—brings beauty crafted from natural, raw materials. Rooted in social justice, Sunavworld empowers hundreds of artisans, especially women, creating economic impact through every purchase.
The Guy Who Never Wants Anything
Brunt Workwear from David Chernow 12BBA
Step up your work game with BRUNT: bold boots and rugged gear built for the backbone of America. Designed with hardworking tradespeople in mind, these durable designs deliver comfort and quality without the crazy costs. From roofs to roots, BRUNT’s got your back (but if you’re a hobbyist woodworker or just want to don these stylish clothes to the craft brewery next door, we won’t judge you).
💛 Gift Certificate from GrindHouse Burgers or Seafood from Breaker Breaker from Alex Brounstein 00BBA 05MBA
Where else can you watch sports and enjoy a boozy “Monkey Wrench” milkshake (chocolate peanut butter malt, banana liqueur, vanilla vodka)? Add in juicy meat and veggie burgers and phenomenal sides like sweet and spicy chili Brussels sprouts and cheese fries and you’ve got yourself a feast. If burgers aren’t their thing, try a gift card to Broustein’s very buzzy Beltline seafood digs, with a Tiki/Florida-Man vibe: Breaker Breaker.
Bold Beans from Terminus Coffee
Inspired by the bold farm-to-cup coffee consumed on his military assignments in Honduras, this Veteran-owned fair trade specialty coffee roaster brings rich flavors and heartfelt craftsmanship straight to your mug. These beans are roasted in the Atlanta area, but available to you anywhere!
Quick, delicious carbs (and fanciful syrups) from Barlow’s Foods
They say the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach (although isn’t that true for the rest of us, too?). Barlow’s high-quality 3-in-1 pancake biscuit waffle mix and seasonal syrups (including flavors like peach cobbler, strawberry bourbon, and sweet potato) are sure to satisfy. Plus, 2% of your purchase will be donated to Feed Our Vets to assist with closing the hunger gap for those who have vowed to serve us.
💛 Relive Childhood with Nerf Gun Parties
Treat someone to a party like no other through the ATL Dart Club. Who says Nerf guns are only for kids? Not these folks!
The Budding Nerd
STEM kits from Fun Weird Science
Fun Weird Science sparks S.T.E.A.M. success with hands-on, head-first learning for K-12 students, fostering fearless curiosity and critical thinking. Focused on future-ready skills, these kits build creative minds ready to tackle tomorrow’s global challenges. Science-themed parties, shows and camps are offered in the Atlanta area.
Apps and Tools for AI-powered Creative Expression for kids of all ages via Immutable Access
Immutable Access ignites imagination with inclusive AI tools, from text-to-video magic to media production for everyone. Rooted in Atlanta’s booming creative scene, they’re empowering children, students, seniors, and underserved communities to unlock careers in cutting-edge tech.
💛 Coding Programs Designed for Youth from Higher Ground Education
Perfect for budding techies eager to explore programming! Higher Ground Education Institute (HGEI) offers a suite of programs aimed at empowering individuals and organizations through education and community engagement. Their initiatives include the HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Excellence) program, which provides mentorship and resources to youth, and the HYPE2 program, focusing on higher education preparation.
…and so much more!
Equestrian Aesthetic with Leather Products and art from Equestrian Noire
Who doesn’t love the smell of leather? These luxurious leather bags and equestrian-inspired art let you taste that intangible joy of what it feels like to be outside in the crisp air surrounded by hay and horses, transported to a time period that feels quiet, still, and stately—and not to mention, very chic.
Unique Books, Art and Stationary by Caldecott-Honored and NAACP-Celebrated Illustrator R. Gregory Christie
R. Gregory Christie’s work runs the gamut; he is the artist for the United Postal Service’s Kwanzaa Stamp, and he’s done everything from John Coltrane album covers to animated films on Netflix. As a former bookstore owner and lit nerd, these hand-painted illustrations appeal to both adults and children while also promoting creativity, literacy, and diversity.
Goizueta’s Start:ME Accelerator provides promising entrepreneurs located in Atlanta area neighborhoods the training, mentorship, and capital to start and grow successful businesses. It has supported more than 250 micro-businesses in Atlanta, 84% of which are owned and operated by entrepreneurs of color. Get involved and learn more here.
