Dec 23, 2025
What happens when a single-location operator who knows her numbers inside and out decides to fill a gap in her city's small business ecosystem?
This week, Jamie and Gio sit down with Kim Lee, founder and CEO of Forge in Birmingham, Alabama, for a conversation about strategic growth, mental health in our industry, and why she's launching a small business accelerator in January.
Kim shares how she went from a master's in counseling to running one of Birmingham's most hospitality-driven coworking spaces—and why she's still passionate about coaching and creating community. She also breaks down what made the GWA Atlanta Immersive so different from other conferences she's attended and why every single panel offered immediately actionable takeaways.
We talk about:
- Why Kim converted her event space into offices (and how the math made sense)
- The gap in Birmingham's ecosystem that led to launching a Traction-based accelerator
- How her counseling background shapes the way Forge serves members
- Why the Atlanta Immersive felt more operator-focused than any conference she's been to
- The Alliance panel's surprising honesty—and how three competitors who'd never met became instant fans of each other
- Kim's favorite interview advice: keep it short so you don't like them too much
- The importance of mental health, self-care, and why family dinner counts as a win
If you're a single-location operator trying to differentiate in a
crowded market—or wondering how to build something that truly
serves your community—this episode is for you.
Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: