The Citizen

National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) meets monthly
2024-02-12 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-03-11 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-04-08 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-05-13 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-06-10 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-07-08 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-08-12 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-09-09 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) and 18 more dates
NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (NARFE) Flint River Chapter #1435 meets the 2nd Monday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Heritage Bank, 440 N. Jeff Davis Dr. Fayetteville.
All active and retired federal employees welcome. For information, contact Bill Croker at wgcroker@yahoo.com.

Business Growth Essentials
2025-08-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Launch Fayette, 250 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City, GA, 30259, United States
Marketing Today: Keep Leads Flowing and Customers Engaged – How to Evolve Your Strategy, Build Authority, and Attract the Right Clients in 2025
The world of marketing has shifted – again. With AI rewriting the rules of engagement, and consumer attention spans shrinking to seconds, what worked yesterday may already be outdated. Join us on August 5th for a high-impact Small Business Growth Essentials session focused on the practical, real-world implications of marketing in today’s AI-driven world. Whether you’re B2B or B2C, this session will help you reevaluate your funnel, leverage new tools, and adapt to modern buying behavior – without losing the personal touch. From local SEO and thought leadership to funnel strategy and emotional storytelling in ads, we’ll explore how to modernize your marketing plan to keep leads flowing and customers engaged.

A Community Celebration and Investor Empowerment Event - NEW BOOK: Inside Secrets to Crowdfund Investing Follow Jane's Journey
2025-12-03 17:30 - 19:00 | Launch Fayette, 250 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City, GA, 30259, United States
Launching the Movement to Grow a New Generation of Local Investors in Fayette County
Join the Launch Fayette & Startup Fayette community as we join bestselling author Karen Rands for an exciting and inspiring evening as she celebrates the release of her newest book — the second in the Inside Secrets Series — Inside Secrets to Crowdfund Investing. Follow Jane’s Journey: See How a New Generation Builds Wealth with Purpose, Passion, & Profit.
Meet Karen, hear the story that inspired the book, and follow Jane’s Journey — a relatable narrative woven through the book that shows how everyday people can build wealth with purpose, passion, and profit.
WED DEC 3 5:30pm to 7pm REGISTER HERE https://bit.ly/KCHbooksign2
Refreshments provided. Open to the Public – Free event. Buy your autographed book at the event. First Come First Serve, or Buy at Amazon:
What to Expect
This is more than a book signing — it’s the start of a local movement.
You’ll learn how ordinary people in our community can create extraordinary wealth by investing in entrepreneurs, innovators, and local businesses — the same way the wealthy have been doing for decades.
Whether you are:
✓ New to investing
✓ Looking to invest with more impact
✓ Seeking to diversify your portfolio
✓ Curious about how to put your money to work in smarter, more rewarding ways
…this event will introduce you to a new world of accessible investing opportunities. Pathways for education to master the skills for successful Angel and Crowdfund Investing.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Rands – The Compassionate Capitalist™
She is a best-selling author, top podcast host, and industry expert in crowdfunding, angel investing, economic empowerment, and funding innovation.
Karen Rands is disrupting the status quo of investing and championing the power of democratized wealth creation—inspiring a movement where anyone can invest in entrepreneurs, build wealth, and create lasting impact.
Karen is the Launch Fayette’s Entrepreneur in Residence to provide expert counsel for member on access to capital, capital strategy, and investor readiness.

Finding Your Market Fit: Why Customers Buy (and Why They Don’t)
2026-02-10 16:30 - 20:00 | Let’s Go Pickleball, 1001 Moba Drive Suite A, Peachtree City, GA, 30269, United States
The February StartUp Fayette meeting offers a unique blend of insight and experience, featuring Barry Falcon, one of the founders of Let’s Go Pickleball. 🏓
Barry will share the story behind building one of the area’s most talked-about pickleball facilities, walking through how he identified market demand, differentiated the concept, and turned an idea into a scalable business. Drawing from principles like Seth Godin’s Purple Cow, the conversation will focus on what truly drives customer behavior and how remarkable experiences create lasting traction.
Event Flow:
• 4:30 – 5:00 PM: Networking
• 5:00 – 5:45 PM: Program (led by Barry Falcon)
• 5:45 – 6:30 PM: Behind-the-scenes facility tour
• 6:30 – 8 PM: Pickleball play
Following the program, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the facility and take part in pickleball and/or padel play. For those participating on the courts, please wear appropriate athletic shoes and clothing. Paddles, balls, and instruction will be provided. A signed waiver will be required. ✍️
Snacks and refreshments will be available. This event is ideal for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners interested in understanding customer behavior, differentiation, and real-world market fit.

Business Growth Essentials From Hustle to Health: The Neuroscience and Inner Shifts of High-Capacity Leadership and Sustainable Business Growth
2026-03-24 11:30 - 13:00
From Hustle to Health: A Leadership Reset with Connie Jones of Arise Counseling
Most leaders are taught to push harder to grow but hustle eventually hits a wall. In this neuroscience‑informed session, Connie Jones, licensed therapist, executive coach, and owner of Arise Counseling and Coach, will unpack how your internal state shapes clarity, decision‑making, and long‑term business success.
Learn why stress keeps leaders stuck in reactive mode, how your nervous system drives your leadership style, and what it takes to shift into grounded, high‑capacity CEO leadership. You’ll leave with practical tools to reduce overwhelm, increase clarity, and build a business that grows without burning you out.
📅 Tuesday, March 24, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM EDT
📍 Roam at Trilith
210 Trilith Pkwy, Suite 100
Fayetteville, GA 30214
