Atlanta, GA, February 17, 2026
A pandemic-born initiative, The Southern Shmooze, has flourished into a crucial referral network for local businesses in Atlanta. Founded by community entrepreneur Grant Wallace, it connects residents with trusted services while empowering small businesses through membership options. As the platform grows, it underscores the significance of community-driven economic development in fostering resilience and innovation in Atlanta’s local economy.
Atlanta’s Networking Evolution: The Shmooze Fuels Local Business Growth
A pandemic-born initiative blossoms into a thriving referral network, demonstrating the power of community-led economic development for Atlanta’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Atlanta, GA – In the dynamic landscape of Atlanta’s vibrant economy, the resilience and innovative spirit of local entrepreneurs are constantly shaping new pathways for growth. Amidst the challenges of recent years, a remarkable, community-driven initiative has emerged, illustrating how organic, grassroots efforts can significantly bolster local commerce and foster genuine economic expansion. This endeavor highlights the inherent determination within the Atlanta small business community to adapt, connect, and thrive, often finding solutions that are both effective and rooted in shared values.
The success of such local ventures often underscores the benefits of environments where entrepreneurial innovation can flourish with minimal impediment. By empowering individuals and small businesses to create their own solutions and networks, Atlanta GA business leaders are demonstrating a powerful model for sustainable economic growth, proving that strong communities build strong economies from the ground up.
The Genesis of a Community Solution
The concept known as “The Southern Shmooze” began as a Facebook group during the pandemic in 2020. It was founded by Grant Wallace, an Atlanta entrepreneur who also owns Peace of Mind Glass Recycling and Grantlanta Lawn. Wallace recognized a need for neighbors to connect with reliable and trusted local businesses during a time when many were seeking to support their communities and navigate new economic realities. What started as a simple online gathering quickly evolved, exceeding initial expectations and demonstrating the appetite for such a platform within the local community.
Beyond the Facebook Group: A Growing Ecosystem
From its humble beginnings, The Southern Shmooze has expanded significantly, transforming into a robust referral network and a local business directory. As of 2025, the original Facebook group boasted nearly 13,000 members, with the broader community hub growing to over 14,000 members and featuring more than 100 “Shmooze Certified” businesses as of early 2026. This growth reflects a profound desire among Atlanta residents to engage directly with and support Georgia entrepreneurs operating within their immediate vicinity.
The platform’s “Shmooze Certified” distinction signifies that a business has been reviewed, recommended, and verified by the community, providing a valuable stamp of trust, professionalism, and reliability for consumers seeking local services.
Empowering Small Businesses Through Connection
The Southern Shmooze provides a dual benefit, serving both local Atlanta residents seeking services and Atlanta small business owners looking to expand their reach. For residents, the Facebook group is free to join, offering a valuable resource for recommendations. For businesses, while the Facebook group remains a core component, The Southern Shmooze has developed a structured business directory with various membership options.
Membership tiers cater to different business needs, with options such as $25 per month or $250 annually for local businesses, and $50 per month or $500 annually for established local businesses. Non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can join for free. These memberships offer significant advantages, including a directory listing, the ability to promote services within the group, access to exclusive Business Owners of Southern Shmooze (B.O.S.S.) groups for networking and collaboration, priority promotion opportunities, and marketing and social media tips. Members can also post about their business up to four times per month, enhancing visibility and engagement. Monthly meetups and networking events further foster relationships among entrepreneurs.
Fostering Local Economic Resilience
The success of The Southern Shmooze underscores the effectiveness of community-driven solutions in fostering economic growth. It has demonstrated an ability to help businesses grow and even jumpstart new ventures, facilitating crucial networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. This platform operates as an alternative to traditional search engines or review sites, distinguishing itself through its emphasis on community vetting and direct, personal connections. The platform is built specifically for Georgia neighbors, focusing on community-driven recommendations rather than generic advertisements. This model cultivates stronger connections and a movement that brings businesses and neighbors together, illustrating a potent pathway for localized economic development and job creation.
By empowering local entrepreneurs and facilitating direct connections, initiatives like The Southern Shmooze reduce reliance on complex external systems, instead highlighting the strength of self-organizing markets and the power of local capital investment. This approach contributes to a resilient local economy, where the benefits of commerce circulate directly within the community.
Conclusion
The Southern Shmooze represents a compelling narrative of entrepreneurial spirit and community empowerment within Atlanta’s business landscape. Born from a need during challenging times, it has evolved into a powerful network that supports local businesses, facilitates trusted referrals, and contributes significantly to regional economic vitality. Initiatives like this exemplify how targeted, community-focused platforms can drive genuine economic growth and foster a strong sense of local achievement.
We encourage all Atlanta residents to explore and support their local businesses, whether through established networks or by discovering emerging platforms that champion community-led commerce. Engaging with Georgia entrepreneurs not only strengthens the local economy but also nurtures the innovative spirit that defines our city’s ongoing growth and prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Southern Shmooze?
The Southern Shmooze is a local business directory and community hub in Georgia that connects neighbors with trusted local professionals.
Who founded The Southern Shmooze and when?
The Southern Shmooze was founded by Grant Wallace and started as a Facebook group during the pandemic in 2020.
How many members does The Southern Shmooze have?
As of 2025, the Facebook group has nearly 13,000 members. The broader community hub has grown to over 14,000 members and features more than 100 “Shmooze Certified” businesses as of early 2026.
What benefits does The Southern Shmooze offer to businesses?
Businesses can receive a directory listing, promote in the group, attend monthly meetups, access Business Owners of Southern Shmooze (B.O.S.S.) groups, get priority promotion, and receive marketing and social media tips. They can also post about their business up to four times per month.
What does “Shmooze Certified” mean?
“Shmooze Certified” signifies that a business has been reviewed, recommended, and verified by the community, indicating professionalism and reliability.
Key Features of The Southern Shmooze
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Started as a Facebook group during the pandemic in 2020. | Atlanta |
| Founder | Grant Wallace, an Atlanta entrepreneur. | Atlanta |
| Membership | Over 14,000 members and 100+ “Shmooze Certified” businesses as of early 2026. | Georgia (across Atlanta and beyond) |
| Purpose | Connects neighbors with trusted local professionals and helps businesses expand their reach. | Georgia |
| “Shmooze Certified” | Businesses reviewed, recommended, and verified by the community for trust and reliability. | Georgia |
| Business Benefits | Directory listing, promotion, networking events, access to B.O.S.S. groups, marketing tips. | Georgia |
| Cost for Businesses | Paid tiers starting at $25/month or $250/year; free for non-profits. | Georgia |
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Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
