Navigator Notes
The C.O.R.E. summer: outcomes, stories, and what's next
June 2026 Edition
A monthly look at the Birmingham entrepreneurial ecosystem. What happened, what's working, and where to plug in.
What C.O.R.E. is building in Birmingham
What we're most excited about heading into summer is the C.O.R.E. Program, the quiet, systems-level work happening behind the scenes with operators who are ready to move from hustle to infrastructure.
This month we're sharing the outcomes coming out of the program, the success stories that prove the model, and the lessons we're learning about what Birmingham operators actually need to grow sustainably.
A note from Naila
From the founder
Thank you for being part of the journey
When I started this work, I thought it was about connecting people. Today I see it differently. Connecting people matters. Building pathways matters more. A pathway continues to work long after the meeting ends and long after someone leaves the room. That's what we're building through Network Navigator, and every entrepreneur, partner, and sponsor who shows up makes that pathway stronger. Thank you for being part of the journey.
About Network NavigatorFeatured: the C.O.R.E. Program
What it is
Navigator C.O.R.E., a nine-month program for operating businesses
C.O.R.E. stands for Capacity, Operations, Resources, and Execution. It's the four-part framework we use to help Birmingham operators move from running on hustle to running on systems. The Navigator C.O.R.E. Program pairs founders with a small group of vetted partners (accountants, brand strategists, operations specialists, and advisors) who work alongside them for nine months to put real infrastructure in place. No theory, no generic curriculum. Just the specific work each business needs to grow without burning out the founder.
Learn about Navigator C.O.R.E.What we're seeing
The problem isn't access. It's capacity.
After nine months of working alongside entrepreneurs, we found that most business owners weren't struggling to find resources. They were struggling to receive them. The patterns are clear: founders are filing first business tax returns, replacing spreadsheets with real financial reporting, and reclaiming hours every week that used to go to manual tracking. Brand positioning is sharpening. Client work is getting cleaner. Owners are spending less time inside the business and more time leading it. Most operators don't need more ambition. They need the infrastructure to support what's already working.
See the outcomes reportSuccess story: meet Ryan
From overwhelmed to unstoppable: Ryan Graham's C.O.R.E. story
Ryan Graham came into the Navigator C.O.R.E. Program with a growing business, a strong reputation, and real momentum. What she needed wasn't more ambition. She needed the infrastructure to support what was already working. Manual processes, disconnected systems, and limited capacity were holding her back. Through C.O.R.E., Ryan worked with MPA Financials and Tide & Bell to implement financial reporting, build operational workflows, and strengthen her brand positioning. The result: she filed her first tax return as a business, gained visibility into performance, built a stronger market presence, and freed up time to focus on clients, strategy, and growth. Starting this month, every Navigator Notes will feature a C.O.R.E. success story. Real operators putting Capacity, Operations, Resources, and Execution to work in real Birmingham businesses.
Read the full outcomes reportNew on the platform
Tool update
C.O.R.E. Business Evaluation is live on the homepage
Four pillars (Capacity, Operations, Resources, Execution) surfaced in twelve plain-language questions. Get a stage assessment and a three-step plan in under ten minutes. No account required to start.
Take the evaluationSmall Business Week by the numbers
Recap
Small Business Week 2026: what came together
Small Business Week 2026 brought together entrepreneurs, resource providers, lenders, municipalities, and ecosystem partners from across the region to connect, learn, and grow. Highlights: 257 attendees at Network Navigator Day. 431 total registrations across Small Business Week programming. 434 new followers joined our online community. 57 breakout session bookings covering capital access, marketing, legal readiness, AI, procurement, and business growth. 17 honorees recognized at the Small Business Awards. Multiple ecosystem partners, lenders, and resource providers engaged entrepreneurs throughout the week. From educational sessions and ecosystem conversations to business recognition and resource connections, the week reinforced what we know to be true: entrepreneurs thrive when access, relationships, and support come together. Thank you to every sponsor, speaker, volunteer, partner, and entrepreneur who helped make this year's Small Business Week a success.
Read the May recapOpportunities for you
A Night With Legacy, June 17 at BCRI
6:00 to 8:30 PM at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The next installment of our Night With Legacy series, highlighting the stories, lessons, and lived experiences of business leaders who have built organizations that stand the test of time. Free RSVP.
RSVP for free ticketsIdeas to Impact 2026: Mastering the Marketplace, June 15
A full-day conference at 5521 1st Ave S for operators ready to sharpen go-to-market, build distribution, and grow revenue. Sessions on pricing, partnerships, and storytelling from Birmingham practitioners.
See event detailsNonprofit Luncheon hosted by CARA, June 17
12:00 PM at The Parisian at Pinnacle Financial Partners. Lunch, learning, and connections across Birmingham's nonprofit community. A strong fit for 501(c)(3) leaders and partners working alongside them.
RegisterCreate your Network Navigator profile
Every new profile sharpens the matches NAVI can make for the whole ecosystem: resources, programs, capital, and people sized to your stage.
Create your profileAround Birmingham
Summer is opportunity season. Cohorts, applications, and workshops are opening across the city. A great time to get plugged in and stay engaged.
- 1
Network @ Noon with Josh Andrews, June 10 at noon, live on Instagram and Facebook. A midday conversation with a local operator on what's working right now.
- 2
CREED Week 2026, June 22 through June 28. A week of workshops, ribbon cuttings, and community events at CREED63 and Canvas on 5th, capped by the CREED63 5th Anniversary Celebration.
- 3
Juneteenth Birmingham, June 19. Citywide celebrations and markets spotlighting Black-owned businesses across the metro. A great day to shop local and show up for fellow operators.
- 4
Birmingham Bound Pitch Night, June 24, 6:00 PM at Innovation Depot. Early-stage founders pitch to a community panel; open to operators who want to watch, learn, and connect.
If you're ready for what's next
Find your stage, your plan, and your next step
Purpose-Led. People-Focused. Platform-Powered. The fastest way to figure out where you fit in the Birmingham ecosystem is twelve questions. We'll give you back your stage and three specific things to do this week.
- Plain-language readiness diagnostic
- Matched to local programs and people
- Funding paths sized to your stage