Innovative News For May 2025

May 2

6 min read

Welcome to the Innovation Spot, a flexible coworking solution less than a mile from Downtown Woodstock! This month's newsletter highlights some new members, announcements for upcoming events, updates on exciting happenings this month, and more!

Upcoming Events at The Innovation Spot:

Wednesday, May 7 - Sure Connexions. Sure Connexions is an interactive faith-based networking organization that meets at 12:00 PM online through Zoom, and in-person with lunch at The Innovation Spot.

Click HERE to sign up for Sure Connexions!

Sunday, May 11 - Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all our moms, and if you still have yours, take a moment to love on her a bit this weekend.

Wednesday, May 21 - International Tea Day. Members and guests will enjoy a wide array of hot teas from all over the world! Be sure to stop by the coffee/tea area in the main building for a cuppa and a snack.

Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day. We are thankful for those who have served and given their last, full measure of devotion by giving their lives to secure freedom and peace on our shores. As we celebrate this weekend, we will reflect on the sacrifice that has been made by so many. As the old addage goes, freedom is never free.

Welcome to the NEW Inspiration Blog! We will occassionally have an article on our website that we want to share with you in our newsletter. In this section, you'll find an excerpt of the article along with a link to our website to finish reading it. We hope to provide helpful business practices and ideas, information about coworking and shared spaces, event planning advice, and many other useful topics!

While coworking spaces have been in the US since at least 2005, they have gained popularity over the last 5 years since COVID changed the landscape of the workplace. Working from home became, perhaps for the first time in our country, as commonplace as a water cooler in the break room. However, it didn’t take long before workers began realizing that balancing work and home life while at home has a mountainous set of challenges: kids, and pets, and errands, oh, my! So many of those...read more here

Member Spotlight: Reed Liggin [Sliced Health]

Reed Liggin, is an entrepreneur in the healthtech industry. He is currently the CEO of SlicedHealth (slicedhealth.com), an A.I.-driven SaaS company that empowers hospitals, health systems, specialty practices and ambulatory surgery centers to uncover hidden underpayments and denials, access real-time data insights, ensure compliance and secure upfront payments.

The company’s Contract Modeling Platform leverages advanced AI to provide the data needed to hold payers accountable, optimize revenue, and improve financial outcomes. With seamless implementation, hands-on support, and expert-managed services, we reduce the operational burden—delivering faster results and a quicker ROI.

Contact Reed here:

Reed Liggin, CEO

SlicedHealth.com

Phone: (888) 290-1298

E-mail: rliggin@slicedhealth.com

Thursday, May 1 Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast. The "Good Morning Cherokee" breakfast is the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce's signature event, held on the first Thursday of each month, except January and July. It's a networking event with breakfast and a sponsored program featuring businesses or organizations making an impact in Cherokee County. Approximately 150 community members attend each month.

Location: Cherokee County Conference Center, Canton

Time: 6:30 - 9:00 am

You must register to attend. For more information and to register, click HERE!

Saturday, May 3 - Kentucky Derby Day. For the past 21 years, Kentucky Derby Day has served as History Cherokee's largest annual fundraising event. The event takes place on the first Saturday in May and features a variety of activities and experiences, including:

Bourbon tastings

Hat contest

Pony pull

Silent auction

Gourmet food & specialty cocktails

& more!

Derby Day is not only a fun event that the community looks forward to every year, it is a crucial event that provides funding for History Cherokee to fulfill its mission.

Location: The Mill on Etowah

Time: 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE!

Wednesday, May 7 Fresh Start Mornings. Join the Cherokee Office of Economic Development on May 7 to explore branding with brand architect Tom Cox. Tom is known for designing globally recognized campaigns at Coca-Cola, including the original brand identity of Surge – the 90’s soft drink with a cult following. Since leaving Coke, Tom has shaped over 140 brands, helping creative leaders of growth-stage companies unlock breakthrough positioning.

Coffee at networking will start at 9 a.m. at The Circuit Woodstock, the program will start at 9:15 a.m.

Click HERE for more details!

Saturday, May 10 Etowah Band Car Show. CALLING ALL CAR ENTHUSIASTS

At this unique exhibition, you will witness a spectacular display of wheels, each with its own story and history. Mark your calendar and come out to the Etowah Band Car Show at Etowah High School. Special Performance by the Etowah Marching Eagles at 10:00 a.m.

Hours are 10 am - 2 pm

All money raised benefit the Etowah High School Band students.

For tickets to attend or to register your car for the show, click HERE!

No refunds will be issued for inclement weather.

Wednesday, May 21 Power Hour. Join the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce for an hour of fast paced networking with fellow business leaders as well as the Chamber Board Chair, Neil Blackman, and Chamber President & CEO, Pam Carnes!

Before the hour ends, you will have a chance to share about your business or organization for all to hear!

10:00 - 11:00 am at Cherokee Chamber Board Room

Don't forget to bring promotional items from your business for the share table! For more information, click HERE.

Friday, May 30 Morning INfluence by INWDSTK. Breakfast is served! Morning Influence is a networking event which includes breakfast and a brief presentation that focuses on updates given by Greater Woodstock on important issues or services offered that affect the community as a whole.

BRING A GUEST and you will be instantly entered in our raffle to win some great prizes and giveaways!

8:00 - 9:00 am

at Chambers at City Center, Woodstock

Event registration is required HERE

Local Farmer's Markets Schedules

Waleska Farmer's Market May 2 - Sept. 26 Thursdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Acworth Farmer's Market Apr 4 - Oct. 31 Fridays, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Woodstock Farmer's Fresh Market Apr. 26 - Dec. 27 Saturdays, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Canton Farmer's Market June 1 - Aug. 31 Saturdays, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Welcome to our newest members of the Innovation Spot team!

Jay Blanco

Ronaldo Blanco

Fillo Painting & Exteriors

Marcel Bouchard

Aaron Nunn

Cherokee Tax & Accounting

We L♥VE Reviews!

We appreciate you and your partnership with The Innovation Spot! Leaving positive reviews on Google really helps small businesses more than you know. Every review helps, and we thank you in advance.

Click Here to Leave Us a Review!

Happy New Year — **Working toward success starts in a productive place. We can help! 💡**

The Innovation Spot partners with some great local businesses! See more information below...

It'll Buff Detailing offers a variety of services that will transform your vehicle. They have three fully functioning bays utilized to offer services such as paint correction, ceramic coating, and full vehicle details.

Visit their website by clicking HERE or call 714.714.1325.

You can also visit their new shop location at

195 Stockwood DriveWoodstock, GA 30188

We are thrilled to provide virtual assistant services through MD Virtual Assist. Are you in need of an extra hand with a variety of tasks such as social media marketing, calendar scheduling, and email campaigns? If it's on your to-do list but not a good use of your time, leave it to Mandy! She can provide dedicated support to executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Check Out: www.mdvirtualassist.com