Successful entrepreneur Valaurie Bridges Lee is the latest Atlanta native to become part of the community’s “Buy The Block Back” initiative. Lee’s vision specifically involves reviving Main Street which is a prominent part of a well-known sub-division in Atlanta known as College Park.
Valaurie Bridges Lee is the owner of Building Bridges Holding Company (BBHC), the parent company of three of her upcoming business ventures for the new look Main Street.
Lee’s first project consists of a 4,000 square foot spa and fitness studio called The Wellness Spot (TWS), opening this Fall. The Wellness Spot intends to offer an array of amenities that include massages, pedicures, manicures and rotating fitness schedules, among other services.
The second of the three ventures is called The Basement, named perfectly for its location under a boutique shop. The purpose of the basement is to aid new entrepreneurs with renting the space to host fundraisers, pop-up shops and other business building events.
“Not everyone has the capital to jump right into a storefront,” Lee said. “But that doesn’t mean their idea won’t work. The Basement is a place where folks can try things out and learn from their experiences. I would have certainly benefited from something like this when I launched my first business.”
Her third venture is the tech services company VB Consulting Inc., a business that has been in operation for over 18 years. Lee serves as the CEO and President of the IT software consulting firm. This location is also home to her non-profit organization named BVB Foundation. The Foundation’s purpose is to help high potential entrepreneurs who are women of color gain access to grants, scholarships and mentoring services.
When asked about her reasoning behind investing in such ventures, Lee stated, “I love Atlanta and College Park — Born in Tuskegee, Alabama and raised in Atlanta, I also choose to raise my children here, and it is where I want to create opportunities for young entrepreneurs like me. That is why I bought most of this block and why I’m making it somewhere we can all enjoy.”
