Jonathan Chambers

What's my career journey theme? Connecting people, ideas, and stories for the greater good. 

I love people, stories, and the collision of both. I am obsessed with good stories and bringing out the best in a person. I am a natural people person, entrepreneurship ecosystem builder, enthusiastic brand evangelist, avid storyteller, curious learner, people connector, creative problem-solver, and mentor. To me, EQ is one of the most important and overlooked traits of any leader.

I have been in the workforce for almost three decades. I have worked in hospitality and retail, been an entrepreneur, startup founder, podcaster, marketer, writer, storyteller, digital marketer, brand manager, community and ecosystem builder, speaker, and freelance writer. 

My career stats include...

27 years - in the workforce.
16 years - as an entrepreneur, business leader, marketer, storyteller.
10 years - as a podcaster, speaker, and event emcee.
10 years - as a startup ecosystem builder, community manager, & e'ship mentor.
10 years - in ministry and as a co-vocational church planter.

For the last 10 years, I have been helping launch, grow, and advance entrepreneurship ecosystems and communities for economic development in and around Atlanta. In those roles, I have helped accomplish some of the following for the Atlanta startup ecosystem:

First-ever Atlanta Startup Battle in 2016, a startup pitch competition awarding $100,000.
Started and grew a startup community in Cherokee County and the first-ever coworking space, The Circuit as well as accelerator programs (2016-2021; 2024-Present).
Launched Georgia's first and only team-based mentorship program for entrepreneurs, NAV (North Atlanta Venture Mentoring Service), principled and trained by MIT's VMS program (since 2019).
Launched and grew startup programs to resource and support entrepreneurs and build culture and community: 1 Million Cups Cherokee, the Lunch Circuit, and Creative Problem-Solvers (2016-2021).

Ultimately, work is about people.
Ideas are about stories.
People help change culture and build community through those stories.
And people and stories can be an incredible force for good in the world.


MY ULTIMATE STARTUP: being a husband and now part of a blended family of 9 (5 girls, 2 boys)