Freedom Business Collective builds economic independence one small business at a time

When Mark Talbot, head of Economic Development at Freedom Communities in Charlotte, NC, talks about the organization’s mission, his enthusiasm is evident. 

“It’s about freedom from barriers,” Talbot says. 

For him, these barriers are the systemic challenges that have long kept underserved communities from achieving economic mobility. And with the team at Freedom Business Collective, he’s not just dreaming of a solution — he’s helping to build one.

The roots of freedom

The story of Freedom Business Collective starts in 2016, when the Chetty study famously ranked Charlotte 50th out of 50 major U.S. cities for economic mobility. Coupled with the racial unrest sparked by the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott, a group of local business leaders decided it was time to act.

Talbot recalls, “We sent one of our board members, Dr. David Docusen, who was doing his Ph.D. in intergenerational poverty, across the country to study what worked in other cities. The big takeaway? Pick a geography and go deep. Every community is an interconnected system; housing impacts employment, employment impacts education, and so on.”

Anchored by that philosophy, the team chose the area around Charlotte’s aptly named Freedom Drive as their starting point. The name “Freedom Communities” emerged not just as a nod to the street but as a broader mission. “It’s about breaking the chains — whether it’s financial instability, lack of access to education, or health disparities.”

Redefining economic development

Economic development can feel like a buzzword, but at Freedom Business Collective, it’s deeply personal. 

For Talbot, a veteran of the commercial real estate world, it’s less about attracting big corporations and more about empowering residents to thrive in their own neighborhoods.

“We’re not trying to create jobs in the traditional sense,” Talbot says. “The jobs are already here. But what we need is economic opportunity in the community, like a grocery store, better services, and places for small businesses to grow.”

The Freedom Business Collective embodies this vision by providing affordable workspace and essential business education. 

“We saw entrepreneurs running their businesses out of living rooms and cars,” he explains. “The two biggest barriers they faced were the cost of professional space and a lack of business skills. We wanted to solve both.”

A home for big dreams and diverse businesses

Since opening its doors in early 2024, the Freedom Business Collective has become home to a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs. From a seamstress crafting custom prom dresses to a photographer and a concrete pumper, the diversity is striking. “We even have a lady selling wholesale eyelashes across the hall from a concrete guy,” Talbot jokes.

Beyond workspace, the collective delivers targeted education. From financial management to branding, the workshops aim to equip business owners with the tools they need to succeed. “Our goal is that by April, every entrepreneur will have their books in order,” Talbot shares. “It’s not just about learning concepts — it’s about hands-on doing.”

The collective also fosters community through events like Thrive Thursdays, where small business owners from the neighborhood and beyond come together. “It’s light-hearted, with food, music, and storytelling. But it’s also practical. Entrepreneurs share their failures as well as their wins. We have an elevator pitch round up, and we give out micro-grants to support innovative ideas.”

Freedom meets collaboration

The design of the space intentionally encourages connections. Talbot is proud of the organic collaborations happening among members, something he saw for the first time in his previous role as landlord. Talbot reflects on that earlier project in his real estate career when he inadvertently created a collaborative space in a shopping center. “It taught me the value of designing spaces where people naturally interact. That’s exactly what we’ve done here.”

“I’ve seen a web designer building sites for other members, a staffing agency hiring drivers from a transportation company, and even two fashion entrepreneurs teaming up for pop-up events,” he says. “It’s all about those collisions becoming collaborations.”

Choosing the right software partner

Managing such a dynamic space isn’t without its challenges. From access control to booking conference rooms, Talbot recognized early on that they needed robust management software. After exploring several software options, he found the right fit with Coworks.

“What stood out to me was how local they are,” he shares. “Being based in Raleigh, they felt like neighbors. If I had an issue, I knew I could get in the car and meet someone in person.”

Referred by Davidson College’s Hurt Hub, Talbot also appreciated how intuitive Coworks is to use. “I’m pretty tech-savvy, but I like things to be simple. Coworks made managing our space seamless.”

Talbot and team also chose Coworks integration partner PDK for their access control to the building and to the private office area of the space. 

Building a legacy of freedom

For Talbot, Freedom Business Collective isn’t just a coworking space — it’s a launchpad for transformation that will impact generations to come.

“Almost every small business owner here has a story about how entrepreneurship runs in their family,” he says. “They’re not just building businesses. They’re building legacies.”

And that study, ranking Charlotte in last place? It has an update — in the right direction.

With its unique blend of affordable space, targeted education, and a community-first approach, Freedom Business Collective is setting a new standard for what economic development can look like. And for Talbot, the work has only just begun. “We don’t know exactly what this will become,” he admits, “but we know it’s about freedom — and that’s a mission worth pursuing.”