Stacy Robinson sitting at a table with her CPR training supplies, including two adult CPR dummies and one baby CPR dummy, laid out in front of her.
October 30 – November 3 marks the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Veterans Small Business Week.
Photo: Courtesy of Stacy Robinson-Jones

October 30 – November 3 marks the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Veterans Small Business Week, empowering veteran, service member, and military spouse entrepreneurs. To celebrate, we are spotlighting one veteran supported by the IRC in Atlanta’s Community Navigator Pilot Program, a two-year initiative to support up to 600 diverse small business owners across Georgia in recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Meet Stacy Robinson-Jones: 

When it comes to her business, the most important thing to Stacy Robinson-Jones is that people feel prepared to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation): “My mother suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at home with friends and resuscitation did not begin until EMS arrived. The American Heart Association states, if CPR is performed immediately, it can double or triple the chance of survival.” Knowing that even minimal preparedness can make a world of difference in emergency situations, Stacy decided to start Transit CPR. 

Stacy in front of a CPR Training school sign holding up a defibrillator.
Transit CPR provides mobile first aid and CPR training to individuals and groups in the metro-Atlanta area.
Photo: Courtesy of Stacy Robinson-Jones

Based in Lithonia, Transit CPR provides mobile first aid and CPR training to individuals and groups in the metro-Atlanta area. For Stacy, starting a small business is the ultimate opportunity to pursue her passions. She shared, “It is allowing me to retire early and have the flexibility to travel and do consultant work.” On top of that, Stacy enjoys how being a business owner has empowered her to support her own community with the tools to save a life. “My favorite part of being an entrepreneur is giving back to the community!” Stacy shared. “I volunteer to teach CPR at festivals and community events.” And with her trainees ranging from healthcare staff to daycare workers to Greek organizations, Stacy’s work is proving that anyone can learn CPR. 

Stacy Robinson standing in a front yard wearing her Army uniform.
As an Army veteran and CPR instructor, Stacy is no stranger to adapting to challenges.
Photo: Courtesy of Stacy Robinson-Jones

As an Army veteran and CPR instructor, Stacy is no stranger to adapting to challenges. When COVID-19 hit, Stacy quickly absorbed the shock of the pandemic and adjusted to safety needs: “Because I don't have a brick and mortar, it allowed me to quickly pivot and offer CPR and first-aid classes outdoors in the park. It also allowed me to come into businesses that were following their COVID-19 protocols and provide services so that the customers felt safe within their environment. I recently trained a sorority group in a park in Gwinnet County.” And after being connected to IRC’s expert Business Counselors, Stacy was able to secure additional funding for her business through CNPP, something she had struggled with when starting out her entrepreneurial journey. “My biggest challenge is preparing my business financials. I sought the assistance of the SBA and was able to get resources that provided me with an analysis of personal finances first and how to manage business banking.” 

Having recently applied for her LLC, Stacy is looking forward to transitioning her business from a sole proprietorship and expanding into cardiac defibrillator sales. “The best advice I received, which is holding true, is to ‘place yourself in spaces and places where you can learn to operate your small business.’” We are so proud of Stacy and all of her success! To learn more about Transit CPR and book your own training, visit their website, or contact Stacy by calling 404-395-8744 or emailing [email protected]. 

 

Are you a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur in Georgia? To learn more about the IRC in Atlanta's MED program, or to access our MED services, please contact [email protected]. 

 

To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Development Director, Heloise Ahoure, at [email protected] or 678-636-8941.  

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