Celebrate National Small Business Week in Dunwoody

National Small Business Week is May 3–9. This annual event organized by the U.S. Small Business Administration is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the small businesses that make Dunwoody unique. Small businesses include restaurants, boutiques, salons, studios, and neighborhood services that shape how residents and visitors experience Dunwoody. They’re also a common entry point for first-time entrepreneurs, women-owned, immigrant-owned, and minority-owned businesses.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

City of Dunwoody

During Small Business Week, the City of Dunwoody Economic Development Department is partnering with the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) to host business consulting appointments at Dunwoody City Hall. On Monday, May 4, Business Consultant Joe McCord will be available to meet one-on-one with Dunwoody residents and small business owners to answer questions and provide guidance. This is a FREE service. You can sign up for an appointment using this link.

In addition, the City is launching a user-friendly microsite – the Dunwoody Small Business Guide– with easy-to-find information to support first-time business owners through key steps such as registering a business in the city, applying for a business license, obtaining required permits and accessing additional resources.

Geater Perimeter Chamber

During Small Business Week, the Greater Perimeter Chamber will celebrate the businesses that power our local economy and shape the character of our community. The Chamber invites the community to recognize their favorite small businesses by sharing what makes them stand out—whether it’s exceptional service, innovation, leadership, or the impact they have on those they serve. Throughout the year, these stories will be highlighted as part of an ongoing Small Business Shout-Out campaign—amplifying the voices of the community and celebrating the businesses that make the Greater Perimeter region a vibrant place to live and work.

Descubre Dunwoody

Discover Dunwoody supports small businesses by promoting Dunwoody as a vibrant place to visit, dine, shop, and explore, and driving awareness and foot traffic that benefits locally owned restaurants, retailers, and service providers. Through destination marketing, visitor-focused content, and amplification on digital channels, Discover Dunwoody helps connect residents and visitors with local businesses and encourages “shop local” spending. Discover Dunwoody creates shared promotional opportunities that help small businesses reach new customers and strengthen Dunwoody’s overall brand.

Why start a business in Dunwoody?

  1. Strong customer base: Dunwoody offers consistent demand for small businesses thanks to a mix of affluent households and a strong daytime population. In addition to serving residents, many local businesses benefit from visitors coming in from nearby communities for special events, destination-oriented services, and dining.
  2. Prime location: Dunwoody is located near major employment and business corridors in the Central Perimeter—one of the Atlanta region’s largest suburban office markets. This proximity supports businesses that rely on steady business activity, especially professional services like consulting, IT, marketing, staffing, finance, and logistics.
  3. Connectivity: With immediate access to I-285 and GA 400, plus proximity to MARTA rail, Dunwoody works well as a “hub” for reaching customers and clients across metro Atlanta. This connectivity also supports employee commuting and helps businesses serve a broader regional market efficiently.
  4. Talent pipeline and educated workforce: Dunwoody and the surrounding area provide access to a broad and skilled labor pool, which is helpful for businesses hiring corporate professionals, tech talent, administrative roles, and service-sector workers. The area’s workforce makes it easier for growing businesses to recruit as needs evolve.

Autor

Fernanda Kirchner

Business Retention and Cultural Development Manager for the City of Dunwoody

Fernanda Kirchner is the Business Retention and Cultural Development Manager for the City of Dunwoody, Georgia, where she leads business retention and expansion (BRE) initiatives, advances the City’s entrepreneurship and innovation strategy, and coordinates Dunwoody’s public art program. She is passionate about economic development and committed to strengthening Dunwoody’s business climate while expanding arts and cultural opportunities for residents and visitors. Previously, Fernanda served as Senior Project Manager for the Existing Industry and Regional Retention team at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, supporting nine counties across the Metro Atlanta region. She also brings private-sector experience in international marketing and brand management, with roles at Perimeter-area companies including Go To Foods, Newell Rubbermaid, and AJC International. Fernanda holds a B.B.A. in International Marketing and Spanish from the University of Georgia and an M.B.A. from the Scheller College of Business at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she has lived in France, Germany, England, and Spain. She has called Georgia home since 2002 and currently resides in Roswell with her husband, two kids - Alex and Vitoria, and their two dogs.
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