Standing on Business…An Entrepreneur Origin Story
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WATCH TRAILERStanding on Business: The Golden Key Story is an inspiring documentary that follows the journey of entrepreneurs who refused to let circumstance define their future. Set in Memphis, Tennessee, the film chronicles the impact of Golden Key Entrepreneur Training Academy, an innovative nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through entrepreneurship, education, and economic empowerment. Through powerful testimonials, spoken word performances, original music, and intimate behind the scenes moments, viewers witness ordinary people becoming extraordinary business owners while breaking cycles of poverty and creating generational wealth. More than a documentary about business, Standing on Business is a story about resilience, purpose, community, and the courage to bet on yourself when no one else will. The film challenges audiences to rethink what entrepreneurship looks like and demonstrates that with opportunity, mentorship, and determination, entire communities can be transformed.
Fun Facts of Movie
Directed by Nicole Michelle Gates-Golden. 20min
Director Biography – Nicole Michelle Gates-Golden
Dr. Nicole Gates-Golden
Director | Standing on Business
Dr. Nicole Gates-Golden makes her directorial debut with Standing on Business, bringing to the screen the same passion, authenticity, and vision that have defined her decades-long career as an entrepreneur, educator, nonprofit executive, and community leader.
As the Founder and Executive Director of the Golden Key Entrepreneur Training Academy, Dr. Gates-Golden has dedicated nearly four decades to helping aspiring entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable businesses. Under her leadership, Golden Key has become an accredited entrepreneurship training institution recognized for its high touch, hope driven approach to business education and economic empowerment.
More than a filmmaker, Dr. Gates-Golden is a storyteller whose life’s work has centered on amplifying voices that are often overlooked. Standing on Business reflects her commitment to documenting the resilience, determination, and humanity of everyday entrepreneurs who refuse to let circumstance define their future. Through this debut documentary, she invites audiences behind the scenes of transformation, capturing the victories, setbacks, sacrifices, and breakthroughs that shape the entrepreneurial journey.
In addition to serving as Director, Dr. Gates-Golden is an accomplished business strategist, executive coach, speaker, grant writer, and advocate for economic mobility. Her work has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses while creating pathways to generational wealth in underserved communities.
Her leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition as one of Memphis’ most influential community leaders. Yet she considers her greatest achievement to be witnessing entrepreneurs discover their purpose and realize that success begins with believing in themselves.
With Standing on Business, Dr. Gates-Golden expands her impact into filmmaking, using documentary storytelling as another vehicle for education, inspiration, and social change. This debut marks the beginning of a new chapter in her career, one that continues her mission of turning pressure into purpose and proving that entrepreneurship is not simply about building businesses, but about transforming lives.
Director Statement
Dr. Nicole Gates-Golden
Director | Standing on Business
Dr. Nicole Gates-Golden makes her directorial debut with Standing on Business, bringing to the screen the same passion, authenticity, and vision that have defined her decades-long career as an entrepreneur, educator, nonprofit executive, and community leader.
As the Founder and Executive Director of the Golden Key Entrepreneur Training Academy, Dr. Gates-Golden has dedicated nearly four decades to helping aspiring entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable businesses. Under her leadership, Golden Key has become an accredited entrepreneurship training institution recognized for its high touch, hope driven approach to business education and economic empowerment.
More than a filmmaker, Dr. Gates-Golden is a storyteller whose life’s work has centered on amplifying voices that are often overlooked. Standing on Business reflects her commitment to documenting the resilience, determination, and humanity of everyday entrepreneurs who refuse to let circumstance define their future. Through this debut documentary, she invites audiences behind the scenes of transformation, capturing the victories, setbacks, sacrifices, and breakthroughs that shape the entrepreneurial journey.
In addition to serving as Director, Dr. Gates-Golden is an accomplished business strategist, executive coach, speaker, grant writer, and advocate for economic mobility. Her work has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses while creating pathways to generational wealth in underserved communities.
Her leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition as one of Memphis’ most influential community leaders. Yet she considers her greatest achievement to be witnessing entrepreneurs discover their purpose and realize that success begins with believing in themselves.
With Standing on Business, Dr. Gates-Golden expands her impact into filmmaking, using documentary storytelling as another vehicle for education, inspiration, and social change. This debut marks the beginning of a new chapter in her career, one that continues her mission of turning pressure into purpose and proving that entrepreneurship is not simply about building businesses, but about transforming lives.
“Standing on Business is more than a documentary. It is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and the courage to bet on yourself.” — Dr. Nicole Gates-Golden
Users Reviews
colortape
Ode to Dr Nicole Gates-Garden! In this film one can identify at least three (3) core) principles that her entrepreneurship is based and we could ALL use it to our benefit, and I mean to simple city folks mums & dads alike, to country people (especially aboriginee in remote areas) of Australia, South Pacific (Oceania) regions:
1. Mentorship & Communication (constructive & positive) opportunities to connect would be entrepreneurs with a clear, broader external networks or funding resources faster in their development cycle, and help would be entrepreneurs uncover their own blind spots and build realistic plans tailored to their unique strengths.
2. Idea Validation & Strategy (constructive and positive) pushing mindlike people to define early their core value propositions so they spend less time on features that do not drive or excel, Dr Nicole Gates-Garden helps would-be entrepreneurs test their ‘new or own concepts’ ‘raw ideas’ against real market needs, ensuring they focus on viable paths rather than unproven concepts/ideas.
3. Sustainability & Practical Execution (costructive & positive strengths again): Dr Nicole Gates-Garden is showing would-be entrepreneurs various settings with more concrete financial milestones during the early ideation phase so would-be entrepreneurs track their path to revenue generation more quckly and closely. Her coaching successfully bridges the gap between high-level needs & vision and the day-to-day actions needed to start a stable enterprise. In a nutshel. Been there done that, now is time for my partner and children to follow suit, in their own trials.
Alexandru Schiller – CEO & Founder (it is a 5 out of 5 stars for me folks!) Bravo!
Ode to Dr Nicole Gates-Garden! In this film one can identify at least three (3) core) principles that her entrepreneurship is based and we could ALL use it to our benefit, and I mean to simple city folks mums & dads alike, to country people (especially aboriginee in remote areas) of Australia, South Pacific (Oceania) regions:
1. Mentorship & Communication (constructive & positive) opportunities to connect would be entrepreneurs with a clear, broader external networks or funding resources faster in their development cycle, and help would be entrepreneurs uncover their own blind spots and build realistic plans tailored to their unique strengths.
2. Idea Validation & Strategy (constructive and positive) pushing mindlike people to define early their core value propositions so they spend less time on features that do not drive or excel, Dr Nicole Gates-Garden helps would-be entrepreneurs test their ‘new or own concepts’ ‘raw ideas’ against real market needs, ensuring they focus on viable paths rather than unproven concepts/ideas.
3. Sustainability & Practical Execution (costructive & positive strengths again): Dr Nicole Gates-Garden is showing would-be entrepreneurs various settings with more concrete financial milestones during the early ideation phase so would-be entrepreneurs track their path to revenue generation more quckly and closely. Her coaching successfully bridges the gap between high-level needs & vision and the day-to-day actions needed to start a stable enterprise. In a nutshel. Been there done that, now is time for my partner and children to follow suit, in their own trials.
Alexandru Schiller – CEO & Founder (it is a 5 out of 5 stars for me folks!) Bravo!