Meet Tarik Lee | HOPE Enterprises Inc.| CFO, Co-Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tarik Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tarik, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When my wife, Dr. Tahira Lee, and I co-founded HOPE Enterprises Inc., my thought process was driven by a deep desire to use my experiences to create a lasting, transformational movement. Having spent over 20 years in the professional business world, I reached a point where I realized that true success isn’t measured by money or fame. Instead, it’s about enabling anyone and everyone to live a life filled with passion, peace, and purpose.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What truly sets us apart is how we integrate completely different social solutions under one roof. We break our mission down into three distinct, powerhouse pillars:

Free Education: We run the HOPE House University, a tuition-free, remote higher-learning institute and online charter school for “career-creatives” aged 7 to 17 in Atlanta. We teach a foundational curriculum based on the Seven Dimensions of Wellness alongside heavy-hitting career concentrations like Business & Free Enterprise, Real Estate, Tech, and Science.

Affordable Housing: We address housing insecurity through eco-friendly, sustainable living solutions. Our flagship project is the Tiny Houses of HOPE in Dahlonega, Georgia—environmentally conscious housing that honors both the people living in them and the planet.

Community & Mental Health: Through the HOPE House Community, we prioritize mental wellness, offering access to affordable healthcare, social-emotional learning, and financial literacy coaching.

With over 20 years of professional business experience, the biggest lesson I’ve learned—and one that guides my financial philosophy here—is that you must invest heavily in people if you want a long-lasting impact.

In business, people often look at compensation, wellness programs, or free community resources as a strict “expense” on a balance sheet. I look at them as our greatest assets. When you resource an individual properly—whether that’s giving a child a free, high-tech education or giving a family an eco-friendly tiny home—you unleash human potential that pays dividends back into society for generations.

I often reflect on a quote by Steve Bow: “God’s gift to you is more talent and ability than you will ever use in one lifetime. Your gift to God is to develop and utilize as much of that talent and ability as you can.” Our job at HOPE is simply to unlock that hidden talent in others.

If there is one thing I want the world to know about our brand and our story, it’s this: Everyone deserves a second chance, a fresh start, and the resources to build a legacy.

HOPE Enterprises isn’t just an organization; it’s a living, breathing movement. Whether you are a parent looking for a better educational pathway for your kid, someone looking for a fresh start in life, or a donor looking to make a tangible global impact, there is a place for you here.

We are healing communities, opening doors, and proving that when you lead with heart and manage with integrity, you can truly change the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
ATL offers a variety of excellent locations and dining options that are well worth visiting. I recommend exploring Piedmont Park and Ponce City Market, as well as Sugar Bush on the south side of the city.

For dining, Breakfast Boys and the Southern Feed Store food hall are highly recommended. Additionally, Marcus Bar & Grille and Kimchi Red are exceptional choices and they don’t miss!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to express my profound gratitude to Dr. Tahira Lee for her visionary leadership and tireless dedication. Her commitment has been the cornerstone of our progress, and I am deeply moved by the hard work she continues to invest in our collective success.

I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the incredible teachers, students, parents, and “HOPE dealers” who showed up every day to push our mission forward. Because of your resilience and unwavering spirit, we are actively shaping a better tomorrow. Each of you plays a vital role in ensuring that the future remains bright for the generations to come.

Website: https://morehopenow.com

Instagram: @cfotariklee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarik-lee-b18690126/

Image Credits
epiphany-image.com