01.21.21

Client Success Story: Second Gear Expands

Second Gear: First-Hand Accounts of Success from a Second-Hand Adventure Shop As any business owner knows, with strong…

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01.21.21

Press Release: The Application Window for ScaleUp 2021 is Now Open

In preparation for its 10th cohort, ScaleUp is taking applications to find 15 businesses for the Spring accelerator…

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01.19.21

Press Release: Mountain BizWorks, Dogwood Health Trust Partner to Provide Access to Paycheck Protection Program 2.0

Mountain BizWorks, Dogwood Health Trust Partner to Provide Access to Paycheck Protection Program 2.0   ASHEVILLE, NC—January 15,…

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12.28.20

Press Release: Mountain BizWorks Receives “Open for Business” Grant from Wells Fargo

Reduces barriers to lending for small businesses in North Carolina, fostering growth for local entrepreneurs and enabling recovery…

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01.06.21

Important relief on the way for WNC small businesses

Important relief on the way for WNC small businesses   We know 2020 has been tremendously challenging for…

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12.22.20

Press Release: Mountain BizWorks and Outdoor Gear Builders Announce Second Waypoint Accelerator Cohort, “Mountains to Sea”

9 Startups Selected for Next Cohort of the East Coast’s First Outdoor Business Accelerator   ASHEVILLE, NC—December 4,…

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12.21.20

Cleveland County Small Business Recovery Fund Closes First Stage of Grant Funding and Opens Second Round

The  COVID-19 relief grant, focusing on helping local, independently owned businesses in Cleveland County, will host a second…

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11.18.20

Disaster Funding Client Story: OOAK

One of a Kind Art Gallery (OOAK) represents over 170 local and regional artists from its location in…

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11.09.20

Target Market Workbook

  When truly learning about what a target market is as it relates to your business, it makes…

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Folks sit around tables at the Catalyst Meet and Greet, Asheville, NC.
12.17.20

Press Release: Mountain BizWorks Announces New Catalyst Cohort of Fast-Growing Companies Run by Entrepreneurs of Color in Western North Carolina

New inclusive entrepreneurship program provides networking opportunities and ongoing business and leadership skills-development ASHEVILLE, NC—October 27, 2020—Mountain BizWorks,…

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12.18.20

Client Success Story: RockGeist Rises to the Challenge

When RockGeist first reached out to Mountain BizWorks, they were a small business with six employees, a small…

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10.21.20

Press Release: Cleveland County Small Business Recovery Fund providing a grant program to help small businesses

Mountain BizWorks in partnership with the Cleveland County United Way is set to Administer a $325K Emergency Grant…

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12.21.20

Press Release: Application Process Opens for Waypoint Accelerator, An Opportunity for Early-Stage, Outdoor-Focused Companies

First program of its kind in the Eastern U.S. offers its second cohort access to extensive outdoor industry…

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10.12.20

Creating a Social Media Content Calendar

Prepared by Mountain BizWorks Business Coach, Aisha Adams This work is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0…

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09.29.20

MINDSET MATTERS: Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19 And Beyond

Never has it been more critical for us to focus on mindset than now.  Dealing with uncertainty is…

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09.11.20

Small Business Resource: Communications Crisis Plan Worksheet

While it's possible to get through a business closure by winging it when it comes to communication, your…

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07.09.20

Craft Your Commerce Workshop Series is Back

The 2020 Craft Your Commerce (CYC) Summer Workshop Series – Creative Shifts – will focus on adapting craft…

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Pam Granger stands in front of her studio sign, Majik Studios, Asheville, NC.
12.28.20

Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund Awardee Announcement

394 Buncombe Businesses Awarded Grants to Restart Operations through $5 Million Fund Created with Occupancy Tax Revenue by…

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06.12.20

What the PPP Flexibility Act Means for Small Business Owners

Late on Friday, June 5, President Trump officially signed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act into law.…

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05.20.20

Press Release: Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund Launch

$5 Million Grant Fund to Help Restart Local Tourism Businesses and Put People Back to Work Applications Open…

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04.09.20

Providing Access to the Paycheck Protection Program

Mountain BizWorks, Dogwood Health Trust Partner to Provide Access to Paycheck Protection Program for Nonprofits, Rural, Minority and…

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03.23.20

How to Apply for Essential Business Supplier Designation

To request designation as an Essential Business Supplier from NC Emergency Management, follow this process....Read more

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03.17.20

Important Announcement for Mountain BizWorks Borrowers

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and its impacts, we're deferring April payments for existing Mountain BizWorks loan…

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03.17.20

6 Tips to Keep Your Business Operational During COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, keep your business up and running with these six tips....Read more

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03.17.20

Reduced-Cost Tools for Remote Work

A resource guide to help small businesses enable remote work at a reduced cost throughout the COVID-19 outbreak....Read…

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03.17.20

Small Business Administration Offers Disaster Assistance Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced plans to offer low-interest disaster relief loans to small businesses suffering substantial…

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03.19.20

Our Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID‐19) is a rapidly evolving situation. See our COVID-19 Updates for the latest…

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03.05.20

Press Release: Announcing the Members of the 2020 ScaleUp WNC Cohort

15 fast-growing companies selected for this highly competitive program ASHEVILLE, NC (March 5, 2020) – After a highly…

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Photo of Brett Binford, Founder of Mudshark Studios
03.05.20

Press Release: Founder of Portland’s Mudshark Studios to Headline Craft Your Commerce Workshop Series

Spring entrepreneurial program will focus on operations and finances to help WNC makers and creatives take their enterprises…

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01.10.20

Carpe Decennium!

Map Your Trail to Business Success in Spring 2020 What do you want your business to look like…

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12.19.19

Application Window Now Open for 2020 ScaleUp WNC Program

Fresh on the heels of wrapping the most high-impact year of the ScaleUp WNC Program, Mountain BizWorks is…

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Photo of Charlie and Hunter Munday, Co-owners of Carolina Leg Co.
12.19.19

Client Success Story: Carolina Leg Co. Puts Best Foot Forward

“We grew up around furniture manufacturing. It’s in our blood. It’s our passion,” said Hunter Munday, one-half of…

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Patrick Fitzsimmons and Matthew Raker prepare to transition into new roles with Mountain BizWorks
12.12.19

Media Advisory: Mountain BizWorks Appoints New Executive Director, Celebrates Retiring Leader

Matthew Raker assumes leadership role from retiring Executive Director Patrick Fitzsimmons, guiding Mountain BizWorks into the next era…

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10.10.19

Press Release: New Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Director Announced

  Asheville Outdoor Industry Professional Announced as North Carolina’s New Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Director at Outdoor Economy…

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10.02.19

Press Release: First-Ever Waypoint Accelerator Cohort Announced

Mountain BizWorks and Outdoor Gear Builders Announce First-Ever Waypoint Accelerator Cohort 10 startups selected for the East Coast’s…

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08.21.19

Client Success Story: Tsuga

With the outdoor economy booming all over Western North Carolina, Tsuga was poised to grow and expand. The…

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11.04.19

1,250 Jobs and More: 2019 Impact Survey Highlights

Local Businesses Assisted by Mountain BizWorks Provide Significant Community Impacts in 2019 Each year Mountain BizWorks surveys clients…

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07.23.19

Design Your Path Towards Business Excellence this Fall

While we reach peak summer, and the mid-year point, it’s time to start crafting how you will achieve…

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06.20.19

Press Release: Calling WNC Outdoor Startups: Introducing Waypoint Accelerator

Mountain BizWorks and Outdoor Gear Builders launch new entrepreneurial accelerator for the next generation of great outdoor businesses…

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04.08.19

Foothills Launch entrepreneur events and pop-up office are coming to Cleveland County in April and May

The collaboration between Mountain BizWorks and IPDC is expanding access to vital ending and peer learning resources for…

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02.22.19

Open Grant Opportunities for WNC Small Businesses

Looking for Small Business Grants? Here are five NC exclusive grant opportunities for small businesses from seed stage…

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02.25.19

Announcing the 30 Companies for 2019 ScaleUp WNC

Fast growing companies from Franklin to Asheville to Spruce Pine have been selected for this highly competitive program…

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01.10.19

Create Your Trail Map to Business Success in 2019

It’s time to start drafting up your trail map for 2019 so you find yourself on the path…

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12.21.18

Some people say we’re dreamers, but we’re not the only ones

At Mountain BizWorks, we have a vision of what our economy can do for our community. This is…

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02.05.19

Client Success Story: Genene Curry Accounting

Somewhere on the fourth floor of the Flatiron building of Battery Park Avenue, Genene Curry is hard at…

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02.22.19

Client Success Story: UpStaff Personnel

Anthony Thomas is poised to revitalize the Asheville workforce with his revolutionary social enterprise, UpStaff Personnel. UpStaff Personnel…

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12.17.18

Client Success Story: LightHeart Gear

Judy Gross, an entrepreneur, innovator, and outdoor enthusiast, is the brainchild behind LightHeart Gear. Tucked in the industrial…

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12.03.18

Mountain BizWorks & IPDC Expand Entrepreneurial Services, Announce Rutherfordton Pop-Up Office

The effort, made possible by a USDA grant, will provide tailored small business lending and peer learning programs.…

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11.13.18

Now Open: Applications for 2019 ScaleUp Program are due January 27

The deadline to apply to the competitive program is January 27 (Asheville, NC):  It is a well-known fact…

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11.01.18

Capital Bank funds help propel Mountain BizWorks Growing Outdoors Initiative

ASHEVILLE, NC, Nov. 1, 2018 – Capital Bank announced today that Mountain BizWorks has received a $400,000 investment…

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10.13.18

ARC Unveils New Research and Resources to Support Regional Entrepreneurship

The Appalachian Regional Commission has released Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Appalachia, a suite of new research reports and resources to…

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10.11.18

Regional Partnership Expanding WNC’s Outdoor Industry Receives $940K in Funding from Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Program

Funding to advance businesses, jobs, and innovation within the region’s growing outdoor industry from workforce training to a…

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10.13.18

New Funding Announced to Support Craft Artists, Businesses and Students

UNC Asheville Awarded Nearly $2 Million Grant from the Windgate Foundation for STEAM Initiatives and Center for Craft…

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09.27.18

Client Success Story: Mountain Electronics

Mountain Electronics has been an industry leader in circuit board repair for the commercial laundry industry since its…

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09.27.18

Mountain BizWorks and Hatch receive NC IDEA Ecosystem grant to advance growth-oriented businesses across rural WNC

Funding to expand Mountain BizWorks’ ScaleUp WNC program across the region in collaboration with Hatch Asheville,  September 27,…

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08.29.18

Client Success Story: Wehrloom Honey

Aron and Jessica Wehr are the husband and wife duo behind Wehrloom Honey, a cutting-edge meadery, honey, and…

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08.22.18

Mountain BizWorks Clients Continue to Make Significant Impacts in Western North Carolina

555 jobs created and an additional 809 jobs retained in 2018 The data collected in this year’s Mountain…

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07.30.20

NEW ECONOMY COALITION RELEASES ITS LOCAL ECONOMY GAP ANALYSIS TO PUBLIC

The Western North Carolina New Economy Coalition (WNC NEC) has recently released an online resource (wncnec.org) which provides…

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08.01.18

Mountain BizWorks awarded $650,000 from Wells Fargo to Support Diverse Small Businesses

Mountain BizWorks is one of 13 organizations nationwide to receive funds as part of the Diverse Community Capital…

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06.28.18

WNC Craft Beer Export

Virginia Gil Cross grew up in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR), and after receiving her BA in Business…

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Mud to Money Local Farm Business Report
01.31.18

Mud to Money Report: Lessons from 15 Leading WNC Local Farms

New report identifies opportunities and challenges for improving the profitability and sustainability of WNC local food farms (Asheville,…

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01.26.18

Client Spotlight: Mother Earth Produce

ScaleUp WNC alumni taking over the grocery delivery industry as food activists Mother Earth Produce is a local food delivery…

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12.27.17

2018 Classes: Map Your Trail to Business Success

It’s time to start drafting up your trail map for 2018 so you find yourself on the path…

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12.27.17

2017 Year In Review

A Review of 2017 This year has been another record breaker for Mountain BizWorks as it accelerates towards…

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11.22.17

Success Story: Mountain BizWorks Coach and Long Time Client Cara Steinbuchel Expands Product Line

Cara’s entrepreneurial journey started in 2004 while working as the Co-Manager of Mud Hunter Pottery Gallery. The owner…

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11.01.17

Finding Funding for a Memorial Chapel

“June 12th was the day that Ryan called me and told me I was approved for a loan.…

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10.12.17

Start Grow Thrive during Global Entrepreneurship Week

Announcing the Start. Grow. Thrive. Conference A Global Entrepreneurship Week event in WNC (Flat Rock, NC): During one…

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09.26.17

A Yummi New Addition to Burnsville’s Restaurant Scene

America Mauricio’s dream of owning a restaurant comes to fruition with Yummi’s opening (Burnsville, NC): As a young…

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09.07.17

2017 Local Business Impact Survey

Clients are reporting strong improvements in the local businesses community  For our Local Business Impact Report we send…

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04.10.18

Client Success Story: Global Language System

Striking the balance between risk and fulfillment  Jean-Pierre Koudifo had been working for a defense contractor in Indianapolis…

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Madelyn Hjertmann
08.24.17

Mountain BizWorks Coach Profile: Madelyn Hjertmann

Making Dreams Happen in the High Country Last year Mountain BizWorks expanded into the High Country and opened…

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Mountain BizWorks receiving SBA check
08.01.17

Mountain BizWorks awarded federal funding to expand small business lending

New funds will increase access to capital for entrepreneurs in WNC’s underserved communities (Asheville, NC): Mountain BizWorks, a…

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08.24.17

Client Success Story: Mica Town Brewing

Bringing Craft Beer and Economic Impact  to Marion, NC The Craft Brewing industry seems to favor collaboration, and…

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Broad River Roasters
08.24.17

Client Success Story: Business is Good at Broad River Roasters

Coffee and doing good are just a way of life for Seth and Heather Stevens. It all started…

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08.24.17

Client Success Story: A Dream Come True at Unique Antique Station

Yvette Palacios is living her dream. Since she was five years old Yvette has been a collector and…

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NOC Case Study
05.31.17

Mast General Store Case Study: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

John Cooper, Founder of Mast General Store, shares his secret to success: common sense, trial and error, and…

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05.26.17

Jodi Rhoden is Saving the World One Enterprise at A Time

Jodi Rhoden is a burst of energy spreading small business advice and innovation wherever she goes.  She’s been…

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05.26.17

Mic Drop in Hendo

Paul and Sarah Klassen have a Hit with Hendough Confession. I am not a donut person. I mean,…

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04.27.17

Mountain BizWorks Coach, Emily Breedlove, Tells it Like it Is

Emily Breedlove is going to tell it to you straight. Sugar coating what she thinks about anything is…

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04.27.17

Evans Prater – Everything he Carries is Light

How Mount Inspiration found Mindfulness in Business. Evans Prater made two attempts to hike the entire Appalachian Trail.…

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03.23.17

ScaleUp WNC Launches in the High Country

Fifteen growing WNC small businesses selected for first cohort in Boone (Boone, NC):  Quickly on the heels of…

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02.20.17

Mountain BizWorks Announces the Fifth ScaleUp WNC Cohort

Fifteen high-potential WNC small businesses accepted into the intensive growth planning and mentorship program (Asheville, NC): Mountain BizWorks…

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02.17.17

Mountain BizWorks receives $750,000 investment from U.S. Department of Commerce

New funds to help Mountain BizWorks expand small business lending across Western North Carolina (Asheville, NC): Mountain BizWorks…

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01.23.17

Siamese Jazz Club Fulfills Musical Dreams

How an emerging jazz band used Foundations to hone their business chops and plan a European tour. While…

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01.03.17

Thirty high-potential WNC existing small businesses to aim for growth through the 2017 ScaleUp WNC program

The deadline to apply to the competitive program is January 29 (Asheville, NC):  It is a well-known fact…

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12.27.16

5 ways to jump-start your 2017

Season’s greetings! As you’re thinking about the year ahead or perhaps just enjoying the last of the egg…

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Foundations Business Planning Class
12.13.16

Foundations Business Planning Class Returns

Mountain BizWorks and Birds Eye partner to bring back the popular course and new offerings for area small…

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09.21.16

WNC MEDWeek 2016 is Monday 9/26 to Friday 9/30

Mountain BizWorks is proud to be sponsoring this year’s MEDWeek program recognizing and celebrating the achievements of minority…

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Blue Dream Curry House
08.01.16

Client Success Story: Blue Dream Curry House Says No to Restaurant Status Quo

James Sutherland and Sean Park know the downsides of working in the restaurant industry all too well: low…

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NOC Case Study
05.30.17

NOC Case Study: A Rafting Business Reinvention

Sutton Bacon, CEO of Nantahala Outdoor Center, shares how he faced a declining market and waning employee enthusiasm head-on to…

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Deltec Homes
07.18.16

On Becoming a B Corp: Deltec Homes

If you're in the early stages of certifying your business as a B Corp, or are simply curious…

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Client Success Story: UGoTour
07.15.16

Client Success Story: UGoTour Is On the Move

The Asheville-based tech company is scaling up and putting a better touring experience in everyone’s pocket....Read more

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Organic Planet Logo
08.24.17

Client Success Story: Organic Planet Cleaning Freshens Up a Dusty Business Model

With a little help from our classes and coaching, the company is conquering the cleaning industry and remaking…

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ScaleUp WNC
06.02.16

16 Companies Selected for ScaleUp WNC Cohort 4

Cohort 4 kicks off on June 10th as our largest ScaleUp WNC group yet, with 16 businesses participating—all…

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Cab Hound
04.25.16

Client Success Story: All Hail Cab Hound

The Waynesville-based tech company is poised for a total taxi industry takeover. ...Read more

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NOC Case Study
04.11.16

i play., Inc. Case Study: Building Around Brands

Becky Cannon, founder and president of i play., Inc—and author of Grow Healthy. Grow Happy. The Whole Baby…

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The Tacoed Wheel
04.25.16

Client Success Story: The Tacoed Wheel Is Truckin’

MBW helps two bike-riding, taco-loving Ashevilleans launch their dream biz....Read more

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River Arts Ballet Logo
04.25.16

Client Success Story: Meet River Arts Ballet

The studio just celebrated its one-year anniversary; in that time, they’ve grown from training six ballerinas in private…

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ScaleUp WNC
03.08.16

Announcing ScaleUp WNC Cohort 3

We’re thrilled to announce the 15 small businesses with strong potential for growth and job creation that will…

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12.08.15

Announcing call for applications for the 2016 ScaleUp WNC program

Helping entrepreneurs take their ventures to new heights; Deadline to apply is January 31 (Asheville, NC):  Starting a…

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10.21.15

Mountain BizWorks receives $1.25m in SBA funding

Funding will help launch and grow small businesses across the NC mountains region   (Asheville, NC): Small businesses,…

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10.19.15

Mountain BizWorks 25th Anniversary Celebration

WHEN Thursday, November 19, 6:00 – 9:00pm WHERE Hi-Wire Brewing – “Big Top” Location 2A Huntsman Place, Asheville…

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10.19.15

InnovateHER Women’s Business Idea Contest – entries due Nov. 3

Mountain BizWorks invites local women in business to submit business plans for a chance to win $70,000. Interested applicants…

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07.09.15

New Quickbooks Classes for Small Business

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07.09.15

Introducing: Child Care Business Training from Mountain Bizworks at Smart Start of Buncombe County

Mountain Bizworks, in partnership with Self Help Credit Union and Smart Start of Buncombe County, is pleased to…

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04.30.15

Client Spotlight: Sheneika Smith of Date My City

  (Sheneika Smith and her daughters, ZaiKharri and Alaijah) Sheneika Smith is a native Ashevillian and the founder of…

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04.28.15

New Birds Eye Business Planning Courses for the Month of May

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04.12.15

Client Spotlight: Taryn Gentry and Jenny Farmer of Geaux Girl Concierge

Like many great ideas, Taryn Gentry’s decision to bring on her friend and colleague Jenny Farmer as a…

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12.04.13

Get Your Business on Track This Winter with GO

Are you questioning what the next steps for your business should be? This winter, you can make and…

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11.27.13

Investor Profile: Hedy Fischer

Hedy Fischer is a mover and shaker in the local arts community. After supporting Mountain BizWorks for many…

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12.02.13

Training Urban Farmers

Earlier this month, 10 participants from the Urban Farm School completed our Business Planning Foundations class....Read more

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Kathy Stickler
11.27.13

Courageous Journey Toward a Healthy Business

For Kathy Stickler, owner of Healthy Traditions, starting a business wasn’t so much a choice, as a responsibility…

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11.27.13

Healthcare Reform: Are You and Your Business Ready?

The owner of Trout Insurance helps us understand how the new health insurance laws will affect small business…

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11.27.13

Scaling Up a Handcrafted Business

Brian Fireman produces gorgeous handcrafted wooden furniture, using locally sourced materials. He's come to Mountain BizWorks to learn…

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11.27.13

Big Branding for Small Business

Pat Kappes, owner of Studio XP Branding & Communication Tools, recognized that the best way to serve her…

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11.27.13

Best of WNC 2013

Mountain Xpress readers have spoken... and Mountain BizWorks and 90 of our clients are winners!...Read more

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11.27.13

Bending Over Backwards to Build a Business

Jason Brodsky's business offers a unique proposition: “bringing yogic principles to the real estate transaction.”...Read more

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Victor Palomino with his artwork
11.27.13

Art in the Office: Victor Palomino

Most of you probably know Victor Palomino as our Entrepreneurship Coordinator – the friendly guy who helps you…

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11.27.13

4 Tips for Hiring and Managing Employees

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to Asheville Hair Design for our free seminar, Do You…

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11.27.13

Investing Locally

While many of us choose to shop at local stores and eat local food, there’s one more layer…

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11.27.13

Sweets for the Sweet

The other day, some of the staff was gathered in the break room for lunch, talking about how…

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