North Wilkesboro, N.C. — Six local small businesses were announced as receiving Entrepreneurial Grants from the Wilkes Economic Development Corporation at the EDC’s board meeting on Friday, June 10, 2022. This is the annual Entrepreneurial Grant Program competition awarded by the EDC, with the program being held twice this year thanks to several generous local sponsors. Fourteen local businesses of various types applied for this year’s program, including agriculture, massage therapy, pet boarding, cleaning services, and a previous grant winner who has the opportunity to expand.
Applicants were asked to submit a Video Pitch in addition to their business plans and financial summaries to give the judges insight into their proposed use of funds. Submissions were judged based on potential funding impact to the business, and the sustainability of each respective recipient. Grant amounts totaling $10,100 were distributed between the six winners.
Journey Well Thai Yoga Massage, located at 807 Main Street, Suite A in North Wilkesboro, offers traditional Thai Yoga Massage, Prenatal and Therapeutic Deep Tissue Massage. Owner Anna Thompson began her Thai Yoga Massage practice after discovering a passion for culture and inclusion on her many travels. Thompson received a $1,500 grant to go toward the cost of Grief and Trauma training to further expand the therapeutic services she offers. Anna says that she also hopes to use the training to help educate her employees on trauma-informed care. To learn more about this business or to book a session at Journey Well, please visit www.wejourneywell.com
The Green Cleaners, owned by Katie Reynolds of North Wilkesboro, is a mobile cleaning service specializing in chemical-free cleaning products that also remove allergens. Reynolds opened this business in 2019, which offers a variety of cleaning services for residential homes and vacation rental properties. The Green Cleaners received a total grant amount of $1,600. $800 will be used to purchase booking and point-of-sale software for their website, and $800 will be used to purchase an interactive training video for staff. Visit www.thegreencleaners.us to inquire about their services and the history of the business.
Swan Creek Acres, located at 850 Pinnix Road in Jonesville, is diversified vegetable farm located in eastern Wilkes County. Owner Kris Schultz shared that the farm’s format is largely based on growing under High Tunnel structures to better control the growing environment and extend the harvesting season to allow for wholesale orders. Currently they sell their produce at local Farmers Markets and supply to local restaurants. Swan Creek Acres received $1,500 to purchase an IOT irrigation system, which will allow them to increase production and begin fulfilling wholesale orders. To contact Kris, send an email to KSchultz055@gmail.com.
Stardust Cellars was previously awarded an Entrepreneurial Grant in 2019 which allowed them to manufacture and distribute their line of custom Meads. Since then, owner Nick von Cosmos has secured contracts with retail stores statewide and continues to expand. This year’s application requested grant funds to help increase their available inventory in order to meet current customer demand and expand their retail presence. Stardust Cellars was awarded $1,000 for purchasing local honey, bottles and labels needed to give them the opportunity to expand. For more on their winemaking process, go to www.stardustcellars.com or visit their location at 1202 Curtis Bridge Road in Wilkesboro.
New Journey Farm located at 1702 South Lomax Road in Ronda, NC, is a rescue farm that rehabilitates equines who have been neglected, sold for slaughter, or been injured, and rehomes them safely. Owner Jessica Bell says that most of the donkeys and horses rescued are retired from racing or were used on farms to plow or provide transportation. Once they are rehomed, these animals usually become full-use horses or emotional support animals. New Journey Farm was awarded $1,500 for needed updates to their barn and establish a system that brings water to each of the stalls. Their goal is to continue to meet the need for equine rescues in Wilkes County, heal and rehab the animals, and connect them with loving forever homes. For information on New Arrivals, becoming a Sponsor, or adopting and animal- visit www.newjourneyfarmandequinerescue.com .
Wilkes Wags & Wiggles is a new business started in Wilkes by Amanda Cowles. Wilkes Wags & Wiggles will offer boarding services, and personalized drop-in care in a safe environment for their clients’ furry friends. Amanda received $3,000 in grant funds to purchase point-of-sale CRM software program for booking, and storefront sign once her location is secured. Wilkes Wags & Wiggles plans to announce their location to the community soon. To receive updates, or learn more about their services, visit www.wilkeswagsandwiggles.com .
Caroline Bracey-Adams, Marketing & Content Manager for Wilkes EDC stated that this year’s program was, “the second year that the EDC was able to hold the grant program twice, both in the Fall and Spring. When I came to the EDC full-time, I was excited to be able to participate in continuing this program for local businesses. Not only do you learn a lot about the caliber of the small business community in Wilkes County, but it has been very rewarding to watch the innovation and growth that happens in a short amount of time. We really hope that the benefit of this program is noticed by individuals and businesses who would like to support entrepreneurship in Wilkes, and in turn contact us to become active sponsors of this program.”
Program Sponsorships are available at various levels with private and in-kind donations also accepted. All our program sponsors receive free promotional marketing on the Entrepreneurial Grant webpage, an announcement in the EDC’s Monthly Activity Report, and are honored guests at our Annual Meeting. Each level above Bronze gives the donor an opportunity to be recognized even further. “It really is a great way to market your own business,’ Bracey-Adams stated. If you are interested in supporting entrepreneurship and economic development in Wilkes County, please contact our office at (336) 838-1501 or visit our Investor Page for more information.
Robin Hamby, Vice President of Wilkes EDC has led this grant program for the past eight years. “Our sponsors make this program possible, and we are encouraged by the funding support it receives. Offering this program twice per year is necessary for both new and existing businesses; sometimes entrepreneurs cannot wait a full year for funding. We are glad to be able to offer this grant opportunity every six months.” The future of this program relies on sponsorships to encourage entrepreneurship. Wilkes EDC hopes to continue holding it twice per year in the Spring and Fall. The Spring 2022 Sponsors were: Duke Energy, Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority, Town of North Wilkesboro, Surrey Bank, First National Bank, Wilkes Community College Small Business Center, Truist and Wilkes EDC. Funding commitments for the Fall 2022 Entrepreneurial Grant Program are starting to come in, but we still sponsorships in order to meet our goal of $12,500 for the next grant cycle.
Wilkes EDC President LeeAnn Nixon thank this cycle’s judges. “Their dedication to the program is more than apparent. The Judges’ Panel represents small business supporters from both North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, as well as regional resources for entrepreneurs. Their experience and knowledge often provides applicants with referrals and insight they didn’t know they needed!” Spring 2022 judges were Danielle Buckins and Jimmy Flythe of Duke Energy, Crystal Keener, Town of North Wilkesboro; Thomas Salley, Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority; and David Henson, Small Business Technology Development Center. Special thanks to Laurie Brintle-Jarvis of the Wilkes Community College Small Business Center for continuing to help applicants with their Business Plans and Financial Summaries during grant cycle and beyond. Laurie establishes relationships with businesses to ensure their success by providing free and confidential business coaching services to small business owners in Wilkes, Ashe and Allegheny counties. For information and more resources, please contact her office or visit the Small Business Center’s website.
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