North Wilkesboro, N.C. — Four local small businesses received Entrepreneurial Grants from the Wilkes Economic Development Corporation (EDC) at the EDC’s Board Meeting on Friday, December 9, 2022. Thanks to generous local sponsors, this grant program is held twice a year. Nine local businesses of various types applied for this year’s program, including a custom dance apparel business, a beauty salon, crafting retreat cabin, and a fitness studio.
Submissions were judged based on the potential funding impact on the business and the sustainability of each respective recipient. Applicants submitted a video pitch in addition to their business plans and financial summaries to give the judges an insight into their proposed use of funds. The grant amount totaled $12,000, distributed between the four winners.
Hive Fitness Studio LLC, located at 1301 Westwood Lane, Unit 3-4 in Wilkesboro, offers private and semi-private training, small group fitness classes, and sports performance training. Owner, Megan Barnett, started her career teaching large group exercise classes and boot camps but wanted to offer her clients something more personal and focus more on longer-term health and fitness. Barnett received a $3,700 grant for rubber flooring for the studio. The rubber flooring will help to expand the space for classes and exercises. To learn more about this business or to schedule a tour, please visit www.trainwithhive.com.
Comity Cabin LLC, a New Business applicant of the Entrepreneurial Grant Program, is an arts and crafts retreat in Moravian Falls. Sarah Chapman came from a family of crafters and was inspired to create a crafting retreat cabin. Chapman and her husband, Chris Chapman, began renovations in early 2022 and continue adding to it for more crafting activities. Sarah received a grant of $3,400 for tables and chairs for crafting sessions at the cabin. To learn more or to book your getaway, visit www.comitycabin.com.
Whitney Deal Dancewear, located at 308 10th Street, North Wilkesboro, creates custom dance apparel for young dancers. Owner, Whitney Deal, has experience with the dance studio growing up and found herself in this familiar setting thanks to her daughters sharing the same interests. She started her business in January 2022 and has since operated under the philosophy of creating dancewear designed to make girls feel comfortable, confident, and cute. Whitney Deal Dancewear was awarded a $2,750 grant for their first production order of custom-made dance leotards. To learn more about this business or its selection, visit www.whitneydealdancewear.com.
Arlene and Friends Salon and Spa, located at 205 6th Street, North Wilkesboro, was purchased by Melissa Byrd in May 2018. They offer services for hair care and some skin and nail treatment. Melissa proudly offers her team opportunities to grow and expand their skill sets through certifications and training programs to bring back to their clients. They received a grant of $2,150 towards an 8-in-1 DermiSystem to expand their services. To learn more or to book an appointment, call (336) 838-4384.
Francisco Martinez, Marketing Manager for Wilkes EDC, stated that this year’s program was “an insightful experience to the small business community of Wilkes County. As the newest member of the Wilkes EDC team, I was excited to see how new and existing businesses can benefit from the Entrepreneurial Grant Program. We invite individuals and businesses who want to support Wilkes’ entrepreneurship through this program to contact us to become active sponsors.”
Robin Hamby, Vice President of Wilkes EDC has led this grant program for the past nine years. “We appreciate the financial backing this program receives from our generous sponsors. For the benefit of new and existing businesses alike, it is essential that this program be offered twice yearly. We are pleased to provide 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 yearly in the Spring and Fall. The Fall 2022 Sponsors were: Duke Energy, Wilkes Community College Small Business Center, and Wilkes EDC. Funding commitments for the Spring 2023 Entrepreneurial Grant Program are starting to come in, but we still need sponsorships to meet our goal of $12,500 for the next grant cycle.
Program Sponsorships are available at various levels, with private and in-kind donations also accepted. Each level above Bronze allows the donor to be recognized even further. 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. If you are interested in supporting entrepreneurship and economic development in Wilkes County, don’t hesitate to contact our office at (336) 838-1501 or visit our Investor Page for more information.
Wilkes EDC President LeeAnn Nixon thank this cycle’s judges. “Their dedication to the program is more than apparent. The judging panel features local business advocates from North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, in addition to regional support organizations for startups. Applicants can often find referrals and advice they didn’t know they needed, thanks to their experience and knowledge.” Fall 2022 judges were Bill Roberts of Duke Energy; Lesa Hensley of Surrey Bank; Thomas Salley of 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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