EntrepreNEWSletter
It is a time of celebration in Southwest Virginia! Entrepreneurs and communities across the region are being recognized for their efforts to create a culture of entrepreneurship. In this issue, find out who is opening or expanding a business in your community as a result of local entrepreneur competitions and learn more about a business that continues to grow to meet the needs of their customers. Discover what leaders are doing to "rally" their communities and how they are supporting local businesses. More importantly, find out how you can take part in moving the Southwest Virginia region forward.
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Business Plan Competitions
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Washington County Business Challenge Awards Winners
Washington County Business Challenge awarded more than $30,000 in cash and prizes to the top winners of their third annual business plan competition.
First Place for New Startup Business – Katie Lamb with Me and Little Tree Studio and Boutique; Damascus VA.
Second Place for New Startup Business – Rhonda Caudell with Damascus River Runners; Damascus, VA.
Third Place for New Startup Business – Donna Howe with Kindred Spirits; Abingdon, VA
First Place for Existing Business in Glade Spring - Stephen Curd with Lavelle Denim; Glade Spring, VA.
First Place for Existing Business in Damascus – Susan Seymore with Mojo's Cafe; Damascus, VA
First Place for Expanding Existing Business – Eva Beaule with Adventure Mendota; Mendota, VA
Second Place for Expanding Existing Business – Nicole Dyer with White Birch Juice; Abingdon, VA
Third Place for Expanding Existing Business – Lindsey Felty with The Barkery; Abingdon, VA
Read the Press Release >>
Watch the announcement >>
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Norton Business Challenge Announces Winners
On June 7, 2016 at the Norton City Council Meeting, six entrepreneurs were recognized for their completion of the Norton Business Challenge. Funded by the Norton Industrial Development Authority and coordinated by People Inc., the program awarded $15,000 to two expanding businesses. Shawn Campbell, owner of Zest Catering, won first place in the competition, receiving $10,000 to expand his business in the City of Norton. Rachel Collins, owner of Rachel's Cupcakes, won the second place award of $5,000. Each business that completed the competition received a one year free membership in the Wise County & City of Norton Chamber of Commerce.
Learn more >>
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Governor McAuliffe Awards Winners of Pop Up Marion Community Business Launch
The Town of Marion completed their tenth round of the "Pop Up Marion" Community Business Launch Program on May 13, 2016 when Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the top winners of the business boot camp. Receiving $20,000 each are Marion businesses Wolfe's BBQ Fresh Market and the town's first craft brewery, Headspace Brewing Company.
Check out the Press Release >>
Read the Governor's announcement>>
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 Startup Wythe In Second Annual Business Idea Competition
Downtown Wytheville, Inc. and the Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County are pleased to announce the second annual Startup Wythe In - Business Idea Competition. Applications are due on June 14, 2016.
Learn more >>
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Launch an Entrepreneur Competition
On April 12, 2016, My SWVA Opportunity partners hosted a seminar instructing community stakeholders on how to successfully launch an entrepreneur business plan competition. The free workshop provided insight on successful regional competitions, the benefits from the challengers' perspective, best practices and steps to organize a competition, and the various resources available to assist with implementation, including grants from the Department of Housing and Community Development. Attendees from across the region were provided with a detailed instruction manual with tips and helpful forms for coordinating an entrepreneur competition. To access the Entrepreneur Challenge toolkit and view the presentations from the seminar, follow the links below.
Entrepreneur Challenge toolkit >>
Watch the seminar presentations>>
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Hometowns of the Clinch
On April 14, 2016, three Southwest Virginia communities located along the Clinch River were designated as the first Hometowns of the Clinch. Over several months, leadership in Cleveland, Dungannon and St. Paul have engaged in efforts to improve their community and connect to a collaborative network, accomplishing various tasks to better position their community and the region as a better place. Help these communities celebrate their accomplishments by checking out their new Hometowns of the Clinch signs and purchasing some Clinch merchandise while you are there.
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Rally SWVA in Pocahontas
My SWVA Opportunity partners began working with The Town of Pocahontas on the Rally SWVA program earlier this year. An amazing leadership team in the community began working on a community project and strengthening their leadership skills. In just four short months, the Rally team brought energy back into their downtown by transforming a vacant historic space into to a vibrant community venue known as The Firehouse. The project was truly a community effort, and is another step in building the entrepreneurial community in Pocahontas.
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Virginia Business Incubation Association
On May 3, 2016, the Virginia Business Incubation Association held the 2016 Rural Incubation Summit at the Bolling-Wilson Hotel in Wytheville. The summit focused on strategies to strengthen rural small businesses with an emphasis on home based businesses, youth entrepreneurship, and opportunities to connect to resources. My SWVA Opportunity and People Inc. presented on the entrepreneurial efforts underway in the region, including the successes of regional entrepreneur competitions and details on how to coordinate a competition.
Learn more about VBIA>>
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SWVA Economic Forum
Over 300 participants attended the Southwest Virginia Economic Forum on May 12, 2016 at the UVa-Wise Convocation Center. The purpose of the forum was to bring together the numerous groups from government, industry and education that are working on economic development initiatives in the region to find ways to move Southwest Virginia forward. Participants with a passion for Southwest Virginia and its future were informed of ongoing initiatives and asked to provide input and new ideas. Action teams are currently being formed around six themes of focus in the areas of Youth and Education, Health and Wellness, Entrepreneurship, Business Support and Attraction, Regional Marketing, Communication and Messaging, and Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Learn more and sign up for an action team >>
Read The Business Journal article>>
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Tourism Revenues Reach $23 billion in 2015
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced on June 1, 2016 that Virginia's tourism revenues reached $23 billion and supported 222,600 jobs in 2015, resulting in a 2.3% increase in revenue and 2.6% or 5,700 increase in jobs compared to 2014. In addition, the tourism industry provided $1.6 billion in state and local revenue in 2015. Governor McAuliffe stated, "Having a strong tourism industry is vital to job creation and economic growth in Virginia." Virginia Tourism Corporation is the state entity responsible for marketing Virginia and promoting the Virginia is for Lovers brand.
Read the official announcement >>
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New Economy Workforce Grants for Incumbent Workforce Training
On June 3, 2016, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced $1 million in grants to seven regional Workforce Development Boards in Virginia to work with small businesses, community colleges, and other partners to provide workforce training and credentialing to incumbent workers. The Southwest Virginia Workforce Board (Region 1) was awarded $150,000. Mountain Empire Community College is among the ten colleges that will provide training and assessments for the new Incumbent Workforce Training program.
Read the official announcement >>
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Draper Mercantile & Trading Company
"Sustaining heritage, heart and soul in Southwest Virginia," the Draper Mercantile & Trading Company serves as a showplace for regional arts, crafts, and music. It is a community center, a music hall, a dining hall and most importantly a gathering place, and has been for over 150 years. Home to a variety of services, the Merc creates positive ways of coming together through simple experiences that enrich everyday life - whether that's through food, art, music or the outdoors.
Owners, Bill and Debbie Gardner have been dedicated to this mission since 2002, when they first opened New River Retreat vacation getaways. Expanding to meet the needs of the community, the Gardner's created the Draper Mercantile and later added Blue Door Cafe, Draper Valley Marketplace, The Junction outdoor recreation shop, and Draper Blooms florist. As the Merc family has grown, the operation has truly become a family affair with the whole Gardner crew working at the business.
Three Questions with… The Draper Mercantile
What ignited the spark in you to start your business?
"I see things that never were and ask why not?" - In 1996, which was our first experience in the area, I couldn't believe how beautiful the little spot on the New River was; the mountains surrounding it and the genuineness of the people. At that time, it was not considered a tourism destination and the thought of that concept often brought a chuckle with many of the locals.
What three pieces of advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Have a clear vision you passionately believe in (business plan)! Make sure you are properly capitalized. Stay disciplined and keep your eye on the vision. You will encounter difficult times through business experiences and with people. That is when it's most important to keep your eye on the vision, one foot in front of the other and move forward with purpose, not allowing the negativity of doubt to paralyze you. If you're really going for something special, it won't be easy!
How do you define success?
Besides the obvious of needing to be able to provide the basics for a standard of living, the thing that drives me the most is..."To know that if your life would end tomorrow, you have lived purposefully and passionately through something you believe in and in doing so, it has made a positive impact on the people around you and your community."
Be sure to visit the Draper Mercantile & Trading Company and all that they have to offer on the New River! To learn more about the business, visit www.drapermerc.com and like them on Facebook.
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Let us share your exciting updates in entrepreneurship with the rest of the region! Contact Robyn Lee at rlee@uvawise.edu to have news and events added to the newsletter.
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