Community Start Your Own Business Workshops

Faculty and staff deliver a series of business startup workshops with follow-up mentoring and support provided by the university and local successful entrepreneurs.

Currently we're hosting a series in Ashe County, click HERE for more information. We also plan to host a fall series in Watauga County, check back later for details!

"Key Ingredient" Documentary Project

With funding from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Center carried out a documentary project, Homegrown Business Success Stories: Discovering the "Key Ingredient" for Entrepreneurial Success. Through interviews with successful local business owners, including the companies of Bernhardt Furniture, Banner's Cabinets, Hospitality Mints, Buck Stove, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, and American Emergency Vehicles, the producer and partners embarked upon a journey to discover what it takes to be successful in the High Country. The common thread between all entrepreneurs laid not in any specific business strategy, but rather in their attitudes and actions. The documentary is broken up into chapters by company, click HERE to watch Key Ingredient!

Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities

In 2011, the Center carried out a research project to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the High Country. The project took the form of a survey and gathered information about consumer desires and purchasing patterns. Click the PDF links below to view highlights from the project.

Business Needs Assessment

In 2011, the Center carried out two regional focus groups aimed at gathering information on the needs of High Country businesses. Click the PDF link below titled BNA HighLights to view results from the concensus building workshops.