Keynote Speaker
Building a Sustainable World through Entrepreneurial Action: Business can be a force for good and students around the world are proving it every day. On 1730 campuses in 36 countries, Enactus includes 72,000 students in a vision to create a better more sustainable world. As part of Enactus, students use their creativity, energy and optimism to help address the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development goals in their local communities. Enactus is engaging the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders to use innovation and business principles to improve the world. And now Enactus is at Appalachian. Come check it out!
BIO - Rachael Jarosh is president and chief executive officer of Enactus, the largest experiential learning platform dedicated to creating a better world while developing the next generation of leaders with a head for business and a heart for the world.
Under Jarosh’s leadership, Enactus is driving innovation to create greater impact for the 72,000 participating Enactus university students in 36 countries, and the communities in which they are addressing economic, environmental and social challenges.
Prior to joining Enactus in 2016, Jarosh built a distinctive professional portfolio in communications and philanthropic strategy, law and finance. She served as president of the Foundation at Pentair plc, where she led the effective repositioning of the organization and launched a multi-year water initiative in partnership with the Center for Disease Control and non-profit organizations which now provides sustainable access to safe water for 3M people. Earlier, Jarosh worked in strategic communications and equity analysis and began her career as an attorney. In addition, Jarosh is a writer; her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, and the Star Tribune among other outlets, and she is the author of a forthcoming nonfiction book.
Morning Speakers
No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of this Startup: How blind faith and stubborn determination led to the creation of one of the most disruptive brands in the competitive plant-based meat category. In 2014, No Evil Foods co-founder, Sadrah Schadel set out on a mission to address a broken food system by reinventing the time-honored tradition of meat-making, using nothing but plants. Learn how building a relatable brand based on authenticity and punk rock values helped launch No Evil Foods into grocery stores nationwide and how they’re using their purpose-powered approach as a force for good.
BIO - With a lifetime of plant-based experience under her belt, Sadrah Schadel has some serious veg cred. In the lively hub of her family's kitchen, she got into the culinary game at an early age. Later, her DIY spirit and don’t-give-a-damn-punk-rock attitude combined with her high standards for quality ingredients and product performance drove her to create No Evil Foods, the most boss Plant Meats on the market.
Schadel stands in command of the test kitchen and develops innovative recipes drawing from world flavors inspired by her extensive travels. She passionately spearheads No Evil Food's social justice initiatives and is also a creative magician who shares the vision and communicates the voice of the company.
30 years a Startup - Forging success in the High Country: Charleston Forge is not a dream come true story. It is the successful result of recognizing an opportunity and pursuing that opportunity with a passion. Art and Susan Barber plan to share a perspective that has helped them build and rebuild a successful business. Having sold products to some of the best-known companies in the world, the Barbers understand the importance of passion, the impact of a servant's heart, the power of asking for help, the thrill of doing the unexpected, and the satisfaction of giving back.
BIO - Thirty-four years ago, Art and Susan Barber, former Appalachian State University students, started Charleston Forge, a Boone, North Carolina based furniture manufacturer. The Barbers both grew up in Winston-Salem. They started dating while attending R.J. Reynolds High School, then came to Appalachian State, and proceeded to marry in 1972, while Susan was a sophomore and Art was a senior. To support themselves while attending school, Susan worked as a secretary in Appalachian's English and art departments while Art took a job at a local hardware store.
With a $9,000 loan from friends, they started their own business one year after graduation. It evolved from a small 1,000 square foot retail store into a manufacturing operation encompassing more than 250,000 square feet and employing more than 250 people. Its products have been shipped throughout the United States, Canada and Europe to some of the most prestigious customers in the world.
The tragedy of September 11 and the ensuing worst recession in decades, combined with a flood of lower-priced imports and skyrocketing expenses, almost forced the company to close its doors.
Not only did the Barbers build their business once, they built it twice. Their story is an incredible example of determination, passion, pride, gambles and sacrifices – and success beyond their wildest dreams.
Suffice it to say, with the Barbers' first manufacturing employee still on the job after 34 years and Starbucks as their largest customer, this little homegrown company based right here in Boone, North Carolina has done something right.
Luncheon Speaker
FOLLOW YOUR ART: Ryan Kirby is following his passion and building a thriving business with a paintbrush and a laptop. Kirby draws inspiration from the Appalachian Mountains and the animals that call them home. His original oil on canvas paintings feature deer, turkey, elk and other wild game that thrive in the region. Kirby has built a career as a graphic designer while mastering his talents as an artist. He will share his successful strategy to earn his living doing exactly what he loves. Kirby's award-winning work has appeared on the cover of Outdoor Life, and you can see more of his work at www.RyanKirbyArt.com.
BIO - Most men grow up and choose a craft…and some men…a special few…are chosen by a craft long before they are grown.
Like a hammer to a carpenter or ball to an athlete, from the time Ryan Kirby first picked up a paintbrush, there was no question what his craft would be. Kirby was born an artist. And once old enough to venture deep into the woods of the family farm, his subject quickly became wild things.
Wild sunsets. Wild rivers. Wild animals.
It takes a trained eye to recreate the way sunlight bounces off a deer antler or to perfectly place a thousand feathers as a tom turkey lunges forward into a thunderous gobble. For Kirby, the training takes place on his hunting adventures – each morning in the field used as a time to watch, listen and learn.
From the wilds of Alaska to the Rocky Mountains to the Heartland of his home state of Illinois, Kirby has traveled far and wide to see fur, feathers, trees and water differently than the rest of us…and the same. The same adrenaline that’s pulsed through the veins of hunters for generations is what makes Kirby tick. Only his purpose for being there is different. He is an artist - charged by God to preserve on canvas His wild places and wild things.
There’s a spiritual connection between the brush, the animal and the scene. Through Kirby’s hand, moments in time are captured forever – to be relived by those who gaze upon the canvas.
Maybe you’ve been here before. Or maybe you long to see these sights and sounds for yourself. Either way, Ryan Kirby’s art is painted for you.
Afternoon Speaker
Google Comes to the Mountain: Google is in the house! “Sales” has changed forever. People make their own purchase decisions based on their own research and their own impressions. A solid website is critical, but it is no longer enough. Hear how consumers are finding solutions online and learn how to insure they find your site. Hear how to promote your online presence with search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising. Demming Bass will show you the tools and techniques to help you reach your customers before it’s too late and grow your business online. If you have a website and something to sell, you don’t want to miss this workshop!
BIO - Demming Bass is a speaker for Google’s Get Your Business Online program and the CEO of two creative marketing consulting firms: New Marketing Makeover and Chamber Marketing Makeover.
His marketing, branding and public relations career began in the early 1990s. After an award-winning career as a chamber of commerce executive in North Carolina and Georgia for 17 years, he became Constant Contact’s Southeast U.S. Regional Development Director where he trained more than 8,000 small businesses, nonprofits and chambers how to be better marketers. Bass has been recognized as one of the “Top 100 Most Notable Georgians” by Georgia Trend Magazine, one of the Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential Leaders in Georgia by both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend, and North Carolina State University Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumni in the field of Communication and Public Relations.
Demming graduated cum laude from North Carolina State University and earned the Institute of Organizational Management IOM) professional designation from the College of Charleston.
Fun Facts about Deming Bass: ● He loves small businesses and entrepreneurs! ● He's a “Top 40” songwriter ● He's an artist that has donated $20,000+ in artwork to local charities ● His twin daughters and I share the same birthday - May 11 ● On average, he read's one book per week
Breakout Session Speakers
You have started a business! What’s next? Online banking and mobile services are convenient, but they don't replace the service you get from a local professional. This session will focus on the importance of establishing relationships with your bank, insurance agent and financial advisor. Just as a successful entrepreneur never forgets that the customer comes first, neither do we. Come learn how to finance your business, protect your business from risks and eventually manage your wealth.
Presenters: Brian Greer, Business Relations and Commercial Lending; Sandra Williams, Business Insurance Counselor; Chad Smith, Investment Advisor Representative
BIO - Brian Greer has ten years of service in banking, is an NC State University graduate and is a Boone native.
Sandra Williams, CIC, CBIA, CISR, CPIW, has 37 years of experience in insurance and working with commercial clients.
Chad Smith has 17 years in insurance and financial services experience, is an Appalachian State University graduate, and holds the following licenses: Series 7 and 66 and Life Insurance.
LifeStore Financial Group is headquartered in West Jefferson, North Carolina and provides banking, investment and insurance services.
Turning Passion into Profits: The Local Lion is a family-owned and operated coffee and donut shop across the street from campus. Josiah Davis and his wife Meredith are graduates of Appalachian State University. Seeing that Boone was missing a drive-thru coffee and doughnut shop, the idea of the Local Lion was born with the goal to change the way you think about coffee. Come hear Josiah talk about his commitment to social responsibility and hear the startup story of the Local Lion.
BIO - Josiah Davis received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy from Appalachian State and a Masters of Theology in church history from Wales Lampeter. Josiah has served as a life coach, resident counselor, and a chaplain at Crossnore Home For Children. In business, he founded, managed and sold a service company called Fireproofit LLC Most recently, Josiah founded the Local Lion, a popular coffee and donut shop on 321 in Boone. He also manages a wholesale roasting company, Mountain Lion Coffee.co and purchased, rebranded, and integrated an online sales company, The Captain's Coffee.
Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship: Tyler offers advice to students at Appalachian in starting a business and protecting their interests to get them off on the right track. Tyler will discuss legal considerations for a start-up business, including formation of LLCs, contracts, patents, trademarks, partnerships, operating agreements and much more.
BIO - Tyler R. Moffatt, is an attorney and member of Moffatt & Moffatt, PLLC.
In 2010, after graduating from Elon University School of Law, Moffatt and his wife, Amanda C. Moffatt, formed Moffatt & Moffatt, PLLC, a small law firm located in Boone, North Carolina.
Over the past seven years, the Moffatts have worked diligently to grow their firm and hone their skills. They focus their practice on working with small and medium-sized businesses in many industries. The work with these businesses includes formation, organization and restructuring, transactional, labor/employment, litigation and intellectual property.
Moffatt devotes substantial time to providing pro-bono services to small businesses both through his firm as well as through multiple small business assistance programs such as small business accelerator and incubator programs. He is licensed to practice law in the state courts of North Carolina and Tennessee, U.S. District Federal Court, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal and U.S. Tax Court. In addition to practicing, Moffatt also teaches Business Law as an adjunct professor at Appalachian State University.
Accounting 101 for Startups: Every entrepreneur has important decisions to make every day. It is easier to make informed decisions when you understand your business and how it’s working. April Lambert will explain the basic accounting principles that every entrepreneur should know. She believes that a healthy accounting function is essential for building awareness and helps organizations strengthen their capacity for planning, management, and accountability.
BIO - April Lambert is the Director of Finance & Operations for Homeward Bound of WNC. She has 15 years of professional accounting experience in the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Lambert has consulted for more than 50 clients in the social services, arts, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and many other fields. She is the co-founder of several businesses, including a communications and conferencing company and a letterpress print shop, and has guided numerous entrepreneurs to launch and grow their own successful ventures. She believes that a healthy accounting function is essential for building awareness and shared responsibility for mission accomplishment across staff, divisions, and departments. Lambert is passionate about helping organizations strengthen their capacity for planning, management, and accountability with clear and compelling financial stories.
Demystifying Website Tracking: The task of tracking website visitors, keyword positions and the overall health of a website is often seen as a daunting task. Come learn about the tools and techniques the pros use to strategically push websites to the first page of Google. Get a leg up on your competition and solidify your understanding of the keywords that drive traffic for your industry.
BIO - With a degree from Appalachian State University in Industrial Design and a lifelong passion for web development, Boomer Sassmann has been running Big Boom Design Inc, an Asheville based Design agency since 2007. Currently, Sassmann manages a team of ten employees and supports over 350 companies across the United States. His passion for web development, coupled with a drive to “bridge the digital divide,” has resulted in a unique educational approach to empowering local business owners about the internet. He is a serial entrepreneur, designer, builder and all-around maker.
Funding Options for Startups: For 25 years, Mountain BizWorks has been providing small business loans to help businesses in Western North Carolina launch and expand. To help insure that their investments are secure, Mountain BizWorks also provides mentors and coaching to help their clients thrive and grow. Chris will explain how local entrepreneurs can borrow $1,000 to $150,000 to get their own ventures off the ground.
BIO - Chris grew up in the High Country of North Carolina. He received his masters of business administration from Appalachian State University in the Fall of 2013. He manages lending and learning services for Mountain Bizworks, covering the High Country region of Western North Carolina. Chris also serves on the board of High Country Local First and Ascent Business Network - not-for-profit organizations that provide entrepreneurial support to business owners and prospective business owners in the High Country. He is a partner in Center 45 Climbing and Fitness.
Digital Marketing for Customer Engagement: In 2010, Jessica left her full-time job to start a web design company and learned how to help online business owners with tools that lead to less struggle and more money. Now, Jessica dedicates her life to teaching other entrepreneurs how to market their business with digital marketing tactics like sales funnels, Facebook ads and video marketing. Through blogs, Youtube videos, and web design tools, Jessica helps entrepreneurs “hack the tech” involved with online business.
BIO - Jessica Stansberry is a marketing and systems strategist for online entrepreneurs who are ready to up-level and take the guessing out of running a business. She throws down knowledge-bombs with weekly free blog content, a YouTube channel, eCourses, 1-on-1 consulting, done-for-you services, and her FREE Facebook group, Digital Marketing Squad. Jessica is also the ‘sassy southern half’ of the podcast, All Up in Your Lady Business where she dives into business strategy and interviews other really amazing ‘preneurs twice a week. You can find out more at www.jessicastansberry.com.
Nonprofits are Businesses too!: Crystal Kelly believes in braiding together passion and purpose and using the nonprofit sector as a platform for social change. As the executive director of The Children's Council, Crystal understands that the impact of a nonprofit depends highly on its ability to raise and manage money, develop and execute a strategic plan, measure impact, and develop a strong board of directors. Crystal Kelly will share 7 years of experience, managing a $1.3M budget, and creating a resource hub for children and families in the high country.
BIO - Crystal Kelly lives in the Appalachian mountains of Boone, North Carolina. She received a Masters of Social Work degree from Appalachian State University and a post-graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health Leadership from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health. Crystal has worked at every level of the nonprofit sector as a staff member, board member, administrator, volunteer, and consultant. Over the past seven years she has served as the Executive Director of the Children's Council, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the birth to five population where she has gained extensive experience in program development and evaluation, group facilitation, organizational capacity building, strategic planning, grant writing, fund development, and nonprofit management. Under her leadership, the Children's Council has grown in scope to serve as the resource hub for children and families in Watauga County that manages an annual budget of $1.3 million. She is a Graduate Faculty member in the Social Work Department at Appalachian State University and teaches Advanced Community Practice and macro focused classes. Crystal has a unique knowledge and skillset in organizational development grounded in appreciative leadership and inquiry. She was recently selected as a Pritzker Fellow for the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers with a specific focus of intensive system building and strengthening local investments for the Prenatal to three population in Watauga County. Crystal is a strong believer in braiding together passion and purpose and using the nonprofit sector as a platform for social change.
Six Steps in Creating a Winning Social Media Strategy: Since the beginning of commerce, merchant success has depended on the ability to build trust in a community. Society is now regrouping into virtual communities where consumers once again expect relationships with merchants and expect products that withstand the collective scrutiny. Social media marketing builds trust with your customers and is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. Don’t know where to start? Come find out.
BIO - As an Executive Assistant for 18 years, Kara Tanenbaum provides C-level support in a strategic partnership where she serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external communications on all matters pertaining to the office of the President/CEO. Her professional background includes digital marketing strategy, event planning, non-profit fundraising and project management.
In 2016, Kara married her passion for creating order out of chaos with her desire to become a solopreneur and founded Podsquad Production Services. Kara helped her clients (Podcasters) grow their audience through email list building, product launches, sales funnels, content marketing and social media strategy.
Her "side hustle" online business has since taken a slight pivot and re-brand, where she is currently creating an online community and education platform. Empowered Assistants will offer tips, tools, courses and resources for fellow Executive Assistants to become irreplaceable leaders in the workplace and a strategic partner to their Executives. Kara will also be launching a podcast in January 2019.
In her current role as an Executive Assistant at Lakeside Project Solutions, Kara serves on the Digital Marketing sub-committee of the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) Regional Board, where she collaborated on a digital marketing guide to be used by SBTDCs working with small and mid-size businesses across North Carolina.
Nation Building - Podcasting and community building from scratch: The Knockahoma Nation podcast is a story of chasing a passion, becoming a ringmaster of attention, discovering a voice, and building a community of influencers. Josh Brown plans to share some simple steps for discovering your passions, refining them into a unique voice, and targeting them for maximum leverage, through the lens of creating your own podcast.
BIO – Josh Brown is the co-founder of the baseball podcast Knockahoma Nation. What began as writing about Braves baseball has been refined into a thriving community built on fandom, comedy, and authentic conversations about life. He's been a contributor for Fox Sports, Tomahawk Take, FanSided and the Rome News-Tribune. He's also a regular Atlanta Braves baseball contributor for Tri-Cities NBC Sports Radio in Bristol. Josh and his wife Nikki (along with their two dogs) live here in the lovely High Country and are expecting baby Brown in the spring of 2019.