Small Business Center
We believe in the power of storytelling, especially along the small business journey.
Here are some of our stories.
Retired Teacher Empowers Students to Learn with Purpose
Meet Alice Graham, lifelong Concord resident and owner of Learning with Purpose, a tutoring service focused on K-6 students in the Cabarrus County region. While she’s technically a retired teacher, she will tell you that there’s no place she loves more than the...
Rivers and Ridges: An Entrepreneurial Adventure Rooted in Passion and Community
Embarking on a business venture together can be a thrilling, yet intimidating endeavor for any couple. But newlyweds and Rowan County residents Sara and Nick Freeman are no stranger to taking on adventure together. In fact, it was during the early stages of their...
From Bamboo to Brew: The Inspiring Journey of a Small Business Owner
Meet Olivia. She’s a Concord resident and the owner of Blondies Bamboo. Olivia is on a mission to plant, grow, and prosper sustainable solutions for future generations to come through the renewability of bamboo. For now, that means bamboo tea. But if you spend just 3...
Maintenance Tech to Creative Entrepreneur: James’ Unexpected Journey
Meet James. He’s a Salisbury resident and the owner of Wise Earth & Iron, specializing in designing unique metal art, fabricating and powder coating. If you ask him how he arrived there, his eyes will light up because he now looks back on the journey recognizing...
From Corporate Burn Out, to Empowered Entrepreneur
Meet Reena. In 2019, Reena left the exhausting pace in her corporate job and entered the world of entrepreneurship like a force to be reckoned with – and she’s lifting as many women up as she can along her journey. With her desire to move toward a more passionate and...
Retail Lab graduate finds courage to start fresh
Meet Chrissy. A Kannapolis resident and business owner for over a decade, who only recently gave herself enough credit to accept that title – a common story for entrepreneurs who start their business as a side hustle. “When I started Chrissy’s Cruisin’ Creations, it...
Salisbury entrepreneur prepares to open after-school program with a big mission
Meet Lamont. He’s a Salisbury resident on a mission to provide children with access to high quality after-school care where they will learn and grow in the areas of Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Lifestyle Enhancement and Kingdom Principles. Those four pillars...
Kannapolis brothers overcome challenges to open Italian Market & Deli in Concord
On Saturday, November 18, Kannapolis residents and brothers Tom and Johnny Cook officially opened Tutti’s Italian Market and Deli on Cabarrus Avenue. Their journey to opening their doors was long and full of roadblocks and challenges. The support from the Small...