131 – Asheville’s Business Resources (a comprehensive overview)

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In this episode, we dive into the expansive list of resources available for entrepreneurs in Asheville. From networking communities to funding options, there’s a diverse range of support to help startups and small businesses launch, grow, and thrive in this city.

Networking/Connections

  • Asheville Chamber/Venture Asheville: A network that bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and potential investors to catalyze growth in the Asheville startup ecosystem.
  • MadeXMTNS: A collective aiming to bolster the local manufacturing sector, providing a platform for connections and collaboration.
  • Outdoor Business Alliance: An alliance fostering connections among outdoor industry entrepreneurs, promoting sustainable business practices.
  • Young Professionals of Asheville: A community for young professionals to network, learn, and grow their careers in Asheville (connected to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce.
  • AIGA: The professional association for design, offering networking and educational opportunities for designers at all levels.
  • Making It In Asheville: A podcast and platform sharing stories and lessons from Asheville’s entrepreneurs, artists, and community builders.
  • MIIA Masterminds: A segment of Making It In Asheville, providing a space for focused discussions among local entrepreneurs.
  • MIIA Salons: Networking events organized by Making It In Asheville, fostering dialogue and connections among Asheville’s creative community.
  • MeetUp.com: An online platform hosting various local groups and networking events catering to a range of interests and professional domains.

Knowledge/Skills

Money

  • A. Debt
    • Eagle Market Streets: Community Equity Fund: Aims to foster economic equality by investing in under-resourced businesses and communities.
    • Mountain BizWorks: Offers flexible loans and technical assistance to underserved entrepreneurs.
    • Partner Community Capital: Provides flexible loans and strategic advisory to empower underserved businesses.
    • PCAP: Building Equity Fund: Provides low-interest loans with a 10% loan-to-equity conversion rate to bridge the equity gap for entrepreneurs of color.
    • Self-Help Credit Union: Offers flexible lending solutions to unconventional businesses and nonprofits.
    • xElle Ventures: Supports U.S.-based, female-led startups through loans and mentorship, focusing on innovative financing and marketing support.
  • B. Equity
    • VentureSouth: An angel investment network supporting early-stage, high-growth companies in the Southeast.
    • Carolina Angel Network: Connects innovative startups with accredited investors, specializing in Non-Life Sciences, Medical Devices, and Biotech sectors.
    • Asheville Angels: Asheville Angels is a member-based angel investor network. We invest in and support startups and early-stage, high-growth companies in Asheville and across the Southeast.
    • Impact WNC Fund: Impact WNC Fund will promote and foster economic prosperity in Western North Carolina (WNC) by providing WNC-based entrepreneurs and small business owners with the capital and support they need to succeed.
  • C. Grants

Space

  • Center for Craft Coworking: A shared workspace for craft professionals with access to tools, resources, and networking opportunities.
  • Focal Point Coworking: Offers a modern co-working space with flexible membership options for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
  • Mojo Coworking: Provides affordable and flexible workspaces, catering to remote workers and freelancers.
  • Hatch Coworking: A space fostering community, collaboration, and growth for local entrepreneurs and professionals.
  • Asheville Makers Space: Supports creatives with resources and community to turn their passion into a successful business.
  • The Collider: A hub for climate entrepreneurs, offering workspace and networking opportunities to drive climate solutions.
  • Ernest Co-warehousing and Co-working: Provides a hybrid warehousing and co-working solution, meeting diverse business needs.

Talent

Support Services

  • NC Free Legal Answers: An online platform offering free legal advice in over 20 civil legal categories by connecting individuals with volunteer lawyers.
  • Startup NC Law Clinic: Provides free legal guidance on business-related issues, helping entrepreneurs navigate legal complexities and build a solid legal foundation for their ventures.

Participate in Season 11 of Making It in Asheville

Season 11 of Making It in Asheville is all about community engagement.

Unlike previous seasons, this one takes a turn from the traditional interview style to handing the mic over to you the listener.

We’ve set up a hotline at (828) 552-4832 where you can leave a voicemail answering prompts or sharing valuable insights. We’ve also prepared a survey for listeners to engage and contribute to the community’s collective knowledge.

Your voice could be featured in upcoming episodes, contributing to the dynamic conversation on entrepreneurship in Asheville. This season celebrates Asheville’s entrepreneurial spirit and encourages everyone to engage, share their thoughts, and continue making it in Asheville, together.

Check out the Season 11 page for more details on how you can participate in this exciting journey.

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130 – How to Have a Great Q4 (and Even Better 2024)

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Simplify, Reframe, and 10X Your Business for 2024

Introduction

  • This season, we’re requesting your participation! We want to hear from you. We’ve created a short survey and even a “Hotline!”
  • We received a question in one of the surveys about how to set Q4 business goals.
  • Tony had recently just presented on the topic, so we’re using that audio for this podcast episode. You’ll see the slides on the YouTube video.

Episode Overview

  • In this episode, we focus on simplifying complex ideas and creating meaningful changes in business growth.
  • Three key points highlighted:
    1. Achieving a meaningful change in Q4 growth trajectory.
    2. Exploring possibilities for business transformation in 2024.
    3. Reframing core aspects of the business, primarily sales, and marketing.

Segment 1: Setting Expectations and Acknowledgments

  • Tony mentions the expected duration of the talk.
  • Acknowledges the audience and the value of the Scout Guide community.

Segment 2: Making the Complicated Simple with an Action System

  • Bob and Erin’s story illustrates the difference between inaction and action.
  • Key concepts:
    • Starting small and building habits.
    • Focusing on action to find motivation.
    • Simplifying complex projects into smaller steps.
    • Transitioning expectations into agreements for clarity.
  • Emphasis on compliance for consistent progress.

Segment 3: Moving from Good to Great by Delivering Unreasonable Value

  • Bob and Erin’s different approaches to delivering value.
  • Value components:
    • Good: Delivering the dream outcome.
    • Fast: Efficient delivery.
    • Cheap: Delivering more value than competitors.
    • Easy: Simplifying the customer’s experience.
    • High odds of success.
  • The value equation: Good + (Good x Odds of Success) / (Fast + Effort).

Segment 4: 10Xing Life and Business

  • Bob and Eromn’s contrasting approaches to growth.
  • Key considerations:
    • Focusing on “who” you need to be, not “how” to do it.
    • Operating within your zone of genius.
    • Building an identity that magnetizes you to your goals.
    • Creating a system for inevitable success.
  • Mention of Tony’s mastermind group to apply these principles. Encouragement for the audience to create similar groups for support.

Conclusion

  • 10X Your Business for 2024 is a matter of WHO you need to be, a focus on creating unreasonable value, and building an action system with high compliance.
  • If you’d like any resources from this episode, just reach out.

 

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129 – We Need YOUR Voice

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Show Notes: Season 11 Episode 1 – “A New Interactive Chapter: Welcome to Season 11 of Making It In Asheville”

Episode Overview:

Join your host Tony Ubertaccio in the season premiere of Making It In Asheville, where we take a different but exciting turn in our programming style. In this season, we are inviting YOU, our cherished listeners, to actively participate, share your thoughts, and engage with us in unraveling the entrepreneurial tapestry of Asheville.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

  • The origin story of the Making It In Asheville podcast, initiated in 2019 as Tony and his wife Sarah embarked on their entrepreneurial journey in the city.
  • How the podcast has evolved from telling their story to highlighting the experiences and triumphs of small business founders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in Asheville.
  • An introduction to the interactive approach of Season 11, where listeners will play a pivotal role in shaping the content and discussions of the podcast.

Season 11’s Unique Approach:

  • Audience Participation: Your thoughts, questions, and expertise are invaluable. We encourage you to engage with us, propose questions, and share your insights about entrepreneurship in Asheville. Be a part of the conversation!
  • Hotline Feature: Introducing our new hotline at (828) 552-4832! Call in to share your responses, ask questions, or simply leave a voicemail to be featured on the podcast.

How to Participate:

  1. Website Engagement: You’re already on the website, so thank you for that! If you’d like to participate this season, visit makingitinasheville.com/season11. There, you will find prompts and questions designed to gather your views and inquiries.
  2. Hotline Interaction: For a more personal touch, dial our hotline at (828) 552-4832. Leave your responses to our prompts, or feel free to share anything that you believe would add value to our community of listeners.

More in This Episode:

  • A peek into the Making It In Asheville production process, highlighting the contribution of various team members and partners in delivering high-quality content both in audio and video.
  • This season of the podcast is sponsored by Making It Creative, the marketing and media business founded by the hosts of the podcast. Making It Creative aims to be your first call when you’re trying to level-up your business.

Next Steps:

  • Start engaging now! Head to makingitinasheville.com/season11 to kickstart your interactive experience with us this season.
  • Dial into our hotline at (828) 552-4832 for direct engagement and to have your voice featured on Making It In Asheville.

Thanks for being an essential part of our community and the Making It In Asheville journey! Engage with us and let’s make Season 11 the most interactive and insightful one yet!

 

TRANSCRIPT

Hello and welcome to the Making it in Asheville podcast. I am your host Tony Ubertaccio. On the Making it in Asheville podcast, typically we sit down with Asheville based entrepreneurs, small business owners, community members, ask them what they’re making and how they are making it in Asheville. In this season, however, we’re going to be leaning into a slightly different, um, Like programming type and style, and we’re very excited about it.

And so the concept for this season is that we’re asking for your participation. I want to know what you think, what questions you have, and we’re going to dive into that this season. So a lot of, um. Being in conversation with our audience and I’m excited for it. So, uh, a bunch of new concepts and a bunch of new, uh, content coming down the pike.

I want to, um, first kind of set the stage if you, this is your perhaps first time listening to the making it in Nashville podcast. Uh, the podcast was founded in 2019. Uh, my wife, Sarah and I moved to Asheville. We were, um, told in the many trips we took before moving here. That when, uh, you move to Asheville, you have to bring a job with you.

Later we heard you have to bring your own ladder with you. So if you want a career that scales, you pretty much have to… create that career and that future for yourself. And so, um, as we prepare to land in Asheville and, um, figure it out, we thought let’s start a podcast. Uh, our plan to figure it out was going to be, we’re going to open a marketing business.

That marketing business is called making it creative. Uh, this podcast is You know, since 2019 been pretty much exclusively self funded, um, as a passion project, but also, um, as a integral part of making making it creative, possible, profitable, successful. Um, and so it turns out it was the smartest idea I might’ve ever floated towards my wife.

Uh, let’s start a podcast. Let’s attempt to tell our story of making it in Asheville. that quickly became, uh, let’s tell the stories of people who are making it in Asheville. And so, uh, about, what’s that? 2019 to today, four years, 130 ish episodes, about a hundred interviews later, um, we are, you know, We have helped unpack some of the many ways that folks have made it and are making it in Asheville.

We’re telling the stories of, uh, small business founders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders here in Asheville. And it has been an incredible gift to get to highlight so many folks in this community. And so that’s kind of setting the stage for this season. And one of the things that we’re targeting with this season is rather than, uh, just sit down, spend an hour with someone.

We’re hoping to, uh, turn the camera, so to speak, turn the mic, so to speak, back to you, the listener. And so, um, if you’re listening on a podcast. Player. Thank you for listening on a podcast player. If you’re watching on YouTube, that’s very exciting. We are leaning into our video content, so check out making it in Asheville on YouTube if you haven’t yet.

Um, but this season’s audience participation. And so how are we going to ask you to participate? What does participation look like? Those are two good questions. Thank you for asking. Uh, the way that we’re currently setting up for, uh, requesting and soliciting, uh, your participation is going to be a, and first and foremost through the website.

So making it in ashville. com is the home base for all things, this podcast, uh, this particular season is going to be found at making it in ashville. com slash. Season 11. We’re also going to try and put that on the homepage so you can see it if you just and up on the homepage, but season 11 is going to be, uh, your first stop for the questions that we want to ask you for the, uh, context that we want to provide for this participation and engagement, hopefully driving a season.

And uh, that’s where I’m going to send you right now. So making it a nashville. com forward slash season 11 should be visible on the screen somewhere here. Uh, and. Uh, available in the podcast description slash show notes, uh, on whatever podcast player you’re listening on, um, on that page, we’re going to ask questions.

So like, what questions do you have? We’ve now done a hundred or so interviews with Asheville business owners. What questions do you have maybe about? You know, that could be summarized all of these conversations that we’ve had. What questions do you have about what resources have shown up the most? Like, we’re interested in knowing what it is that you, the listener, actually cares about.

And so we’re gonna ask you questions to find out what you have questions about, um, and do our best to answer those questions in this season. Then we’re gonna ask You questions to find out what you know that we don’t know. So like, we’re going to ask you for your expertise, ask you for your insights and you for, um, you know, the truth, the perspective that you have that we might not have yet and have not had exposure to.

So we’re going to ask you questions in that way as well. Uh, those questions and more will be found on makingitinashville. com forward slash season11. Okay? Uh, and so one of the cool things that we’re also rolling out this season, uh, I, I suspect it’s at the very least should be interesting, uh, and at best will be awesome.

Awesome is a hotline. So we, we want to hear from you. And so we’ve created a hotline so that you can call in and tell us, uh, perhaps your answers to these questions audibly, and then we can use that audio on the podcast. You get to be on the podcast if you choose to use this hotline. Um, and so the hotline number,

828 552 4832 that’s 828 552 4832 will be available on the website, will be available in the show notes for this episode, but, uh, you call into the hotline, uh, Situationally, we’re going to update the voicemail to perhaps have new prompts that, uh, propose a new question that you would then answer on the hotline and leave a voicemail.

It’s effectively a voicemail box. I don’t want it to sound super sophisticated tech wise, uh, but we’re going to have a voicemail box. That voicemail box is going to, uh, house your answers. We’re going to then, um, take some of the answers and either use them for context for the podcast or use them in the podcast to, uh, Be a prompt for a question that we then answer.

So very excited about this new addition to the making it an Asheville production engine. Um, speaking of which, uh, the making an actual production engine has been humming. If you were, Uh, following along, last season we had an incredible season hosted, uh, physically at Earnest ReadyMade, uh, produced by John Dupree, producer John, hidden, uh, behind this camera.

Uh, production quality. Hopefully this sounds incredible. I know that it looks great on YouTube. Uh, we will be continuing down this road. If there are any questions on how to produce video content, audio content, podcasts, uh, this podcast. Uh, specifically this season is, uh, being funded and sponsored by making it creative, which is our marketing business, which is our media business.

Um, and so we are at your service and here to help and answer any questions you might have about things that look and feel like what, uh, you’re listening to or watching right now. And so, uh, In summary, season 11 is going to be a slight departure from our normal podcast structure. Um, we will be interviewing you and letting you interview us.

What questions do you have? We have questions for you. Those questions are going to be found making it in ashville. com forward slash season 11. And then you can find information on our hotline at making it in asheville.com/hotline. Or you can call us directly at (828) 552-4832. There is not currently a question on that prompt, but by the time you listen to this, there might be a question to, uh, for you to answer that is specific.

Otherwise, just leave any kind of voicemail that works for you. Look forward to hearing from you, excited about this season, and until next episode, we’ll see you around.

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128 – Season 10 Finale and Recap

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Welcome to the Season 10 Finale of the Making It in Asheville Podcast.

This season was brought to you by our sponsor Ernest Ready. In this episode, we reflect on the key themes and takeaways from this season, an e-commerce-focused season.

This is a great episode to get a distillation of the content from the last 12 weeks and get a taste of the content from each episode in Season 10 of Making It In Asheville.

Themes Discussed in This Episode

Tech Matters

Technology is the backbone of modern businesses. It plays a crucial role in shaping the customer experience and streamlining operations. In this segment, we discussed:

  • Why Shopify emerged as the most talked-about platform this season.
  • The impact of memberships, subscriptions, and referral programs on businesses.
  • Insights on how to leverage technology to enhance your operations and customer interactions.

Unboxing vs. Profit Margin

Balancing the excitement of unboxing experiences with the need to maintain healthy profit margins is a challenge many businesses face. In this part of the episode, we highlighted:

  • How to determine the right level of investment in unboxing experiences.
  • Strategies for managing costs effectively and ensuring profitability.
  • Key considerations when evaluating the trade-off between customer delight and profit.

Launching and Marketing Channels

The success of any business hinges on effective launching and marketing strategies. In this segment, we discussed:

  • The power of email marketing and its impact on audience engagement.
  • The role of rep groups in expanding your reach and market.
  • Insights into launching through Kickstarter campaigns.
  • Leveraging social media, events, and live interactions to build brand awareness and engagement.

Storytelling and Unique Value

As the final theme of the season, we noted that founders bring a unique perspective and value to their businesses through storytelling. In this part of the episode, we delve into:

  • The importance of hiring developers and building effective teams.
  • Strategies for outsourcing non-critical tasks to focus on your core competencies.
  • A special shout-out to Ernest, who embodies the spirit of entrepreneurial storytelling.

Season Recap

We wrap up the episode with a speed-round journey through the key episodes of this season, highlighting memorable moments and valuable insights shared by our guests.

Episode 116 – Season Preview

Episode 117 – Jamie Daniels – Ernest Readymade

Episode 118 – Jacob Baumann – Devil’s Foot

Episode 119 – Elisa Van Arnam – SoulKu

Episode 120 – Rachael Meyer – Botanical Bones

Episode 121 – Karen Mullins – Digestive Warrior

Episode 122 – Erik Fabian – Sourhouse

Episode 123 – Gillie Robert’s – Ware

Episode 124 – Mathew Bishop – High Cotton

Episode 125 – Brandegee Pierce – Pirani

Episode 126 – Laura Jorgensen – The Runner Box

Episode 127 –  Sarah Ubertaccio – qb Cucina

Thank You to Ernest

A big thank you to Ernest for being a valuable part of this season. We appreciate your contributions and the unique insights you’ve brought to our audience.

Stay tuned for more exciting content in the next season of [Podcast Name].

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127 – qb Cucina

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Sarah Ubertacio, Co-founder of qb Cucina

This week, we welcome Sarah Ubertaccio, the co-founder of qb Cucina and the former co-host of this podcast back to the show!

Links and Notes from Episode 127

  • qb Cucina’s website: https://www.qbcucina.com/
  • qb Cucina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qbcucina/
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on the podcast player of your choice, like the YouTube video, and/or share this episode with a friend! It helps to spread the word and get more eyes on Asheville’s makers.
Check out this episode with Sarah Ubertaccio on YouTube or wherever you like to consume podcasts.

Music by Commonwealth Choir (http://www.commonwealthchoir.com)

Engage with the Show:

We value your input! As we continue to shape this season, we invite you to share your suggestions for E-commerce businesses you’d like to hear from. Leave a comment on the YouTube video, or direct message us on Instagram, or email Tony directly at tony@makingitinasheville.com.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. Don’t forget to join us next week for another inspiring interview on Making It in Asheville Podcast!

Special thanks to our e-commerce season sponsor: Ernest Ready-Made

Ernest is the obvious co-warehousing solution for growing Asheville-based businesses. For more on Ernest, visit: MakingItInAsheville.com/ernest

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126 – The Runner Box & The Rider Box (+a new business is announced!)

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Laura Jorgensen, Co-Owner of The Runner Box, The Rider Box, and Fuel Goods

This week, we welcome Laura Jorgensen of The Runner Box and The Rider Box to the podcast!

Links and Notes from Episode 126

  • The Runner Box and The Rider Box’s website: https://www.therunnerbox.com/
  • The Runner Box on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runnerbox/
  • The Rider Box on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theriderbox/
  • The next business is yet to be officially launched. Come back for a link!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on the podcast player of your choice, like the YouTube video, and/or share this episode with a friend! It helps to spread the word and get more eyes on Asheville’s makers.

Music by Commonwealth Choir (http://www.commonwealthchoir.com)

Engage with the Show:

We value your input! As we continue to shape this season, we invite you to share your suggestions for E-commerce businesses you’d like to hear from. Leave a comment on the YouTube video, or direct message us on Instagram, or email Tony directly at tony@makingitinasheville.com.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. Don’t forget to join us next week for another inspiring interview on Making It in Asheville Podcast!

Special thanks to our e-commerce season sponsor: Ernest Ready-Made

Ernest is the obvious co-warehousing solution for growing Asheville-based businesses. For more on Ernest, visit: MakingItInAsheville.com/ernest

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125 – Pirani

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Brandegee Pierce, Co-Owner of Pirani

This week, we welcome Brandegee Pierce of Pirani to the podcast!

Brandegee began as an industrial designer for brands like Mr. Coffee and Crockpot. He always had ideas and was always tinkering one day, as you’ll hear in the episode, while cleaning a local beach, he had a thought: “What if these features weren’t covered in red solo cups?”

Abbreviating the story a bit, it wasn’t long until a sample batch was in hand, his wife “got it” and they were looking to launch a Kickstarter campaign for the project. A lot has been learned since launching, doubling in size each year. They’re now gearing up for a second product launch on Kickstarter and looking to take their business to the next level.

Check out this episode with Brandegee Pierce on YouTube or wherever you like to consume podcasts.

Links and Notes from Episode 125

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on the podcast player of your choice, like the YouTube video, and/or share this episode with a friend! It helps to spread the word and get more eyes on Asheville’s makers.

Music by Commonwealth Choir (http://www.commonwealthchoir.com)

Engage with the Show:

We value your input! As we continue to shape this season, we invite you to share your suggestions for E-commerce businesses you’d like to hear from. Leave a comment on the YouTube video, or direct message us on Instagram, or email Tony directly at tony@makingitinasheville.com.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. Don’t forget to join us next week for another inspiring interview on Making It in Asheville Podcast!

Special thanks to our e-commerce season sponsor: Ernest Ready-Made

Ernest is the obvious co-warehousing solution for growing Asheville-based businesses. For more on Ernest, visit: MakingItInAsheville.com/ernest

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124 – High Cotton

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Mathew Bishop, Co-Owner of High Cotton

This week, we welcome Mathew Bishop of High Cotton to the podcast!

Check out this episode with Mathew Bishop on YouTube or wherever you like to consume podcasts.

Links and Notes from Episode 124

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on the podcast player of your choice, like the YouTube video, and/or share this episode with a friend! It helps to spread the word and get more eyes on Asheville’s makers.

Music by Commonwealth Choir (http://www.commonwealthchoir.com)

Engage with the Show:

We value your input! As we continue to shape this season, we invite you to share your suggestions for E-commerce businesses you’d like to hear from. Leave a comment on the YouTube video, or direct message us on Instagram, or email Tony directly at tony@makingitinasheville.com.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. Don’t forget to join us next week for another inspiring interview on Making It in Asheville Podcast!

Special thanks to our e-commerce season sponsor: Ernest Ready-Made

Ernest is the obvious co-warehousing solution for growing Asheville-based businesses. For more on Ernest, visit: MakingItInAsheville.com/ernest

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123 – Ware

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Gillie Roberts, Co-Founder of Ware

This week, we welcome Gillie Roberts of Ware back to the podcast!

Gillie is a long-time friend of the podcast who has undergone a lot of change with respect to e-commerce since launching Ware in 2018. Namely, there was NO e-commerce at the launch of Ware. Today, it plays a small-but-growing part of total revenue with a focus to expand e-commerce in the months ahead.

Ware has transitioned location and sales focus in its five years of business. Today, they’re in West Asheville and focusing on bolstering their refill business. Some of the lessons that have informed the pivots have been hard-earned.

But Ware is poised to capitalize on those lessons. Listen until the end to hear their announcement!

Links and Notes from Episode 123

  • WareAVL.com
  • Ware’s Instagram: @ware.avl
  • Lightspeed
  • Spotify
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our channel, like the youtube video, comment below, and/or share this episode with a friend! It helps to spread the word and get more eyes on Asheville’s makers.

Music by Commonwealth Choir (http://www.commonwealthchoir.com)

Engage with the Show:

We value your input! As we continue to shape this season, we invite you to share your suggestions for E-commerce businesses you’d like to hear from. Leave a comment on the YouTube video, or direct message us on Instagram, or email Tony directly at tony@makingitinasheville.com.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. Don’t forget to join us next week for another inspiring interview on Making It in Asheville Podcast!

Special thanks to our e-commerce season sponsor: Ernest Ready-Made

Ernest is the obvious co-warehousing solution for growing Asheville-based businesses. For more on Ernest, visit: MakingItInAsheville.com/ernest

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122 – Sourhouse

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Erik Fabian, Co-Founder of Sourhouse

This week, we welcome Erik Fabian of Sourhouse to the podcast!

Erik is a home baker and a brand marketer. His business partner is an industrial designer. The rise of sourdough homebaking during the pandemic was the ah-ha moment that set the two down the long rabbit hole that leads to today.

We, at Making It in Asheville, like to say that they’ve created “the biggest advancement in sourdough baking since the invention of the dutch-oven!” and while that’s a little tongue in cheek it’s also probably correct. Together, they created a gorgeous countertop product called Goldie — as in Goldielocks — which uses an exceptionally low amount of energy to create the perfect climate for sourdough starters. When you place your starter in Goldie, it never gets too hot or too cold, it stays just right.

To go from idea to product, product to successfully crowdfunded project, and successfully crowdfunded project to a growing business took a lot of intention. We get into the details of Sourdough’s playbook in this week’s episode.

Check out this episode with Erik Fabian on Youtube or wherever you like to consume podcasts.

Links and Notes from Episode 122

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our channel, like the youtube video, comment below, and/or share this episode with a friend! It helps to spread the word and get more eyes on Asheville’s makers.

Music by Commonwealth Choir (http://www.commonwealthchoir.com)

Engage with the Show:

We value your input! As we continue to shape this season, we invite you to share your suggestions for E-commerce businesses you’d like to hear from. Leave a comment on the YouTube video, or direct message us on Instagram, or email Tony directly at tony@makingitinasheville.com.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. Don’t forget to join us next week for another inspiring interview on Making It in Asheville Podcast!

Special thanks to our e-commerce season sponsor: Ernest Ready-Made

Ernest is the obvious co-warehousing solution for growing Asheville-based businesses. For more on Ernest, visit: MakingItInAsheville.com/ernest

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