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 AngelsAsheville 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.

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.

 

This week on the Making It In Asheville podcast, we’re sharing a presentation we delivered to the community at The Lobby, a monthly event hosted by Different Wrld.

We make the claim that audio is a valuable asset for businesses and — more often than not — the fastest media for businesses to create.

If you’re interested in getting the document I offer at the end of the episode. Just email tony @makingitinasheville.com

This episode announces a miniseries focused on sharing the behind-the-scenes strategies and tactics used to launch a new business in Asheville.

Over the next month, we’ll be diving into the “Why, How, and What’s” of the business, South Slope Pilates (and All Things Wellness), and the launch plan.

In the episode, we make three requstes:

  1. If you’re a pilates expert and would like to share your enthusiasm with me, please reach out to me: tony @makingitinashevile.com
  2. If you or someone you know if a group-fitness instructor and interested in learning about the project, please reach out to info@southslopepilates.com
  3. And if you’re interested in taking a free demo class, visit southslopepilates.com and join the pre-launch email list!

In this episode, we interview Tarleton Walmsley & Seth Connelly, partners and founders of Garden Party.


*Listeners of today’s podcast with Garden Party receive a special discount code. Apply MAKINGIT15 at checkout.*

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • The importance of imagery in creating a captivating website to bring in vibes and sales
  • Knowing when to step away from a career and trust in yourself enough to dive in completely into something new
  • Why it’s important to communicate who you are through your brand
  • Why Tarleton and Seth use intimacy and communicating as their way of advertising when traditional methods can’t be used (due to the stigma around their industry)
  • How Garden Party is committed to equity initiatives and the problematic nature of white supremacy in the cannabis industry
  • How Tarleton’s personal experience with cannabis and hemp has enabled her to communicate with and help customers

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with the owner of Sauna House and advocate of preventative health, Andrew Nehlig.


Show Notes

About Tarleton and Seth

Garden Party is an aesthetically minded lifestyle brand and retail experience that supports well-being promotes creativity and cultivates meaningful connection through the advocacy and normalization of cannabis. Co-Founders Tarleton Walmsley and Seth Connelly opened Garden Party in the summer of 2018, and bring with them their own unique backgrounds and expertise.

Tarleton grew up in Virginia and moved to Asheville from Atlanta back in 2009. Before launching Garden Party, Tarleton spent the last several years working in B2B sales and operations, but always knew she wanted to open her own shop one day. Tarleton’s role at Garden Party includes marketing and content creation, as well as overall brand management. Seth grew up in the Ozarks of Arkansas and Key West, Florida. While living in Asheville for the past 16 years, Seth’s professional background has included wilderness therapy, business development, and before working full time at Garden Party, he was the COO of a hemp company. Seth is the glue that keeps Garden Party together–he handles all of the operations and financial aspects of the business, as well as product development. When they aren’t Garden Partying, you can find T&S hanging out with their son Finn, taking their canoe out for a ride, or hanging at home with their two cats.

 

“Community is a verb.”– Seth Connelly


To learn more about Garden Party and see what they’re up to in real-time, check out the links below:

Shopgardenparty.com is where you can see the best deals and sign up for email and texts
Gardenpartyavl is where you can see Tarleton’s superpower of awesome content creation and branding
For the young folx, you can even find them on Tik Tok at gardenparty.shop


People

  • Wyatt Grant designed Garden Party’s logo
  • Carrie and Rob at Shelter Collective are the architects and designers that helped build the beautiful, California-inspired space at 315 Haywood Rd.
  • Ryan at Mountain Bizworks (who has since left) started his own business was a huge support to T&S
  • Jason James is a local photographer who takes product photos for Garden Party

Garden Party Food and Drink Neighbors in East-West Asheville

Tools 

  • Norby is a new, intimate, and personalized way to reach and connect with people and meeting them where they’re at.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

In this episode, we interview Josh Dorfman, CEO of Simbly. We talk about his time as, in our words, a media mogul and the brain behind the brand “The Lazy Environmentalist”.

“The more we can sell, the more we are doing for the planet, because you’re taking customers away from the people who don’t care about sourcing and sustainable practices.”

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How Josh become the director of Venture Asheville, the Angel program, and The Collider
  • How Asheville and this area are the furniture capital of the country and what that means for revitalizing around craftsmanship, and economic opportunity
  • What it means for you to be in business with LOHAS (Lifestyle Of Health And Sustainability) 
  • Why if you align with the values of the organization or business, there’s no reason to shy away from opportunities
  • The process of deciding on a business name with the help of friends, peers, and professionals
  • Why Josh’s 8-year old son was one of the biggest names in NASCAR recently

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with our favorite local sustainability-focused business owner, Gillie Roberts.


Show Notes

About Josh Dorfman

Josh Dorfman is an environmental entrepreneur, author, and media personality dedicated to building and leading mission-driven ventures. He is co-founder and CEO of Simbly, a modern design, sustainable furniture company. Josh is also the founder and chief curator of Lazy Environmentalist, a sustainable lifestyle media brand. He has produced and hosted a primetime reality TV show on Sundance Channel and a national radio show on Sirius and written two books on sustainable living.

Josh was also CEO of The Collider, a nonprofit innovation and entrepreneurship center for climate change solutions. Josh currently resides in Asheville, NC, where he led Asheville’s high-growth startup community as Director of Venture Asheville and co-founded and was Managing Director of Asheville Angels, an early-stage angel investment group investing in startups across the Southeast. He is currently a member of Governor Cooper’s North Carolina Entrepreneurial Council. Oh, and his son may be the best young NASCAR predictor. 


To learn more about Simbly, The Lazy Environmentalist, and more, check out the links below:

For the Simbly website follow this link

For the Lazy Environmentalist website click here

Josh on LinkedIn


People

  • Michael Crook CEO of Patagonia – At a sustainability convention, Josh was inspired by the words, “we’re still really good, but our consumers expect more of us”.
  • Benton Crane- CEO of Harmon Brothers, a marketing/advertising company whose keynote Tony listened to. “If you’re in any business, the first objective is to see if there’s a viable economic system that you can approve of. If the answer is no, don’t continue. Don’t let passion lead you into the sandpit.”
  • Professor Dara O’Rourke is an environmental scientist and professor who is making strides in the environmental sector that Josh mentions in this episode.

Places

  • Venture Asheville is a high-growth start-up program that Josh was the director of.
  • The Waterbird is where Josh and Tony had coffee pre-covid when people still got together, sadly they’ve since closed.
  • Simbly got picked up by West Elm which is huge, yay Simbly!
  • Camp Walt Whitman is the Dorfman family business in New Hampshire. 

Books & Media

Businesses Making a Difference

  • The Kauffman Foundation looks at startups as well as supports them and found that you need city leadership to be a proponent figure of start-ups.
  • Patagonia sells clothing and outdoor gear, and yes we love them and possibly have a puffer coat on as we type this.
  • Whole Foods Market is a multinational supermarket chain that sells products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
  • Seventh Generation is an American company that sells eco-friendly cleaning, paper, and personal care products. 
  • Allbirds make comfy shoes and use eco-friendly practices.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

In this episode, we interview Jacob Ballard, owner of Nature Bound Co. and Asheville Print Shop.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How using your personal experiences (and interests) can lead to awesome business ideas
  • How to distinguish between the different types of entrepreneurship
  • Where the inspiration for the +900 designs of Nature Bound Co. came from
  • Why time is the most important asset and the one thing you can’t get more of
  • Tips for focusing when you’re wearing multiple hats in your business

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local graphic design artist, Alyssa Phillips.


Show Notes

About Jacob Ballard

Jacob’s story of entrepreneurship starts at age 6, knocking on doors of the apartment complex he and his family lived in. A young Jacob was motivated to raise money for a seat at the movie theater. So much so, that he began washing cars, and soon young Jacob’s piggy bank was busting at the snout. Fast forward to high school and college, where he saw the opportunity and a gap to again create businesses. These ranged from cutting grass, starting a T-shirt company big in the MMA world, and customizing Myspace pages (remember that?).  Now, Jacob Ballard has the successful business Asheville Print Shop where he and his team create a one-stop-shop for printing and all things merchandise.

While completing the TransAmerica Trail, (think Appalachian Trail for off-road vehicles), Jacob became inspired to highlight nature’s greatness. Mixing beautiful designs with a passion to discuss and preserve the land, Nature Bound Co.’s products have expanded to 900 designs, found in places like REI and national parks.


Books

Places

Quotes

  • “Life is a dance, life is a constant need for improvement” – Jacob discussing leveling up and pursuing multiple avenues in business
  • “If an idea stays in your head, you should go for it” – Jacob referring to the intrinsic itch when a new business idea starts brewing

Where to Find and Follow Asheville Print Shop & Screen Printing and Nature Bound Co.

Asheville Print Shop and Screen Printing is located at two locations in Asheville, NC.

Nature Bound Co.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

In this episode, we interview Jefferson Ellison, the Chief Creative of Jawbreaking.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • What led to Jefferson’s decision to buy Jawbreaking in 2016 (and his creative way of making an offer)
  • Jawbreaking leaning into the term from the 1960’s “Youth Quake”
  • What Jefferson’s identity means in a city full of White people
  • What led Jefferson to create the “Don’t Ask Your Black Friend” Webinar (…we took this webinar and highly suggest it)
  • How working to create meaningful connections can change your life (or someone else’s)

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local photographer & storyteller, Nicole McConville.


Show Notes

About Jefferson Ellison

Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Jefferson Ellison has been working in fashion since he was 16. After earning a degree at North Carolina State University’s College of Textiles, Ellison moved to NYC and expanded his body of work to include sales strategy, content creation and public relations. Under Ellison’s creative direction, JAWBREAKING, a digital platform offering interviews and investigative reporting, op-eds, fashion editorials and prose, became known for its irreverent sense of youth and boastful hints of Southern charm. Upon his return to Asheville, Ellison founded Jawbreaking Creative, a creative agency that offers consulting in editorial, advertising, events and influencer outreach as well as data analysis, trend forecasting, brand monitoring and more.

 

 

“I’m not a cog in the machine, I am the machine”


To learn more about Jawbreaking, check out the links below:

Website

Twitter

IG

Facebook

 


People

  • Connie from East Fork and Gillie of Ware – friends that have been on his journey and have given the advice of “stop undervaluing yourself and stop thinking there isn’t money out there”
  • Max Schneider – famous musician that Jawbreaking did project with
  • AVL today– a popular (36,000+ subscribers) newsletter that Jefferson recently did a partnership with
  • Ethan- Jeffersons favorite bartender “who knows his wine taste better than himself”

Places

  • Visit Asheville – Tony & Jefferson all participated in a class there in 2019
  • Bottle Riot is one of his favorite places to drink wine and sit outside, as Jefferson mentions “you can be in a gravel parking lot and have an exclusive bottle of wine”

Media

  • Complex Magazine– media and entertainment company based in New York City for youth culture which led to the magazine created by fashion designer Marc Milecofsky

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

Happy 2021, friends!

On the first podcast episode of the year, we thought it’d be a great time to circle back to our episode from season 3, “How to Set Goals that M.A.T.A. and Achieve Them.” We offer useful steps using the M.A.T.A  method and explain how this system can help you set more meaningful, intentional goals for the New Year – and actually stick to them.


Here’s What You’ll Learn

  • Why New Year’s Resolutions often fail and how you can prevent it from happening
  • How to decide what your goals should be
  • Tips for creating small wins and holding yourself accountable
  • A step by step guide to the M.A.T.A. framework and how to put it into action

Season Sponsor 

This episode is brought to you by Range Urgent Care an Asheville-based clinic that offers affordable healthcare, transparent pricing, and streamlined, friendly service. Learn more about Range Urgent Care.

*Enjoy your first month free of annual membership at Range Urgent Care. Use code ‘makingitinasheville’ at checkout. Offer valid for a limited time only.


Show Notes

M.A.T.A  is the acronym we use to set meaningful year-long goals and achieve them. It stands for  Meaningful, Actionable, Time-Constrained, and Accountable.

Find the rest of the show notes from this episode.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

In this episode, we interview John Hornsby, a creative graphic artist, organizer of information, strategic thinker, and an experienced achiever. What one might call, a Chief Creative Ninja.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How John developed his style (and is still doing so today)
  • The importance of finding art through community
  • How the practice of “going down the rabbit hole” and diving into research helps John’s curiosity
  • Why value is not tied to productivity
  • Understanding the difference between reactivity and proactivity
  • Why John started building something he calls “Connection Kits” during COVID-19

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local Asheville graphic designer & business owner of Amp’d Designs, Alyssa Phillips. Alyssa sits on the board of AIGA.


Season Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Range Urgent Care an Asheville-based clinic that offers affordable healthcare, transparent pricing, and streamlined, friendly service. Learn more about Range Urgent Care.

*Enjoy your first month free of annual membership at Range Urgent Care. Use code ‘makingitinasheville’ at checkout. Offer valid for a limited time only.


Show Notes

About John Hornsby

Delivering the rare balance of graphic artistry and business acumen, Hornsby Creative brings to the table a strong background in environmental graphic design specializing in signs and special events marketing, as well as extensive hands on experience in sales, relationship management, business development and workflow solutions.

Places

  • Fast Signs helps to solve your marketing & visual communications challenges with signs, banners, graphics & much more.
  • Allegra is a national printing and design company.
  • AIGA is a chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. John sits as Treasurer at the Asheville location.
  • Garden Party is a lifestyle boutique in West Asheville specializing in elevated objects for the aesthetically inclined.
  • Moonlight Makers is a t-shirt and gifts printing company with items featuring silly sayings and designs.
  • Rosetta’s Kitchen vegetarian & vegan soul food located in Asheville, NC.
  • Oowee Products makes handmade & custom leather goods.

People

Events

  • Watch Stack – watch a talk on a subject, followed by a facilitated conversation around the subject

Books

Products

 

Interested in engaging more with John Hornsby?

Instagram: @JohnHornsbyCreative   @ConnectionKits

Websites:  JohnHornsbyCreative.com    ConnectionKits.biz

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir