Episodes
Stephanie Williams, Alamance Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie Williams of the Alamance Chamber talks with host, Yvonne Morrison, about three key entrepreneurial challenges (resource awareness, business planning, and mindset development) while highlighting the Chamber’s supportive programs, including grants up to $15,000 and initiatives to create collaborative spaces and extend services to Hispanic entrepreneurs. Williams emphasizes that Alamance County provides excellent support for business development in North Carolina’s strong business climate, where small businesses generate nearly half of all jobs and GDP.
Loren Hill, The Carolina Core
Loren Hill, Carolina Core regional economic development director for the Piedmont Triad Partnership, discusses how the Carolina Core brand markets central North Carolina (spanning 19 counties from Wilkesboro to Fayetteville along US 421) to attract businesses. The region has transitioned from traditional industries to advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and electric vehicles, securing major investments like Toyota’s $14 billion battery plant. Since launching in 2018, the Carolina Core has surpassed its 20-year goal of creating 50,000 industrial/office jobs in just 7 years. The “More in the Core” campaign now focuses on attracting workers to support this growth.
Laura Stewart, Haw River Mushrooms
Laura Stewart is co-owner of Hall River Mushrooms in Saxapahaw. She and her husband, Ches, built their business over 13 years, starting with traditional farming before specializing in mushroom cultivation. They’ve grown to become one of the largest mushroom farms in the state, producing 1,000 pounds weekly. Their business evolved to include value-added products like mushroom jerky, broths, and other prepared foods. Laura credits their success to North Carolina’s supportive business environment, including resources from SBA, chambers of commerce, and agricultural organizations. She advises new agricultural entrepreneurs to find a niche, understand costs, secure adequate capital, and build strong networks.
Trip Durham, 2D Consulting
Trip Durham discusses the significant economic impact of sports in North Carolina, highlighting how college and professional sports generate millions in revenue while fostering community connections. He introduces “GamePlan 2035,” an initiative addressing a concerning demographic shift: by 2035, there will be more 65-year-olds than 18-year-olds in the US. This poses challenges for sporting event attendance as younger generations engage less with live events while older fans may pursue other interests. Durham is creating a cohort of administrators from various institutions to develop strategies that will ensure sustainable fan engagement and revenue streams despite these demographic changes.
Patrick Woodie, NC Rural Center
Patrick Woodie, President and CEO of the NC Rural Center, discusses his organization’s work supporting North Carolina’s 78 rural counties (defined as having fewer than 250 people per square mile). The center focuses on leadership development, community engagement, advocacy, and small business capital access, managing about $300 million in lending programs. North Carolina has the second-largest rural population in the US after Texas. Key challenges include an aging population, workforce shortages, immigration policy concerns, and disaster recovery (particularly after Hurricane Helene). Woody emphasizes that rural communities want economic opportunities while preserving their quality of life, not transformation into urban areas.
Cecilia Holden, myFutureNC
Cecilia Holden from My Future NC discusses their goal of 2 million North Carolinians earning postsecondary credentials by 2030. Currently at 1.7 million, with 79 counties showing progress since 2019. Emphasizing “education is economic development,” the organization focuses on workforce development through cross-sector collaboration, policy advocacy, and programs for reentry populations and veterans.