| 115th Year, 42nd Issue | Thursday, May 27, 2004 | Sparta, North Carolina |
About 15 businesses were represented during the Small Business Expo held at the Blue Ridge Business Development Center Friday, May 21.
"We invited small businesses in the county so they can network and learn to network with each other," said Carolyn Sprinkle, business service coordinator with Blue Ridge Development Center.
Phyllis Childers, associate director-west with N.C. Rural Entrepreneurial through Action Learning (REAL) Enterprises Inc., discussed her organization's partnership with Wilkes Community College. "North Carolina REAL partners with Wilkes Community College in offering entrepreneurship training here at the Alleghany campus." During the 10-to-12-week REAL course, students "develop a business plan looking at the feasibility of their idea and whether or not the business would be financial feasible able to open in the area. Is there enough market for it? Is there enough opportunity there for me to be successful in the business? If they go through a REAL enterpreneurship course, they develop, do the marketing research, look at the financials and develop a business plan."
Enterprise Agent Beth Henderson represented the Appalachian
Microenterprise Loan Program, a division of N.C. REAL Enterprises.
Through her group-lending program, technical assistance can be provided
to entrepreneurs that are not traditionally "bankable." In addition to
a basic 15-hour business class, technical assistance is also provided.
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