Jeff Neuville is the Director of the Small Business Center at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC). CVCC’s Small Business Center is one of 58 centers throughout North Carolina focused on helping new and existing entrepreneurs start and grow sustainable businesses. Jeff has served as President and CEO of several multi-million-dollar companies in the textile and distribution industries. He has received several awards including the US Small Business Administration Collaboration Award and the Small Business Center Network Innovation Award for Collaboration and Service. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill - both in Business Administration. Additionally, he has a strong background in Marketing and Business Operations.

 

Cedric Clyburn is the founder of Kitsuma Bar, a natural, performance-based energy bar. He is a high school student currently attending the Challenger Early College High School program at CVCC and has been nationally recognized as the SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship champion. Additionally, he has presented speeches on stages such as TEDxHickory and is passionate about encouraging young entrepreneurs to take risks, follow their dreams, and live life to the fullest.

 

Jeff joins me today to share his journey and how he began working with CVCC’s Small Business Center. He explains the programs, services, and competitions available at the center and how high school and college students - as well as local, existing entrepreneurs - can participate in their programs. I also spoke with Cedric to learn more about how CVCC’s Small Business Center has helped him establish his business in the food industry and the valuable lessons he has learned through the center’s programs, seminars, and competitions.

 

“Often, some of the most important work we do is helping people understand the reality of starting a business and understanding the chances for success - before they start writing checks.” - Jeff Neuville

 

 

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

 

• What led Jeff to work with CVCC’s Small Business Center.
• The Small Business Center Network and what makes CVCC’s center unique.
• Services the center offers to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the community.
• The biggest challenge that CVCC’s Small Business Center hopes to solve within the community.
• Programs and seminars available at CVCC’s center to help entrepreneurs start and promote their business.
• What the Students with Attainable Goals program is and how it encourages high school students to consider entrepreneurship as a career path.
• How entrepreneurs can get involved with CVCC’s Small Business Center’s programs.
• The most exciting short-term and long-term goals for the center.
• What led Cedric to create Kitsuma Bars.
• How being part of the CVCC’s Small Business Center’s programs as an early college student has empowered Cedric to start his journey as an entrepreneur successfully.
• The Shark Tank program and how it helps students develop a business plan, pitch their idea to local investors and administrative staff, and receive funding for their entrepreneurial venture.
• How the SkillsUSA program helps students learn and improve key trade and manufacturing skills.
• Cedric’s experience while attending the Funding Your Business seminar at CVCC’s Small Business Center.
• The Challenger Early College program at CVCC and how they help high school students develop 21st-century skills to ensure their success as entrepreneurs.
• What is the Edison Project and how it helps entrepreneurs?
• Jeff’s advice to new and existing entrepreneurs.
• What entrepreneurs should ask themselves before working with CVCC’s Small Business Center.

 

 

“Everybody helping each other in that community is really what it’s all about. It was really fun in the Edison Project.” - Cedric Clyburn

 

 

Free & Low-Cost Programs at CVCC’s Small Business Center:

• Manufacturing Solutions Center
• Carolina Textile District
• The Edison Project
• Students with Attainable Goals
• The Shark Tank Competition
• SkillsUSA
• The Challenger Early College Program

 

 

Connect with Jeff Neuville:

• CVCC Small Business Center
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (828) 327-7000

 

Connect with Cedric Clyburn:

• Kitsuma Bar
• TEDxHickory
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

  

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