The CARes Project is a nonprofit social enterprise and CDFI that offers vehicle financing for those with low and moderate incomes "because it's important for people to be able to get to work." Participants of the program become financially self-sufficient. Clients receive a low-interest car loan, money management skills, a personalized household budget, and financial confidence. Partnerships with dealerships, such as Flow Automotive, give participants access to assistance in choosing a car that fits their needs, a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty, and routine car maintenance for the life of the loan. The CARes Project's CEO, Scott McLaughlin, and Director of Strategic Initiatives, Melinda Beauchamp, join us to share more about the program, how to apply, and the life-transforming impact on its clients in Forsyth, Davie, and Davidson counties.

Growing up in a single-parent home, Jeff Davids witnessed his mother work three jobs to make ends meet. He realized that he must do something different to secure his financial future. So, he began building a retirement portfolio. "Everybody starts at zero," says Jeff. The more he learned, the more compelled he was to help his co-workers, especially young people, do the same. After 20 years in retail management, Jeff's passion led him to become a financial advisor in Winston-Salem with Edward Jones. Every day he helps people from all walks of life go from zero to making strides in the right direction.

After a long and rewarding 20-year career with Forsyth County Social Services, Wyomie Watson decided to jump into the world of entrepreneurship. Inspired by her grandmother's love of baking, Wyomie and her husband Eric launched RubyG's Buttercreme Sensations in 2019. The business has grown from a kiosk in Marketplace Mall in Winston-Salem to its own storefront on Peters Creek Parkway with online ordering and shipments available all over the country. Unique treats like banana pudding cake, bourbon pecan cookies, red velvet cream cookies, deep-fried cinnamon rolls, and custom wedding cakes, are just a few of the favorites on the menu connoisseurs crave.

In 2019, one month after his 22nd birthday, Mack Long took over the reins of Piedmont Disposal, the company his father, Kevin, started in 1999 with just one truck and a couple of dumpsters. Piedmont Disposal has expanded exponentially since its humble beginnings as a site solutions company specializing in commercial dumpster rental, portable restrooms, storage boxes, and consultative services for various industries across the southeast. Mack joins us to share the company's history, his father's battle with ALS, and the plans for continued growth and efficiency of this Winston-Salem-based company.

"When there's someone in need, and they don't have a voice, then you step in and help out." This philosophy shaped the life of Frank Cardenas, Co-Founder of FEDlogic, a federal benefits consulting firm. Growing up as a first-generation Mexican American, he helped his parents navigate and acquire the federal and state benefits they needed for his sister, Alex, who was born with a severe mental disability. Today, Frank and his team work with companies across America to help their workforce and human resource departments understand everything related to federal benefits, including social security, Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, and unemployment.

In 2009, some people thought the co-founders of Sightsource were out of their minds for launching a custom software development company in the middle of a financial crisis. "Regardless of the overall economic conditions, it's just a good space to be in." Sightsource's CFO and co-founder, Balint Gaspar, joins us to share the story behind this Winston-Salem-based company and their Empower program – a free, 8-week course where participants learn to code and launch their tech career.

As a young man growing up in Winston-Salem, Lou Baldwin would walk around downtown with its empty buildings and dusty streets and dream about what it could be. After graduating from UNC, he returned to Winston-Salem and purchased the real estate business his grandfather started in 1928. Lou then began a journey to get involved from a civic standpoint in redeveloping old buildings, preserving history, and bringing downtown Winston-Salem back to life.

The spirit of entrepreneurship continues to thrive in Winston-Salem, with new businesses opening their doors in unique spaces across our community. Aubrey Linville, owner and partner at Linville Team Partners Commercial Real Estate, sits down with us to reflect on his experience watching downtown come alive and Linville Team's first ten years supporting buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords with their commercial real estate needs.

Winston-Salem: the city of arts, innovation, and made-to-order bagels! We chatted with Marc Singer and Amy Singer Douglass, siblings and two of the three current owners of Bagel Station, which first opened its doors on Oakwood in 1990. Taking over the business in 2016, Amy describes themselves as "stewards" of the business, keeping everything quintessentially Bagel Station, down to the name and menu items - while expanding in size, location, and flavorful options.

Youth, college, and semi-professional soccer have been part of the Triad's sports scene for a long time. We now have even more reason to get excited about the sport with the addition of professional men's soccer. Carolina Core FC, an independent club, will join MLX Next Pro for the 2024 season. Managing Partner Megan Oglesby, President Andy Smith, Chief Operating Officer Evan Mitz, and Chief Sporting Officer Eddie Pope, join us to discuss bringing the highest level of competitive soccer to the region and how the Carolina Core Soccer Foundation will reduce barriers to access to the sport to lift the community on and off the field.