impact. The Boro

Heather Adams with The Basics Guilford shares five things we can all do to help prepare young children for success in school and in life. Holly West, marketing and communications manager for the Chamber, is the host.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Holly West, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing & Communications Manager.

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00:58 - Holly kicks off the episode by introducing guest Heather Adams from The Basics Guildford. They are sharing five things you can do to help our local kids succeed in school and in life. Education is a key part of creating a strong workforce, and that starts with childhood education!

1:45 - Heather is the Director of Engagement & Literacy Initiatives for her organization, Ready for School Ready for Life. She shares some background about herself, the organization, and their work.

2:15 - Heather dives into the five, fun, free things that any adult can do with a young child to help better prepare them for school and long-term success. These easy actions are specifically designed for children from birth to age three, but there are many other support and success steps that are designed for older children too.

2:40 - The Basics is one strategy aimed at narrowing the achievement gap between children of color and white children. The Five Basics are: 

1. Maximize love, manage stress.

7:20 - Holly asks how the birth-to-three age range was determined for these types of activities. Heather explains that 80% of a child’s brain development occurs during this time period, and these activities help kids absorb knowledge and expand brain development.

8:20 - Heather sheds some light on how parents can incorporate the Five Basics into their and their children’s daily routines during the pandemic. The Five Basics can actually provide bonding and stress relief for parents as well as their kids, and some of these things you’re probably already doing!

11:05 - Heather explains how the business community can help support The Basics, spread knowledge about the practices, and increase childhood learning. Posters in the breakroom and sharing on social media is also a useful way for businesses to share about The Basics with their employees.

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The Guilford Basics: https://guilfordbasics.org/

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

LaunchLab alumnus company Freeman Capital has recently scored some high-profile investment wins. Launch Greensboro advisory board members Kelli Frazier and Clifford Thompson, as well as Assistant Director Jenn Hensel, sit down with Freeman Capital founder Calvin Williams to discuss how he continues to grow the first black-owned, SEC-registered, automated wealth management platform.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s hosts are Clifford Johnson, Kelly Fraser, and Jenn Hensel of Launch Greensboro, the Chamber’s entrepreneurial accelerator program.

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00:58 - Clifford introduces his fellow hosts, Kelly Fraser, member of the Launch Greensboro Board of Advisors and Jenn Hensel, Assistant Director of Launch Greensboro. Launch Greensboro is an organization under the Chamber that provides Triad entrepreneurs with education, mentoring, and access to capital. Jenn shares some additional background about their guest, Calvin Williams, the founder and CEO of Freeman Capital, a second-time entrepreneur, and a member of the 2016 Launch Lab Growth Accelerator cohort.

02:43 - Calvin shares more about Freeman Capital’s mission of closing the wealth gap, working via automated recommendations and personal, one-on-one financial planning, all for the price of Netflix! He shares his background and how his family and their financial mindset inspired this career path for him. 

05:47 - Kelly asks how Freeman Capital is coping in COVID. Calvin feels comfortable in the virtual world, having always worked with remote clients and seeking out the best talent for his company, no matter where in the world they were located. COVID simply accelerated the proof that remote, affordable financial planning works and works well!

07:55 - Kelly inquires about Calvin’s experience of growing in his business and finding success, then realizing that he had to pivot and change his business to move in a different direction. This experience showed Calvin the inequalities and differences of access in the business world. Most financial planning businesses are built off of large assets, which excludes a huge number of customers, and in that, he found his customer base - regular people looking for accessible education on financial planning and seeking to grow their wealth. 

12:33 - Calvin speaks on the life of an entrepreneur, how he manages the ups and downs, and keeps the vision of the future in focus. He envisions every next step and what he wants to achieve to find the spiritual energy to keep going. During the challenging times, he finds his fuel in serving people and hearing that his business is fulfilling the need that they were searching for.  

14:34 - Clifford speaks on the issue of wealth inequality in the US and how several companies have come forward to try and tackle this challenge. He asks Calvin how Freeman Capital is disrupting the market differently and stands out amongst similar firms. Calvin emphasizes that on his platform, they are giving advice, education, and individualized strategy, rather than just commission-free trades. Creating a plan and understanding to build wealth are defining factors of his business. 

18:00 - Jenn reflects on Calvin’s particular entrepreneurial path, asking about his process of iteration in developing his business. Calvin is motivated by the family saying of “If something bothers you, then it’s your responsibility to solve it.” Rather than complaining or finding frustration with something, Calvin is driven to find a solution to benefit himself, his children, and his customers.

22:42 - Jenn asks Calvin to share some of the wins that he really cherishes, the ones that really stand out and make it all worth the journey. Calvin explains that the wins come from when others see and recognize the changes that he’s doing, the work that he and his employees are putting in. He is most inspired by his team and their loyalty, their hard work, and their dedication to making Freeman Capital a success. 

26:54 - Clifford asks Calvin to share a client story where he realized that he helped make an impact on their financial life. Calvin speaks to helping a younger person figure out how to achieve paying his student loans, save for a house, and build his retirement all at the same time, and give that customer the tools, knowledge, and partnership to reach those goals in a manageable amount of time.

30:35 - Calvin shares some exciting updates for Freeman Capital, including that they received their first venture capital check and are also receiving a grant from Google for Startups! 

31:27 - Kelly asks Calvin about how Launch Greensboro has impacted his entrepreneurial journey and his experience with Launch. From finding out about the program on Twitter to learning about the gaps in his business plan, meeting his current CFO and accelerating his knowledge about raising capital, Calvin has been able to really propel his business because of the access, network, knowledge, and programs.

34:06 - Calvin shares a call to action for his community - if you don’t have capital or funding opportunities, Calvin emphasizes networking to access Freeman’s target market, and developing relationships with other experts and influencers to continue increasing their knowledge base and problem-solving power.

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Freeman Capital’s Website: https://freemancapital.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freemancapital/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freemancapital/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FreemanCapital

Find Calvin Williams Jr. on LinkedIn!

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

October 2 is National Manufacturing Day! Director of Existing Industry Services Meridith Berger catches up with Core Technology CEO Geoff Foster, who is in the running for Entrepreneur of the Year for the southeast United States.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Meridith Berger, the Chamber’s Director of Existing Industry Services for the Economic Development Department.

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00:58 - Meridith kicks off the episode with a welcome and recognizes Manufacturing Day and Manufacturing Week! Guilford County is home to the highest number of manufacturing jobs in North Carolina, a wide range of manufacturing degrees and training programs, and is in a prime location for transportation, logistics, and infrastructure.

1:44 - Meridith introduces guest to the podcast, Geoff Foster, CEO and President of Core Technology Moulding in Guilford County. Core Technology Moulding Inc. is a plastic injection moulding company that offers a diverse range of products from automotive parts, medical supplies, aerospace, outdoor equipment, and appliances.

3:30 - Meridith asks Geoff what drove him to become an entrepreneur, and Geoff shares a story where he designed a part for Ford Motor Company, and this experience really sparked his passion to start his own company to create products and share the benefit of new creation with his employees.

4:51 - Meridith asks how COVID impacted Core Technology’s production and hiring processes. Geoff explains that while Core Technology had to retool their approach, they shifted into creating a new mold for faceshields, leading to an increased need for employees for production and assembly. 

6:23 - Geoff shares about being recognized as a finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a prestigious and exciting award to be chosen for!

7:12 - Meridith asks for more information on the diversity and range of the products that Core Technology offers. Geoff explains that their product portfolio is incredibly diverse and their parts appear in a huge number of products that are used every day, around the US. This has allowed for a strong business foundation to grow, and puts Core Tech in a position where they can strategically pursue production in certain fields, like medical supply.

8:45 - Meridith asks Geoff if he sees growth in a certain industry in the near future, to which he says that growth is seen more in additive manufacturing rather than a targeted industry. This means that “printing” parts with 3D printers is becoming the new norm and has helped Core Tech prototype and go-to-market faster!

10:37 - Workforce and culture is important to Core Technology, and Meridith asks how this helps Geoff develop the talent pool at Core Tech. Geoff found a strategic partner in NC A&T, brining in highly talented and educated students who are eager to learn. He also explains that a diverse workforce with different perspectives brings about better solutions and increased value.

12:09 - Geoff reiterates that the location of his company in Greensboro and Guilford County has been a critical part of Core Technology’s success. The location, partnerships, logistics and transportation access, and incredible talent pool available have all contributed to Core Tech’s success.

12:57 - Meridith asks more about Core Tech’s medical clean rooms. Geoff talks about the two different clean rooms established so Core Tech can create needed medical supplies, but also assemble critical vaccine materials.

14:16 - Find out more about Core Technology at their website: www.coretechnologycorp.com  And also find them on their social channels: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

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Manufacturing Day is October 2! Find out more here:

https://www.ncmep.org/manufacturing-day/ 

Learn more about Core Technology at coretechnologycorp.com.

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

The Chamber's Minority Business Accelerator is partnering with Launch Greensboro and the national nonprofit Interise on a program to help minority-owned businesses accelerate their growth. Hear from Tracy Myers, EVP for member engagement; Niketa Greene, vice president for leadership, diversity and inclusion; and Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, EVP for entrepreneurship about how Interise's Streetwise MBA curriculum will integrate into the Chamber's existing talent pipeline.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Tracy Meyers, the Chamber’s EVP of Member Engagement.

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00:58 - Tracy kicks off the episode with a warm welcome and shares an exciting announcement about a new program tied to the Chamber’s minority business accelerator. Tracy also welcomes today’s guests - Niketa Greene, the VP of Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, the EVP Entrepreneurship with Launch Greensboro; and Bernard Johnson, the Director of Programs for Interise.

2:35 - Each guest shares more about their professional background and experiences. Niketa begins by sharing news on her promotion and work with Leadership Greensboro, and how she is stepping into a leadership position with the Minority Business Accelerator (MBA). Lou Anne explains how this program is a great addition to the work that the Chamber and Launch Greensboro already do to help launch and grow local entrepreneurs and their businesses. 

7:55 - Bernard introduces Interise and the work that the organization does to intentionally support and scale minority-owned businesses that operate in low- to moderate-income communities. Interise works with partners to identify resources to help these businesses sustain, grow, add and retain jobs, and support diversity in business-ownership. 

9:50 - Bernard reviews the data that Interise records annually on how the businesses they support add more to the economy in terms of more stable, higher paying jobs and generate higher levels of revenue growth. He highlights that the Greensboro Chamber, Launch Greensboro, and the MBA Program are all exciting new partners and ventures for Interise. 

12:36 - Lou Anne explains how this partnership with Interise feeds into the established pipeline that Launch Greensboro currently works with, from ideation to established bootcamp growth programs. Interise is a logical next-step after the growth program, to help businesses scale sustainably while continuing to provide support, resources, and networks.

14:23 - Tracy asks Bernard what the “ideal” business for the Interise Program would be. He explains that the business would be at least two years old, have at least one full-time employee and be seeking to add more positions, revenues should be in the six-figures at least, and the business owners should be committed to their growth, as well as the support and growth of their fellow program peers.

15:50 - Niketa explains how the other programs that she leads can feed into and support the Interise Program, and how Interise can help provide other growth opportunities to businesses already in the MBA Program. 

19:50 - Bernard speaks to how Interise chooses the cities they start programs with, how the organization goes about establishing effective partnerships, and how they forge ahead to achieve their mission of supporting and accelerating minority businesses. He explains that authentic community connections, partnerships, and relationships are absolutely critical, in combination with the curriculum of the program. 

23:17 - Tracy asks the guests who might be involved in the first cohort of the Interise Program, and each shares their ideas and excitement about who might be interested in applying. With so many great existing programs, like the MBA and the Launch bootcamps, there are many businesses who are eager to grow and support each other. Bernard elaborates on the critical importance of cohort-building and finding that network in other business owners, even if you come from different industries.

27:04 - Niketa explains the program timeline and how interested people can contact her to get involved. She’s hoping to launch the Interise program at the start of 2021. She also expands on how this initiative fits into the equity and inclusion work that she and the Chamber have made a priority in the work and programs that they are putting on. Niketa is ensuring that there is action around equity work, that there is open discourse about systemic racism in the community, and helping to create change within the Chamber itself. 

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Learn more about Interise's Streetwise MBA curriculum at interise.org/programs/streetwise-mba.

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

The Downtown Greenway is hosting its annual Run for the Greenway in October and regularly offers a variety of socially distanced activities for residents to participate in. Downtown Greenway Project Manager Dabney Sanders and Run for the Greenway Director Laura Lorenz discuss how they've adapted their programming due to COVID-19.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Dabney Sanders, the Downtown Greenway Project Manager.

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00:58 - Dabney welcomes listeners and introduces Laura Lorenz, who works with Dabney by fundraising and designing programming for the Downtown Greenway. Dabney and Laura share some background on the Downtown Greenway, progress on the project despite COVID-19, and what the Greensboro community has to look forward to with the Greenway!

3:45 - Laura explains how they have had to adapt Downtown Greenway programming because of COVID-19, but she feels confident and excited about the Fall programming schedule, as much of it can still be done outside, safely socially distanced. One new program this year is the Fall Nature Series that details how people can harvest locally grown produce and turn it into syrups, jams, and more. 

8:10 - Dabney details another fall project, which is the redesign of LowFi (Lower Fisher) Park. The team is working with two professional permaculture gardeners to work on the redesign of the park to ensure that it is its own self-sustaining ecosystem. 

9:12 - Laura talks a little about Goat Yoga, a unique yoga session for people of all levels that involves some cute little goat friends! It’s a great way to change things up and bring some extra fun to a yoga session. 

11:15 - Laura also discusses the Wheels on the Greenway initiative, where citizens donate bikes to a kid in need, and they have collected over 100 bikes this season! The Downtown Greenway team is in the process of repairing those bikes to give out to kids all over the community.

13:35 - The Run for the Greenway Event, the biggest event for the Greenway team, is still happening this year, but virtually! You can sign up, pick up your runners packet, and then you run the 4-mile loop on your own between October 17th and October 31st. You can do it all in one day, or pace it out over a few days. Participants can post their times and photos to the race app to share with each other and still feel that great camaraderie of the event.

18:20 - Laura also mentions that there are always opportunities to get involved in clean-ups around town! Get your business or organization involved in volunteer workdays to keep our parks beautiful by pulling weeds and making sure trash is picked up. It’s a good way to give back to the community while also maintaining social distancing.

19:30 - Dabney gives us the latest updates on the Greenway construction, which has been able to progress despite COVID-19. There should be some construction on the east side of the loop finishing up in October, which will bring three miles completed of the four total! The final section will go out to bid towards the end of the year, and most likely get started with construction in 2021. The hope is that this time next year, the project will be almost completed!

22:30 - Laura and Dabney discuss the public art projects that are on display throughout the Greenway. In particular, Dabney talks about the Freedom Cornerstone, which is the fourth and final cornerstone project to be built. It will represent Greensboro’s history with the Sit-Ins and its role in the larger Civil Rights Movement. Dabney also talks about the Westwoods Project, which will be three large-scale earth castings that will begin in October, and that they are seeking art proposals for Moorehead Park to update that space after some recent bridge construction. 

26:25 - Remember to stay engaged with the Downtown Greenway by participating in the many events they put on, volunteering, or supporting the project through contributions and donations. You can help make this incredible project happen for the community! 

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Downtown Greenway Website: https://downtowngreenway.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownGreenway 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DowntwnGreenway 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downtowngreenway/ 

 Downtown Greenway Programming and Events Schedule: https://downtowngreenway.org/events/ 

 Want to join the 2020 Run 4 the Greenway Virtual Challenge? 

Find more info and sign up here: https://downtowngreenway.org/2020-run-4-the-greenway-virtual-challenge/ 

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

Register for the race at downtowngreenway.org.

In the second episode of our Launch Greensboro series, advisory board members Kelli Frazier and Clifford Thompson talk to three entrepreneurs about their experiences with LaunchLab Growth. Guests are Matthew Mullens, Shawn Straub and Larry Diana.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s hosts are Kelly Fraser and Clifford Thompson, who both sit on the board for Launch Greensboro.

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00:57 - Kelly welcomes back listeners to continue to learn more about Launch Greensboro. Launch Greensboro aims to accelerate growth for entrepreneurs starting businesses in the Greensboro and Triad area by providing education, mentoring, and access to capital. Today’s episode and guests focus on the growth and mentorship aspects of the program. 

1:55 - We start with guest Matthew Mullins, founder of Empasta, a plant-based cheese sauce. He discusses how he first heard about Launch Greensboro, how he got involved at the start, and how Launch really helped his business grow and gain traction.  

4:22 - Kelly asks Matthew to explain his experience in Launch Greensboro’s growth program. Matthew describes a several-week program that builds a cohort of entrepreneurs learning together. Professionals and experienced speakers teach important skills, paid interns can be provided, and mentors are available to help expand networks, provide expertise, and keep entrepreneurs accountable.

7:30 - Clifford asks what advice Matthew would give to another young person who was looking to start a business. Matthew simply says “Go for it!” He emphasizes that younger people generally have less to lose and more mobility, but you will still have to bootstrap, work hard, and find capital to build something out of nothing.

8:59 - Matthew gives an update on how Empasta was growing and where it is now, and how COVID has impacted his business. He stresses the importance of being flexible and open to pivot, which has brought him to the point of exploring how to potentially expand. 

10:25 - Kelly inquires about how Launch Greensboro has stayed a part of Matthew’s personal and professional network since he graduated from the program. Matthew explains that Launch provides continuing education through Lunch & Learns, newsletters, and simply being available to share resources. He emphasizes some events that help him stay connected to other entrepreneurs and mentors as well. 

11:35 - Kelly introduces Shawn and Larry to speak more about the mentorship program, from both the mentor and mentee perspectives. Shawn Straub, the owner of AltHR Partners, introduces herself, a specialty HR consulting company that has been around for a couple of years. Shawn went through the Launch Greensboro Growth Program and was matched with her mentor, Larry, who really helped solidify her business vision and action plan. 

16:00 - Larry Diana shares his side of the mentor relationship and how his professional career helped him establish a firm foundation of business knowledge, before starting his own business. Throughout his professional experiences, he really found his calling in entrepreneurship and in mentoring others. 

18:33 - Clifford asks Larry what surprises him the most from his experience working with the startups at Launch. Larry is consistently impressed by the energy and commitment of entrepreneurs because it is such hard work to launch a business successfully. He enjoys the part of mentorship that allows him to coach mentees through the challenges and manage the problems - good and bad - that arise.

20:18 - Kelly asks Shawn how things are currently at AltHR and what her next steps for the company are. AltHR is running and growing strong, and credits the strong networks and connections that she made through Launch for that growth. She explains that she’s found some niches where AltHR can really flourish as the main provider of HR systems. 

24:47 - Shawn and Kelly highlight how impactful Launch is, creating its own ecosystem of entrepreneurs and mentors to continue the cycle of helping new businesses, to celebrate the growth of Launch businesses, and to find camaraderie in other entrepreneurs who know the importance of the struggles and successes. 

27:15 - Each guest helps to wrap up the episode with some final thoughts. Matt recaps how Launch Greensboro is really the place to be as an entrepreneur looking to launch or grow a business. The resources and connections provided are invaluable. Larry echoes this sentiment, expressing that the learning opportunities, connections, and knowledge sources are endless. 

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Check out Matthew’s products at https://www.empastafood.com/

Find more about Shawn’s HR offerings at http://www.althrpartners.com/ 

Are you interested in becoming a mentor with Launch Greensboro? 

Contact Jenn at [email protected].

Follow on socials:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/greensboroentrepreneur

Twitter - https://twitter.com/launchgso

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/launch-greensboro/ 

Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

Virtual events are a necessity in the time of COVID, but a challenge for teams to figure out how to adapt. Join Campus Greensboro Director Lizzy Tahsuda as she speaks with representatives from the Wyndham Championship and the North Carolina Folk Festival about adapting events, engaging audiences, and what we can learn from two of the biggest events in the Triad going virtual for the first time.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Lizzy Tahsuda, the Director of Campus Greensboro, a program under Action Greensboro.

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00:57 - Lizzy welcomes listeners back to the podcast and introduces today’s guests, Amy Grossman with the NC Folk Festival, and Mark Brazill with the Wyndham Championship.

2:11 - Today’s topic is focused on virtual events and getting creative with how to engage audiences through their computer screens. Lizzy asks Mark how the Wyndham event looked this year, dealing with the effects and restrictions of COVID-19. Mark and the rest of the Wyndham team planned for multiple scenarios, from hosting a regular event, to one still in person but with restrictions, to a tournament that had no fans or sponsors. 

7:50 - Mark discusses how the Wyndham team changed their plans to make the tournament a highly engaging and enjoyable experience for their huge audience and all the sponsors that weren’t able to be there in person.

9:10 - Lizzy asks how Wyndham utilized social media to heighten engagement with fans. Mark talks about how the fans are the soul of the event, so social media was critical in building excitement and interaction with supporters. 

12:30 - Lizzy shifts the discussion to Amy to inquire about how the NC Folk Festival is planning for their event this year. Amy echoes a lot of what Mark said, in that there were versions of different plans to allow people to gather safely, and how to hold people accountable for the protection of the audiences, professional staff, and artists that are involved in the event. Amy explains that she and her team knew early on that a modified event would be necessary.

14:53 - Amy says that it was clear that the Folk Festival had to commit to a virtual event, so they made the choice and got to work with changing the program. The 2020 program will focus on North Carolina based artists, as travel is safer for them, and partnering with strategic local partners like 7Cinematics videography will still bring performances to life - just on our screens. 

18:45 - Amy also speaks to the sponsorship side of these large events. Some sponsors really value the in-person events and are waiting until they can have face-to-face events again, while other sponsors jumped at the chance to participate in a virtual event that reaches a wider audience. 

20:26 - If you’re interested in tuning in to the Folk Festival performances this year on September 11 and 12, there are so many ways you can watch live and on-demand after the event! Check out the Folk Festival YouTube channel and Facebook, the City of Greensboro will also broadcast through their channels, and GTN, the local TV network, will be showing the performances as well. Another concert platform, nugs.net, will also have the Folk Festival streaming for free!

22:20 - Lizzy asks the guest what advice they would give to other organizations that are planning events for the fall, and how to put on a really great virtual experience. Mark emphasizes fully virtual events for the rest of this year and to avoid gatherings of people, to simply adhere to safety guidelines. Virtual events have allowed event planners to flex outside of the box and get creative with how to engage audiences and create interesting events while avoiding Zoom fatigue.

27:30 - Amy adds that organizations have to reprioritize things in order to invest more funding and time into making events great. She had to redirect money into strong videography in order to make the musical performances just as amazing in person, but that doesn’t come without compromise elsewhere. Her team is also getting creative with different ways to generate revenue, with sales of merchandise and beverages from the Festival itself now not a feasible source of income. 

31:30 - Lizzy asks her guests for any final thoughts before the end of the episode. Amy shares ways that community members can continue to help support local events, businesses, and restaurants, and encourages people to think of how they can amplify their local support!

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

If you couldn't make it to yesterday's virtual State of Our Community, you can watch the event via Vimeo at any time. To register, visit greensboro.org/sooc2020. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Brent Christiansen, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce's President and CEO.

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00:58 - Brent starts the episode by sharing the key speakers and topics from the Chamber’s annual State of Our Community event, which was held virtually this year. Notable speakers included Dr. Mandy Cohen from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Tom Barkin from the Richmond Fed, Superintendent Sharon Contreras, and Terry Akin from Cone Health, who spoke on topics from COVID-19 to racial inequity to unemployment.

2:44 - Clarence McDonald, Commercial Banking Market Executive for Wells Fargo, speaks to the critical partnership that Wells Fargo maintains with the Greensboro Chamber, and how they have stepped up to the economic challenges posed by COVID-19.

4:53 - Brent introduces Tom Barkin, the President and CEO of the Richmond Fed, who joined the event via Zoom with some members of the Chamber Board. Tom discusses the economy as it is today, what the impacts of COVID-19 look like across various industries, and how trends are looking now that we’re a few months into shelter-at-home. He also speculates on where we can go from here, which depends on so many external factors. 

9:45 - Next, Brent introduces Ivan Canada, Director of NCCJ, and Wilson Lester, Executive Director of Piedmont Business Capital, to speak on the topics of injustice and systemic racism, especially within our own community. The discussion starts with a framing of equity and what this word, this value, actually means when put into action. 

14:02 - The final panel, led by Terry Akin of Cone Health, includes Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Sharon Contreras, the Superintendent of Guilford County Public Schools. The panel holds a discussion of the public health and education effects of COVID-19 and how the virus has highlighted community equity issues.

18:08 - To hear the full speeches, register on greensboro.org/sooc2020 to be emailed a link and password to access the archived video of the whole event!

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

Prepac, a North American designer and manufacturer of drop ship, ready-to-assemble home furniture, has selected Guilford County for its new US manufacturing center. Prepac will invest $27 million in capital investment and create more than 200 new jobs.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Brent Christiansen, the Chamber of Greensboro’s President and CEO.

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00:58 - Brent welcomes listeners to the podcast and introduces guest Jim Mathison, CEO of Prepac Manufacturing, which just chose Guilford County as their US location as they expand outside of Canada. They will be bringing 201 jobs with them and this is a great win for the community!

2:33 - Brent asks Jim what the drivers were that led to making the decision to choose Guilford County as Prepac’s expansion location. Jim explains that there are lots of criteria to meet, like availability of skilled workforce, cost of operations, and inbound/outbound freight, to name a few. It really came down to incentives and North Carolina won out on the assistance offered.

4:45 - Brent asks Jim about the building that Prepac chose. Jim explains that the building had all the basic necessities needed and was key to their decision to move here. 

5:47 - Jim explains that Prepac has been around for a while and the company is very familiar with the High Point Furniture Market, which allowed them to get to know the surrounding area and understand the infrastructure around to support their business operations. 

6:50 - Prepac isn’t necessarily the brand name that consumers recognize, so Brent asks Jim to explain how customers actually interact with Prepac’s furniture products. Jim says they operate under several different brands and drop-ship directly to consumers, and over a decade ago, moved only into the e-commerce space. Prepac’s brands are included in almost every big retail operation that sells home furnishings, such as Wayfair, Home Depot, Walmart, and Target.

9:00 - Brent asks Jim to speak to his own professional background. Jim calls himself a “displaced engineer,” having a background in electronics engineering and software development, but he has a lot of professional experience in business development and e-commerce, which drew him to work for Prepac. 

10:58 - Brent asks about Prepac’s ambitious plans to open in February 2021, the work of which will include renovations to the building, moving operations, and hiring. Jim explains this expansion as a critical piece of their growth, so they have a lot of energy behind the move. The hiring process has already started, utilizing hiring services and training programs to source local talent for their staff positions. Jim also credits other local businesses and suppliers for offering their help in getting Prepac established and is grateful for such an outpouring of assistance.

15:24 - How has business been for Prepac in the pandemic? Jim explains that everyone in the furniture industry has been challenged to keep up with the demand of customers with the effects and shutdowns in the supply chain, but opening the factory in Guilford County will be a huge help in expanding their capacity.

17:15 - Jim speaks to his experience in North Carolina, seeing the operations pre-COVID and now in the pandemic, and is still impressed with how the community has been able to pivot and still provide support during this time. He and his team are excited to expand into Guilford County!

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Check out Prepac here: https://www.prepacmfg.com/

WFMY News 2 announcing Prepac coming to Guilford County: https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/prepac-manufacturing-to-bring-200-plus-jobs-to-guilford-county/83-9450fbad-a26f-4928-a14b-392e42e2ed35

Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.

This is the first in a series of episodes focused on entrepreneurship. Launch Greensboro Advisory Board members Kelli Frazier and Clifford Thompson discuss upcoming programs and events with staff members Lou Anne Flanders-Stec and Jennifer Hensel.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Kelly Fraser, a board member for Launch Greensboro. the Chamber’s XXXX.

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00:59 - Kelly introduces herself and Clifford Johnson, both on the board of Launch Greensboro. Today, they are focusing on upcoming programs that offer opportunities for you to participate! They will also be hosting future episodes to dive into more of what Launch Greensboro does.

1:38 - First, Kelly shares some background about Launch Greensboro and their mission. She also introduces Lou Ann Flanders-Stec, Executive VP of Launch Greensboro, and Jenn Hensler, Assistant Director of Launch, who run and support the programs that help local entrepreneurs.

4:10 - Kelly asks Jenn about specific focus areas and businesses that Launch Greensboro’s accelerator programs target. Jenn explains that the accelerator programs really “meet entrepreneurs where they are,” whether that is just starting out, or looking to grow their business to the next level. These incredible programs are so helpful on personal and professional levels, and free for entrepreneurs to participate!

7:15 - Clifford chimes in with a question about how mentors influence the program and what the work is in finding mentors in the community. Lou Ann explains that between 20-25 mentors are needed for each program, so Launch Greensboro makes the ask and ensures that they always have a pool of talented, experienced people to bring in as mentors. If you’re interested in supporting a local entrepreneur as a mentor, contact Launch Greensboro, because they’re always looking for more!

8:52 - Lou Ann also highlights the emphasis that Launch Greensboro puts on uplifting, growing, and supporting minority business owners through their programs. She is proud that they have consistently had 65-70% of minority and women owned businesses participate in the Launch Greensboro programs.

9:53 - Kelly asks Lou Ann to detail more on what is required of a mentor, which currently includes dedicating an hour per week for the duration of the accelerator program. Kelly also shares her personal experience as a mentor for Launch Greensboro.

11:19 - Jenn highlights that applications are currently open for the next program, so you can jump on this opportunity to participate in a great program to take your ideas, product, business, and network to the next level. 

12:20 - Clifford asks what type of company usually participates in Launch Greensboro programs, which Lou Ann explains that it’s all industries at all levels. The only time requirements get specific is in the capital funding program, which has certain requirements of a company to participate. 

13:50 - Kelly asks what participants can expect to walk away with once the accelerator program has concluded. Jenn explains that people walk away with a well-rounded exposure to various topics, the support of their cohort and those relationships, and the self-work of uncovering the “why” of their business and how that influences basic operations. 

15:50 - Jenn explains that the impact for every entrepreneur is different because the Launch team really tries to meet a specific need or goal that every participant has. The outcomes are varied but highly specific to save these entrepreneurs time, money, and energy, and get on a faster growth track. 

17:20 - Lou Ann adds that another benefit from going through any of the Launch programs is that entrepreneurs learn how to tell their business story and how to perfect their pitch, which is so important in a variety of situations. They refocus the entrepreneur to focus on what is important to their audience, rather than what is important to them. 

20:00 - Kelly asks for more specifics about the venture capital fund that Launch has started. Lou Ann describes two ways that Launch helps entrepreneurs raise capital, one of which is the pitch competition Capital Connects, which allows early-stage entrepreneurs to pitch to investors and the community to gain investment and maybe win some prize money. The second way is the First Launch Capital Fund which makes investments at the earliest stage of a business, so businesses may not have even drawn revenue yet. 

22:11 - Clifford brings up that so many people think that venture and entrepreneurship don’t happen in Greensboro. Lou Ann says that is just not true - the Piedmont Angel Network previously made investments in the Piedmont Triad, and Greensboro specifically, and First Launch Capital Fund is seeking the earliest stage entrepreneurs who need a boost to get their platform going. Entrepreneurship in Greensboro is strong and well supported here!

24:53 - Kelly asks about the Sustain Program and what happens after a business graduates from an accelerator program. Jenn explains that it’s a program of fellow program graduates where continuing education is offered, strategic networking, and a cohort of support is offered. Entrepreneurs say that this is so important to their continued success. 

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Find out more about Launch Greensboro and all their programs here: https://greensboro.org/launch/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/launchgso

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greensboroentrepreneur

First Launch Capital Fund: https://www.firstlaunchcapital.com/

Learn more at launchgreensboro.com.

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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber

Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.