In this non-political episode, Mayor Vivian Jones shares how a shop owner’s perspective shaped her journey from running a downtown restaurant with her sister to serving Wake Forest as commissioner and then mayor. We cover the practical stuff founders need: navigating permits and renovations, activating underused spaces, façade and small-business grants, and the partnerships—Town, Chamber, Wake Forest Downtown, Launch Wake Forest—that help entrepreneurs open faster and grow smarter. We also reflect on the growth and changes she’s seen since moving to Wake Forest in 1981, highlight local businesses, and leave you with concrete next steps to plug into the ecosystem.

Perfect for: anyone planning to open or expand a business in Wake Forest—or any Main Street community.

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