All news

20 Outdoor Businesses Join Waypoint Resilience Program Focused on Long-Term Stability

Group photo of the new members of the Waypoint Resilience Cohort standing and sitting together in a bright indoor space, smiling and wearing name tags.

Last week at a celebratory kick-off, Mountain BizWorks, along with partners Made by Mountains, the Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC and the NC Outdoor Economy Office, welcomed 20 entrepreneurs into the Waypoint Resilience Cohort. The program aims to help outdoor industry businesses rebuild from Helene, problem-solve with peers and experts, and chart a course for…

Read more

Future Forward: Build Resilience and Momentum for Your Small Business

Topographic map graphic with a red line marking a path from ‘After Hurricane Helene’ to an orange SOS point, ending at a green location marker labeled ‘Future Forward: We Are Here.’ Illustration represents the journey of small businesses rebuilding after disaster through Future Forward resilience workshops.

In a world where change is constant, resilience is the key to long-term success. That’s why Mountain BizWorks created Future Forward, a dynamic small business resilience workshop and coaching series designed for small business owners ready to strengthen their foundations and seize new opportunities. Small Business Resilience Workshops “Future Forward was born out of the…

Read more

Meet the Dreamer: Josh Copus of The Old Marshall Jail and Zadie’s Market

A self-described “creative entrepreneur,” Josh Copus hates the assumption that artists aren’t good business people. He spent years thinking that about himself, until he realized, “You’re just not a good accountant! You are a great business person!” He certainly has played to his strengths, creating his own creative small business success story. Now, learn why…

Read more

Mountain BizWorks’ Rural Rebuilding Together Grant Fund Awards $2.3 Million in Funding to Hard Hit Rural Communities

Mountain BizWorks’ Rural Rebuilding Together Grant Fund has provided $2,391,295 in grant funding to 149 small businesses in 15 heavily hurricane-impacted rural downtowns. Because a thriving downtown benefits the entire community, small businesses in Bakersville, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Canton, Chimney Rock, Hot Springs, Lake Lure, Lansing, Marshall, Newland, Old Fort, South Toe, Spruce Pine,…

Read more

Mountain BizWorks’ Year in Review 2024

Year in Review 2024: A banner saying Recover Forward is displayed above photos of entrepreneurs and team members post-Helene and during rebuilding

Mountain BizWorks knows small businesses are the economic backbone and cultural heartbeat of Western North Carolina. And while 2024 brought unexpected disaster to our region, those same small businesses stepped up with unparalleled resilience. In response, just 10 days after the hurricane, Mountain BizWorks launched the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund to provide timely…

Read more

Mountain BizWorks Receives $1 Million in Funding for WNC Strong: Rebuilding Together Grant Programs

Mountain BizWorks receives 1 Million in funding Press Release Graphic 1800

Mountain BizWorks is pleased to announce two new awards that will support additional grants for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Truist Foundation Western NC Recovery and Resiliency Fund grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) and an award from the Soulshine Concert Fund will allow Mountain BizWorks to distribute an additional $1 million…

Read more