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Smoky Mountain Dance Center is proud to be a member! Mountain BizWorks is a great starting point for rookie entrepreneurs lookings to launch a new business, as well as an excellent resource center for experience entrepreneurs with hopes for improvement or expansion.
Nicole Polzella - Smoky Mountain Dance Center
Second Gear
Category: Travel and Tourism
Clifford McMurray
415 A Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28806
Phone: (828)258-0757
Email: bealo@charter.net
Website: http://www.secondgearwnc.com
Consignment shop specializing in outdoor recreation equipment.
Cards by Caryn
Category: Travel and Tourism
Caryn Schlosser
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828)251-5201
Cards featuring unique scenes of Asheville. Original works and prints available in the L.O.F.T. and M'Press in downtown Asheville.
Visit our online directory for a complete listing of alumni-owned and operated businesses!
:: Mountain BizWorks will be closed December 25 - January 5
:: 5th annual Women's Business Conference: May 28, 2009 [click for more info]
:: 2nd annual ShowBiz: September 17, 2009 [more info soon]
WHO ARE WE?
For two decades, Mountain BizWorks has provided training, coaching, and lending services to start-up and existing businesses in the twelve western-most counties of North Carolina. We focus on access for all types of entrepreneurs including low-income individuals and minorities who sometimes face barriers to business ownership. Mountain BizWorks' programs and services help entrepreneurs to demystify and overcome the difficulties associated with starting or expanding a business. ::Learn More::
In 2007, Mountain BizWorks was able to provide its services to over 740 entrepreneurs, of which 71% were low-income, 64% were women, and 22% were racial or ethnic minorities. Those individuals created 135 businesses and expanded 230 businesses. In turn, those businesses created 520 jobs and sustained 372 jobs. We also made 67 loans totaling almost $900,000 and leveraging $1.3 Million.
WHAT DO WE DO?
~ We guide entrepreneurs through the process of creating or enhancing their business plans. ::Learn More::
~ Our clients can receive one-on-one business coaching to help them overcome all the obstacles of creating or expanding their businesses. ::Learn More::
~ We can loan up to $50,000 to entrepreneurs who need capital to open or expand their businesses. ::Learn More::
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We depend on philanthropy to help us create the American Dream for our clients. With your contribution, Western North Carolina's entrepreneurs will become successful business owners. ::Learn More::
~ Donate money now by going to JustGive.org, a non-profit organization that connects people with the charities and causes they care about.
~ Contact Stephen Jones, our Development Director, to learn how your donation will make a difference.
~ With a minimum $1,000 Investment Note, you can earn up to 3% interest while helping to capitalize small businesses in your community. ::Learn More::
At the age of 14, Francisco Moraza dreamed of some day owning his own restaurant. In his adolescent mind he knew he would serve traditional Mexican cuisine and he even had the perfect name – El Burro Loco or The Crazy Donkey. Moraza was full of ambition, had very little business knowledge to turn his dream into reality. In 2003, that changed when Moraza enrolled in Mountain BizWorks’ Foundations class and learned the basics of starting a business. Foundations, Mountain BizWorks signature business planning course, guided Moraza though the process of estimating start-up costs; how to make cash flow projections and calculate unit prices; where to go for licensure and permits; what components go into a marketing plan; and where to look for financing.
Francisco Moraza, along with his wife, Emma opened The Crazy Donkey on April 5, 2006 in Brevard’s Chestnut Square shopping center. The couple, along with Emma’ sister, Evangeline, are proud to offer a menu of authentic Mexican food prepared with fresh ingredients that Francisco personally selects. The Crazy Donkey is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
