The RISE Regional Innovation Summit for Entrepreneurs on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Danville, VA will include networking opportunities and breakout sessions featuring amazing speakers to support entrepreneurs at each stage of business, from ideation to starting, growing, and scaling.

45 MINUTE WORKSHOP

TRACK: BUSINESS SKILLS

Learning objectives for this workshop include:

• Understanding what qualifies as a cottage business in VA and what laws apply
• Learning the step-by-step process for navigating VDH requirements — and what pitfalls to avoid
• Discovering how to prepare for inspections, licensing, and renewals
• Identifying low-cost tools and systems that help meet compliance while staying profitable
• Developing strategies to advocate for themselves when facing unclear or unfair enforcement
• Building a local support network to share resources, updates, and encouragement

Description:

In rural and underserved communities, cottage businesses are a vital way to generate income and build community culture. But unclear regulations and inconsistent enforcement can destroy dreams before they start.

This workshop is designed to empower current and aspiring cottage business owners in Southside Virginia with the practical tools, insights, and resilience strategies needed to navigate complex health department regulations, local permitting, and business operations. Drawing from a real-life experience with the Virginia Department of Health, Delilah will walk attendees through what she wished she knew — and how to come out stronger and smarter.

Workshop Presenter: Delilah White, Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers

Prerequisites: None

Notes for Attendees: For

• Cottage food operators and home-based entrepreneurs
• Food startups, bakers, small-batch producers
• Entrepreneurs exploring legal home-based businesses
• Business coaches or resource providers supporting rural entrepreneurs

Delilah White is the owner of Ry’s Pies and Cobblers, a cottage bakery in Chatham, VA. She understands that in rural and underserved communities, cottage businesses are a vital way to generate income and build community culture. Her firsthand experience in starting and running a cottage business has inspired her to turn those hard-earned lessons into a valuable community resource, ensuring others don’t have to navigate the process alone.

Delilah received her Bachelor of Communications from Emory & Henry College in 2005 and her Master of Communications from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 2009. She also earned a certification in Mechatronics Engineering from the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. She has lived, studied, and worked in Beijing, China, Kingston, Jamaica, and Togo, West Africa.