Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs, Access to Capital, and Building Business Readiness
At the April RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup for Entrepreneurs, business owners and ecosystem partners from across Southern Virginia gathered for an important conversation about one of the most common challenges entrepreneurs face: money.
The monthly Grapevine meetup continues to create space for entrepreneurs to learn, connect, and grow together. This month’s featured topic was financial literacy for entrepreneurs, led by DaShanna Carr of the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC).
And if there was one message that stood out, it was this: understanding your numbers matters.
Three Financial Truths Every Entrepreneur Should Know
DaShanna Carr, Loan Officer with CIC, delivered a practical and engaging presentation centered on three key financial truths for entrepreneurs.
Revenue Is Not the Goal. Profit Is.
Many entrepreneurs focus on sales, but revenue alone does not tell the whole story.
A business can generate money and still struggle if expenses are too high. What matters most is what remains after costs are paid.
As DaShanna explained, revenue sounds good, but profit tells the truth.
Know Your Costs
Do you know what it really costs to run your business?
That includes:
Rent or lease payments
Supplies and inventory
Labor
Insurance
Utilities
Bookkeeping
Marketing
Equipment
Without understanding costs, it becomes difficult to price correctly, plan growth, or make smart financial decisions.
Track Your Money
You cannot improve what you are not tracking.
Whether it is a spreadsheet, accounting software, AI tools, or even a notebook, entrepreneurs need a simple system to track:
What is coming in
What is going out
What is left
Deshana encouraged business owners not to overcomplicate it. Start where you are and build consistency.
Lending Is About Readiness, Not Just Need
One of the strongest insights from the session was this:
Lenders do not fund need. They fund readiness.
Many entrepreneurs know they need money to grow, but before funding comes clarity:
- Are the numbers accurate?
- Is there a repayment plan?
- Does the business model make sense?
- Can the loan strengthen the business rather than create more strain?
This perspective helped reframe lending as preparation, not desperation.
How CIC Supports Entrepreneurs in Southern Virginia
DaShanna also shared how the Community Investment Collaborative works differently than traditional lenders. CIC serves entrepreneurs who may not yet be bank-ready but have viable businesses and growth potential.
CIC Loan Options Include:
- Microloans from $5,000 to $50,000
- Up to $100,000 for established businesses
- Flexible terms and interest rates
- Relationship-based underwriting
- Education and coaching support
CIC also offers:
- Credit counseling
- Financial management support
- Entrepreneur workshops
- Office hours
- Referrals to additional resources
The message was clear: if you are not ready today, there are still pathways forward.
WHY THIS MATTERS
For many entrepreneurs, financial literacy can feel intimidating. But this session broke it down into clear, actionable truths.
Know your costs.
Track your money.
Focus on profit.
Get ready before you borrow.
Those lessons matter whether someone is launching a side hustle, growing a storefront, or preparing for their next phase of expansion.
Ecosystem updates and events you should know about
One of the best parts of RISE Grapevine is hearing what is happening across Southern Virginia and beyond. Here are a few highlights shared during announcements:
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Applying Project Management for Founders, Entrepreneurs, and Businesses
April 22, April 29, May 13 and May 20, 2026
Zoom | 12:00 – 1:30pm
The RISE Applying Project Management Workshop Series is a four-part virtual training for founders, entrepreneurs, and businesses focused on building structure, clarity, and execution. Led by Nikouri Brown of Creative PM Solutions, sessions provide practical tools to translate ideas into plans, manage risk and resources, and track progress for growth.
https://sovarise.com/training/applying-project-management/
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Let’s Talk Business – Brunswick County
Join Brunswick County Economic Development and RISE for a conversation about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting business growth. Free to attend. Light refreshments provided.
Register here: https://sovarise.com/brunswick-business-resources/lets-talk-business/https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z1PqB3vkS36bqUOrzqofmA#/registrationhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vYfp4QAgQKKXL-cmSLc33w#/
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Save the date: Next Grapevine
Our next RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup is Thursday, May 21, 2026, featuring a discussion on self-care
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z1PqB3vkS36bqUOrzqofmA#/registrationhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vYfp4QAgQKKXL-cmSLc33w#/
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Southern Virginia Entrepreneur Workshop: Spring Cohort and Fall Applications
CIC also shared updates on its current Southern Virginia Entrepreneur Workshop cohort, plus a heads-up that the Fall 2026 application window opens May 4 through July 3.
https://cicville.org/southern-virginia-entrepreneur-workshop/
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Save the date: RISE Summit 2026
The RISE Summit is scheduled for October 16, 2026. Bring someone with you. This is an ecosystem event built for connection, learning, and next-step momentum.
Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-2026-rise-summit-innovation-summit-tickets-1949316501129?aff=oddtdtcreator
If someone asks where you got the ideas, the resources, and the connections, you can honestly say: you heard it through the Grapevine.
We hope you will join us next month and keep building alongside entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners across Southern Virginia.