SOVA RISE Blog
Bridge to Recovery has Funding for Businesses in Southern Virginia
Was your business impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s hard to imagine a business owner who could answer that question with “no.” The Bridge to Recovery program was created in 2020 to help businesses in GO Virginia Region 3, which includes the following localities:...
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Michelle Walters on Scaling Small Business and Adapting to Opportunity
Michelle Walters, CEO of Island Glow, LLC, epitomizes the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship and innovation. Hers is the story of an entrepreneur who says yes, persisting and pivoting to scale her business incrementally. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs,...
Dan River Region Black Chamber of Commerce Hosts Inaugural Event as Stand Alone Organization SWaM Strong Spring Procurement Fair
Dan River Region Black Chamber of Commerce Hosts Inaugural Event as Stand Alone Organization SWaM Strong Spring Procurement Fair Danville, VA - The Dan River Region Black Chamber of Commerce (dba Black Business Collaborative-Dan River Region) launched with SWaM Strong...
RISE Collaborative Hosts Inaugural Collegiate Business Plan Competition Pitch Event
RISE Collaborative Hosts Inaugural Collegiate Business Plan Competition Pitch Event College students throughout Southern Virginia presented their business ideas for a chance at funding for their startupsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 29, 2022 SOUTH BOSTON, Va. – RISE...
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Morgan Clark’s Entrepreneurial Venture into Nonprofit Consulting
Morgan Epstein Clark is the founder and lead consultant of Epstein Clark Consulting, a professional services firm headquartered in Danville, Va., with customers in the Southern Virginia region. Epstein Clark Consulting offers customized consulting services to fit...
From Seed to Startup: Mikita Smith’s RISE to Business Owner
Our latest Rise & Shine virtual meetup featured entrepreneur and CO.STARTERS completer Mikita Smith, who learned later in her professional career the value of hitting “pause.” She now runs a business helping fellow professionals do just that. The founder of...
The big talent need for small business: How to attract and retain top talent
By Anne Jones, Co-Founder of District CI have a front row seat to meet, work with, and learn from some of the most talented young people I have ever met. This diverse group is ready to go and wants to be part of something, now. I also get to meet so many amazing small...
Inaugural SOVA Collegiate Business Plan Competition Brings Together Rising Leaders
By Jacob Dolence, Faculty at Longwood University Cormier Honors College What if an entire region came together to support its aspiring entrepreneurs? In its inaugural year, the SOVA Collegiate Business Plan Competition has accomplished just that. The atmosphere...
The Power of Opportunity Recognition with Rhett Weiss
From his first bulk mailing business in junior high to founding DEALTEK, Ltd. in 1999, Rhett Weiss has always been an entrepreneur. In fact, his journey has literally taken him around the globe. Now a seasoned executive and consultant, Weiss attributes much of his...
Turning Obstacles into Opportunities: How SERCAP Can Assist You with Your Small Business
In RISE Collaborative’s latest RISE & SHINE virtual meetup, Brian Brown from Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP) shared how his organization provides entrepreneurs technical assistance to start and grow their businesses. Founded in 1969,...