The Grapevine Entrepreneur Network is an informal communication network connecting entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders across Southern Virginia.
The RISE Grapevine includes everyone! We are rural community leaders who believe we all have a shared interest in supporting Black & Brown-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, and under-resourced entrepreneurs. We also recognize the shared challenges that all entrepreneurs face when building a business in rural localities. We believe by working together, we can build stronger regional economies. The RISE Grapevine exists to connect people across the region, to accelerate entrepreneurship for all!
Join us for our monthly virtual meetup!
Find us on Facebook and LinkedIn to stay connected between meetups.
Meeting Format & Purpose
The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup meets on Zoom on one Thursday each month, 12pm-1pm. Meetings are recorded and shared so that anyone who cannot attend live can still receive the information. Attendance is open to entrepreneurs, business owners, and resource providers. Each meetup will include updates from regional representatives and RISE Collaborative program leaders. Please join us if you can!
2025 Meeting Schedule
January 16, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
February 20, 2025 – 12pm-1pm Zoom
March 27, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
April 17, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
May 15, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
June 19, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
July 17, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
August 21, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
September 18, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
October 16, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
November 20, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
December 18, 2025 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom
2024 Virtual Meetup Recaps
RECAP: Virtual Meetup with the GENEDGE Alliance Emerging Business Program and VIPC Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Divisions
The monthly RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, September 19, 2024, 12pm-1pm on Zoom. We learned about the GENEDGE Alliance Emerging Business Program and the VIPC Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Division. Below is a recap of what was discussed. We hope to...
RECAP: May 2024 Grapevine Meetup for Entrepreneurs and Businesses – Featuring Laura Coleman
The May 2024 Grapevine Virtual Monthly Meetup was hosted on Thursday, May 16, 2024, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.To recap, here is a brief summary of this virtual meetup: We discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing...
RECAP: April 2024 Grapevine Meetup for Entrepreneurs and Businesses – Featuring the Longwood SBDC & the SOVA Innovation Hub
The RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, April 25, 2024, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.To recap, here is a brief summary of this virtual meetup: We discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing businesses in...
RECAP: March 2024 Grapevine Meetup for Entrepreneurs and Businesses – Featuring Dr. Julie Brown of 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co.
The RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, March 21, 2024, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.During this virtual meetup, we discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing businesses in Southern Virginia. The meetup was...
RECAP: February 2024 Grapevine Meetup for Entrepreneurs and Businesses – Featuring Shatera Robertson of Unique Styles & Designs
The RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, February 15, 2024, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.During this virtual meetup, we discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing businesses in Southern Virginia. The meetup...
RECAP: January 2024 Grapevine Meetup for Entrepreneurs and Businesses – Featuring Shawn A. Barksdale of Press 4 Time Tees and Ten Minutes of Truth Podcast
The RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, January 18, 2024, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.During this virtual meetup, we discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing businesses in Southern Virginia. The meetup was...
RECAP: November 2023 Grapevine Meetup for Entrepreneurs and Businesses – Featuring Shecorie Conley of River Citi Tax Solutions
The RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, November 16, 2023, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.During this virtual meetup, we discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing businesses in Southern Virginia. The meetup...
RECAP: October 2023 Grapevine Meetup for Entrepreneurs and Businesses – Featuring Lynne Mann of the Crater APEX Accelerator & Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
The RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, October 16, 2023, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.To recap, during this virtual meetup, we discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing businesses in Southern Virginia. The...
2025 Virtual Meetups
- January 16, 2024 – 12pm-1pm on Zoom – Featured Resource Speaker: Kathy Deacon, of Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; Topic: How to get SWaM certified
2023 Workgroup Meetings, Speakers, and Topics
- January 19, 2023 – Entrepreneur Speaker: Shecorie Conley – Topic: Tax Tips for Entrepreneurs
- February 16, 2023 – Entrepreneur Speaker: Reverend Charles Walker, Co-Owner of Ma’s Cakes – Topic: “Establishing a Banking Relationship for Your Business”
- March 16, 2023 – Ecosystem Updates
- April 20, 2023 – Entrepreneur Speaker: Tara Lucas, Owner of The Cheesecake Lady
- May 18, 2023 – Resource Speakers: Taylor Harris and Jj Ortuno of Truist – Topic: “Borrowing for your Business”
- June 2023 – No Meeting – Celebrate Juneteenth!
- July 20, 2023 – Entrepreneur Speaker: Natalie Hodge Davis of Rudy’s Girl Media – Topic: “Building a Strong Digital Presence for Your Business”
- August 17, 2023 – Entrepreneur Speaker: Reverend Charles Whitfield – Topic: “Growing and Selling a Successful Business”
- September 21, 2023 – Entrepreneur Speaker: Jerelle Carter of Performance 276 – Topic: “Building a Business, Building Community”
- October 19, 2023 – Resource Speaker: Lynne Mann, Topic: “How the Greater Crater APEX Accelerator Helps You Get Government Contracts”
- November 16, 2023 – Entrepreneur Speaker: Shecorie Conley – Topic: Business Tips: Preparing Your Business Books for Year End (Watch Recording)
- December – No Meeting
2023 Year in Review
During 2023, The Grapevine hosted 10 virtual meetings, featuring 9 guest speakers on topics that were identified based on input gathered from entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a Zoom call!
Watch a Recording of a Past Meetup
Frequently Asked Questions About The Grapevine Monthly Workgroup
Who will be there? The Grapevine Monthly Workgroup is a team of diverse, creative, and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia. During each monthly meeting, we share updates from local and regional entrepreneurs support organizations. We discuss ideas to share resources and empower rural, underserved entrepreneurs to thrive in their local, regional, and global ecosystems.
What are the Goals for the Workgroup? To enhance communication and catalyze connections among regional entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startup resources; to avoid redundancy in resource creation; and to advise the RISE Collaborative regional entrepreneurship initiative as it evolves.
What is on the Meeting Agenda? 1) Introductions & Updates from Entrepreneur Support Organizations & Updates/Asks from Entrepreneurs, 2) Brief presentation or discussion with valuable content for entrepreneurs, and 3) Discussion/Action Items.
What are the Technology Requirements? We host our meetings using the Zoom two-way video/audio platform. You can signup for a free account at https://zoom.us
How can be a guest speaker? We regularly invite entrepreneurs and resource providers to join our meetings as guest speakers. If you an entrepreneur interested in sharing your story, or a business resource provider who offers services to underrepresented entrepreneurs, please email us at hello@sovarise.com with your interest in speaking.
Background & Purpose
The Grapevine Monthly Workgroup began meeting in February 2021, to advise and advance the DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) goals of the RISE Collaborative regional entrepreneurship initiative. During the summer of 2021, the workgroup hosted a series of focus sessions with minority entrepreneurs, resulting in a report with recommendations to be implemented by RISE Collaborative. View the 2021 Report here.
In April 2022, RISE Collaborative supported a group of ecosystem builders from The Grapevine to attend the Startup Champions Network Summit in Durham, North Carolina. The SCN Summit was hosted by Forward Cities, a nationally-known leader in building equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Inspired by this experience, as well as local participation in the 2022 Prosperity Now Summit hosted in Atlanta, Georgia, The Grapevine Monthly Workgroup decided to host our own Summit in November 2022.
The November 2022 Summit for Black & Brown Business Allies was an overwhelming success, with over 30 individuals in attendance, representing our entire geographic region. As regional ecosystem builders, we believe the answers are in our communities and we just need to ask. We intend to repeat this event in an effort to (1) maintain alignment, (2) hear and include the recommendations of the communities affected, (3) advance the work with the greatest amount of support and (4) continue to build community. Having affirmed the existence of strong partners throughout the region, the challenge remains to raise awareness among the general population of existing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The Grapevine will continue to facilitate consistent convenings. We believe getting to know each other is key to increasing coordination and collaboration, as trust builds over time. View the 2022 Report
Wondering how to get started with the RISE Grapevine Entrepreneur Network?
Watch the video to see things you can do to get involved and get active in the networks.
Behind-the-Scenes: Meet The RISE Grapevine Workgroup / Meetup Planning Team
Hope Harris-Gayles
Marketing Consultant
Halifax County & Southern Virginia
Lauren Mathena
Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement at Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp. (MBC) & SOVA Innovation Hub
Michael Scales
Longwood SBDC Analyst, Western Region
Mallory Lawter
SOVA Innovation Hub Community Manager
Bethann West James, JD
Founder + Principal Consultant, Gemstone Professional Services
Jacob Dolence
Longwood SBDC Business Consultant + Director of Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems at Longwood University
Natalie Hodge Davis
Founder & CEO
Rudy's Girl Media
Warren Reid
Business & Marketing Expert
Farmville & Buckingham County