High Country Business Network
Anyone who is interested in starting a business or wanting to expand or diversify their business is invited. All business leaders, financial institution representatives, not-for-profit representatives, community service providers, community leaders, elected officials, school board members, professionals, entrepreneurs, and other interested persons are also welcome. The meetings begin with the opportunity for everyone to enjoy refreshments and network with one another, and then will feature a presentation by a prominent business leader. The event is free. You can call 828-262-2907 for information on our next networking meeting.
Three support elements drastically increase the chances for a business to succeed: a business climate that embraces new business start-ups, technical assistance available to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses, and a support network, or sometimes called an entrepreneurial council, to bring business creators together with professionals, public and private service providers and successful business members in a community to share ideas, expertise and encouragement. The High Country Business Network is the third element. A community level entrepreneurial development effort, such as the Watauga Entrepreneur Development Partnership, contributes to the other two support elements.
According to Dr. Paul Combs, Director of ARDI, the High Country Business Network is the next step in bringing the business communities of the High Country together to create a regional culture of support for entrepreneurship and new business formation. As a regional network, HCBN will provide critical mass to enable the High Country business community to participate in business development seminars and networking activities similar to what is available in the Research Triangle through the Council for Entrepreneurial Development. The HCBN is envisioned as a regional resource to complement county/community level entrepreneur development partnerships similar to the Watauga Entrepreneur Development Partnership.
The Watauga Entrepreneur Development Partnership was established by Watauga County business leaders through the cooperative efforts of ARDI, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission and the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University. This Partnership has enjoyed strong initial success in helping people with new business ideas take positive steps toward establishing a business. The fall series of WEDP workshops designed to "jumpstart" local businesses served 22 participants representing 19 aspiring businesses, and the spring workshop series currently has 38 participants representing 32 aspiring businesses. The workshops are facilitated by Walker College of Business entrepreneurship faculty, and successful members of the business community serve as mentors for the workshop participants. The WEDP is also taking the lead in identifying other entrepreneurship development needs in the community. ARDI is beginning to work with economic development leaders in the other High Country counties to form similar partnerships.