Local entrepreneurs met every week for the nine-week CO.STARTERS training session in Lynchburg, Virginia.
This month, 22 local entrepreneurs graduated from Lynchburg’s first CO.STARTERS training program. The nine-week intensive training designed for entrepreneurs helped local business owners shape their business strategy, learn new business management skills, and bounce ideas off of their colleagues in an encouraging, professional environment.
Three recent CO.STARTERS graduates have shared their experience with us:
1. Randy Smith, founder of The Craft Crucible
The Craft Crucible is a place where Randy Smith plans to create a home for the local fine craft movement. At Craft Crucible, makers, artists and crafters will be able to meet, learn new skills, purchase tools and materials, rent shop and office space, and have access to advanced artisanal services. Smith’s vision for this collaborative, creative work environment is that it will help build “an artisanal ecosystem in Midtown” Lynchburg. In addition to The Craft Crucible, Smith has also founded Kashiwa Woodworking and Hill City Hardwoods.
Why did you join CO.STARTERS?
“I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing any important steps during the startup phase of The Craft Crucible. I thought that Co.Starters would help prepare me and my business better navigate from early preparation to having the doors open. And, the chance at some startup funding didn’t hurt either.”
What do you like most about CO.STARTERS?
“Ultimately, the intangibles were what probably mattered most. Meeting other small business owners and creating a little network of people tackling similar challenges. Hearing their stories, their weekly successes and setbacks. Getting pushed outside of my comfort zone and also being forced to look at my own business in ways that I wouldn’t have on my own.”
Do you have any advice for fellow local entrepreneurs?
“You have to jump. At some point you have to start taking actual steps in the direction of your dreams. A program like Co.Starters is good at creating a sense of accountability, a push to keep you moving forward every week. The steps don’t have to be big, they just have to be steps.”
2. Azalea Smith, Way Crunchy
Azalea Smith’s plans for Way Crunchy has three pieces: a family-based yoga studio, a specialty retail boutique, and a brick and mortar space for Smith’s doula practice. She joined CO.STARTERS to learn more about business and to compete for grant money to help her develop the space.
“I absolutely love the networking I did through the CO.STARTERS program with other small business owners,” said Smith. “I would recommend this program to anyone interested in starting their own business, even if it’s something that they wouldn’t be trying to start anytime soon.”
3. Adam Shurr, Golf Park Coffee
Golf Park Coffee is a local craft coffee company that specializes in cold brewed coffee. As a new graduate of the program, Adam Shurr and his team are excited to introduce new and innovative ways of bringing Golf Park Coffee to the Lynchburg market. He and co-founder Ben Young hope to change the way people think about, and enjoy, coffee.
Why did you join CO.STARTERS?
“We are currently in the growth phase of our business. We wanted to surround ourselves with other entrepreneurs and business leaders in the community in an effort to learn from each other and develop ideas that would launch our business into its next phase.”
What do you like most about CO.STARTERS?
“I enjoyed the group discussion that ensued each week. It was extremely inspiring to be surrounded with other people who had unique business ideas and talking about how they could be implemented (with the common goal of serving our city and making it a better place to live). I also enjoyed hearing from the different mentors that spoke to the class each week. Hearing from experienced, seasoned entrepreneurs from within our own city was incredibly helpful and insightful.”
Do you have any advice for fellow local entrepreneurs?
“It is super important to surround yourself with those who are farther along than you are in the business world. Having a mentor that you can bounce ideas off of and learn from is crucial. For me personally, I have had the honor of having Daryl Calfee (Marketing Director from Moore & Giles) be that person for me. We have spent many lunches discussing what it means to be an entrepreneur, business owner and leader in the community. He has given me so much confidence as a business owner and is one of the most supportive people of Golf Park Coffee.”
The next CO.STARTERS cohort will begin in the fall. Are you interested in starting a business in Lynchburg, Virginia? CO.STARTERS may be the place to test your idea, gain a valuable new skillset, and learn from your peers, local business leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs.
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