Partner and Stakeholder Newsletter | Volume 7 | August, 2025

 

WE ARE CSBDF

At Carolina Small Business Development Fund, our mission is to foster economic development in underserved communities by providing capital, technical assistance, and policy research to light the way for small businesses.


Learn more about what we do:
 

'IT'S TIME': THE 2025 WESTERN WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER CONFERENCE
 

On August 7, the Western Women's Business Center hosted its annual conference to celebrate entrepreneurship and small business in Western North Carolina.


With the theme of 'It's Time', this year's conference focused on renewal, resilience, and reconnection following the impact of Hurricane Helene and the recovery efforts in the region.


Check out some photos from the event and visit the link below to learn more about the day!
It's Time: 2025 Western Women's Business Center Conference
 

STAFF MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

At CSBDF, we have a hard-working staff working to serve North Carolina's small business owners through our three-pillar approach of providing capital, technical assistance, and small business policy research. Each newsletter, we will spotlight a few of our dedicated staff members:

Alea Satterwhite


Underwriter

April Peck


Research & Evaluation Manager

Claudia Gutierrez


WWBC Program Associate

Yahyah Qalandri


Business Systems Administrator
 

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
 

For the second year in a row, CSBDF Board Vice-Chair Bobby Robinson will be hosting the Millie CEO Summit in Charlotte.


Join a room full of like-minded, audacious entrepreneurs to network, grow and build together with real vibes, authentic conversations, and a community that will support you on this journey!


Click on the graphic to the right to register today.

 

NEW PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

We have teamed up with The Samuel Dubois Cook Center of Social Equity at Duke University to offer the Durham Small Business Tool Recovery Grant, a grant worth up to $500 in reimbursement grants for eligible small business expenses to qualified businesses who complete a business needs assessment and at least one course on our Vivid Digital Classroom.


Click below to learn more about the new program!
Durham Small Business Tool Recovery Grant
 

CSBDF IN ACTION


In July, CSBDF President & CEO Kevin Dick spoke at the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce's Coffee with Leaders event, sharing insight into how CSBDF helps small businesses in North Carolina. Check out some photos from the event here!







CSBDF was recently honored by Business North Carolina as a 2025 Best Employer in North Carolina!


Check out our feature on Page 61 of the June 2025 edition of Business North Carolina here!
 
 

CLIENT IMPACT

Meet Alexis and Leu Freycinet, the owners of Steelo Salon in Durham. At Steelo, Alexis and Leu are bringing decades of experience to provide their clients with comfortable, confident, and luxurious salon services!


Alexis and Leu were connected to CSBDF, where they secured a loan to help with startup costs. "The team at CSBDF held our hand the entire way. It was a great experience,” said Alexis. "We felt confident we knew our stuff thanks to CSBDF.”


Read the full story here!


 
 
 
 
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Carolina Small Business Development Fund | 3128 Highwoods Blvd Ste 170 | Raleigh, NC 27604 US

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