Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | | |
Olive Oil Flights Offers Consumers a Taste of the Mediterranean at Home
Claudia Hanna-Veysel, a PBS food history podcaster, UVA and JMU lecturer, and certified olive oil sommelier, has launched a new olive oil importing company, Olive Oil Flights, with support from the Central Virginia SBDC.
After years of leading food and culture tours across the Mediterranean, she created Olive Oil Flights to bring sophistication, education, and premiumization to today’s largely undifferentiated olive oil market.
Most consumers still treat olive oil as a commodity, choosing bottles based on price rather than quality, terroir, or culinary use. Olive Oil Flights aims to change that by helping food lovers level up their cooking through expertly paired, high-quality oils. Each “flight” features a curated trio of oils from a single Mediterranean region, offering enthusiasts a deeper understanding of local flavor profiles and the unique characteristics of individual varietals—much like a wine or beer flight.
Claudia’s collaboration with the Central Virginia SBDC included support in eCommerce, technology, product development, customer discovery, social media, tax compliance, marketing, retail strategy, and operations. She also worked closely with food and beverage advisor, Hope Lawrence, on packaging, labeling, vendor sourcing, food safety compliance, and distribution.
Claudia's products and offerings can be found at oliveoilflights.com.
“Working with the SBDC has been amazing. My advisors had experience in nearly every aspect of my business and had been founders themselves, which helped me avoid costly mistakes. I’m still astonished by the level of expertise I was able to access for free—and the time they invested to ensure my success.”
- Claudia Hanna-Veysel, Owner
| | | | |
Thank you, Dan!
Since 2024, we've been lucky to have Dan Fellows on our team as the Senior Business Advisor for our Fork Union territory. As part of the US Small Business Administration Portable Assistance Grant, Dan has dedicated his time at the CV SBDC to assisting both new and established business owners in Fork Union. As the grant comes to an end, Dan has officially retired and looks forward to traveling and spending time with his family.
Dan, we thank you for your dedication to small businesses. Congratulations on your retirement — we will miss you!
| | |
UVA Law Clinic
From January to April 2026, the UVA Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (ELC) will provide free legal services for selected startups that have a connection to the Greater Charlottesville community, with a preference for companies that are affiliated with the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC). Selected companies will receive assistance in business law from University of Virginia law students, supervised by a Virginia attorney.
Apply by January 9th.
| | |
WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance
The WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance was created by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of offering employer-based group insurance to members of affiliated local chambers and associations. The alliance offers a self-funded employee welfare benefit plan to eligible employer groups with 2–50 employees.
The alliance has partnered with Anthem to provide a portfolio of health benefit options. In the Central Virginia region, WiseChoice is available through the Charlottesville, Culpeper, and Louisa County Chambers of Commerce.
For more information.
| | |
BEACON Kitchen Food Service Management & Entrepreneurship Program
Step into a program designed for growth, leadership, and excellence in the food industry. BEACON's Food Service Management Course takes you beyond the plate and into the business — teaching you how to control costs, lead a team, manage inventory, and protect your bottom line. You'll gain real-world skills, including hands-on Excel training to solve everyday business challenges, plus strategies to market your brand and keep customers coming back.
Apply by December 31.
| | An SBDC advisor can assist you in applying for this loan. Request an appointment here. | | |
American Farmland Trust Grants
American Farmland Trust’s Regenerate Virginia initiative is helping producers across the Commonwealth strengthen their operations, build healthier soils, and secure the future of Virginia agriculture. Through two grant opportunities, AFT and its partners are investing directly in Virginia farmers and ranchers who are advancing regenerative practices and farm longevity. Applications for both opportunities close December 19th.
The Farm Vitality Grant helps Virginia farmers strengthen the long-term health and sustainability of their operations. These funds support individualized, substantive business consulting and planning services that drive meaningful change. Award amounts up to $25,000 per producer.
In collaboration with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, AFT’s Healthy Soils Grant encourages producers and partners to pilot impactful ideas that accelerate the adoption of soil health–building systems. This grant supports innovative approaches that go beyond current standards — filling gaps and addressing barriers not covered by other programs. Award amount up to $30,000 for a single producer or $50,000 for a group.
For more information and to apply.
| | |
Food Animal Concerns Trust Livestock Grants
FACT's 2026 Grant Season is now open with 2 new opportunities for livestock farmers. Applicants may apply for one or both, but winners will only receive funding for one. Applications for both opportunities close January 3rd.
FACT will fund around 60 $3,500 Welfare Improvement grants for farms looking to improve the lives of their farm animals, pursue animal welfare certifications to a certified agency, or farmers who are already welfare-certified.
FACT will fund two $10,000 Systems Change and Innovation grants for farmers looking to develop business plans/feasibility studies for significant changes to an operation, install the infrastructure necessary to convert from a non-pasture to a pasture-based operation, or develop co-operative or other forms of shared marketing among pasture-based farms.
For more information and to apply.
| | Every program of the Virginia SBDC is open to all members of the public. | | Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network | | HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY | | |
How to Start a Food Truck
Begins January 1 | Virtual
In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health, the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Carver Food Enterprise Center is excited to announce our next food businesses training- How to Start a Food Truck!
This series will be entirely virtual and free; participants can go at their own pace. The series will run on a monthly basis starting on the 1st of each month.
All registered participants will receive a link in their email the evening of the 1st to begin the series.
Learn more and register here.
| | |
VIPC VVP Sessions
January 7 | 12 - 1:30 PM | Charlottesville, VA
The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) is hosting an in-person founder workshop with the Virginia Venture Partners (VVP) team. This session will include an overview of VIPC funding opportunities, including the Launch Grant, followed by lunch and an open Q&A with the VVP team. The discussion is intended for founders building innovation-driven startups operating in life sciences, cybersecurity, energy, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use technologies (with both commercial and government applications).
Space is limited. Founders are encouraged to review the invitation details carefully to ensure the session is a good fit before registering.
Register here.
| | |
DirtCon Virtual Conference for Flower Farmers
January 10-11 | Virtual
Having a solid farm plan isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a game-changer. Not just for your farm, but for you, the whole person with big dreams and even bigger potential. At DirtCon, you’ll build the best farm plan of your life, one that supports your growth, your goals, and your future. Join top-notch business mentors for this epic planning sesh, and walk away with a blueprint for your most purposeful and profitable year yet.
Register here.
| | |
Central Virginia SBDC
Your Partners in Business:
Supporting Small Business - from Startups to International Expansion
Serving the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna,
Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock.
Meet With Us
| | | | |
