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Viva la Nosh Aims to Forge Community Connections
After relocating to Virginia, Renata Miller, an avid food lover, had a vision for a business that exceeded the farmer's markets where she was a vendor. Miller, a mom to four daughters, had often experienced the joy that comes from having a tea party. “It was always a way to pause the world and enjoy each other’s company,” she says. These memories made Miller want to start Viva la Nosh in 2022, a way for anyone to have an easy tea party with no hassle. Viva la Nosh's signature product is a tea party gift box, complete with cups, plates, napkins, teas, and homemade treats - everything needed to have a tea party anywhere with virtually no prep.
Miller reached out to the SBDC early on in her entrepreneurship journey. Viva la Nosh was her first venture, and she had no idea where to start. “They were able to help me understand some of the difficulties that come with food businesses. Getting that reality check at the start helped me rethink and reframe how I was going to approach this.” With continued guidance from the SBDC and the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC), she was able to lay a solid foundation for growth. “They really helped me put my feet on the ground and made sure I had the resources I needed to feel ready,” she says. Through working with advisors Hope Lawrence, Lynda Tubridy, and Mary Foley, Miller was able to connect with a local food photographer to help improve her website and became SWaM certified, which led to crucial opportunities for her business, like showcasing at the UVA Small Business Expo. Her dedication to her values and passion for her craft remains a common thread in every pastry or tea party gift box she makes. “Life moves quickly, often filled with responsibilities and routines, but it’s the shared moments that make it truly meaningful. Viva La Nosh is more than just something sweet to enjoy, it’s a way to slow down, gather, and savor time with the people we love. That’s the feeling I hope to share with every treat I create.”
You can find Viva La Nosh products online or at Foods of All Nations, Michie Tavern, and The Virginia Shop in Charlottesville.
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Set Your Business Up for Success During the Summer Season
For some small businesses, summer can be a busy time, especially with the upcoming holiday weekend. For others, the warmer months can mean business is slower than usual. Regardless of what the summer may bring for you, your local SBDC is here to help you prepare so you don't miss a beat. Schedule a meeting with a business advisor to discuss summer marketing tactics, adjusting your budget, revisiting your operations for Q3, or any other guidance you may need to help your business thrive.
Request a meeting by contacting us at contact@cvsbdc.org or (434)-295-8198.
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VA Styrofoam Ban
The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2021 that will ban the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) by food vendors. The legislation also discourages the sale and use of EPS products and the encourages the promotion of alternatives to EPS.
Currently, the ban is to take effect in two phases. By July 1, 2025, food establishments with 20 or more locations must stop using EPS containers. By July 1, 2026, remaining food establishments must comply. The ban applies to any food vendors that serve prepared food, including restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, catering companies, and grocery store salad bars. For anyone who is currently using EPS products in any industry, the legislation encourages the use of alternative materials.
Click HERE to learn more about Foam-Free Resources and to start planning for alternatives.
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Virginia Rural Opportunities Dashboard
The Virginia Rural Center has launched the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard, an innovative digital platform designed to empower rural communities across the Commonwealth. The dashboard provides comprehensive, data-driven insights into critical sectors such as demographics, housing, education, business, and health. The platform features interactive asset maps that highlight essential infrastructure and community resources, helping local leaders visualize opportunities and challenges in rural Virginia.
Click here to learn more.
| | An SBDC advisor can assist you in applying for this loan. Request an appointment here. | | |
Virginia Tourism Corporation Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program Grants
VTC is hosting a reimbursable grant program to leverage existing marketing funds. This grant requires a targeted and research-based marketing plan designed to drive tourism in Virginia. Eligible applicants are small tourism-related businesses with with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees including boutique retail, restaurants, food trucks, small attractions, craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, boutique lodging and B&Bs, and events focused on shoulder season visitation. Applications close July 24th.
For more information and to apply.
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Verizon Digital Ready Grant Program
Digital Ready is giving away $10k grants to deserving business owners and starting to accept applications this spring. Business owners must take two free online courses of their choice and submit a proposal by June 30th.
Register here to become eligible 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 | | |
Better Process Control School Training
July 1-2 | 8 AM - 5:30 PM | Rapidan, VA
Join the Virginia Cooperative Extension at the Carver Center for this course that covers training requirements for food manufacturers producing shelf-stable acidified food products under 21 CFR Part 114 and in accordance with Virginia food regulations. To receive the certificate, you must be present for the entirety of the course and pass each exam with a score of 70% or greater. The certificate does not expire.
Enroll here.
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ServSafe Managerial Training
July 7 | 9 AM - 5 PM | Culpeper, VA
The ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification is recognized by the Virginia Department of Health as meeting the requirements to be a Certified Food Protection Manager. VCE offers the program locally to food service workers at restaurants, hospitals, schools, and child care centers. Participants receive instruction about food safety concepts such as sanitation, food storage, safety regulations, pest management, and safe food handling practices. The Virginia Food Regulations require that each food establishment employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who has supervisory and management responsibilities.
Find more information and enroll here.
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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
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