Welcome to Business Buzz. We hope you enjoy and continue using this content to build your business! As always, we are here for you and others you may know who are branching out with a new business. Call or email us anytime, and be sure to share this newsletter with co-workers and friends. | | The BCC Small Business Center offers FREE learning resources monthly. Some are in person, but most are offered online, making them available to you wherever you are. Take a look at our May lineup and let us know what you think. | | May Seminars/Webinars from the BCC Small Business Center | | | How to Use LinkedIn to Grow Your Small Business | Tuesday, May 6th; 12:00-1:30; Online | REGISTER | | Team Building | Tuesday, May 6th; 5:00-6:30; Online | REGISTER | | Website 101 for Small Business | Wednesday, May 7th; 11:00-1:00; Online | REGISTER | | How to Find Your Customers Using Social Media | Tuesday, May 13th; 12:00-1:30; Online | REGISTER | | Basic Info on Permitting & Guidelines for Restaurants & Food Trucks | Wednesday, May 14th; 3:00-4:30; Main Campus (50 College Rd. Supply) Building H, Room 106 |
REGISTER | | Pinterest for Business - Pinterest is Evergreen Advertising! | Tuesday, May 20th; 12:00-1:30; Online | REGISTER | | AI: Unleash the Power of Intelligent Tools
| Thursday, May 22nd; 5:00-7:00; Online | REGISTER | | Instagram for Business
| Tuesday, May 27th; 12:00-1:30; Online | REGISTER | | AI for Marketing: Streamline Content Creation & Boost Engagement
| Wednesday, May 28th; 5:00-7:00; Online | REGISTER | | | |
Mastering Communication, Connection & Self-Care: A Seminar Series for Entrepreneurs
Running a business takes more than just skill; it takes clarity, connection, and care.
Join us for a dynamic three-part seminar series designed to empower small business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools to thrive personally and professionally.
🔹 Part 1: Effective Communications Skills for Entrepreneurs
Learn how to strengthen your verbal, written, and non-verbal communication skills. Whether you're speaking with clients, managing a team, or pitching your business, this session will help you express yourself clearly and persuasively.
🔹 Part 2: Building Support Systems via Connections and Mentorship Balance
Entrepreneurship can feel lonely—but you don’t have to go it alone. Discover ways to build and nurture a strong support network, including mentors, peer groups, and digital communities that offer encouragement, guidance, and growth opportunities.
🔹 Part 3: Self-Care as a Business Strategy: How Taking Care of Yourself Improves your Bottom Line
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. This session will show how prioritizing your own well-being leads to better business decisions, improved productivity, and sustainable long-term success.
Don’t miss this chance to refocus, recharge, and reconnect with your purpose and your people.
| | Small Business Opportunity | |
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
I’m excited to share a new opportunity for small businesses across North Carolina and am reaching out to encourage you to apply.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is a great opportunity for business owners to gain access to tools and knowledge to grow their business. In professional workshops delivered online and in-person, business owners learn from some of the brightest minds in the business, learn about access to financial capital, and build a powerful network of professional support. You can find out more about our program’s impact by visiting us online.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM:
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The program is offered at no cost to the business owner – every business owner selected receives a full scholarship, with tuition funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation
- Hands-on education for business growth
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Within 6 months of graduating, 66% of businesses report increasing revenues and 44% added new jobs in the same 6-month time period
- The curriculum focuses on practical business skills, including negotiations, marketing, and employee management
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Access to highly-trained professionals who understand what it takes to grow a small business
- An expanded peer network of small business owners from across the country
Visit https://10ksbapply.com/ to learn more and apply by June 15th for the upcoming class, which begins in September 2025. The application takes less than 15 minutes to complete. If you have any questions regarding the program, please reach out to Rural10ksb@icic.org.
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NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall Visits Brunswick Community College
Brunswick Community College’s Small Business Center proudly welcomed North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall for a full day of engagement with local entrepreneurs as part of the ongoing Rural RISE NC initiative.
The visit began with a “Main Street Walk” through downtown Southport, where Secretary Marshall toured three locally owned small businesses—Throw Baxe Axe House & Board Game Lounge, Cattail Cottage, and Hive Sweet Home. She was joined by Deputy Secretary Tim Crowley, Rural RISE NC Project Coordinator Tammy Everett, Southport Mayor Rich Alt, and Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce President Brooke Rudd, highlighting the importance of community partnerships and small business vitality.
Later in the day, a Small Business Roundtable discussion was held at BCC’s main campus, where Secretary Marshall connected directly with local entrepreneurs to hear about their successes, challenges, and ideas for future growth.
This collaborative event reflects BCC’s Small Business Center’s ongoing commitment to supporting small business development and strengthening Brunswick County’s economy through education, one-on-one counseling, and resource connections.
| | Businesses represented at the roundtable included a diverse group of entrepreneurs and small business owners from across Brunswick County. Participants included JBG Services, Dunes Mercantile Gifts & Guitars, Cultured Innovations, LRG Kitchen and Bath Designs, KJ Vintage Finds, BigWen’s Lawn Care LLC, Fortitude Roofing, HDA Insulation, Blue Satin Bee Weddings & Events, Throw Baxe Axe Throwing & Boardgame Lounge, Swell-Home, Gimmzi Smart Rewards, Brunswick Organizing Solutions, Saltwater Signworks, and Signature Wealth Strategies. Their presence highlighted the wide range of industries contributing to the county’s economic growth and underscored the importance of small business voices in shaping local and statewide initiatives. | | | |
Entrepreneurs, Business Services, Ecosystem Builders, and the Wilmington Community gather every Wednesday morning for presentations, education, encouragement, and learning.
Every week, entrepreneurs present business ideas to the local community and learn how those around them can support their business in its growth. Your local 1 Million Cups (1MC) community gives you the opportunity to refine your elevator pitch to a diverse audience, access training programs, and engage with a network for support.
When: Every Wednesday, 9:00 am
Where: Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
803 S. College Rd. Suite G
Wilmington
| | | Chamber of Commerce Corner | | |
Ice Cream Social to Celebrate Tourism Economy
The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce invites the local business community and our elected officials to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week with an ice cream social. Elected officials, local business owners, and their staff are invited to the ice cream social. The event is free and open to both chamber members and non-member businesses. Each guest will receive one free serving of ice cream or Italian Ice during the event.
During the event, High Tide Aviation is offering an introductory air tour around OKI for $50.00 pp. Reservations for the air tours should be made by calling (910) 294-5871.
When: Tuesday, May 6 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Where: Cape Fear Regional Jetport, 4015 Airport Road, Southport
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NBCC Women’s Business Alliance
The Women's Business Alliance is a community of successful women business owners and leaders who inspire, connect and empower each other. The group typically meets on the second Friday of each month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The goal of this group is to share best practices to assist each of us in growing our business through sharing thought-provoking ideas and proven best practices and to provide a sounding board for new and innovative ideas.
For additional information, visit their website here.
When: Second Friday of each month; 8:30-9:30
Where: The Leland Center; 2045 Enterprise Blvd. Leland 28451
| | Looking for a Location to Start Your New Business? | | |
Are you working from home but desire a dedicated space to work every day? Brunswick Community College’s co-working space may be the answer to your problem. With $40 a month, you can work with like-minded entrepreneurs.
For a tour or questions about becoming a member, contact April Scott, Small Business Center Director, at (910) 755-7306. You can find the application here to become a member today.
| | | Thinking about Starting a Business? | |
View this video to meet April and learn more about what the BCC Small Business Center offers! | | |
Are you considering starting a business but not sure where to start? Are you unsure what permits are required or how to qualify for lending?
Let us help you through the process. For more information or questions on how to schedule your free one-on-one counseling session, contact Admin Support Specialist Christine Chiarizia at (910) 755-7498 or Director April Scott at (910) 755-7306.
| | | | Brunswick Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, age, political affiliation, genetic information, sexual orientation, or disability. | | | | |
