Join us as we sit down with the inspiring April Nash from the Western Women's Business Center, who shares her journey from a budding entrepreneur to a pivotal community leader in Western North Carolina. If you've ever wondered how to transform a business idea into a viable opportunity, this episode is a treasure trove of insights. April discusses the ample resources available to entrepreneurs, from business planning and marketing to financial strategy and capital access. Her personal story of giving back to the community that once supported her highlights the power of resilience, especially in the wake of natural disasters, and reminds us of the importance of thorough planning and distinguishing between mere ideas and actionable opportunities.

As we explore the EPIC components of entrepreneurship—Education, Planning, Inspiration, Commitment, and Energy—we unravel the critical elements that can make or break a business. April emphasizes that having a skill is not enough; entrepreneurial education is key to turning a personal talent into a successful venture. We touch on the unique resilience of the Asheville community, seeing economic recovery as a chance for growth and innovation. With potential funding through the WNC Strong Business Initiative grant and other local opportunities, the path to sustainable business is clearer than ever. This episode is all about turning passion into purpose, and purpose into profitable ventures, with a strong emphasis on strategic planning and effective energy management.

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Bill

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Shelton and Joe from the Wrong Way River Lodge share their incredible journey through adversity after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on their business. With resilience and strategic planning, they quickly restored their operations and emphasized the importance of partnerships, preparation, and community engagement.

• Outlining the origin story of Wrong Way River Lodge
• Sharing experiences of facing Hurricane Alene and flooding
• Highlighting the importance of financial preparedness and insurance
• Discussing partnership dynamics and balancing optimism with pragmatism
• Emphasizing lessons learned about commitment and focus in entrepreneurship
• Encouraging community engagement as a means of recovery and growth

The core mission of Wrong Way is to connect guests with the transformational qualities of the outdoors through comfortable accommodations, convenient access, inspiring experiences, and a little local culture.

Wrong Way is a first-of-its-kind lodging option in Asheville and unique in the hospitality space, as it pulls the best qualities from several traditional lodging types: including campgrounds (simplicity, nostalgia), hotels (comfort, group amenities, professionalism), Airbnbs (efficiency, originality), and resorts (curated experiences).

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

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Bill

Russ's story is one of resilience and reinvention, especially in the face of a natural disaster that devastated the business. Undeterred, Russ and his team, supported by the community's goodwill, demonstrated remarkable determination to rebuild and relocate. This episode sheds light on the realities of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the dedication, energy, and strategic planning required to overcome adversity and keep a business thriving. Tune in for a captivating discussion filled with lessons on perseverance, the power of community, and the unwavering spirit needed to turn a small idea into a successful venture.

guest bio:

Russ is the founder and co-owner of Second Gear, a consignment-focused retailer specializing in outdoor adventure gear, clothing, footwear and accessories since 2004. He has over 35 years of commercial and investment real estate experience, including assisting numerous Asheville entrepreneurs to secure locations for their businesses. Russ is a graduate of Leadership Asheville and currently serves on the boards of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. He was named by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2016 Small Business Leader of the Year for businesses with fewer than 15 employees. Russ is a 1987 graduate of Cornell University and a 1985 graduate of Paul Smiths College.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

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Bill

Discover the inspiring journey of Ben Colvin, co-owner of Devil's Foot, as he shares how dissatisfaction with overly sweet cocktails led to the birth of a craft ginger beer brand that champions quality non-alcoholic options. From the humble beginnings of homebrewing in a garage to distributing over a million cans annually, Ben opens up about the transition from his conservation nonprofit work to entrepreneurship. This episode promises insights into the early days of Devil's Foot and the lessons learned while scaling the venture across multiple states, offering a refreshing look at the path from nonprofit to a successful business.

After 15 years of conservation nonprofit work experience, Ben launched Devil's Foot Beverage Company using that environmental-focus mission lens. Through a vision of "Farm-to-Can" practices and goals of the Full Fruit Life concept and community engagement, Devil's Foot continues to innovate and lead in the field by brewing crafted sodas that are truly unique and focus on sustainable products and company impacts.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

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Professional photographer Carol from Asheville joins us for a conversation filled with resilience and creativity. She opens up about the daunting challenge of rebuilding her business after Hurricane Helene, turning adversity into an opportunity for rebranding in 2025. Carol’s journey from her high school photography days to a successful career in concert photography is inspiring, and her current focus on bringing out the unique personality of businesses through comprehensive branding packages is a testament to her visionary approach. Whether capturing a massage therapist’s tranquil setting or a real estate agent’s friendly aura, Carol’s work goes beyond mere headshots to tell compelling stories.

Entrepreneur's Bio:

The best compliment Carol could receive is someone saying, ‘I usually hate having my picture taken but instead, I enjoyed every minute of it!” She is a true people-person who loves pumping others full of confidence, and was drawn to her art form for that very challenge: to help more people enjoy it. By supporting clients and bringing positive energy, she gives them a natural high that comes from taking and seeing a beautiful image of themselves. In the studio or workout class, she is always rooting for others so they can achieve their goals. It’s hard to be our own biggest cheerleader, which is why she uses optimism to uplift and support others.

Looking for someone to change your headshot experience into a positive one? Carol not only takes headshots but specialize in creating them. Being an expression coach, she'll guide you through the whole process to get the look you want while keeping your genuine personality in mind. From guiding you on what to wear to giving detailed instructions in front of the camera, you not only walk away with a headshot you can be proud of but an experience you will want to tell your colleagues and friends about.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

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Bill

Tim and Leslie Grotenhuis join us for a remarkable exploration into the world of race directing and entrepreneurship. After moving to Asheville in 2005 and immersing themselves in the running community, this passionate pair transformed their volunteer work into Kick It Events, a flourishing business birthed in 2014. They reveal how Leslie's production coordination skills and Tim's web design expertise paved the way for their success, and how they turned the challenge of directing races such as the Thomas Wolfe 8K and the Hot Chocolate 10K into a thriving enterprise. Their journey underscores the unpredictable paths that hobbies can take, shaped by creativity, community involvement, and a shared love for running.

Join us for an inspiring conversation that challenges you to keep an open mind and push the boundaries of your ventures.

Kick It Events Management is a small, family owned business producing outstanding events in Asheville and the surrounding Western NC area. The company launched in 2014, but their journey of becoming running event production coordinators begins much earlier.
Originally, they donated our time as volunteer race directors to the Asheville Track Club for the Thomas Wolfe 8k and to the Isaac Dickson Elementary School PTO for the Hot Chocolate 10k (now the Hot Chocolate Races) from 2006 to 2013. After many requests for help with other events they launched the race direction side of the business in 2014 and became professional event producers. In 2020, as the world screeched to a halt they used that lull in the event schedule to add race timing to our list of services as well as adding some event marketing skills to their resume.

Leslie and Tim currently produce over 15 races a year and have a handful of race timing only clients. They also work with and help support through partnerships over 15 local non-profit organizations.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

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Bill

Imagine transforming your passion for craftsmanship into a thriving business. That's exactly what Houston Trim did, and today, he's sharing his inspiring journey from the workshop to founding Innovex Renovations in Asheville. We promise you'll glean priceless insights as Houston recounts his transition from working with his father in the trades to mastering the nuances of running a business. He candidly reveals how his move to Asheville, spurred by his wife’s career, became a turning point that tested his resilience and business acumen.

Houston's story is a testament to the power of delegation and the importance of work-life balance. Overwhelmed by long hours and family commitments, he faced the critical need to adapt when a chance encounter with a business coach changed his perspective. Discover how embracing the 80-20 rule and trusting others not only improved his business operations but also enhanced his personal well-being. Through mentorship and learning from experienced professionals, Houston highlights the necessity of recognizing one's limits and finding strength in teamwork.

We also dive into the essence of business growth and leadership through the lens of the BE EPIC framework: Bring the Energy, Education, Planning, Inspiration, and Commitment. Houston illustrates these pillars with personal anecdotes and practical strategies that have driven his company’s success. We explore the significance of embracing change, making tough decisions, and adapting to new circumstances—essential moves for any entrepreneur balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Join us for this enriching conversation that not only celebrates entrepreneurial spirit but also equips aspiring business owners with valuable lessons for growth and transformation.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

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Bill

Unlock the secrets to transforming your organization's visibility and credibility through the power of public relations with insights from our guest, Kyle Parks of Parks PR. From Asheville, NC to the Tampa Bay area, Kyle shares his expertise on how PR has evolved beyond traditional media, utilizing platforms like social media and e-newsletters to craft impactful strategies tailored to any budget. Whether you're navigating the B2B or B2C landscape, discover how understanding your unique value proposition and target audience can shape a compelling PR approach. Kyle explains the importance of discovery calls and strategic planning, ensuring that your message resonates with the right people.

Kyle Parks, principal of Parks PR LLC, has a combination of high-level journalism, corporate and public relations agency experience. Parks PR, which specializes in helping clients get visibility for what they do while enhancing their credibility, has a wide range of clients in Asheville and in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. In Asheville, clients include the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, and the Land of the Sky Association of Realtors. Parks PR has also done work for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Asheville. In the community, Kyle is on the board of Blue Ridge Public Radio, and is a member and volunteer with The Cathedral of All Souls and the Rotary Club of Asheville. • Prior to launching Parks PR, Kyle served as: o Business reporter and editor for the Tampa Bay Times in Florida. o Director of corporate communications for Walter Industries, a Tampa-based Fortune 1000 company at the time, which had seven subsidiaries and over 7,000 employees. o Director of marketing/PR for two real estate organizations – Jim Walter Homes and the residential land development division of Plum Creek. o Principal and co-founder of B2 Communications, a St. Petersburg agency that has worked with such organizations as Colliers, Valley Bank, Lennar Homes, SPCA Tampa Bay, and the University of Tampa.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

All the best!

Bill