Keynote Address &
Collaborative Relationships Within Your Community

Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Hatch AVL Foundation, Emily Breedlove works ardently to transform the WNC region through Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Having spent the past 15+ years working in small business support and community development, Emily has been fortunate enough to have experienced this space from both the entrepreneurial approach and the resource provider perspective. She has been working with programs such as the SBA funded ScaleUp WNC program, the new Certified Entrepreneurial Communities Program through Creative Economic Development Consulting, and is the host of the Show Me the Money Conference + Funding Expo and Camp Girl Boss.

The Drivers of Growth & Innovation

Noah Wilson specializes in helping communities and organizations work together to build shared infrastructure and systems, and achieve economic development goals larger than any one organization could tackle alone. In the past 5 years, Noah has managed 15+ high-impact infrastructure development projects, including feasibility studies, pilot projects, and both physical and digital product development processes. He has deep knowledge and networks in outdoor recreation equipment manufacturing and distribution, local food economies, regional planning, and infrastructure development, and in related industries such as craft brewing and natural product manufacturing.

Facebook & Instagram Advertising
SEO for Your Website

These courses are intensive sessions, meaning they’re more advanced. Plan to bring your laptop to these workshops.

Sarah Benoit is the co-founder and lead instructor of JB Media Institute, an online educational program where business owners, entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, and adults in career transition learn digital marketing strategies. As a subscribed member of the Institute students build search engine optimization, social media marketing, online Public Relations, online advertising, and digital marketing strategy skills and create their own online marketing strategic plan.  She also owns Creative Original, Inc. – a small business website design and consulting firm that she started in 2003. Sarah has been teaching internet marketing classes of all kinds since 2006. She travels the state of NC teaching at a variety of community colleges and universities. She also speaks at conferences and events across the country.

Collaborative Relationships Within the Same Industry, with Emilie Gates

With 9 years experience, photographer, Dena Howard offers the extraordinary. She prides herself in a high level of customer service offering the best portrait experience around. She creates original works of art in a heartfelt and professional manner. Her images are widely known for her striking use of light, and she has won several awards including a 1st place Vision Award for Newborns in the Shutterfest Image Competition.  Most recently, she was published in the May 2018 issue of Shutter Magazine, one of the leading professional photography magazines in the world. Dena continues her education several times per year by attending courses in newborn safety as well as the latest techniques in photography. She also mentors other newborn photographers.

Collaborative Relationships Within the Same Industry, with Dena Howard

Emilie Gates lives for being present and listening to others but when she documents people, doing what they are doing, it allows her to hold on to that moment and that conversation. That is everything. Images bring her back to the sounds and feelings. It stops time and allows her to hit repeat. Emilie is based out of Murphy, NC. She raises and trains three little people in school and life. She loves van life and shooting weddings all over with her partner, Chad Erickson.

Niching Down in Your Market

Through his contacts in the dynamic and competitive Southern California energy market, Stewart is able to source high-quality solar system components and technical designs. This allows his to fulfill his dream of bringing world-class solar systems to Western NC and North GA, with a personal, local touch.

Tri-County Community College Small Business Center, the Murphy Business Association, and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

Join us for an open panel with Kathryn Jenkins (director of the Small Business Center), Wayne Peacock (chair for the Murphy Business Association), and Steven Aft (executive board member for the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce) to discuss how our three organizations collaborate within our community to establish, grow, and support small businesses.