Local Business Spotlight

A Roanoke business owner took the title of two big honors in one day. Marj Easterling, owner of Big Lick screen printing found out she won the title of Most Savvy Entrepreneur in Roanoker magazine’s “Best of 2020,” and that morning she was named citizen of the year from the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce

One step closer to making their business dreams come true, nearly 50 local entrepreneurs submitted their business plans this week to be judged in the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is the state’s largest business competition program that has helped hundreds of local businesses start or expand over the past 7 years.

A local competition that could help shape our local economy is heating up.

A Roanoke business owner is working to take her unique brand of hand-crafted jewelry to a national audience.

Local entrepreneurs hoping to win cash and prizes to help start or expand their business are in the home stretch of the Gauntlet business competition.

ROANOKE, Va. – Turning a profit for progress, a local entrepreneur is starting a business to help women in Latin American communities by bringing a piece of Ecuador to Roanoke. Woven Artisan Gallery is an online collection of artisan products for your home handcrafted by women in Ecuador. It’s a passion project for Roanoke architect Josephine Arbaugh, originally from Ecuador, who’s starting the business with the help of the Gauntlet Business Program and Competition. Arbaugh’s mission is to partner with artisans and designers to help them overcome barriers to success that female entrepreneurs face in developing countries. Learn more and keep up to date on the business opening through the Woven Artisan Gallery Facebook page.

PULASKI COUNTY, Va. – Pulaski County is getting its first distillery. JH Bards Spirit Co. opens this weekend. It’s been two years in the making and a New River Valley location was always part of the dream. AdAs the spirit company hits restaurants and shelves across the country, Pulaski County Administrator Jonathan Sweet said it is showcasing some of the best of Pulaski County and the New River Family. JH Bards Spirt Co. will be open Friday to Sunday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the week they will offer private tastings.

Corporate responsibility is a key element in Taproot Botanical Alliance, a Floyd County start-up by David Grimsley, that teaches farmers to diversify their crops by growing medicinal herbs. “Taproot Botanical Alliance was created to address all three of these aspects. Grimsley said the medicinal herb industry is booming right now and can be an excellent revenue stream for farmers willing to learn the business. Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb. For more information about Taproot Botanical Alliance, email David Grimsley: taprootbotanicalalliance@gmail.com .

ROANOKE, Va. – Strengthening female business leaders in the local Latin American community, the Latinas Network is partnering with the Gauntlet business program and competition this year. “My goal is for business owners to have more time to focus on what matters by providing business solutions,” Savany said on her website. She has recognized the need for online tax services, notary, bookkeeping and more since the start of the pandemic and has continued to expand her offerings. AdSavany is one of more than 100 local entrepreneurs competing in the Gauntlet business program and competition this year. She said the course has been very beneficial to her business and a wonderful opportunity she is thankful for.

ROANOKE, Va. – Making history at seven years old, Judah Clements is the youngest entrepreneur to ever be accepted into the Gauntlet program. Selling lemonade under his nickname Judah Bug, he is ready to bottle his product and start selling online. Looking for some help, Judah and his family, turned to The Gauntlet. “I found out that it takes a lot of work,” Judah said. Ad“It’s going to inspire them to do a business,” Judah said.

It’s called “an entrepreneurial ecosystem.” Fostering entrepreneurship has become a core focus of economic development in cities and countries around the world. Tapping into the entrepreneurial ecosystem is a core lesson taught in the program. AdOften, local businesses support other local businesses, knowing they’re each stronger together. Amanda Forrester with the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center said that’s a trend in Southwest Virginia, especially during the pandemic. The community plays a big role in creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

There is still CARES Act money available for businesses struggling to pay their employees, but many in southwest Virginia aren’t taking advantage of it. Forrester said interested business owners should contact their banks to find out if they are eligible. AdThe SBDC is doing a roadshow across the region to help business owners one-on-one apply. She says there is no way to track how many permanent closures have happened, but we will begin to see a comparative number as business owners renew business licenses in 2021. AdForrester said it’s crucial that business owners take advantage of all resources available to them in order to make it through this year.

As 2021 begins, business owners face a rapidly shifting landscape. But business is different, and the way many business owners operate is different too. We all know our small businesses need a lot of help to make it through the pandemic. AdThat’s why Patterson’s focus is supporting local entrepreneurs starting and building their businesses through the Gauntlet Business program and competition. “We have to put our money where our mouth is and support our local businesses,” Patterson said.

The state’s largest business competition program begins Tuesday night and there’s still time to sign up. 10 News is working for you to help rebuild our local economy by sponsoring Virginia’s largest business competition, the Gauntlet. Applications are still open for the 7th Annual Gauntlet Business Program and Competition online. The Gauntlet incorporates participants from Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Botetourt County, the Alleghany Highlands, and Rockbridge County. State Farm is the lead sponsor for the 2021 season, donating $35,000 to the Gauntlet Business Competition.

10 News is working for you to help rebuild our local economy by sponsoring Virginia’s largest business competition, the Gauntlet. Started by the Advancement Foundation in Vinton, the Gauntlet helps entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses. The Gauntlet provides a 10-week program that helps entrepreneurs create a business plan. The Gauntlet incorporates participants from Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Botetourt County, the Alleghany Highlands and Rockbridge County. Applications are now open for the 7th Annual GAUNTLET Business Program and Competition online.

Supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses in Southwest Virginia, State Farm has awarded The Advancement Foundation in Vinton a $35,000 grant to help sustain and scale the Commonwealth’s largest business program and competition. During a time when it is needed most, State Farm and The Advancement Foundation say their organizations aim to increase business development to rebuild the local economy. “State Farm is proud to provide funding for The Gauntlet through the Advancement Foundation,” said State Farm spokesperson Kate Beadle. AdApplications are now open for the 7th Annual GAUNTLET Business Program and Competition online. For more information, interested entrepreneurs, mentors, sponsors, and community leaders can visit here.

ROANOKE, Va. – As more people look for ways to support local businesses, there’s a new initiative that aims to make that easier. Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is launching a new directory to highlight minority and women-owned businesses. “If someone is looking for like a contractor, or a cake maker or whatever, they will have an easier time locating those folks,” Roanoke Regional Chamber President and CEO Joyce Waugh said. “My hope is that the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce will find grass root organizations and lead this to be a bigger and better operation,” she added. The online directory will be available on the chamber’s website by March.

ROANOKE, Va. – In an effort to make more entrepreneurs’ dreams come true, the Advancement Foundation is expanding its business competition. Fourteen more locations, mainly in Bedford County, are on The Gauntlet’s list to help. The business competition wants to use its resources to rebuild economies again, especially after taking a hit during the pandemic. “It really helps provide a sense of security which is more important than ever,” the Advancement Foundation President Annette Patterson said. And then the pandemic hit and everything came to a screeching halt,” Oiler said.