Update:
Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, MED Week 2024 has been postponed indefinitely. We thank you for your interest in this event, and we look forward to being able to host events like these in the future.
Minority Enterprise Development Week 2024
Join the Western Women's Business Center and Fox Management Consulting Enterprises as we host Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week in Western North Carolina from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11. Come together as we celebrate some of WNC's most impactful minority-owned small businesses, and learn with us over the course of the week with a wide range of invaluable seminars and small business classes.
Presented By:
Platinum Sponsor:
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
Monday
October 7
6-8 p.m. at Black Wall Street AVL | 8 River Arts Place, Asheville
Kick off MED Week 2024 with us at Black Wall Street AVL on Oct. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for our awards program, featuring awards for Emerging Minority Business, Minority Legacy Business, and Minority-Owned Nonprofit of the Year.
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Make your nominations for these awards here!
11 a.m.-1 p.m. at A-B Tech Small Business Center, Enka | 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler
Tuesday
October 8
This is an opportunity for Minority and Women owned businesses to learn about the City of Asheville's Business Inclusion Office, Policy and Program. In addition, to learn how to become registered as a Vendor with the City of Asheville as well as becoming MWBE Certified. We will discuss the several areas of Procurement and Contracting; along with discussing the differences between Bids, RFP's and RFQ's.
This session will be facilitated by Marcus Kirkman who serves as the CIty of Asheville Business Inclusion Manager. We look forward to seeing you there and having the opportunity to meet you.
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. at Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce |
36 Montford Ave, Asheville
Looking for a business or home loan? Join us to learn how to secure funding, strengthen your application, and explore financing options. Don't miss this change to connect with experts and fellow entrepreneurs!
1 p.m.-3 p.m. Webinar | Online at ncsbc.net
In 2024, having a website is a standard for any business, professional, brand, or organization; but, having a great website is about more than just building it. Your website has to focus first on the people who visit your website and you must have a clear understanding of their expectations. Your website also has to highlight and drive people towards your brand goals so it is as easy as possible for them to explore, engage, or buy. Websites are not a static tool. They are always growing, evolving, and changing with the audiences and the business. Join web design expert Sarah Benoit as she shares the basic rules of website usability and provides tips and tricks for making sure everyone who visits your website has the best experience possible. Also, explore tools for testing your website and making sure you identify problems and plan to make adjustments.
Wednesday
October 9
5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at A-B Technical Community College Main Campus (Ferguson Auditorium) | 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville
Join us for an engaging, in-person workshop focused on creating pathways for women of color in the skilled trades industry. This event will explore the ecosystem supporting women from high school through adulthood as they pursue careers in trades. We'll highlight key entry points, share valuable resources, and inspire collaboration among business leaders, educators, community members, mentors, and young people.
You'll hear from Julie Walther, founder of Women In Trades Hub, a for-profit organization dedicated to supporting women-owned trades companies, and Kathi Hurtgen, founder of Women In Trades North Carolina, a nonprofit focused on getting women and minority women into trades schools and apprenticeship programs. Together, they are building momentum for women, especially BIPOC women, to thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields through mentorship, education, and exposure to trade careers.
This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a growing movement that empowers women in Western North Carolina’s trades industry. We invite all champions of this cause—community members, educators, and business leaders—to join us in driving this important change.
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6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Webinar
This workshop will guide participants through the critical steps of transforming a business idea into a viable business model. The session will begin by distinguishing the key differences between a business plan and a feasibility study, clarifying their unique roles in business development. Participants will explore the importance of conducting a thorough business feasibility study and how it can mitigate risks and identify opportunities for success.
3 p.m.-5 p.m. Webinar | Online at ncsbc.net
In this 2-hour webinar, Aregnaz Mooradian, with the US Small Business Administration, and Pam Racer, with the SBTDC, will teach you how you can grow your women-owned business through procurement. This class will teach you how you can sell to the federal government and other municipalities. Aregnaz and Pam will share information on the WSOB/EWOSB certification that helps women-business owners increase their chance of getting a government contract.
Don’t miss out!
Thursday
October 10
Inclusive Networking
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Black Wall Street AVL| 8 River Arts Place, Asheville
Join us for an inclusive networking event in celebration of Minority Entrepreneurship Week, designed to bring together individuals from all sectors—business, nonprofits, education, government, and beyond. This is a unique opportunity to expand your network, deepen connections, and explore potential collaborations with a diverse group of professionals. Whether you're seeking to share innovative ideas, forge new partnerships, or strengthen your ties to the community, this event is the perfect space to foster meaningful relationships. Come prepared to engage, learn, and collaborate for a more connected and equitable future across all industries and communities.
6 p.m.-7 p.m. at Black Wall Street AVL | 8 River Arts Place, Asheville
Friday
October 11
Unlock the potential of your passions by transforming your hobbies into a thriving business. This interactive workshop is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to take the first step toward business ownership. In this session, participants will: Discuss Growing Hobbies into a Business: Learn how to identify profitable opportunities from the hobbies and passions you already enjoy and convert them into sustainable business ventures. Assess Business Ownership Readiness: Explore the essential personal and professional traits required for successful business ownership. This segment helps you gauge your readiness for entrepreneurship. Summarize the Business Planning Process: Get a high-level overview of the steps involved in creating a solid business plan, from idea validation to financial planning and marketing strategies.
Speakers
Zuri Anuel
Director
Western Women's Business Center
Sarah Benoit
Co-Founder and Lead Instructor
JB Media Institute
Joseph L. Fox, Ed.D., M.B.A., PHR
Principal
Fox Management Consulting Enterprises, LLC
Vanesa Garcia Nuñez
Business Solutions Associate
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
Yaselin Gonzalez
Senior Small Business Lender
Mountain BizWorks
Kathi Hurtgen
CEO
Women in Trades North Carolina
Marcus Kirkman
Economic and Development Business Inclusion Manager
City of Asheville
Pamela Racer
Speciality Counselor
Government Contracting Assistance Program at SBTDC