If you’re interested in putting your money to work to help meet the demand, consider investing in Mountain BizWorks. Invest as little as $1,000. Choose terms as short as one year or as long as 10 years. Receive an annual, fixed-rate simple interest return of up to 3 percent. You’ll see your money put to work immediately. Investors katie and steve breckheimer tell us, “It felt good to put our money someplace where we could actually hear about what happened to it and see the good it was doing in the community.” That’s the benefit of local investing — you actually see the result of your investment. You can drive down the street to see how entrepreneurs like luis and Maria soto have used Mountain BizWorks loans to turn a struggling bakery into a successful business that employs six people. The Sotos acquired their bakery in August 2010 and renamed it Los Nenes. They invested their own savings in the business and were approved for a term loan and line of credit from Mountain BizWorks. In 2011, after a profitable first year in business, the Sotos came back to Mountain BizWorks for a loan to purchase the butcher store adjacent to the bakery — La Piedrita, a well-known establishment in West Asheville. (The Sotos also owned the now-closed Aqua Café in downtown Asheville. See page 40 for the story.) The young couple comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and they see their business venture as an opportunity to achieve the American dream. They are investing in their future, as well as their local community. Mountain BizWorks is poised to help more entrepreneurs like the Sotos launch or expand local businesses, but this will require additional investments from individuals in WNC who want to make a difference in our local communities. Nathan Harlan is director of development and communications for Mountain BizWorks, which helps small businesses start, grow and create jobs through loans, classes and coaching. To learn more, visit mountainbizworks.org.
Business Calendar
Business Blotter
abwa meetinG • TH (6/13), 5:30-7:30pm - The American Business Women's Association will host a dinner meeting at Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Drive, featuring Betsy Smith from E. L. Consulting. $25. Info and registration: www.abwaskyhychapter.com.
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A COMMUNITY BANK, WHERE CUSTOMERS ARE THE FOCUS OF EVERYTHING WE DO
asheville buZZ • TU (6/18), 7:30-9am - Asheville Buzz Summer Breakfast Series will focus on the music business. Held at Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin St. $20. Info: leadershipasheville.org/asheville-buzz. freelanCe friday • FR (6/14), 4:30pm - Group meets at the Battery Park Book Exchange, 1 Page Ave., to discuss issues related to working as a freelancer and provide advice and encouragement. Free. Info: 658-9694. Goodwill Career Classes • ONGOING - Goodwill offers entry-level computer classes. Free. Info and schedule: 298-9023. • ONGOING - Goodwill offers classes for those interested in hospitality careers in the food and hotel industries. Hands-on training includes American Hotel and Lodging Association certification. $25. Info and schedule: 298-9023. mountain biZworks workshops 153 S. Lexington Ave. Info: 253-2834 or mountainbizworks.org. • MONDAYS, noon & WEDNESDAYS, 4:30pm - An informational meeting about Mountain BizWorks' programs will help businesses make the first step toward accessing the organization's services. Free. Info and registration: victor@mountainbizworks.org or 253-2834. • TU (6/18), 9am-noon - Express Foundations, a fast-paced version of the Foundations curriculum, uses an integrated approach to emphasize the cross-development of financial and marketing elements. This five-week course meets Tuesdays. Slidi dng scale. Info and registration: victor@ mountainbizworks.org or 253-283. mountain housinG opportunities self-help proGram • ONGOING - Families are invited to build their own homes through the Mountain Housing Opportunities Self-Help Program. No construction experience or down payment required. Affordable financing through the USDA available. Info: 254-4030, ext. 122. winGate university open house • TH (6/20), 6:30pm - Wingate University will host an open house for its MBA program at 220 Fifth Ave. E., Hendersonville. Free. Info: www.wingate.edu/hendersonville. wnC infoseC • 3rd SATURDAYS, 1-4pm - "A friendly, mature and ethical group of information security enthusiasts, professionals, students and neophytes. All knowledge/skill levels welcome" Held at the Earth Fare South
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Openings honour stewart gallery, 1 Page Ave., Suite 124 in the Grove Arcade. honourstewartgallery.com. 232-4260. (Pictured, “Citizen,” by Douglas Stewart, on view at the gallery.) sugar & snow gelato cart. Visit sugarandsnowgelato.com for locations and times.
Closings Aqua café, 122 College St. taqueria gonzalez, 747 Haywood Road.
Renovations and Other Changes one love Jamaican restaurant, reopened at 168 Dellwood Road in Lake Junaluska. 531-9966. Small Terrain urban homestead supply shop will change its name to Villagers. 278 Haywood Road. smallterrain.com. 215-9569. Pizza Pura is no longer serving lunch. Dinner hours are Monday through Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.
community room, 1856 Hendersonville Road. Free. Info: wncinfosec.com. more business events online Check out the Business Calendar online at www.mountainx.com/events for info on events happening after June 20. Calendar deadline The deadline for free and paid listings is 5 p.m. wednesday, one week prior to publication. Questions? Call (828)251-1333, ext. 365
Having fun yet? CALL TODAY! 828-681-5555 NeverCleanYourGutters.com Financing Available
mountainx.com • JUNE 12 - JUNE 18, 2013 39