Onslow Business is a monthly publication designed for businesses in and around the Greater Onslow County area. Each issue is free to read and will be distributed at a number of locations throughout the county. It is also available to read online at onslowbusiness.com.
Revitalizing Downtown Jacksonville an Ongoing Effort
Downtown Jacksonville has changed considerably over the years. Once a very small town of about 800 people, Jacksonville’ s population doubled almost immediately when the military set up camps in the area in 1940. In 1990, the city annexed portions of Camp Lejeune, increasing its population to over 65,000. Today, the population is over 72,000.
During the transition with the military’s arrival, downtown became a popular spot for businesses such as bars, tattoo shops, and strip clubs, according to Dena Gates, who leads the group that is working on revitalizing downtown businesses.
The Downtown Arts Revitalization and Tourism (DART) group is focused on helping downtown businesses survive and grow. They are working with the city to help save older buildings and to improve the general environment of the downtown district.
Gates says the discussions began about a year and a half ago when
the group “originally started talking about how to help businesses in downtown Jacksonville.” She points out that there are 80 business locations in downtown but 39 of them are vacant.
Some of the challenges can be traced back several years ago, when the city decided to “clean up the town” and established a list of new rules and regulations for businesses. While those rules worked to an extent, many are still in existence even though they are no longer needed and, in fact, work against businesses in the downtown area.
The city “changed ordinances, changed what type of businesses were allowed,” Gates says. Part of DART’s goal now is to work with the city to change some of those regulations.
Gates says, “we started talking to some commissioners and we started talking to some business owners about how we can improve things.” She adds, “there's been a lot of changes
that we're trying to help new businesses with and give the city some guidance about what’ s working and what’s not working.”
The city also recently brought in a consulting company, International Economic Development Council (IEDC), that spent four days evaluating the situation. They talked to different groups, toured the city, and came up with a game plan of ideas and suggestions,” Gates says.
DART, adds Gates, is “trying different ways to save old buildings.” In addition, she says, they are “trying to bring a little bit of everything to the downtown area.” New businesses as well as those that have been in the downtown area for decades will benefit from DART’s efforts.
The group is waiting for the results from the consultant’ s report before moving forward. That report, which will be presented to city council, is expected to be released soon.
Economic Development Benefits Larger Community
Economic development is not just about bringing in big businesses with incentives if they promise to offer a significant number of jobs. The objective of economic development, explains Mark Sutherland, Jacksonville Onslow Economic Development (JOED) Executive Director, is “community prosperity.”
Sutherland further explains that economic development is a program or set of programs with a three-legged stool: individual wealth, a strong tax base, and the small business community. That stool is the “prosperity triangle,” Sutherland says, and works best when it is “all clicking together.”
Economic development encourages small business growth as well. Teresa Miller, JOED’s Director of Marketing and Membership, says she and the organization as a whole
have an “appreciation for small business owners who take the risk.” JOED works with small businesses on obtaining business loans, offer microgrants, and “acts as a liaison between the business, local community and government agencies.”
JOED partners with organizations such as the Duke Energy Foundation, which has enabled the organization to fund nine small business grants of $2,500 each. Miller adds that they are “excited about the opportunity Duke has given us. ”
The goal of economic development, particularly within the greater Onslow County area, is to enable the service economy to grow. It is a cycle of sorts, with locally made products being exported, which means that other people’ s money is coming into the area. The product industry then generates “money that spins
The Jacksonville
Sutherland says.
When large companies are recruited to establish a location within Onslow County, they must meet certain criteria in regard to how many jobs they will fill and what the wages are for those jobs. There are seven preferred industries for recruiting, to encourage higher wages and more job opportunities.
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years ago, Onslow County had the fourth lowest wage level in the state of North Carolina. Through focused economic development efforts, that wage level has risen to now being 37th from the lowest level.
According to the US Census Bureau, the median income in 2022 (the last year for which statistics are available) was $59,576.
A nonprofit since 1970, JOED is now located on Court Street in the former train depot in downtown Jacksonville. The organization is overseen by a board of 18 members from the private sector.
Sutherland, who served in the Marines for 32 years before moving into economic development work, has seen significant growth and improvement in the Onslow County area over the years.
He points to the downtown revitalization efforts, the master plan for a recreational complex, and the growth of the Camp Davis industrial complex as examples of movement forward that benefit the entire community
Contact JOED by email: joed@JOEDNC.com
“Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.” ~~Linus Van Pelt
Onslow Economic Development (JOED) office on Court Street in downtown Jacksonville.
Pitch It! Onslow 2025: Your Chance to Turn Big Ideas into Business Success
By April Priester Director
Coastal Community College Small Business Center
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your business idea into reality, Pitch It! Onslow is the opportunity you've been waiting for. This annual competition, supported by Marine Federal Credit Union, Coastal Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center, and the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce, is designed to give local aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to shine.
What Makes Pitch It! Onslow Special?
One of the biggest draws of Pitch It! Onslow is the combination of financial backing, hands-on training, and the incredible local support network it offers.
Participants go through an 8week entrepreneurial training program, completely free of charge, where they receive mentorship and guidance from local business counselors and experts. You'll walk away with a polished business plan and a pitch deck, crucial tools for any startup.
Once the training wraps up, it’ s time to present your ideas to the Business Bulldogs, a panel of local business leaders who serve as judges. Not only do they score your pitch, but they provide valuable feedback and support. And here’s the cherry on top the winners walk away with startup funding, courtesy of Marine
Federal Credit Union, plus other prizes like marketing tools, services, and memberships to the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce.
A Glimpse at Last Year’s Success Stories
To see the power of Pitch It! Onslow, look no further than the 2024 winners, whose dreams were turned into tangible business ventures:
1st Place: Tim Hucal of Hucal Ponderosa Customs wowed the judges with his custom woodworking business, securing the top spot.
2nd Place: Tara Smith of Stable Healing Counseling brought a unique approach to therapy, using equine-assisted therapy to help her clients.
3rd Place: Divine Locus with Divine Outdoor Creations captured attention with creativity in outdoor living designs.
These local entrepreneurs are now thriving, thanks to the invaluable resources and connections they gained through the competition.
How You Can Be the Next Success Story
Applications for this year’ s competition opened on October 1, 2024, and will close on December 9, 2024 The process is straightforward: submit a three-minute or less video pitch explaining who you
are, your business idea, and why you should be selected. Include a professional resume and proof of Onslow County residency.
From there, participants will be chosen to go through the extensive entrepreneurial training, preparing you to present your pitch to the Bulldogs and the community.
The program isn’t just about winning it’s about getting connected with other local entrepreneurs, mentors, and the business community in Onslow County. Even if you don’t walk away with the grand prize, the experience and relationships built through Pitch It! Onslow are invaluable assets for any entrepreneur.
Meet the Bulldogs
This year, the Business Bulldogs include local powerhouses like Lashea Cavers, Ashley Gurganus, and Ryan Lycans, who have years of experience in building, running, and/or funding businesses. They are eager to hear the pitches from the next wave of entrepreneurs and provide constructive feedback that can elevate your business idea.
With past winners leading thriving local businesses and a robust support network of mentors, there’s no reason to wait. If you’ve got a business dream, now’s the time to Pitch It! Onslow
Pitch It! Onslow details and application: www.marinefederalhb. org/home/site/ pitchitonslow
Applications close on December 9, 2024, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible opportunity! Apply today through Marine Federal Credit Union’s website and take the first step toward making your entrepreneurial dreams come true.
Marine Federal Proud of Success and Impact
Trisha Scott, Vice President of Marketing for Marine Federal, who co-founded the Pitch It! Onslow event with Priester, encourages anyone considering it to apply. She emphasizes that those applying should read through the qualifications and “be sure to submit everything.”
The Pitch It! Competition is now in its fourth year in Onslow County and there are plans to expand it to other neighboring counties in eastern North Carolina.
Scott adds:
“At Marine Federal Credit Union, we are incredibly proud of the success of our Pitch It! Onslow program and the impact it has had on local entrepreneurs. Supporting the growth and development of small businesses is a core part of our mission to serve both our local Military communities
and surrounding underserved communities.
Pictured Center: Last year's winners, Tim Hucal, Tara Smith, and Divine Locus, alongside Business Bulldogs Ashley Gurganus and Ryan Lycans.
“We believe that entrepreneurship drives innovation and economic growth, and through Pitch It!, we are empowering individuals to turn their business ideas into reality. As a community-focused institution, it brings us great pride to contribute to the success of the areas we serve. We look forward to continuing to foster local talent and helping build a stronger future for our communities.”
Chamber Corner
What is a Chamber of Commerce?
By Tammy Proctor Executive Director Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
When I left the county tourism office to become the executive director at the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, a dear friend greeted me with, “Have you lost your mind?” Nope.
I am still in charge of my faculties.
There’s a general, vague idea that a chamber of commerce is something that businesses join just because.
Chambers of Commerce are membership organizations. However, they provide important services to the business community which in turn impacts the health of a community.
I liken a chamber of commerce to two things – a three-legged stool and Netflix.
The Greater Topsail Area
Chamber of Commerce & Tourism has three legs –membership, advocacy, and economic development.
Membership encompasses networking, events, and educational opportunities.
Advocacy is the sharing of important information from governments and universities, and statistics. We serve as a resource for our businesses when they need government assistance such as emergency relief from FEMA, etc.
Economic development is smart growth, providing a new or relocating business with the proper information regarding permitting, zoning, and infrastructure.
All three legs of the stool must be evenly balanced, or a chamber becomes off-kilter.
I also liken chamber membership to Netflix. If you
purchase the Netflix and never turn on your streaming device, it provides you with no value. However, if you tune in, find your favorite programs, and binge on what your business needs most, it's more than entertaining. It’s growth!
If your business is not a member of a chamber of commerce and you’re not tuned in, do so today!
If you are already a member of a chamber of commerce, kudos
to you! You are a diamond company that brings value to our community. For more information about the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, find us online at
Training Opportunities
Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center
VALOR Summit
Sat, November 2
9am-10am
Battlefield to BoardroomInsights on Strategic Leadership and Business Partnerships
10:10am-11:40am Shielding Success - BAIL Team Tactics for Veteran-Owned Businesses
11:50am-12:50pm Marketing Mavericks- Take Your Marketing to Mach 10
1:20pm-2:20pm Mission: Economic ImpactBoosting Business Growth in Onslow County
2:30pm-4pm Support by Fire-Building and Growing Your Veteran Business Network
Small Business Bootcamp Wed, November 6
9:00am-12noon
How to Start a Small Business- MCB Camp Lejeune
Wed, November 13
9:00am-4pm
Marketing Your Business Thu, November 14
6:00pm-8:30pm
Nonprofit Executive Roundtable: 3 Keys to Board Member Recruitment
Wed, November 20 11:00am-1:00pm
Boots to Business Thu, November 21
9:00am-4:30pm 2 sessions ending Fri, November 22
Turn Your Passion Into a Business on Etsy- Webinar Tue, November 26 6:00pm-8:00pm
How to Start a Small Business- MCAS New River Wed, December 4
9:00am-4:00pm
SBA Alternative Capital for Every Small Business Thu, December 5
6:00pm-7:30pm
SBC details and registration: www.coastalcarolina.edu/ services-and-support/servicescommunity/sbc/
One Place
Creating Hope for Families “High-quality training opportunities for the community to include courses on positive interactions with children, health and safety, trauma and resiliency, managing challenging behaviors, and CPR/first aid.“
ECERS-R in Action (Virtual) Mon, November 4 6:30-8:30pm
ITS-SIDS (In Person) Tues, November 5 6:30-8:30pm
Adult & Pediatric CPR/FA/ ED (In Person) Sat, November 9 9:00am-2:30pm
The Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce recently presented two Minority Enterprise Development (MED) awards at a luncheon held at the Montford Point Marine Association Conference Center.
Chamber president Laurette Leagon noted that 17 years ago, the chamber “began presenting awards specifically designed to honor the achievements and contributions of the diverse business owners and leaders in our community.”
She added that “There are a lot of corporations, governments and organization talking about diversity I am proud to say your chamber is taking action.”
Leagon emphasized that “The Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce Business Diversity Council plays a crucial role in our community. Our mission is to acknowledge the significant contributions of diverse businesses and organizations to Onslow County’s economic stability. We are committed to supporting the growth of these businesses that call Onslow County home.”
Read more about the 2024 Diversity Entrepreneur of the Year, Joshua Hearst, on page 6, and the Linda L. Richardson Business Advocate of the Year, Coastal Enterprises, on page 7.
Intro to SACERS-U (Virtual) Wed, November 13 6:30-8:30pm
EPR (Virtual) Thurs, November 14 6:00-8:30pm
Beginning Fire Safety (Virtual) Mon, November 18 6:30-8:30pm
BSAC Session 1&2 (Virtual) Tues, November 19 & Thurs, November 21 6:30-8:30pm
Darkness to Light (Virtual) Tues, December 3 6:00-8:30pm
Playground Safety (Virtual) Thurs, December 5 6:00-8:30pm
Information and registration: www.oneplaceonslow.org/forparents-and-early-educators/ training-info-registration/
Pictured left: Laurette Leagon (Photo provided by the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce
Pictured right, top and bottom: MED award winners and supporters (Photo provided by the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce
Joshua Hearst 2024 Diverse Entrepreneur of the Year
Joshua Hearst just graduated from the NC REALTORS®
William C. Bass Leadership Academy. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year honor in 2022 by the NC Board of Realtors. He volunteers for community organizations, participates in chamber committees, and coaches middle school students.
All this and more has led to his being named the Diverse Entrepreneur of the Year as part of the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce’ s Minority Enterprise Development (MED) awards. Hearst was born and raised in Jacksonville. He attended East Carolina University and graduated with a degree in hospitality management and business administration.
From there, he went to work in hospitality, for UNC Chapel Hill and then for Wake Forest University.
In 2019, Hearst decided he needed to do some soul searching. A family emergency brought him back home and then the COVID pandemic hit.
Looking for a change in direction, he took a job with a realty company where a friend worked. That job in property management soon launched a career in property sales, an area where he continues to find success today.
Hearst says of his career moves, “I never thought sales was something I could do. I don’t look at myself as a salesy person.”
He adds that, as he learned more about the industry, about sales in general, and about “life in generation,” he learned that to be successful in sales, “ you can just be yourself. You build relationships and it’ll happen organically.”
In April 2021, Hearst started out with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, in their Henderson Drive office. In December 2023, he moved to the Western Blvd office where he is today. He says that he is mostly working with residential real estate but is “learning some commercial things and still help out a fair share of renters as well.”
He works primarily in Onslow County, knowing the area well as a native. He adds that he has “done a lot of business in Craven County, New Bern, the Havlock area, Pamlico County.” Since he went to ECU, he knows Pitt County well also. When considering where his work has taken him, he adds “Pender, Carteret, Duplin, Jones, and Lenoir.”
Even though he knows the geographic areas in and around Onslow County, he adds that there are times when he feels it’s necessary to refer business
to others who are more knowledgeable about certain laws and regulations, particularly for homes by the water, on the beach, or in the mountains.
He emphasizes that “its not all just about making a dollar. You want to do what's in the best interest of your client.”
Hearst adds that, “whatever it takes to be successful, ethically correct, that is, I'm willing to do. I'm willing to put in the extra work. I'm willing to do the extra things that it takes to help other people out. And it kind of helped to be a voice of the voiceless to some degree.”
Those “extra things” often involve community service activities. A self-proclaimed “kid at heart,” Hearst says he loved being outside and playing sports when he was younger. He says he and his late brother “lived to be outside.”
Today, he continues to encourage other young people to get outside and play. He helps coach middle school football players – football and basketball were his favorites growing up. He volunteers with the nonprofit group Aspire Reach Beyond the Obvious. There he mentors kids from grades 6 to 12 and helps organize college tours, a winter closet, and other activities throughout the year.
Hearst also serves on the chamber’s Diversity Council, is the chair of the Jacksonville Board of Realtors Young Professionals Network, is part of the Onslow County Homebuilders Association, and was just elected to the board of directors for the Jacksonville Board of Realtors.
Of the MED award, Hearst says, “It's not about me. It's about the people who have helped me get there.” When he won the Rookie of the Year award in 2022, his family was snuck into the ceremony to surprise him. This time, he knew they would be there and was excited to share this moment with them.
Hearst adds that he wants his family to know and wants “the Lord to know in front of everybody that I'm just humbled by what he's done for me and the grace he's shown to me because I'm just a speck of human and so anything I do that's positive is because of the Lord not because of me.”
Joshua Hearst with his MED award, surrounded by supportive and proud family members.
(Photo provided by the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce.)
Joshua Hearst, 2024 Diverse Entrepreneur of the Year
Coastal Enterprises 2024 Linda L. Richardson Business Advocate of the Year
Coastal Enterprises has as its mission to provide evaluation, training, and advocacy to individuals with disabilities. The organization has been doing just that since 1968. At the recent Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce MED Awards ceremony, Coastal Enterprises was named as the 2024 Linda L. Richardson Business Advocate of the Year. Carol Brown, Coastal Enterprises Vice President, says that they “make products for the government – belt buckles, panel markers, blank firing attachments.” They also “perform services aboard the area military bases, to include Cherry Point, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.”
Brown adds that the organization also provides services such as “hospital housekeeping, base-wide custodial, base-wide grounds
maintenance, and shelf stocking at the Camp Lejeune Commissary.” They also have a food service contract with Sodexo at a mess hall at the air station.
Their first service contract for the military base was in 1992 and they have been growing ever since.
Brown notes that they work through the SourceAmerica AbilityOne program and “75% of our direct labor force have some sort of qualifying disability.” The organization’ s HR Manager, Sage Venters, notes that “we provide accommodations for them on the job to help ensure that they're successful.”
Venters explains that “the disabilities range from mental, physical, intellectual, cancers, and diabetes, depending on how significant the cases are.”
There is also a Coastal Enterprises office located in
Wilmington. Together, they employ about 700 people. While the Wilmington location “does a little bit of commercial production type work,” Brown says, “95% of the work that Jacksonville does is with the government.”
The organization has a contract with Vocational Rehabilitation, which refers individuals to Coastal Enterprises “that have diagnosed disabilities for supportive employment services, job coaching services. Sometimes there’s a need for them to have an evaluation done.”
She emphasizes that they want to know what the individual is capable of doing before placing them in a position.
In addition to services they provide for the military operations, Coastal Enterprises also places individuals in jobs in the community, with companies that have agreed to
hire them. Venters adds, “ we will job develop with the individuals. We’ll go to different businesses to try to get them a job there and then we ’ll stay on site with the individual to help them get acclimated and redirect if they need that.”
They also help the individuals referred to them with resume writing, interview skills, and other skills necessary to be successful in their job.
Many of the organization’ s clients have been employed for years as have its own staff members. Brown says, “ our boss, Mr. John Glover, is just a good person to work with and the majority of our staff has been here for years.”
She adds that “we all buy into or support our mission, so to speak. So, it just makes you feel good to see the success that we have with our clients and employees.”
The mission of Coastal Enterprises is to provide evaluation, training and advocacy to individuals with disabilities.
Photo at right (provided by the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce): Sage Venters, Dawn Daco, Heather Shepard, Carol Brown, and Chris Glover.
Photo at left: A happy employee hard at work at Coastal Enterprises
Prep Kitch’n Planned for Richlands
Caterers and food truck cooks often struggle with logistics. How to prepare fresh food and keep it hot (or cold) when transporting it to their serving site is a common challenge. In fact, even having a place to prepare that food can be a challenge for caterers who do not have access to a commercial kitchen.
All of that will change very soon, with the launch of the Prep Kitch’n in Richlands.
Owner Lashea Cavers says she knows from experience that “the struggle bus is real.” She is on a mission to do something “different and creative” that will help other entrepreneurs.
A veteran who spent 20 years in the military, Cavers says that “during that 20 years in the Marine Corps, my job was food service.”
Cavers says she “can relate to all the food entrepreneurs that will be coming through the kitchen.” In her experience working with entrepreneurs, through the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce
and her own counseling business, she says that “I saw there was a problem. I’ m skilled at solving problems.”
The Prep Kitch’n will feature a complete commercial kitchen space that includes convection ovens, a fryer, a four-burner range, and a griddle. In addition, there will be small wares such as a mixer and slicer. For cleanup, the kitchen will have a commercial grade dishwasher and a utility sink, which will be especially helpful for food truck owners.
For storage, there will be a reach-in freezer and a reach-in cooler in addition to a regular refrigerator. Stainless steel prep tables give caterers and food truck owners ample space for food preparation.
Cavers is also eager to share her experiences starting and growing a business with other entrepreneurs. She worked with the Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center to develop a business plan, secure a loan, do
National Veteran Small Business Week is November 11-15, 2024
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) “celebrates and empowers service member, veteran, National Guard and Reserve member, and military spouse entrepreneurs during National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW).“
Local events include the VALOR Summit being held at Coastal Carolina Community College’ s Small Business Center on Saturday, November 2. This is an all day event focused on starting and growing a small business.
The Veterans Day Parade will be held in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 9. The parade will roll through downtown Jacksonville starting at 10am.
The SBA’s Boots to Business Reboot is being offered as an online class on Monday, November 18. Details are available at https:// www.sba.gov/event/57205.
Learn more about National Veteran Small Business Week at https://www.sba.gov/nvsbw.
the necessary market research, and plan her launch.
She has also been on the other side, helping other aspiring business owners through the chamber and the small business center. Bringing together this experience, along with her food service experience, she says she was trying to determine “what can I do with the skills I have already. This was perfect.” Cavers says she is “excited about it. I can’t wait to see the growth for the food
There will be interested in starting or growing their food business, as they will have a space where they can test new products as well.
She adds that “you have to stay focused on the mission. You never know where it may take you. ”
Cavers plans to open The Prep Kitch’n in Richlands no later than January 2025.
Interested caterers and food truck owners can contact The Prep Kitch’n by email at info@theprepkitchn.com or by phone at 760-401-9091.
“To love what you do and feel like it matters –how could anything be more fun?”
~~Katharine Graham Former publisher of The Washington Post
Lashea Cavers in the Prep Kitch’ n
Onslow United Transit System (OUTS) Needs Your Input
Onslow United Transit System (OUTS) is the community transportation provider for Onslow County. OUTS is a private non-profit agency that coordinates human services agencies and general public transportation.
With support from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, OUTS is conducting a feasibility study to explore innovative strategies to improve transportation in Onslow County.
OUTS needs your feedback. They are asking everyone to take their 5-10 minute survey
to determine the feasibility of a microtransit service in Onslow County.
Microtransit refers to a flexible, on-demand transportation service that typically uses smaller vehicles, such as shuttles or vans, to serve specific areas or communities.
The survey is online at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ J5H9SW8.
For more details about the upcoming OUTS virtual public meeting, the project, and microtransit, go to https:// publicinput.com/onslowunited-transit-system.
Marine FCU Hits Asset Milestone
Submitted by Marine Federal Credit Union
Marine Federal Credit Union came into existence on April 20, 1959, when eight gentlemen made the request to become a federal credit union that would serve the Military, Department of Defense employees, and their families aboard Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune. On April 24, 1959, the request was approved by the Bureau of Federal Credit Unions.
The first official office/branch was located in a warehouse aboard Camp Lejeune. It was heated by a pot-bellied stove and secured by a chicken wire fence. Sixty-five years later, on
Monday, October 15, over 250 past and present employees, military and government dignitaries, our suite of volunteers serving on the Board, and our Supervisory Committee gathered to celebrate the milestone of surpassing a billion dollars in assets.
“It took us 65 years to parlay $40 into $100,10,000,000 dollars at the end of August,” said Chuck Collins, Marine FCU’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Collins recognized the Board Volunteers and Executive Teams, past and present, who helped achieve this success.
Humphreys Farm Expands to General Store
Barbara Humphrey has announced that the Humphrey Farm General Store and Vendor Market plans a midNovember opening. The “upscale” vendor market, encompassing 4,000 square feet, will be located at 859 Freedom Way in Midway Park, Jacksonville.
Humphrey notes that the new general store and vendor market is an extension of the Humphrey Farm locations in Hubert and Swansboro, serving many of the same beloved products. The market will also feature many area artisans.
There will also be “lots of vendors” in the space, Humphrey says. In fact, she plans for 40-45 vendors and will offer smaller spaces than are usually required in larger vendor markets.
Humphrey says she “wanted somewhere that artisans could come and not feel like their merchandise was getting lost in a large market.” Vendor spaces start at $75/month.
The market will also feature a coffee shop, the Tin Roof Coffee Company, that will offer coffee made from freshly roasted
beans and the farm’s signature strawberry lemonade, as well as iced tea, along with a variety of baked goods.
Picnic tables and rocking chairs on the front porch of the market will make it an inviting place to sit and enjoy visiting.
Humphrey notes the market is an “expansion of what we’ ve worked on for eight years.”
The Humphrey Farm General Store and Vendor Market will be open Monday–Sunday 10am -6pm. Humphrey is also planning two special events in December at the new location.
Social Media Guidance for Your Business
Tips from the The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
By Emily Raser SBTDC Communications
There is a lot to unpack when it comes to social media marketing in 2024. With the sudden emergence of AI and surge in popularity of video platforms and features, it may feel daunting to dip your (business’s) toes into the world of social media marketing. However, understanding the current landscape is crucial to turning knowledge into action when it comes to marketing your brand.
THE NEWEST GOALS FOR BRANDS IN 2024:
• Increasing brand awareness and reaching new audiences
• Driving traffic to your website
• Increasing overall revenue and sales
• Getting a better understanding of customers and their needs
• Fostering relationships with customers and increasing brand loyalty
Think about these goals and what changes you’d like to make to your strategy: How can you put these ideas into action?
STAY
ON TOP OF YOUR BRAND
Most organizations know what their brand stands for just look at your mission statement! But to curate the best marketing and branding presence, a business should review more than their mission and values. It’s important to pay close attention to what the data demonstrates and consider how best to improve their strategy based on those statistics.
It takes five to seven impressions for people to remember a brand, which means that the more your brand’s posts are consistent in color, typography, and iconography (imagery), the more likely your brand will be recognized (1). But recognition isn’t even the best part; consistent brand presentation across channels can increase revenue by up to twenty-three percent.
Other strategies for staying consistent include implementing a clear content approval process and planning ahead. Have multiple layers of individuals check copy and graphics for consistency and create a social media calendar with outgoing posts. Both of these strategies improve adherence to brand standards and ensure the quality and quantity of posts. You might also consider reusing or recycling content, as it helps maintain consistency while also adding variety to your material.
AI AND SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
When it comes to AI, brands are using it. About eighty percent of social media marketers plan to use AI tools in their social media strategy in 2024. A significant seventy-one percent of marketers who have used generative AI to create content said it performed better than content made without AI.
These points are intriguing, but it’s important to go back to one crucial question before engaging with AI in your marketing: How can you implement AI in ways that resonate with your business and your goals?
BUILDING AN AUTHENTIC SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Sprout Social reveals that the second most significant area where consumers feel brands fall short on social media is in transparency about their business practices and values. Emphasizing transparency and authenticity enables brands to remain true to their core principles and foster deeper emotional connections with their audience. Therefore, prioritizing this aspect in your social media strategy is essential. Before we dive into strategies for brands aiming to enhance authenticity and transparency, consider these relevant statistics that can strengthen your approach:
• Customer Loyalty: 89% of consumers stay loyal to brands that share their values, and 73% love a brand because of helpful customer service.
• Transparency and Trust: 94% of customers are more likely to be loyal to a brand that offers complete transparency, and 39% would start using a brand if it provided full product transparency.
• Emotional Connection: About 66% of consumers feel connected to a brand when they trust it (1), and 73% prefer personalized shopping experiences (3) , indicating that emotional connections and personalization are key to customer retention.
EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE AUTHENTICITY
• Show the behind the scenes. Share images of employees at conferences, events, or just around the office! This helps your audience see the humanity behind your business.
• Engage with your audience. Ask open-ended questions, respond to comments, run polls and contests, share user-generated content, host Q&A sessions.
• Know your audience and follow their lead. Pay attention to what kinds of people follow you and how they engage with your brand. Follow their lead by posting the kind of content they like and engage with the most.
FOLLOWING THE 80/20 RULE
Another important piece to authenticity is following the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of your social media content should be engaging, educational, or entertaining, while only twenty percent should be promotional.
Consumers generally dislike excessive self-promotion from
brands. In fact, thirty-six percent view “too much selfpromotion” as a major deterrent in their perception of brands on social media. Moreover, fifty-six percent of consumers believe that brands should be more relatable (2) These statistics highlight the need not only for transparency and authenticity but also for a deeper understanding of what truly matters to your audience.
UTILIZE SHORT-FORM VIDEO
Lastly, it’s hard not to discuss social media trends without mentioning short-form video. This medium is one of the best ways to connect with your current audience and reach new audiences. In 2024, Youtube took over as the most effective social media platform for brands, growing by seventynine percent year over year, overtaking both Facebook and Instagram.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Creating the perfect brand might take more than a few social media posts, but the first step starts with understanding the current climate and taking note of data-driven best practices. Sure, some of these trends will change, but overall, the main takeaway is this:
Be consistent, be transparent, and pay attention to the data.
Reprinted from https:// sbtdc.org/blog/unpacking2024-the-latest-social-mediatrends with permission.
Are Your Employees Exempt?
Executive Exempt Statusif you answer no to any of the following, they are misclassified:
Image by Tom from Pixabay
If
You’re Overwhelmed by Email, You’re Not Alone
40% of email users have at least 50 unread messages in their inboxes.
47% of email recipients say they open an email based on the subject line alone, and 69% mark an email as spam based on the subject line alone.
59% of Americans say that most emails they receive are not useful to them.
Receiving too many emails is why consumers unsubscribe.
Marketers report that their emails achieve the highest engagement rates between 9 AM and noon.
41% of email views and 75% of Gmail users’ email views come from mobile devices.
You also can’t be kind of unique or slightly unique. Really, using any modifier with unique is not appropriate. Unique means one of a kind. How can you be “very one of a kind”?
Almost laughable was a recent radio story in which the reporter described someone as “very, very unique.” That person was really one of a kind!
Q: What is the difference between hearing and listening?
A: The short answer is that listening requires effort and attention.
Have you ever found yourself drifting off into your own thoughts while someone was speaking to you?
You wait for them to stop talking and respond with "Huh?" or "What was that?"
You may even apologize with some sort of excuse such as "I didn't hear that last part" or "I want to be sure I know what you were saying."
You can’t be a little unique or somewhat unique. You either are or you aren ’t.
On a slightly different but similar note, you cannot “center around” something.
By its very nature, “centering” cannot be around anything. You can center on, but you can ’t center around.
This also holds true for the phrase “focus around.” Again, by its very nature, focusing has to be directed on something. You cannot focus around a
Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
When we think too much about what we are going to say next, we are not able to listen to what is being said to us.
Listening requires focused attention. While we may hear the noise of the words (think Charlie Brown and any adult), we don’t always listen to the words themselves.
We learn by listening. Think about how many problems we could solve in business -– and in society –- just by listening.
topic. So, if you’re attempting to center or focus around, you ’re clearly unfocused. These may seem like little things, primarily noticeable only by an English major deeply concerned with others’ business communications skills, but . . . little things contribute to bigger impressions. And, bigger impressions contribute to your ability to communicate with, and to work with, co-workers, managers, vendors, and customers.
Not listening definitely leads to misunderstandings.
“Oh, I thought I heard you say . . . .” by way of explanation when responding inappropriately.
“I just don’t understand that person” when we haven’t really listened to what that person had to say.
"What was that?" when we just really don't know what was being discussed.
What could we learn about others if we took just a few moments to stop thinking about what we are going to say –- and focus on what the other person is saying?
We could learn what our clients truly want and need from us.
We could learn more about people who don’t think their voice is being heard -– and maybe build some unity in our communities.
We could learn why some people are struggling or unhappy, and be better able to help them solve their challenges.
We could even learn a little more about how others see us.
Listening may not solve all of the world’s problems, but it sure could be a giant step in the right direction.
Swansboro Chamber of Commerce
714 W Corbett Avenue Suite 14 Swansboro, NC 28584
910.326.1174
swansboroareachamberofcom merce@gmail.com
https:// swansborochamber.org/
Mike McHugh Executive Director
Mind the little things and the bigger impressions will become more respected impressions. Your communication will improve. Your business will improve. “
Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”
~~Mae Jemison Pioneering astronaut and start up founder
Networking Opportunities
When you’re looking to connect with other businesspeople in the Greater Onslow County are, you are a lot of options.
WomenConnect Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce
Lunch meetings
Second Thursday of each month at Nineteen restaurant, 12noon
No charge for the meeting; order lunch off the menu
Breakfast meetings
Fourth Thursday of each month at Southern Roots restaurant, 7:30am
Date change for November and December next meeting will be December 5
No charge for the meeting; order lunch off the menu
Veteran Business Collective
Chapter meeting on the third Thursday of the month, 5-7pm
November meeting will be November 21 at Blackbears
Triple Play restaurant
Guests are welcome
Breakfast networking
First Friday of the month, 8am
November meeting will be November 1 at Blend Café
Guests are welcome
Professional Book Club
Discussing a new business / sales book each month
November meeting is 10am, November 13, at Blend Café
Discussing The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Gary Chapman and Paul White
Young Professionals
Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce
Networking activities through their Facebook page and on Instagram. For the young and the young at hear.
Jacksonville Board of Realtors® Young Professionals Network (YPN)
Networking and educational activities. For info, contact Jamie Cooper at Jamie@jbornc.com
Are you looking for more networking opportunities? What do you want to see in a local networking group?
Please take a few minutes and complete the Onslow Business Networking Survey.
List your networking group’s activities here.
Send an email to onslowbiz@words-working.net with the details about upcoming meetings and events.
•Get business insights you won’t find anywhere else.
•Promote your business at an affordable rate.
•Reach others in the Greater Onslow County area with your compelling ad.
Scan the QR code or go to onslowbusiness.com for ad rates and details.
Contact Onslow Business at onslowbiz@words-working.net to reserve your space today!
