On April 28, 2025, ���سԹ�’s Small Business Center welcomed North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall for a day of small business engagement in Southport and at BCC’s main campus in Bolivia.

The day began with a “Main Street” Walk through downtown Southport, where Secretary Marshall, Deputy Secretary Tim Crowley, and Rural RISE NC Project Coordinator Tammy Everett toured three unique, locally owned businesses: Throw Baxe Axe House & Board Game Lounge, Cattail Cottage, and Hive Sweet Home. They were joined by Southport Mayor Rich Alt and Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce President Brooke Rudd.

After lunch at a local favorite, Dry Street Pub & Pizza, the group traveled to BCC’s main campus for a Small Business Roundtable. Fifteen entrepreneurs from across Brunswick County shared their experiences and ideas on how to strengthen the small business landscape. Topics included the challenges of scaling operations, accessing capital, and navigating workforce needs.

“Small businesses aren’t just the backbone of local economies – they’re the backbone of communities,” said Secretary Marshall. “You just can’t overstate the importance of community colleges in helping grow local economies—they truly are unsung heroes.”

BCC President Gene Smith echoed that sentiment, stating, “We’re proud to serve as a hub for these vital conversations that help strengthen Brunswick County and empower entrepreneurs.”

The Small Business Center at BCC continues to offer one-on-one counseling, educational workshops, and support for current and aspiring small business owners. Learn more at:
/programs/business-industry-services/small-business-center-at-bcc/

April 28, 2025

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Attention small business owners! Are you ready to revolutionize your business finances? Join us for a FREE 3-part QuickBooks Seminar Series this September, sponsored by the BCC Small Business Center!

Kick it off with Part One on September 5.

Learn to save hours with Smart AI Features, eliminate shoebox receipts, sync real-time data with online banking, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to transition smoothly from QuickBooks Desktop Support.

Date: September 5, 2024; 5:30 PM – 7 PM; FREE

Location: In-person seminar, ���سԹ� Small Business Center, 2045 Enterprise Blvd. Room 204

Speaker: Amanda Chestnut, JD, ABA, Money Mastery LLC

Registration required: https://www.ncsbc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=60440078

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For the second consecutive year, the WilmingtonBiz 100 honorees include BCC President Gene Smith and Small Business Center Director April Scott. The WilmingtonBiz 100 is an annual initiative to recognize the top 100 Power Players, Influencers, Innovators, Connectors, and Rising Stars impacting the Wilmington area’s business landscape.

Selected as a Top Influencer, President Smith was recognized for leading BCC’s efforts to engage area residents in the college as students, donors, members of the Sports & Aquatics Complex, concertgoers at the Odell Williamson Auditorium, and more. He spearheaded an effort to attract more adult learners to finish or begin their education as part of a John M. Belk Endowment grant. Also noted was President Smith’s work to expand current trade programs, launch the new Dental Assisting Program, and design a new Public Safety Training Center as part of a Golden LEAF Foundation grant.

If yours is one of the many businesses that April Scott helped open and grow, it should be no surprise to see her name as a Top Connector. April is a champion for local entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes. In 2022, she created the Womenprenur Empowerment Summit and recently held year two of the annual two-day event attended by women from as far away as Alabama. Also contributing to April’s selection as a Top Connector is her work in creating more opportunities for Hispanic entrepreneurs.

We are incredibly proud of and grateful for President Gene Smith and April Scott. You can read more about their accomplishments in the Winter 2023 issue of WilmingtonBiz Magazine, now hitting new stands and mailboxes. December 2023

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Our latest Small Business Center Spotlight is Chocolate and S’more! It has been a dream of owner, Sheila Hall since college at East Carolina University and first came to mind when she started pairing sweet and savory ingredients together to make a s’more.

While technically not a coffee business, coffee drinks are on the menu along with other gourmet sips including teas, Italian sodas, lemonades and the most popular frozen hot chocolates. The menu can pivot with hot or cold sips depending on the temperatures and since they stock over 40 sauces and syrups, sips can always be blended per the customer’s choice or a customer can try the weekly feature. Coffees are roasted in NC by 321 Coffee, a Raleigh based business that employees people with developmental disabilities.��Teas are blended in NC, frozen drinks are made with a proprietary blend that is manufactured here in NC, and a 3rd generation company out of NC produces our paper products. When someone supports Chocolate and S’more, they are also supporting four other NC businesses and that list continues to grow.

Gourmet s’mores are new to the menu, pairing sweet and savory ingredients together in a real sandwiched s’more.��Customers can expect that menu to change seasonally, depending on fruits that are in season.

To learn more, follow Chocolate and S’more on Instagram or Facebook @Chocolateandsmore.��Contact Sheila today to schedule an event at��chocolateandsmore@gmail.com��or (910) 444-8305.��You can also visit BCC’s main campus next Monday and Friday from 9 AM-1 PM. They are a huge hit among students and staff!

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Another Small Business Center success story! Thanks to the guidance and support she received from ���سԹ�’s Small Business Center, Jessica Pickett (pictured) will spend August 5, 2022, opening Swell-Home, a Hunter Douglas Gallery servicing residential and commercial clients. Her showroom will feature fresh concepts in window treatments and interior design, perfect for Coastal Carolina.

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The Small Business Center (SBC) at ���سԹ� (BCC) is instrumental in helping local area entrepreneurs realize their dream of owning a successful business. Tracy Green, owner of Hand Crafted Massage and Crafts in Southport is one of them and grateful for the assistance she received. “I was referred to April Scott at BCC by the Chamber of Commerce,” said Tracy. “She has been a life saver, helping me get my EIN number, register with the state, and continually directing me to the wealth of information that’s offered free of charge from the Small Business Center. I appreciate everything she and the center has done to help get my business up and growing.”

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