Small Business Center at CFCC

08/25/2026

This week at 1MC!! 🚀
Today, we had the pleasure of hearing from CIE's Program Manager, Lydia Thomas, as well as Jerry Coleman with the CFCC Small Business Center and Jim Roberts with the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW)!

Our speakers gave us a behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship programming, sharing the ideas, methods, and strategies that go into creating impactful events, programs, and workshops for our entrepreneurial community.

☕️ Join us next week for 1 Million Cups at 9 AM!

08/25/2026

We’re excited to announce the launch of our first-ever pitch competition, the Startup Acceleration and Idea Launch (SAIL) Program here at Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center!

This 10-week program was created to support aspiring entrepreneurs in New Hanover and Pender counties who are in the early stages of developing a business idea. Our 15 participants will spend the next 10 weeks working through the fundamentals of business planning, refining their concepts, and developing the tools and knowledge needed to move their ideas toward launch.

Participants will use The Guided Small Business Planner™, authored by Cherith Hunter Roberson of Flourish In Growth, who is also leading the program’s weekly business planning sessions through her business planning lab series.

SAIL will conclude with a pitch competition, giving participants the opportunity to present their business concepts and compete for startup funding, with $4,000 being first place.

We are grateful to Bank OZK for sponsoring SAIL and helping us create a meaningful opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to access both business education and startup funding.

We look forward to supporting these 15 entrepreneurs throughout the program and celebrating their progress as they move from idea to action.

The journey from idea to launch starts here!

08/06/2026

When Anna Barrett found herself cutting cake at five celebrations in a single weekend, she never imagined the experience would spark an idea that would evolve into Cakebelle, a patent-pending product and growing North Carolina startup designed to transform the way people celebrate life’s sweetest moments.

Husband-and-wife team Anna Barrett and Kevin Roberts, founders of Cakebelle, have been selected as finalists to represent our Small Business Center at Cape Fear Community College in the inaugural NC SBCN Small Business Center Startup Showdown.

Barrett and Roberts will represent the Cape Fear region during the Startup Showdown Pitch Competition on August 8, with winners announced during the September awards ceremony. Stay tuned for their pitch video and help showcase entrepreneurship in the Cape Fear region by liking, commenting, and sharing!

Read their full story below!
https://pulse.ly/rsaprfe7u9

07/27/2026

As a small business owner, you wear many hats, but growth isn’t about doing more. It’s about building smarter systems and processes that save time, improve efficiency, and help your business thrive!

Join us for a FREE Lunch & Learn: Streamlining Your Small Business for Growth, hosted in partnership with the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce , and learn how to move beyond simply creating “how-to guides” and start building effective systems that support delegation and long-term success.

This workshop will be led by Crystal Cannata of Operate Simple , who will share strategies to help small business owners create organized, scalable systems that support growth.

📅 Thursday, August 13
⏰ 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
📍 Cape Fear Community College - Alston W Burke Center in Surf City

🔗 Register today! https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=80460102

06/02/2026

Are you looking to grow your food business? 🍽

Success in the food industry requires more than a great product, it requires strong systems, food safety knowledge, and regulatory compliance.

Join the Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center and NC State Extension for an engaging workshop designed to help food entrepreneurs strengthen their operations and build confidence in their food safety practices.

Learn how to:
✅ Develop effective food safety procedures
✅ Navigate labeling and allergen requirements
✅ Implement sanitation and process controls
✅ Verify suppliers and ingredient sourcing
✅ Create a product recall plan
✅ Access practical tools, templates, and resources

Plus, connect with local food professionals and get your questions answered by industry experts. This event is free to attend, so register today! https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=80460154

05/19/2026

Caroline (Cal) Cutler of GoCalFit turned her passion for fitness into a successful bungee fitness business with support from us here at the Small Business Center!

After years of high-impact workouts, Cal discovered bungee fitness, a low-impact, high-energy alternative that not only supported her physical needs but also sparked a bigger vision. What started as a personal interest quickly became a business idea.

Read her full story below!
https://cfcc.pulse.ly/098gh4kznn

05/12/2026

🌱 Have a business idea but don't know where to start?

The SAIL Program (Startup Acceleration & Idea Launch) gives aspiring entrepreneurs the structure, guidance, and confidence to take that first step. Over 10 weeks, you'll learn from expert instructor, Cherith Roberson, owner of Flourish In Growth, how to shape your idea, understand your market, build your brand, and plan your finances, ending with a real pitch competition for startup funding!

✨ Only 15 spots available
📍 Open to New Hanover & Pender County residents
💡 Free to apply and participate

🚀 Apply now: cfcc.edu/small-business-center/sail

Questions? Call 910.362.7216 or email [email protected]

05/07/2026

In celebration of National Small Business Week, we want to remind entrepreneurs and small business owners that you do not have to navigate your business journey alone!

Here at Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center, we offer free one-on-one business counseling designed to help you start, grow, and strengthen your business. Whether you need assistance with business planning, marketing, funding preparation, operations, or scaling your business, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Our goal is to provide guidance, resources, and encouragement to help turn your ideas into action and your goals into growth. Thank you to the incredible small business community that continues to innovate, inspire, and invest in Wilmington and beyond. We are honored to support your journey!

05/06/2026

We are thrilled to be part of the SBCN Startup Showdown, Powered by Wells Fargo 🎉 One of the finalists will be representing Cape Fear Community College! Congratulations to all of the entrepreneurs who will be competing.

The North Carolina Community College System has announced the entrepreneurs selected to advance as the inaugural statewide cohort for SBCN Startup Showdown, marking the first statewide entrepreneurship initiative of its kind launched through North Carolina’s 58 community college Small Business Cen...

05/04/2026

Happy National Small Business Week from the Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center!

This week, we celebrate the entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners who make our community stronger every day. Your dedication, creativity, and resilience are what drive local growth and success.

At the North Carolina Small Business Center Network (NC SBCN), we are proud to support you at every stage, whether you're starting a new venture, growing an existing business, or exploring new opportunities. Through free counseling, workshops, and resources, we’re here to help you succeed.

Join us in celebrating small businesses this week and beyond! If you're ready to take the next step, connect with us to learn more about how we can support your journey. www.ncsbc.net