Small Business Center at CFCC

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

04/30/2026

The SAIL (Startup Acceleration & Idea Launch) Program at CFCC Small Business Center is a free 10-week experience designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn ideas into real businesses. Participants learn key skills in business planning, marketing, and finance, and even have the chance to pitch for startup support!

Meet the Instructor!🌟Cherith Roberson is an experienced entrepreneur, educator, and author of The Guided Small Business Planner™. She previously served as the Director of the Small Business Center at Wake Tech Community College, where she supported and guided countless entrepreneurs on their business journeys. She is now the owner of Flourish In Growth, where she continues to empower small business owners to build, launch, and scale with confidence.

Ready to launch your business? SAIL is your starting point! ✨ Learn more at www.cfcc.edu/small-business-center/sail

04/29/2026

Thinking about starting a nonprofit?

Our 5-part Creating a Non-Profit Series will walk you through everything you need to launch and grow your organization, from the basics to fundraising and long-term strategy.

📅 May 13 – June 10
⏰ Wednesdays | 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
💻 Online

Register for each session and start building your impact today! https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=80460042

04/28/2026

Calling all middle and high school students (grades 7–11)! Join us for our Future CEO Workshop (Part 2) and step into the world of entrepreneurship, where creativity, innovation, and fun come together.

Students will:
🎯 Play “Guess the Brand” & “Budget Bingo”
💰 Learn how to price and sell products
📊 Build a basic business budget
🎤 Practice pitching their own business ideas

By the end, students will walk away with confidence, real-world skills, and their very own business concept.

Learn more and register for free:
🔗 https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=80460090

04/23/2026

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

The SAIL (Startup Acceleration & Idea Launch) Program is designed just for you. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur with an idea, passion, or curiosity about starting a business, but feel overwhelmed or unsure of the next step, this program gives you the structure and guidance to begin.

Over 10 weeks, you’ll learn from Cherith Roberson, owner of Flourish In Growth, how to:
✨ Shape your idea into a real business concept
✨ Understand your customers and market
✨ Build a strong foundation for your brand
✨ Learn the basics of business finances and planning
✨ Gain confidence to move from idea → action

Only 15 participants will be accepted into the program, making this a highly focused, hands-on experience with personalized support. The program culminates in a pitch competition, where participants compete for startup funding to help bring their ideas to life.

📍 Open to aspiring entrepreneurs in New Hanover & Pender County
💡 Free to apply and participate
🚀 Apply and learn more: https://cfcc.edu/small-business-center/sail

Questions? Contact us at 910.362.7216 or at [email protected]