Editors’ Notes

4424 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303 910-240-9697 bizfayetteville.com

PUBLISHER Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com

EDITOR Jenna Shackelford jennas@bizfayetteville.com

Passing of the torch

ASSISTANT EDITOR Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH COORDINATOR/REPORTER Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charity Brandsma Kate Griffin Diana Hansen Kathie Harris Suet Lee-Growney Savanah Ramsey Eddie Velazquez

CONTRIBUTING WRITER MARKETING CONTENT Stacie Borrello

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Samantha Lowe samanthal@bizfayetteville.com

ACCOUNTING Priscilla Nelson billing@bizfayetteville

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Your free trial of Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is ending soon. To subscribe, call 910-240-9697 or visit bizfayetteville.com/ subscribe. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month or $95 per year.

REPRINT For article reprints, plaques and more contact Jenna Shackelford at 910-240-9697.

ADVERTISING For advertising information, please email us at marketing@bizfayetteville.com or call 910-240-9697.

© Copyright 2022 Greater Fayetteville Business Journal JENNA SHACKELFORD, Editor 910-240-9697, Ext 102 jennas@bizfayetteville.com

On October 19, 2020, I walked into Marty Cayton’s office for the first time. After ongoing discussions about his vision for a business journal in the area, I had just signed a contract for a 1099 position. Marty hired me in hopes that I could help get a journal off the ground, but for a while, I would say more generically that I worked for Enhanced Media Management.

After discussing the logistics in broad generalities for the coming months, Marty explained that, for the sake of building our email and mailing list, and thinking ahead to the possibility of the 2022 Book On Business, that I should assemble some Excel sheets with contacts I could find online across different industries.

I was dog-sitting at the time, and I remember calling my dad, Australian Shepherd head in my lap and tears on my face at 8:30 p.m. because I had been struggling with the same ten contacts on a spreadsheet for two hours. Want a formatted press release? No problem. But J School did not equip me with a knowledge of formulas, functions and frozen panes. I can look back and laugh now, but at the time, this “first” for me was scary and challenging.

My time at Greater Fayetteville Business Journal has presented me with a lot of “first” opportunities. I got the chance to know industry stakeholders and hear their stories, vision for the economic future of the region, and ideas for a new business publication; assembled the first-ever media kit for the journal; assisted in the hiring of several employees and independent contractors; surveyed (and sometimes even successfully) businesses for our Book On Business; laid on an acupressure mat in the middle of the office after staring at a ranked list for too long; compiled the book; assisted in the launch of a daily business email; developed a short-lived habit of starting the day with a milkshake from Sonic; launched an Achievers & Accolades email; marketed numerous sold-out Power Breakfasts, our signature networking event; and more.

Some of my GFBJ firsts were exciting and fun; others were hard and tedious. But after working here for two years, I am thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to see the publication through to where it is now in each stage of my job – starting as an independent contractor, being hired as the Communications & Outreach Coordinator, being promoted to associate editor, and then being promoted again to editor.

Now, I am nearing the end of my time at Greater Fayetteville Business Journal as I search for ways to serve others outside of a newsroom setting. My last day with the Journal is Aug. 31. In preparation for leaving my post, we have hired two candidates who value delivering quality and relevant news to the hands of business people: Assistant Editor Faith Hatton and Contributing Writer/ Reporter Stephanie Meador. I am thrilled to see their great ideas and hard work in action!

Thank you for your ongoing support, great ideas, and readership during my tenure here. It has been wonderful to serve you all. Please continue to send your newsworthy stories and press releases to editor@ bizfayetteville.com.

Onward and upward! Jenna Shackelford As soon as COVID-19 hit in March of 2020 I knew I was in for a ride. As a multimedia Journalist in Minot, North Dakota; fresh out of school, over 1,000 miles from home with a lot to prove and an n95 mask strapped to my face, I was able to make my mark in a community, make some amazing friends, and hug a horse over the course of two very challenging, fun and adventurous years. And then it ended, I came back home to Fayetteville, and I slept for 72 hours.

Now, I am reentering the world of news after a very long overdue physical and mental break and I couldn’t be happier to be joining the team at the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.

After getting to know Marty, Jenna, Stephanie and the purpose and long term goals of the GFBJ, I am looking forward to using my hard earned skills in journalism for the betterment of the business community.

Shockingly enough, you leave an area for two years, come back and find they’ve changed everything!

There is so much to explore throughout this area, and I’m excited to share the stories, developments, accomplishments and more of local people working to make Fayetteville a more interesting, developed and exciting place to live with their businesses.

After being in broadcast news covering stories on crime, death, disease, fires, droughts and a few more of the plagues of Egypt, I’m ready to work on a more positive and uplifting message. I’m so blessed to have found a team that is working to build up, not tear down. As we enter into a staffing shift, losing Jenna (one of the most amazing people I have met to date), I hope I can help maintain the fantastic standard set by the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. I’m looking forward to getting back out into the community and working with anyone willing to let me tell their stories!

Let's keep moving forward, Fayetteville!

Faith HattonFAITH HATTON, Assistant Editor 910-240-9697, Ext 104 faithh@bizfayetteville.com

Downtown Fayetteville retail space available

DOWNTOWN BUILDING SPANNING 26,400 SQUARE FEET IS NOW AVAILABLE TO LEASE

A26,400 square foot retail flex building located at 328 Person St. in Downtown Fayetteville is now available to lease.

The landlord is open to leasing the warehouse by itself or splitting the retail space for two tenants. The Tenant Improvement is negotiable depending on the terms of the lease.

The space was previously home to Kimbrell’s Furniture. With a lot of showroom space and full ceiling-tofloor glass walls on the front, the lot also features a large parking lot.

West Egg Real Estate bought the property in late June. The company’s president Daniel Vetushko shared that the lot has the potential to accommodate a car dealership, a home goods store, a mattress store, a department store, or any other retailer who could benefit from the open layout.

The property resides in the area of downtown currently being targeted by the Fayetteville Downtown Revitalization Projects which aim to bring new life to the community in the form of new businesses and resources.

Businesses interested in occupying the property can reach out on LoopNet: www. loopnet.com/Listing/328-Person-St-Fayetteville-NC/25244668.

PHOTO FROM LOOPNET Former Kimbrell’s building is now available for next business.

>> By Staff Report

bizfayetteville.com

Children’s Business fair explores possibilities

LOCAL EVENT THE CHILDREN’S ENTREPRENEURS EXPO ENCOURAGES THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUSINESS OWNERS.

The Children's Entrepreneurs Expo is coming to Raeford, North Carolina to encourage the next generation of business owners.

Hosted by Katrelia Johnson and co-hosted by Terraine François, the upcoming children's expo is an event where children can showcase their businesses and explore entrepreneurship skills. The business fair is scheduled for Sept. 17 from 12-5 p.m. at the East Hoke Middle School gym.

The idea for an organized children’s business fair came about from one couple’s desire to ignite a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children. With some help from their community, Jeff and Laura Sandefer created the first Acton Children’s Business fair in Austin, Texas in 2007, according to the event website. The event proved to be such a success that the Sandefers were certain they must share it with other communities.

At this unique one-day marketplace, children develop a brand, create a product or service to sell, come up with a marketing strategy, and then open for business. Whether they’re selling jewelry, sweet treats, or entertaining customers with card tricks, children are encouraged to embrace innovative thinking and trust in their individual talents and ambitions. Youth vendors are needed, and a $15 fee is required to register as a vendor.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ACTION CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR The first Action Children’s Business fair launched in Austin Texas in 2007 and has gone on to launch local events across the country and world wide.

Entry is free to the public, and attendees can expect 25 booths, awards, music, and an afternoon of fun.