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2021-2022 Entrepreneurial Grant Winners
ENTREPRENEURIAL GRANT WINNERS
2021-2022
The Entrepreneurial Grant Program provides funds to Existing Businesses for Expansion, and those who plan on Starting a Business in Wilkes County. Applicants are asked to submit a business plan that describes how the grant funds will be used to grow or start their business, as well as a video pitch of their request.
Since 2015, the program has infused $113,980 and assisted 48 entrepreneurs.
PROGRAM SPONSORS
Thank You Private Sponsors
Fall 2021 Entrepreneurial Grant Winners
Created by Coffee Designs, a retail and graphic design business in Wilkesboro, received $2,000 for the purchase of a new laptop to allow use of state of the art software. This business is owned by Danielle Addington, a graduate of Appalachian State University. Danielle offers design services to clients looking to market their businesses, as well as handmade retail items such as screen-printed shirts and custom tumblers. Visit her website, www.createdbycoffeedesigns.com, or email createdbycoffeedesigns@gmail.com for more information.
Crosswoods Lumber is a mobile sawmill business created by Michael Hodges of North Wilkesboro. Michael received $3,000 for the purchase of the steel he needed to finish building his sawmill. This mobilized service allows clients to have smaller amounts of lumber cut at their property instead of having to travel to a larger sawmill. Hodges expressed the need for this since larger operations usually require large amounts of wood before they will process it. He hopes that this business will allow clients to utilize trees that may have sentimental value while also saving money. Contact Michael by emailing him, crosswoodslumber@gmail.com, or via phone at (336) 902-5981.
ENTREPRENEURIAL GRANT WINNERS
2021-2022
Redding Homestead Vineyard, formerly Windy Gap Vineyard on Pardue Road in Ronda, was purchased by Mitchell Welborn and his wife Kelsey Redding Welborn. The 5-acre vineyard currently operates to supply grapes for wineries in the Yadkin Valley region. Currently, they have several varietals of grapes that are actively producing; however, they received $2,500 toward the purchase of 500 Chardonelle vines to replace the current 20-year-old Chambourcin ones that are under producing. The Welborns plan to expand the vineyard to also include bee colonies and possibly fruit trees in the future. Contact Redding Homestead by emailing mswelborn92@gmail.com.
Steps 2 Grow LLC, owned by Austen Lincoln, nurtures natural child development, and promotes developmental wellness through direct occupational therapy evaluation and intervention with children, consultation with parents, and online trainings. This in-home occupational therapy (OT) supports children at risk for delays or those with conditions impacting development. Austen’s mission is to help parents identify their child’s strengths and areas of challenge, help them navigate the “messy and magical” seasons of a child’s motor development. Steps 2 Grow received $1,500 for the purchase of new materials needed to help expand her current services. If you are interested in contacting Steps 2 Grow, visit steps2grow.com.
The Meat Sweats is a Veteran-Owned meat processing business started by Jason and Chantelle Sargood. The Meat Sweats will be processing wild game and domestic livestock but will also offer products for sale in their retail store located at 1016 West D Street in North Wilkesboro. Jason and Chantelle received $2,000 to purchase a cooler for their retail meat selection. Find them on Facebook to contact, or email tms.sargood@yahoo.com.
Top Knot Salon, located at 102 Wilkesboro Avenue in North Wilkesboro, is proudly owned by Erica Scearce. Erica has worked in the beauty industry for 13 years and was able to purchase the salon from its previous owner in the summer of 2021. Top Knot received $1,000 to purchase new styling chairs, which will add an opening for an additional stylist. Scearce plans to continue to expand the business by eventually hiring a massage therapist and esthetician so that all their current and future clients’ needs are met. Find Top Knot Salon on Facebook, call (336) 667-9550 to schedule an appointment, or email Erica for more information.
ENTREPRENEURIAL GRANT WINNERS
2021-2022
Vernon’s Cake Carousel has been providing delicious baked goods and custom cakes for clients since 2020. Vernon’s, located at 1260 College Avenue Suite 7 in Wilkesboro, has continued to expand over the past year. Owner Vernon Tilley received $2,000 to purchase a new cooler for his bakery that will increase storage space for orders and allow his employees to maximize their efforts. Stop in and taste a number of delectable treats, or email vernonscakecarousel@gmail.com for custom ordering information.
Spring 2022 Entrepreneurial Grant Winners
Journey Well Thai Yoga Massage, located at 807 Main Street, Suite A in North Wilkesboro, offers traditional Thai Yoga Massage, Prenatal and Therapeutic Deep Tissue Massage. Owner Anna Thompson began her Thai Yoga Massage practice after discovering a passion for culture and inclusion on her many travels. Thompson received a $1,500 grant to go toward the cost of Grief and Trauma training to further expand the therapeutic services she offers. Anna says that she also hopes to use the training to help educate her employees on trauma-informed care. To learn more about this business or to book a session at Journey Well, please visit www.wejourneywell.com.
Wilkes Wags & Wiggles is a new business started in Wilkes by Amanda Cowles. Wilkes Wags & Wiggles will offer boarding services, and personalized drop-in care in a safe environment for their clients’ furry friends. Amanda received $3,000 in grant funds to purchase point-of-sale CRM software program for booking, and storefront sign once her location is secured. Wilkes Wags & Wiggles plans to announce their location to the community soon. To receive updates, or learn more about their services, visit www.wilkeswagsandwiggles.com.
The Green Cleaners, owned by Katie Reynolds of North Wilkesboro, is a mobile cleaning service specializing in chemicalfree cleaning products that also remove allergens. Reynolds opened this business in 2019, which offers a variety of cleaning services for residential homes and vacation rental properties. The Green Cleaners received a total grant amount of $1,600. $800 will be used to purchase booking and point-of-sale software for their website, and $800 will be used to purchase an interactive training video for staff. Visit www.thegreencleaners.us to inquire about their services and the history of the business.
ENTREPRENEURIAL GRANT WINNERS
2021-2022
Stardust Cellars was previously awarded an Entrepreneurial Grant in 2019 which allowed them to manufacture and distribute their line of custom Meads. Since then, owner Nick Von Cosmos has secured contracts with retail stores statewide and continues to expand. This year’s application requested grant funds to help increase their available inventory in order to meet current customer demand and expand their retail presence. Stardust Cellars was awarded $1,000 for purchasing local honey, bottles and labels needed to give them the opportunity to expand. For more on their winemaking process, go to www.stardustcellars.com or visit their location at 1202 Curtis Bridge Road in Wilkesboro.
Swan Creek Acres, located at 850 Pinnix Road in Jonesville, is a diversified vegetable farm located in eastern Wilkes County. Owner Kris Schultz shared that the farm’s format is largely based on growing under High Tunnel structures to better control the growing environment and extend the harvesting season to allow for wholesale orders. Currently, they sell their produce at local Farmers Markets and supply to local restaurants. Swan Creek Acres received $1,500 to purchase an IOT irrigation system, which will allow them to increase production and begin fulfilling wholesale orders. To contact Kris, send an email to KSchultz055@gmail.com.
New Journey Farm located at 1702 South Lomax Road in Ronda, NC, is a for profit rescue farm that rehabilitates equines who have been neglected, sold for slaughter, or injured, and re-homes them safely. Owner Jessica Bell says that most of the donkeys and horses rescued are retired from racing or were used on farms to plow or provide transportation. Once they are re-homed, these animals usually become full-use horses or emotional support animals. New Journey Farm was awarded $1,500 for needed updates to their barn and establish a system that brings water to each of the stalls. Their goal is to continue to meet the need for equine rescues in Wilkes County, heal and rehab the animals, and connect them with loving forever homes. For information on New Arrivals, becoming a Sponsor, or adopting and animal- visit www.newjourneyfarmandequinerescue.com.
