ASHEVILLE— On May 16, 2024, the Western Women’s Business Center will host the WWBC 10th Anniversary Gala at The Venue in Asheville to bring together entrepreneurs, community partners, and more to celebrate a decade of the WWBC serving entrepreneurs in Western North Carolina. 

Since its inception in 2014, the WWBC has endeavored to uplift and support small business owners in a 22-county region in Western North Carolina, with a specific focus on women and minority entrepreneurs. 

A program of Carolina Small Business Development Fund and funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration, the WWBC meets the needs of small business owners in Western North Carolina through one-on-one business coaching, workshops, access to capital, and more. 

On May 16, the WWBC will convene small business owners, community partners, fellow small business advocates, and many more in Asheville for an evening of elegance, empowerment, and celebration of a decade of excellence of the WWBC. 

“We are so excited and honored to be celebrating a decade of WWBC service in Western North Carolina,” said WWBC Director Zurilma Anuel. “For 10 years the Western Women’s Business Center has served as a catalyst for the success of women entrepreneurs in Western North Carolina. We are so proud of all that we have accomplished, and we cannot wait to celebrate those accomplishments with the small businesses, partners, and ecosystem that has helped to make our work so impactful in our region.”

The formal 10th Anniversary Gala will be held at The Venue, a Woman-owned small business and event venue located in Downtown Asheville. The 10th Anniversary Gala will feature live music, a plated dinner and cocktail hour, as well as an awards presentation to honor some of the small business owners the WWBC has had the pleasure of working with. Additionally, the night will feature networking opportunities for attendees and an anniversary cake cutting. 

“For 10 years, the success of the Western Women’s Business Center has helped to drive economic development and growth not only in Western NC, but across the entire state,” said CSBDF President and CEO Kevin Dick. “By supporting the dreams and business pursuits of so many women across 22 of the state’s 100 counties, WWBC is making an impact that reaches throughout the state and other states within the Southeast US.”

The WWBC 10th Anniversary Gala will begin at 5:30 PM on May 16, with doors opening at 5:00 PM for networking and registration. More information on the event and tickets can be found at WWBCNC.org/10thAnniversaryGala.