For more than 35 years Mountain BizWorks has helped local entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive. 

The non-profit Community Development Financial Institution has worked with a variety of businesses over the years, providing business loans and coaching to small businesses in Western North Carolina.

According to its website, Mountain Bizworks has a “particular focus on working with businesses unable to access financing from banks and other traditional sources, as well as low-income, rural, people of color, women, and immigrant entrepreneurs, and businesses that operate within the local food system.”

As we continue to look at new strategies and tips for the new year, it made sense to reach out to this established program for its thoughts.

Christine Laucher is a Strategic Partnership Manager at Mountain BizWorks. She has a passion for nurturing thriving rural communities and she supports locally-rooted economic development and investment in WNC. 

​We asked Laucher a couple of questions that could help business owners during 2026.

Question: What can a business owner focus on early in the year to prepare themselves for success down the road?

Laucher: Preparation and success really depends on the business. What stage is your business? Are you looking to start, grow, or scale? And what are you struggling with as an entrepreneur right now? There are so many great resources—including courses and coaching with Mountain BizWorks—to meet your needs. Going it alone without a road map creates unnecessary stress, and being a business owner is hard enough already! Give yourself the gift of clarity and support in 2026.

Question: Of those who fared well in the last year of challenges, what did those businesses have in common? 

Laucher: Businesses that proved resilient tended to have a clear understanding of their assets and liabilities, and they had strong financial management practices already in place. This is something I would recommend for the new year: If logging into QuickBooks feels like speaking a foreign language, sign up for a class or grab some time with your accountant in 2026. Fluency with your numbers makes a big impact on your success. 

Question: What can I do to get my business ready to scale up in 2026? 

Laucher: If you already have strong sales, but your systems and logistics are holding you back, it might be time to scale. Likewise, if you have data to demonstrate demand beyond the market you’re currently serving, scaling might be an option to explore. Tariffs and market uncertainty have many businesses in a holding pattern. However, if you understand what it takes to scale—and what it means for your business—you can determine your next steps with confidence. 

To learn more about Mountain BizWorks, check out their website: https://www.mountainbizworks.org/