Jill Sparks has worked with local entrepreneurs for 20 years as the Executive Director of the Small Business Center at AB Technical College. During that time, she estimates that “50  percent of the folks that come see us do not have a business yet, they're exploring entrepreneurship.”

There are a myriad of reasons why workers in Western North Carolina seek the help of these centers. Maybe they were just laid off or recently retired. Maybe they were freshly released from rehabilitation or from incarceration. Or they moved to the area and can’t find the right job. Some people just want a change.

Small business centers are a great place to start the process of becoming a small business owner.

“There are a multitude of reasons why people come and we love when they are starting out and exploring, because entrepreneurship is great for some people,” Sparks said, “and for some folks it might not be what they think it is. If we are able to provide some career guidance, as well, that is really helpful.”

Other local directors agree on the purpose of this coalition of small business centers. There are 58 community colleges in the state who operate within the Small Business Center Network and that assist with entrepreneurial outreach, including those at Blue Ridge Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, and more. There are also small business and technology development centers in the state, including centers at UNC Asheville and Western Carolina University.

“The primary focus of the Small Business Center Network is really an economic engine for business development in the state, small businesses specifically. Because all of our services are free to the community, we have pretty significant demand from the community around classes and counseling,” said Ben Smith, Director of the Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College. “When individuals are considering entrepreneurship, oftentimes they're getting involved in the continuing education or curriculum tracks of entrepreneurship, to learn more about business, to learn more about fundamentals, and potentially to get some kind of associates degree. If they're in a position where they're actually within a specific period of time wanting to start up a business, they've got a model they've considered and they want to actually move forward with that start, then we are a wonderful resource to them.” 

Whether it is in-person or online instruction or one-on-one business counseling, these centers are ready to help. Classes on how to create a brand, how to market a brand, how to understand small business taxes, using social media, best practices for Facebook and Instagram, cyber security, how to finance a business, how to unlock sales funnels, bookkeeping, and many more topics are available.

Another aspect of the Small Business Center Network is to refer entrepreneurs to others that can help, whether it be “a trusted partner to talk to about getting a loan to start your business or to grow your business, who is a trusted partner who can provide expert advice in accounting or in the legal area or human resources, or who are our partners that we have worked with and trust because every small business center has,” Sparks said. “The philosophy of helping an entrepreneur is a holistic approach. It's just not a one and done, and the community college is very well positioned for that, because we can talk to folks who are thinking about starting a business, and then when they start their business, we can still continue to provide guidance to them as they are on that journey.”  

According to Sparks, the Small Business Center at AB Tech helped start 17 businesses, create 38 jobs and retain 44 jobs during its 2024-25 fiscal year, which included Helene’s disruption of activities. “We provided counseling to 200 distinct clients and we had 74 seminars,” she said. 

The small business center at Blue Ridge Community College provided more than 150 free webinars and workshops on a variety of business topics, along with its one-on-one business counseling from business leaders and subject matter experts. It also worked with guest counselors who provided focused support to business owners in their area of need, including  CPAs, attorneys, marketing and branding experts, and financial planning strategists, among others.

Elena Gupta, Regional Center Director of the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) in Western North Carolina, has worked with numerous businesses over the years, both as a counselor and in her leadership role. She noted that there are 16 SBTDC centers across North Carolina, collectively serving every county in the state.

“Our organization, The NC Small Business and Technology Development Center is a business advisory resource for entrepreneurs. We provide in-depth management business counseling aimed at helping business owners make informed decisions and successfully grow their businesses,” she said. “The SBTDC’s professional staff are highly experienced and knowledgeable. Most of our staff have prior business ownership or executive experience and over 70 percent have graduate degrees. This diversity of talent positions the SBTDC to help businesses address a broad spectrum of issues, including planning, financial management, human resources, marketing, and operations. Additionally, the diverse backgrounds of our staff allow us to match our services to client needs and provide industry-specific advice and counseling. We work with many types of businesses across different industries and at various stages of the business life cycle,” Gupta explained. “Some clients are just beginning to explore the idea of starting a business. Others are small companies with a few employees, and we also work with mid-size established businesses that have grown beyond that.”

SBTDC counselors bring extensive experience and expertise, working closely with entrepreneurs to identify opportunities for growth. “Our team works hard to support business owners in many areas, from helping to write a business or marketing plan, to strengthen their operations, increase sales, and improve profitability,” she said.

Beyond general business advising, the NC SBTDC also offers specialized programs that support local businesses interested in areas such as government contracting, exporting and international trade, and technology commercialization. In addition, business counselors regularly assist clients with succession planning, helping them prepare for future leadership transitions.

Last year, the Asheville SBTDC center served over 570 clients across 14 WNC counties. 

Beyond the metrics, the SBTDC offers something more important - a steady partnership. For both aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs, the center is more than just a place for counseling; it is a reliable navigator through the often unpredictable journey of business ownership. 

From the first spark of an idea to expansion and long-term sustainability, North Carolina’s Small 

Business Center Network and Small Business and Technology Development Centers (NC SBTDC) continue to serve as accessible, trusted resources rooted in their communities. For many in Western North Carolina, that support can make the difference between a dream that stalls and a business that thrives.