NCGrowth is launching a free, seven‑month cohort program designed to help businesses in Western North Carolina recover, rebuild, and scale to meet post‑disaster demand. This program provides participants with practical tools, expert guidance, and meaningful connections to support long‑term growth.
NCGrowth’s 2025 Annual Report captures 13 years of bold, place-based work to build an economy where opportunity is not limited by geography, race, or income. From advancing inclusive procurement and rethinking economic distress metrics to supporting small businesses, Tribal nations, and rural communities across 25 states, the report highlights how actionable research, hands-on technical assistance, and cross-sector partnerships translate into real impact—new jobs, stronger local economies, and shared prosperity. Explore the stories, data, and outcomes that show what’s possible when economic development is rooted in equity and driven by community.
In the rural communities of eastern North Carolina, access to reliable transportation can be the difference between receiving essential care and going without. All Hearts Transportation Services LLC, founded by the dedicated and mission-driven Shielda Forrest, is working to close that gap. Based in Williamston, All Hearts provides safe, dependable transportation for elderly adults, people with disabilities, and children who require accessible transit options—particularly in counties where transportation resources are scarce.
RES is recognized as the premier conference for Native American business and economic development. The summit also provided a unique opportunity for NCGrowth to come together with The National Center to strengthen partnerships and continue building momentum around our joint tribal tourism initiatives. Through the cooperative agreement announced in July 2024 between NCGrowth, The National Center, and the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), the Native Edge Tourism Technical Assistance Center (NETTAC) was launched to enhance tourism opportunities in Native communities. Attending RES allowed us to connect in person, share insights, and discuss the next steps for advancing tribal tourism efforts across the nation.
On February 25, 2025, NCGrowth and the Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise hosted "Thriving in the Carolinas: Supporting Small Businesses and Communities" at the UNC Kenan Center. This drop-in style event attracted over 100 attendees, including entrepreneurs, community leaders, and students, all dedicated to fostering inclusive economic growth in the Carolinas.
NCAIED’s annual conference, the Reservation Economic Summit (RES), is the preeminent event to attend for high-caliber networking, winning teaming opportunities, business development sessions, and one-on-one consulting for American Indian enterprise.
Located in Walterboro, SC, the LaTrice D. Ferguson School of Nursing Assistants (LDF CNA) has been training nursing assistants since 2016. Currently, the company's marketing is through simple social media posting and word-of-mouth; however, this is a barrier to future growth. LDF CNA engaged NCGrowth to help them develop a formal marketing campaign to reach more potential students with an interest in healthcare careers. The detailed marketing plan included market segmentation and a competitive analysis of the career opportunity.
In late November, attendees from across the eastern region of North Carolina joined the NCGrowth team in Bertie County. Attendees learned about our projects supporting businesses, communities, and local and Tribal governments including Pamlico County, Enc96radio, the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, Town of Garysburg, and Slice 325. After lunch, the team and guests toured Indulge Aesthetics, the Cashie Treehouse Village, and the site of a developing park in Bertie County currently known “Tall Glass of Water”.
Elaka Treats is an Indian and Middle Eastern Flavor Inspired Cardamom Infused Ice Cream. The company is owned by Shafna Shamsuddin who founded the company in 2019 in Greensboro, NC. Elaka Treats has been struggling with high manufacturing and fixed costs, such as rent and equipment. The goal and scope of the project was to revamp sales and marketing and explore other avenues to boost sales. Another pillar of the project was to help Shafna optimize her business operations given her limited storage capacity. NCGrowth analyst and UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA candidate, Yvan Koudinov, prepared a financial and operational analysis on Elaka’s sales and sale channels. Based on these insights, a strategic roadmap was developed which included hiring a new employee. Other deliverables included a sales funnel plan, actionable recommendations, industry data analytics, and a forward-looking content strategy.
Hotshots, a sauce distribution company with a selection of barbeque and hot sauces, rubs, and snacks is owned and operated by Matt and Lauren Heald. The company was established in the late 1990s by Lauren’s uncle and was later bought by the couple in 2008. Since then, they’ve acquired hot sauce brands, expanded aggressively and focused on two sale channels: wholesale and direct to consumer (DTC) sales. Hotshots Inc. revenue has been declining for a few years now, with the biggest hit coming from the discontinuation of a major restaurant chain customer during Covid-19. The goal and scope of the project with NCGrowth was to revamp sales and marketing and explore other avenues to boost sales.
Big Boys Kitchen (BBK) Catering is a catering company operated and located in the territory of Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The co-owner and CEO of the company, Patrick Dial, has extensive experience catering local events, church events, weddings, school events, and other private functions. The menu offering includes a variety of BBQ options with a local NC flavor. Pat asked NCGrowth to support their efforts to expand their offerings and establish an online presence. NCGrowth provided a competitive analysis and audit of BBK’s online marketing presence.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Marlie Q’s Caribbean Queen Food Truck focuses on providing their famous jerk chicken, oxtails and stir cabbage and other popular dishes on their food truck to clients.
ENC96RADIO, Greenville's emerging community radio platform, stands at a crucial juncture. While its grassroots appeal and community-centric vision hold immense potential, the internet radio station grapples with two significant challenges. Firstly, its self-funded model poses constraints on growth initiatives, content quality, and technological advancements, making sustainability an uphill battle. Secondly, differentiation in an industry crowded with giants like Sirius XM Radio Inc. and iHeartMedia, Inc., as well as other local competitors, is imperative. The station's task is not merely to exist as a community radio, but to craft a unique value proposition that resonates deeply with Greenville's residents, ensuring loyalty and regular engagement, all while transitioning from a self-financed passion project to a financially sustainable community cornerstone.
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Winston-Salem, Bella Sol Medical Spa focuses on fostering self-care by delivering top-notch, customized, medical-grade services tailored to enhance the well-being and vitality of its clientele. In an effort to attract investments and boost revenue, Bella Sol Medical Spa requested support from NCGrowth on a comprehensive business plan. This plan identifies Bella Sol's strengths and competitive advantages, and provides an overview of the market landscape, including an analysis of top competitors. UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA candidate Yiwen Lin, an NCGrowth analyst, collaborated with Bella Sol owner Jalissa Grier on this project, with additional input from a professional wealth analyst who acted as an external reviewer.
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) has pioneered the Native Edge Institute, one-day, in-person events that provide both established and aspiring business owners with critical business training. Through an collaborative partnership between NCGrowth and NCAIED, we have been able to expand these events to new locations across the U.S. This video highlights a recent Native Edge Institute hosted in Norfolk, VA which connected participants to resources available in their region, along with one-on-one business counseling, coaching, and matchmaking services.
In early June, NCGrowth was in southwestern NC for a Showcase and staff retreat. Our Showcase events are meant to highlight the interesting things happening in the communities that we work in, bring our partners together around delicious food, and share the work that we do with clients around the country.
NCGrowth team members Christina Theodorou and Alyse Polly helped organize the Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Procurement Week held March 27-30. The festivities began with Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin delivering a proclamation and ended with the Purchaser Market Place, well attended by procurement professionals and business owners.