Minority Enterprise Development Week
Staff Reports
Since 1982, the U.S. President has proclaimed a National MED Week observance to recognize the outstanding achievements of minority businesses and to honor those corporations and financial institutions that support minority business development. The national MED Week conference is held in Washington, DC each year and is the largest federally sponsored conference for minority entrepreneurs.
Western North Carolina has a long history of celebrating, educating, and supporting minority entrepreneurs through regional MED Week events. Previous events have included awards banquets, networking events and a variety of workshops on marketing, starting a business, financing, and doing business with the government.
Nominees for the 2010
MED Week Awards:
• Horace Adell, Jr – Clean Streak
• Norberto Chaves
– Pillar Tax & Accounting
• LaQuana Edwards
– Events Made Beautiful
• Linda Lambert – Bellas’
• Brenda Macauley – Aesthetic Gallery
• Juan Martinez – Cielito Lindo
• Patricia Oocumma
– NativeScapes Landscaping
• Accem Scott – Green Brothers Solar
• Angelica Zapata – Nissi Painting
About the Nominees
Clean Streak. Inc.
Owner Horace Adell, Jr., inspired by Director Brenda Mills of the
Minority Business Program, started Clean Streak in 2004 with a Buick and
a mop, bucket, and broom. The owner learned from the program about
available opportunities and legal aspects of operating a successful
business.
NativeScapes Landscaping
NativeScapes is a sole proprietorship, minority-owned company founded by
Patricia Oocumma. The company is TERO- and EBCI-certified, serving
clients in WNC and specializing in native plants, hardscapes (native
rock), softscapes, small-site preparation, irrigation, hydro-seeding and
hydro-mulching, fences, rockscapes, waterscape, sod/turf placement, and
pruning services.
Aesthetic Gallery
Owner Brenda Macauley’s Aesthetic Gallery features an eclectic array of
unique and diverse creations from around the world including oils,
embroidered fiber arts, stone sculptures, wire baskets (made from
colored telephone wire,) and jewelry. It represents local artists and
artisan combines in Africa, Australia, and Asia, creating an
“art-lover’s paradise.”
Cielito Lindo. Inc.
Owner Juan Martinez has served the Brevard area with authentic Mexican
food since August 28, 2000. Cielito Lindo has seen some challenges over
the years, including expanding to two restaurants and then shutting the
second one due to unforeseen circumstances.
Green Brothers Solar, Inc.
Green Brothers Solar, owned by Accem Scott, sells, installs, and teaches
about solar thermal hot-water systems. The company is being considered
for city and state projects, and hosts workshops and lectures to
increase business.
Bellas’
Bellas’ has been in business five years, and owner Linda Lambert feels
that “we are a success,” providing jobs for five people and such
services as massage, yoga, hair styling and color, manicures, pedicures,
and, most recently, eyelash application and waxing.
Events Made Beautiful, LLC
LaQuana Edwards’s Events Made Beautiful is a party- and event-equipment
rental company, offering such items as tables, chairs, wedding and
concession equipment for special events.
Nissi Painting, Inc.
Owner Angelica Zapata has established a family business that strives to
give the best service. “We want to make customers feel like friends, and
help them to enjoy their houses while employing people,” she says.
Pillar Tax and Accounting, LLC
Norberto and Pedro Chavez provide tax and accounting services, including
payroll, as well as business consultation, business formation,
financial analysis, and tax audit representation. Their goal is to
become a pillar in the community by providing excellent service,
seminars, and networking meetings.
Monday, September 13
Black Business Alliance Business Expo – Network with some of the area’s exceptional minority owned small businesses. From 6 to 8 p.m. at AB Tech Main Campus, Magnolia 103. No fee to attend. To reserve expo space for your business contact James Lee at (828) 232-4566.
Tuesday, September 14
Positioning: How to Differentiate Yourself from the Competition – Techniques to make your business stand out from the crowd. From 2 to 4 p.m. at AB Tech Enka Campus, Small Business Center Room 2046. No feed to attend. RSVP to Jill Sparks at (828) 254-1921 ext 5849.
Tour A-B Tech’s Small Business Incubator. From 4 to 5 p.m. at AB Tech Enka Campus, Small Business Center Room 2046. No fee to attend. RSVP to Jill Sparks, (828) 254-1921 ext. 5849.
Wednesday, September 15
Financing Options for Small Business – Learn what SBA, Self Help Credit Union, and Mountain BizWorks have to offer. From 10 to 11:30 a.m., Mountain BizWorks, 153 S. Lexington Ave. No fee to attend.
Free Credit Check & Open House – Get a free update on your credit history and learn about the services available from the Cherokee Business Development Center and the Sequoyah Fund. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cherokee Business Development Center, Ginger Lynn Welch Complex, Cherokee. No fee to attend, for more information call Kim Winchester at (828) 497-1666.
Thursday, September 16
Starting a [Better] Business – An informative training on incorporation, writing a business plan and financing options. From 2 to 4 p.m. at the Small Business & Technology Development Center, 68 Patton Avenue. No fee to attend. RSVP to Meghan Bunnel at (828) 251-6025.
Minority Enterprise Awards Reception & Report on WNC Entrepreneurship – The highlight of MED Week honoring the 2010 award winners. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Coleman Place at Asheville Chamber of Commerce.
Friday, September 17
Government Procurement Opportunities – Learn how to do business with the government. From 10 a.m. to12 noon at Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Avenue. RSVP to Carol Hensley at (828) 258-6116, $20 registration fee.
