PDF: Charlotte's Spirited Entrepreneurs

Charlotte’s Spirited
Entrepreneurs

CharlotteChamber.com Charlotte’s Spirited Entrepreneurs 1

We thank the following companies for their support of the
Charlotte Chamber’s economic development efforts.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

Ad Art Company, The Compass Group North America Mindshare
ADT Security Services First Citizens Bank NELSON
Artistic Images, Inc. G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc. Otis Elevator Company
BELFOR Hendrick Automotive Group Performance Team
C.E. Holt Refrigeration Inc. Insight Global, Inc. A Staffing Services Co. Phillips — Van Heusen Corp.
Call One, Inc. Jones Lang LaSalle Smart Apparel, US
Carolina Handling, LLC K&L Gates SOI
Cato Corporation, The Lincoln Harris VF Corporation
Columbia Sportswear/Bryenton Louis Raphael - Kizan International, Inc. Weyco Group
Enterprises, Inc. Miller Group, The

Charlotte Chamber Economic Development www.CharlotteChamber.com
330 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28232 U.S.A. | 704.378.1300 | twitter.com/cltecondev

Charlotte:
Where
Entrepreneurs
Take Root
The entrepreneurs of Charlotte speak many business languages — Web, food,
transportation, medicine, finance, to name a few. Their dialogue supports an open
and energetic startup atmosphere in a community also known for some of America’s
largest companies.

No matter what your startup does, Charlotte is a smart place to locate. Here are a few
reasons why.

Charlotte-based leadership expert Sherri Baldwin has worked with the largest
and smallest companies in the nation, but she keeps a special place in her heart for
entrepreneurs. She says that for them, “It’s about pursuing their passions and applying
three defining traits of leadership. They are committed, have deep conviction and
courageous.”


Baldwin’s company, LeadAdvantage, builds in mortgages. However, New American Steve DeCarlo, was a 2009 Ernst & Young
executive success through one-on-one work, Mortgage is thriving, in part because it Entrepreneur of the Year winner in the
leaving a track record of personal growth and reinvented the real estate agent and lender financial services category.
leadership. She adds, “Charlotte is a unique relationship, even co-locating in some agent
venue for leaders to grow. The city has a offices. New American Mortgage was started Entrepreneurs know that funding is the
business confidence and camaraderie. People by former Carolina Panthers wide receiver grease for the wheels of business. Charlotte
here know when to collaborate and when to Casey Crawford and mortgage veteran Toby business DealCloud brings efficiency to the
compete. That kind of on-the-job collegiality Harris. capital raising and M&A process. The concept
and respect isn’t taught in a classroom was incubated at a private equity firm that
or dictated by a few people. It is built by New American Mortgage swam against needed a higher grade of industry-specific
everyday performance. That kind of business the financial current. The Charlotte Business knowledge for its work. “The growing number
environment builds enduring success.” Journal named the company among the of firms and professionals participating
fastest of its Fast 50, saying in December in the M&A industry has created demand
Each year, the Charlotte Business Journal 2011, “After increasing its revenue nearly for efficient workflow and organization in
recognizes the Fast 50 — the 50 fastest 300 percent between 2008 and 2009, the sourcing, executing and consummating
growing companies headquartered in company followed that with 223 percent deals,” says Ben Harrison, a founder of
the Charlotte area in terms of revenue. growth the following year. The number of DealCloud. “We provide a secure and
These companies help lead Charlotte’s employees, meanwhile, has jumped from interactive platform to execute transactions
entrepreneurial engine. Here are a few recent six in January 2008 to nearly 400 today, with and manage relationships.”
high achievers.

Higher education inspired a successful startup.
Campus Crest Communities, Inc. decided “Charlotte is a unique venue for leaders to grow. The city has
that the old model of student housing could a business confidence and camaraderie. People here know
be reinvented. Now students across the
United States are linked to a fast-growing when to collaborate and when to compete. That kind of
Charlotte business: a vertically-integrated
platform for first-class student housing
business environment builds enduring success.”
properties. According to the company, a — Sherri Baldwin, LeadAdvantage
student-housing surge began in the 1950s
when the baby boomers started college. High
rises with shared facilities were thus quickly
built to meet demand. offices in 10 states. The growth is the result For investment bankers and advisors,
of expanding into new territory and gaining DealCloud is a secure, web-based tool to
Those facilities have aged, and today’s share in existing markets. … It’s on track to manage deal marketing, diligence activity
students have different demands, close $1 billion in loans this year.” and sponsor coverage. Says Harrison, “Our
necessitating better student housing. networking features and proprietary database
Entrepreneurs Mike Hartnett and AmWINS Group, Inc. is another finance- help investment bankers and advisors target
Ted Rollins founded Campus Crest oriented success. The company has relevant buyers and investors. As a financial
Communities with a vision to develop become the largest wholesale insurance sponsor or strategic buyer, the right deals can
the best “fully loaded” student housing broker in the U.S. based on premiums find you.”
properties in the industry. Their company’s placed according to Business Insurance
integrated model handles the demand (October 2011). The firm has expertise The easiest way to describe DealCloud
from site selection to construction to across a diversified mix of property, is to compare it to other more generic
management of the property. Today, there casualty and group benefits products and technology platforms. Harrison drew the
are 33 operating properties and six under also support services including product analogy, “DealCloud is salesforce.com meets
development for delivery in fall 2012. development, underwriting, premium LinkedIn and a virtual Data Room specifically
and claims administration and actuarial for the M&A industry. The M&A process
Perhaps among the most challenging services. Formed in 1998, AmWINS now has is cumbersome, and our customers are
industries to create innovation after the 2008 82 locations across 19 countries including excited about the efficiency and ROI they are
financial meltdown is finance, specifically 50 locations in the U.S. AmWINS’ CEO, experiencing with DealCloud.” DealCloud is

4 Charlotte’s Spirited Entrepreneurs CharlotteChamber.com

DealCloud’s offices are
in Packard Place.


David Jones, president & CEO
of Peak 10. Jones co-founded
Peak 10 in March of 2000.


only one way that Charlotte entrepreneurs A third of Peak 10’s 350 people are in
have leveraged technology for successful Charlotte. Peak 10 has 23 data centers in 10
startups. markets in the U.S. The Charlotte Business
Journal reports that in 2010, Peak 10 “was
Skookum Digital Works is in the heart sold to a private-equity fund in a deal valued
of Charlotte’s uptown and at the heart of at more than $400 million, giving Peak 10
web-tech. Skookum formulates, builds and the highest valuation of all data center
packages mobile apps, webapps, custom companies in the U.S.”
software and data visualizations as business
products and services for its customers to own Charlotte tech startup YAP Inc. was sold
and resell. “All Web developers like the first to Amazon in 2011. Started by brothers
80 percent of this business. We actually like Victor and Igor Jablokov, YAP developed
the last 20 percent, too. We want to launch an advanced, cloud-based mobile speech
your product. We want to hand over our hard recognition platform. The company was a
work and see it live. We want your business to finalist in Silicon Valley’s elite TechCrunch

“In addition to a strong, skilled technology base, there is a ripe
investor community and a contagious local entrepreneurial
spirit. We’re also fortunate to have great weather and a lower
cost of living compared to other technology hubs.”
— Josh Oakhurst, creative director at Skookum.

generate its first revenues. We want your boss event and was awarded North Carolina’s
to give you a promotion,” says Bryan Delaney, Early Stage Company of the Year. Igor is
vice president and co-founder. also a founding member of the Speech
Technology Consortium, which is dedicated
Why did Skookum locate in uptown? “In to growing the market and increasing
addition to a strong, skilled technology base, innovation in speech recognition technology
there is a ripe investor community and a and applications. With well over a dozen
contagious local entrepreneurial spirit. We’re patents pending, he was named an industry
also fortunate to have great weather and luminary by the editors of Speech Technology
a lower cost of living compared to other magazine.
technology hubs,” says Josh Oakhurst,
creative director at Skookum. Tech takes on a different dimension in this
healthcare company — Prodigy Diabetes
Peak 10 Inc. is another tech success Care. The World Health Organization
story. Peak 10 aims at mid-sized firms that states that one in 10 adults worldwide
need to store data securely off-site, using has diabetes, costing billions of dollars to
managed services and cloud providers with treat and creating risks of heart disease,
data centers. David Jones, president and kidney failure and blindness. In response to
CEO, recently announced an expansion in this, Richard Admani and brother, Ramzi
Charlotte. A new 62,000 square foot facility Abulhaj, founded the company, which
in the University Research Park area, north has become one of the fastest-growing
of uptown, takes Peak 10’s footprint to more companies in the Charlotte area. Says
than 129,000 square feet. The company has its Admani, “My brother and I have watched
headquarters facility in south Charlotte. members of our family suffer the effects of


diabetes and related complications. Ramzi electronic merchandise on display at top Lindon Hayes, CEO, says that Charlotte has
has had Type 2 diabetes for years, and our global retailers. InVue’s objective is to a “secret sauce” for entrepreneurs: “What
grandfather was diagnosed with diabetic increase the profitability of its customers by you will find in Charlotte are people with
retinopathy. This led to our commitment helping increase their sales while decreasing ethics, intelligence, loyalty, and a work
to create innovative, high-quality diabetes the theft of their merchandise. InVue does ethic. Moreover, you can afford to hire
products to improve the health care of all business in over 60 countries and has the them. What else do you need to build a
people living with diabetes, especially those industry’s largest sales and service network. business?”
with low-vision and blindness.” The Prodigy® InVue was founded in 1972 as Alpha
product line offers talking meters, which are Enterprises Inc. in Canton, Ohio. The RED F, a full-service advertising agency based
especially beneficial to low-vision or blind company relocated to Charlotte in 2002. In in Charlotte, has a reputation for helping its
diabetic patients. The Prodigy Voice® is the 2007, InVue Security Products was formed clients “Join Life.” National company clients
only meter of its kind to earn awards from by Jim Sankey after the divesture of the including UnitedHealthcare, Time Warner Cable,
both the National Federation of the Blind Alpha product line to Checkpoint Systems. TIAA-CREF, Norton and Fifth Third Bank have
and the American Foundation for the Blind. gained from RED F’s expertise in both general
Utilipath designs and builds networks market and multicultural strategies and creative
Business runs on information flow, but the for many of the largest companies in executions. CEO Sara Garces says, “Diversity is
right information has to be monitored.
Finding the information needle in the
haystack can be a challenge. Qualitech “What you will find in Charlotte are people with ethics,
Solutions, Inc., a software company,
helps capture strategic information and
intelligence, loyalty, and a work ethic. Moreover, you can
extract critical tasks to a single portal for afford to hire them. What else do you need to build a
a variety of world-wide industries such as
nuclear, energy, health care, government, business?”
manufacturing, professional services, — Lindon Hayes, Utilipath CEO
transportation, technology and banking.
With an early emphasis on providing
mission-critical software to the highly
regulated energy industry, Qualitech built the world. The company is providing not a trend — it’s today’s reality. Messages need
itself on a foundation of exacting quality intelligent building systems, enterprise to speak many languages and connect with
and safety standards. That lays the base for networks, wireless, carrier services, network people on a personal, culturally-relevant level.
business process improvement success in outsourcing, data center, and outside plant We continue to get the most out of traditional
other industries. services to projects in 45 U.S. states and marketing channels, but we’re also seeking out
in Canada. The company counts 5 of the new ways to help our clients and their brands
Stealth Components built success on 5 largest telcos, 4 of the 4 largest CATV join consumers’ lives.” As a result, MWBE-certified
getting key parts — sometimes hard to find providers, and 3 of the 5 largest global RED F continues to grow and has been named
parts — in the hands of its customers. It is systems integrators in its customer base. to the Inc. 500|5000 list of the fastest growing
an around the clock global supply chain companies four times.
partner for technology-driven companies. Founded in 2003 with minimal financial
Its 85.5 percent order fill rate proves Stealth’s capital and a massive customer service Multi-cultural and multi-lingual issues are
capabilities to source and deliver hard to attitude, Utilipath recently differentiated critical. Through its global network providing
find parts —that is 35 points better than itself from the other 27 million private communication solutions in 176 languages,
the industry average. “Whether it is one companies registered in the U.S. with 112 Choice Translating makes the world a smaller,
part or thousands, long-lead-time or simply percent sales growth over three years, which more connected place through customized
hard to find electronic parts, we are here happened to be some of the toughest brand analysis, translating and interpreting
to augment the current process to help years in the U.S. since the Great Depression. services. It is a full-service linguistic agency
customers stay on track,” says Bernie L. AT&T was the first customer to take a headquartered in Charlotte. “We maximize
Smith, CEO. chance on the company and signed a $1 global corporate opportunities as we reduce
million contract within weeks of Utilipath’s risk due to miscommunication. Our slogan is,
InVue Security Products Inc. provides founding. Since then, Utilipath has set a ‘Because meaning turns on a word™’ and it’s
security solutions to protect hand-held standard for results. true,” says founder and CEO, Michelle Menard.


William Henry Belk opened the
first Belk store in 1888. Belk is now
comprised of more than 300 stores.


When Choice Translating opened in 1995, knowledge to help others. According to Dan, a company fueled in part by the motorsports
the only languages offered were French there is an entrepreneurial strength when industry here in Charlotte. A look at the
and English. Now, Choice leverages a team large and small firms are side-by-side. “I think company name provides some clues about its
of multilingual project managers, a cloud that helps to understand that it’s fantastic to mission: “Camber” is an engineering term used
platform and virtual team of linguists in more have Bank of America in Charlotte, to have to describe the tilt of a tire, and “Ridge” packs a
than 80 countries. “The variety of industries Duke Energy, SPX, Nucor and Chiquita here. double meaning, conjuring not only the image
and 950-plus foreign-owned firms operating Those smart companies provide credence to of a tire on its edge but of a distinct divide in
here means that Charlotte has diversified the city for business. However, a vast majority landscape such as a mountain ridge or a new
well past finance. I personally found a strong of jobs come from companies of less than 500 way of thinking.
entrepreneurial support system that has made people. Packard Place provides the interface for
a huge impact in the success of our business,” businesspeople to bring all their skills together Camber Ridge CEO Jim Cuttino has a tight
says Menard. for success.” relationship with the racing industry; he has
designed the most advanced and accurate
One reason Charlotte has entrepreneurs The phrase, “Where the rubber meets the road,” tire testing facility in the world. But why
across varied industries is its longtime culture takes on new meaning at Camber Ridge LLC, would someone want to test tires? Though
of business generation. Dan Roselli heads
Packard Place, a renovated auto dealership
from the 1940s that is now a location for “Charlotte has diversified well past finance. I personally
startups to find their footing with office space
and support systems. Dan developed his found a strong entrepreneurial support system that has
marketing expertise with Bank of America, made a huge impact in the success of our business.”
Mars, Colgate-Palmolive and General Mills. Dan
is a serial entrepreneur who uses his startup — Michelle Menard, Choice Translating

Michelle Menard, founder
and CEO of Choice Translating.


Dan Roselli of Packard Place.

we depend on tires every day with personal of high performing companies and effective and efficient in how they conduct
cars, agriculture, airlines and in commerce, businesspeople. Its team can get an business.”
most of us do not think about them. However, executive to 60 percent of U.S. business
deep within the confines of the transportation centers in the time it takes to watch a “You can’t put a price on the flexibility Jetpool
industry are those who live and breathe tires. To good movie, about two hours. Jetpool is an offers. Having our top people where they need
those folks, Cuttino’s vision is revolutionary. aircraft management, charter and shares to be at a moment’s notice — on time — has
firm headquartered at a private, executive been invaluable for growing and servicing our
Tires are a complex amalgam of rubber, terminal at Charlotte Douglas International business,” says Dan DiMicco, chairman and CEO
steel and fabric, making them difficult to Airport. The firm’s aircraft become in-flight of Nucor Corporation, a Jetpool Fortune 500
manufacture and thus more difficult to offices for clients, providing the ability to client headquartered in Charlotte.
understand. Cuttino’s team of worldwide be fully productive while flying.
experts knows that making tires requires
a gourmet recipe — a careful mixture of Jetpool’s executive and operational team
Food-and-diet oriented
ingredients and the skills of a master chef. includes seasoned corporate pilots, former startups as well as nonprofit
Camber Ridge is the ultimate taste test, a military pilots and officers who know how to organizations grow
method to determine whether the recipe run a tight ship. “As businessmen ourselves,
meets safety, endurance and performance we understand the value of creating physical Food-and-diet oriented startups have grown.
standards. connections with customers, suppliers and According to Bloomberg Businessweek,
key employees in what is normally a digital “Changing tastes and interest in healthy living
Transportation is the basis of another workplace,” says Ryan Stone, chairman have made the food and beverage industry
successful Charlotte entrepreneur. of Jetpool. “Our services help our clients ripe for startups.” Charlotte has served up its
Jetpool is the trusted aviation partner outperform their competitors by being more share of foodie companies.


Ryan Stone,
chairman of Jetpool.

Amélie’s Bakery was born from three restless “The labor force here is amazing … highly educated people …
businesspeople: a serial entrepreneur with
a passion for good food and a knowledge I have gotten more bang for the buck in terms of labor.”
of information systems, a professional in — Lynn St. Laurent, co-founder of Amélie’s
decorative arts and a retired IBM executive.
Amélie’s has become a Charlotte icon and a entirely from mismatched silverware, cookware, of labor. Our customers make a difference,
hotspot for early birds and night owls alike and utensils, and the café’s broken dishes are too. They are also quite educated and world-
since it is open 24/7 with award-winning
used to create mosaics on tables.” traveled, which means there is a level of
French pastries, desserts and café fare and a
sophistication we enjoy.”
homey “Paris Shabby-Chic” living room. Amélie’s’
The right ingredients were in place for this
21,000+ fans on Facebook say that there is
entrepreneur’s success. Says Lynn St. Laurent, Damon and Veronica DeCristoforo began
something special here. The magazine Elle-
Decor recently said, “The quirky eatery teems Amélie’s co-founder and owner, “As a startup Lindy’s Homemade, LLC, based on a family
with students, artists, and creative types, and, I found the folks in Charlotte that I needed. secret: recipes for Italian ice. “My father, Mario
though lively, always has a free seat — French They had a willingness to ‘be enrolled’ in what Lindbergh DeCristoforo, ‘Lucky Lindy’ as he was
doors open to reveal charming tucked-away I was trying to accomplish. The labor force known to friends, used to make Italian ices for
spaces. Designed by Brenda Ische, the bakery here is amazing … highly educated people … the kids of our neighborhood as I was growing
is full of special details like a chandelier made I have gotten more bang for the buck in terms up,” says Damon. The company, which began

with fresh fruit, original recipes and a dream pies; or something as familiar as oatmeal featured on a national radio show, Honey Butter
to sell Italian ice by street cart, has become a cookies. This is a scratch-made, family-owned Bakery got the boost it needed.
nationally selling product line of ices, sorbets dessert company in Charlotte that also serves
and gelatos in large grocery chains such as the wholesale market. Brandi Jones, its Thinking of food, the next time you enter a
Harris Teeter, Farm Fresh, Wal-Mart, BI-LO, and founder, says, “Fresh out of culinary school I hotel lobby and smell chocolate chip cookies
Lowes Foods. The gourmet ices are also sold started my bakery business journey. While I or walk through a shopping area and notice
at sports and entertainment events, and street knew how to handle food, I needed to learn a scent of waffle cones enticing you into an
carts are still operated during festivals and more about business and leaned on startup ice cream store, think of Charlotte’s ScentAir
special events. resources at Central Piedmont Community entrepreneurs.
College and a women’s entrepreneur program
The DeCristoforos cite the region’s strong labor at Johnson C. Smith University.” Brandi’s initial ScentAir pioneered scent marketing, creating
force as a benefit for growing companies, and sales were through markets, friends, family signature scents to go along with a brand name
“travel through Charlotte Douglas International and restaurants, but when her business was experience. It’s more than the scents of food,
Airport is very convenient to anywhere in the though. There are special places for scents:
country and abroad.” They add, “Wonderful “White Tea” is a refreshing scent that welcomes
weather, a moderate four season climate and guests at Westin Hotels; a rainforest scent helps
proximity to the mountains and the beaches set the stage at one children’s museum exhibit
are ideal. It’s a great place to raise a family and at about the age of dinosaurs; a woody scent
the time we decided to begin our company.” helps reinforce a minimalist approach to a high-
end retailer space; a eucalyptus-mint combo
Honey Butter Bakery feeds the soul with creates a sense of rubdowns and exercise and
sweet potato, red velvet and banana pudding sells more memberships. TIME, Forbes, Fast
cheesecakes; chocolate pecan and blueberry Company and the Today Show have all featured

Amélie’s Bakery has two
locations in Charlotte.


ScentAir, which now has 2,000 available scents aspires to have the shoes sent back to him for Queen City Forward (QCF) is a nonprofit
in more than 40,000 placements. ScentAir recycling. organization formed to increase the creation,
works well beyond the retail trade. For instance, scale and impact of social ventures in Charlotte.
a major defense contractor makes sure that According to the Kauffman Foundation, “The social challenges facing our city and
helicopter simulators have the scent of diesel the world’s largest foundation devoted to country can outpace solutions if we don’t work
to make the pilot experience more realistic. entrepreneurship, “Nonprofit entrepreneurs together,” says Charles Thomas, executive
are no less ambitious, passionate, or driven to director of QCF. “We are a hub for entrepreneurs
There are also Charlotte startups that have make an impact than any other type of founder to create positive social and economic change.
developed from market niches found outside is. They simply measure their success in terms Social thoughts leaders gather and grow
the traditional workplace. Lisa Huntting of social goals rather than profit.” Charlotte has their idea with our help.” QCF connects social
brings entrepreneurism home. She founded progressive nonprofit entrepreneurs. entrepreneurs to the resources and relationships
MirrorMate® frames in 2003 because of a they need to successfully grow and scale their
decorating problem she had. “I thought I was Mike Spencer co-founded Doing My Part, business through space, talent, capital, advocacy
finished decorating my master bath, but the Inc. (DMP), an alternative solution to online and visibility and knowledge development.
most dominant features were those huge, fund-raising. Participants provide a $3 per The organization provides affordable space in
bare mirrors above the twin vanities. They
cried out for frames. But framing them would
be way too expensive. And I didn’t even
want to think about taking them down and
replacing them.”

Like the best entrepreneurial ideas, Lisa
created a simple solution to a problem no
one else defined before. She turned a bare
mirror into a work of art. “It’s the custom frame
kit that’s press-on easy. We custom cut the
frames to fit mirror measurements. Customers
assemble the four frame legs with push-in
connectors and then press the pre-taped
frame right onto the glass.” MirrorMate has
more than 60 styles and drastically reduces the
cost of bathroom renovation.

A family-oriented Charlotte idea gained
national attention. The headline from the
Charlotte Observer read, “Charlotte man jumps
into the ‘Shark Tank’ — Charlotte man to toss month contribution to help fund important Packard Place, connects enterprises to local
idea for fully recyclable kicks to TV investors.” projects that have received their due diligence talent and mentors and offers Lunch-n-Learn
The story is this: Gary Gagnon’s inspiration from the DMP staff. When one project gets sessions, among other things.
was a pile of his kids’ beat-up sneakers. He was fully funded, the next project comes up on
taking out the trash and saw a pile of them the website. Also on the site is the “Wall of “Cultivating and creating the right conditions
ready for the garbage. That led to a line of fully Heroes.” Contributors can add their photo to for social entrepreneurs and social enterprises
recyclable sneakers and his company, Remyxx, the countdown to complete a project. Spencer to thrive is a key element to the economic and
pitching its idea on “Shark Tank,” a prime-time says, “There’s no doubt that people want to help community development strategy of Charlotte.
entrepreneur reality show on ABC-TV. out, but because of the obstacles in the current Queen City Forward provides the resources
process of giving, we as individuals are held needed for social entrepreneurs to grow to the
“It’s a sneaker with a purpose,” he says, because back. Doing My Part is breaking down those next level,” says Charlotte’s Mayor Anthony Foxx.
they are produced with materials that can be obstacles to give everyone the chance to make As the nation folded onto itself in a financial
tossed into a recycling bin when they wear a real difference. We all need each other, and heap, nonprofits felt the sting too. The CEO
out. The colorful shoes make a statement and with one simple action we will transform the of Charlotte’s Crisis Assistance Ministry
draw attention to the recycling theme. Gary way the world gives back.” cranked-up entrepreneurial thinking to address


Gary Gagnon pitched the idea for
his recyclable sneaker company,
Remyxx, on the TV show “Shark Tank.”


community issues. Crisis Assistance provides contribution, seeded an emergency fund with foundational business subjects, including
poor families and individuals with emergency $2.7 million. business plan basics, choosing your legal
assistance for utilities, heat and clothing. “We structure, funding your business, negotiation
tapped federal stimulus funding as a temporary, One county official notes, “Crisis Assistance skills and market research tools. For more
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build an Ministry helped secure the last safety net for information contact the executive director,
innovative solution with long-term legs,” says these people, before they fell through the Lori Day, at (704) 330-6776.
Carol Hardison. cracks and hit the ground.”
Entrepreneurism is nothing new in Charlotte.
“Project Hope” was the result. Hardison says This kind of collaborative spirit is woven Yesterday’s entrepreneurs created concepts
the goal is to create a new system to deliver into Charlotte’s DNA, including pragmatic that are now mainstream and have become
comprehensive assistance and not continue educational and training resources for some of the well-known brand names of today.
to “take government grant money and just entrepreneurs.
follow the rules.” Project Hope unifies the way For instance…
human service needs are met — homelessness, Central Piedmont Community Generations of Southern shoppers have relied
hunger, personal safety in distressed times. College, together with its Institute for on their local Belk department stores for the
Entrepreneurship and Small Business latest fashions, quality merchandise, friendly
The Huffington Post picked up the story about Center, combined resources to assist the service, fair prices and a satisfaction-guaranteed
Hardison’s work: “With many other nonprofits Charlotte community, helping entrepreneurs policy. It is a retail tradition built on humble
struggling, Crisis Assistance Ministry helped and business owners navigate the region’s beginnings. Twenty-six-year-old William
coordinate charitable efforts in the area to make evolving business environment. The Institute Henry Belk had been a store clerk for 12 years
up for $2.4 million in cuts to the social services for Entrepreneurship offers training for when on May 29, 1888, he opened a small
agency’s budget. A flood of private donations, entrepreneurs and experienced business bargain store in the rural farming community
sparked by a wealthy resident’s million-dollar owners. Topical seminars cover a variety of of Monroe, N.C. Now in the third generation of

Central Piedmont Community College has
many programs including its Institute for
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Center.


Snyder’s-Lance was started
by Philip L. Lance in 1913.

family leadership, Charlotte headquartered Belk offers the popular brands Snyder’s of In November 1959, Leon Levine opened
is the nation’s largest privately owned, mainline Hanover, Lance, Cape Cod, Krunchers!, Jays, the first Family Dollar store in Charlotte with
department store company with more than Grande, Tom’s, EatSmart Naturals, Stella a simple concept, “The customers are the
300 fashion stores in 16 contiguous southern D’oro, and Archway as well as private label boss, and you need to keep them happy.”
states devoted to delivering modern, Southern foods. Products are widely distributed This concept for a self-serve, cash-and-carry
style to customers. through grocery and mass merchandisers, neighborhood discount store in low to middle
convenience stores, club stores, food service income neighborhoods proved so successful
Most people have heard about taking lemons outlets and other channels. that today Family Dollar is a chain with over
and making lemonade, but how about this? In 6,800 stores from Maine to Arizona.
1913, Philip L. Lance, a Charlotte food broker, In 1936, W. T. Harris borrowed $500 to
was stuck with 500 pounds of unwanted raw open his first grocery store in Charlotte. Finally, one well-established company still
peanuts. Instead of backing out of his bargain Meanwhile, Willis L. Teeter and his brother, makes the Charlotte Business Journal’s fastest
with the peanut farmer, Lance decided to Paul, borrowed $1,700 to open their first growing list. Bojangles. One way to recognize
roast and sell the nuts for a nickel a bag on the Teeter’s Food Mart in Mooresville, N.C., in long-time Charlotteans is their love for Bojangles’
streets of Charlotte. The freshly roasted peanuts 1939. Harris Teeter was formed in 1960. Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits. “Think inside the
were an immediate success, and Lance soon Through new store growth and mergers, the box,” is the motto of this successful restaurant
expanded his line to include peanut butter. That operation now has more than 200 stores in chain. Bojangles’® began in 1977 as the dream of
humble start evolved into crackers, cookies and eight states and the District of Columbia, operators Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas. They
other snacks. plus grocery, frozen food and perishable saw an opportunity to develop a quick-service
products distribution centers in Greensboro, restaurant chain based on three attributes: a
No matter what you crave, Snyder’s-Lance N.C., and Indian Trail, N.C., and a dairy in High distinctive flavor profile; wholesome, high-
has it — pretzels, sandwich crackers, potato Point, N.C. The company is headquartered quality products made from scratch; and a
chips, cookies, tortilla chips, restaurant style in Charlotte suburb Matthews and has fun, festive restaurant design with fast, friendly
crackers, nuts and more. The company approximately 25,000 associates. service. Bojangles’® core menu is the same now


The Levine family has grown Family Dollar
into a chain with over 6,800 stores.

as it was then — distinctive, flavorful chicken
made with a special blend of seasonings and
served with hot, fresh buttermilk biscuits and
one-of-a-kind fixin’s like Bojangles’ Dirty Rice®
and Bojangles’ Cajun Pintos®.

These few pages have provided a brief look
at some Charlotte entrepreneurs. Charlotte-
based McKinsey and Company consultant
Ronak Bhatt observes an important feature
about this base of business: “A broad range
of entrepreneurial activities is important in
a region. Charlotte provides a supportive


environment for entrepreneurship in all its
forms and across various industries: from Charlotte is an excellent place for business. English
high-tech to construction, and from energy
to food service. It’s important to maintain Arabic
diversity in the local economy to be
responsive to emerging opportunities and Charlotte adalah lokasi perniagaan yang ideal. Bahasa Melayu
to absorb possible disruptions to any given
sector.” 夏洛特为您提供卓越超群的商务环境。 Chinese (Simplified)

These entrepreneurial companies, both 夏洛特為您提供卓越超群的商務環境。 Chinese (Traditional)
small and large in Charlotte, create a
community-wide force for success. Cathy Charlotte je skvělé místo k podnikání. Czech
Maday is president of Wingspan Coaching,
a Charlotte company that adapts its name Charlotte is een prima plaats voor zaken. Dutch (Netherlands)
from the Bald Eagle and honors Cathy’s
Native American heritage. She comments Charlotte on loistava liiketoimintapaikka. Finnish
on the spirit of individual, yet communal
success so evident in Charlotte. “Having Charlotte est le lieu idéal pour les affaires. French (France)
an entrepreneurial spirit includes learning
how to initiate and cultivate a group of
Charlotte ist ein idealer Geschäftsstandort. German
mentors. Seasoned leaders in Charlotte
realize the significance of entrepreneurs
and innovation. They make strong,
. Hebrew

deliberate commitments to support our
Hindi
entrepreneurs and make room for small
business. Seasoned leaders are listening,
and our emerging leaders are leveraging
シャーロットは米国でのビジネスに最高の場所です. Japanese
opportunities to participate and contribute
on a meaningful level.” 샬럿은 비즈니스하기에는 최적의 장소입니다. Korean

A history of entrepreneurs provides ongoing Charlotte è fantastica per gli affari! Italian
smart dialogue across entrepreneurial
generations in Charlotte. It creates Charlotte é um lugar excelente para negócios. Portuguese (Brazil)
constructive dialogue and outreach … a
welcoming atmosphere for new businesses Charlotte. Ваш незаменимый деловой партнер. Russian
and businesspeople. Choice Translating
says it best in just a few of its almost 200 Charlotte es un excelente lugar para hacer negocios. Spanish (Mexico)
languages.
Charlotte är en perfekt plats för att göra affärer. Swedish

Charlotte là một nơi lý tưởng cho việc kinh doanh. Vietnamese

Published by: Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Chair: Frank Emory, Jr. President: Bob Morgan, CCE
330 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 U.S.A. Senior V.P., Economic Development: Jeff Edge, CEcD
(704) 378-1300 Director, Economic Development Marketing: Andrea Ware
www.CharlotteChamber.com 9/12 .5M V.P., Public Relations & Research: Natalie Dick
Copyright 2012 by Charlotte Chamber Services Inc. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be Senior Director, Research: Erin Watkins
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, Director, Research: Andrew Bowen
recording or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Charlotte
Chamber. The information in this publication is carefully gathered and compiled in such a way as to ensure Research Associate: Madeline Caryl
maximum accuracy. The Charlotte Chamber and Charlotte Chamber Services cannot, and do not, guarantee Words: Scott Carlberg Design: Andrea Ware
either the correctness of all information furnished them nor the complete absence of errors and omissions. Photos: PatrickSchneiderPhoto.com
Hence, responsibility for same neither can be, nor is, assumed.


Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
With our great location, world-acclaimed international hub airport,
professional sports, low energy costs, diverse and talented labor,
and a nationally ranked education system, it’s easy to see why
more businesses are flocking here every year.

Visit CharlotteChamber.com

©PATRICKSCHNEIDERPHOTO.COM

PDF: Charlotte's Spirited Entrepreneurs

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Destaque

Destaque (17)

PDF: Charlotte's Spirited Entrepreneurs