The July session of the PROpel AVL GROW series for young professionals, we’ll explore “Acquistion Entrepreneurship.”

In the ever-evolving business landscape, “Acquisition Entrepreneurship” has emerged as a powerful pathway for young professionals eager to carve out their niche in the corporate world.

This presentation, designed specifically for forward-thinking and ambitious young professionals, will delve into the complexities and opportunities of acquiring and growing existing businesses as a form of entrepreneurship. Unlike traditional entrepreneurship that starts from scratch, acquisition entrepreneurship offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards involving the identification, evaluation, and successful takeover of existing enterprises.

The program will cover essential aspects of acquisition entrepreneurship, including the art of identifying potential acquisition targets, conducting due diligence, understanding valuation techniques, and negotiating deals. Participants will gain insights into the critical skills needed to navigate these processes successfully, such as financial analysis, market assessment, and leadership abilities to integrate and grow the acquired business. Additionally, the presentation will highlight the common pitfalls and how to avoid them, ensuring a smoother transition into ownership and management roles.

Key takeaways from this session will include specific, actionable strategies that young professionals can apply immediately in their pursuit of business acquisition. These include:

Frameworks for Identifying Suitable Acquisition Targets: Learn how to spot businesses with growth potential and understand what makes an acquisition target viable.

Due Diligence Checklists and Techniques: Gain knowledge on conducting thorough due diligence, a critical step in assessing a business’s true value and potential risks.

Negotiation Strategies for Acquisition: Discover key negotiation tactics for acquisition deals to ensure a beneficial agreement for all parties involved.

Post-Acquisition Integration Plans: Understand the steps necessary to successfully integrate an acquired company, from employee management to merging systems and cultures.

Financial Analysis and Funding Options: Explore financial analysis basics for acquisition and learn about various funding options, including loans, investors, and other financial instruments.

About the presenter:

Benjamin Wann, CMA, CSCA, MBA, PMP, owns Asheville accounting firm CFO Consultants, LLC, with a team of 13 and 2 offices in NC.

Originally from the Philadelphia region and coming from a 10-year career providing insights to executives of mid-sized manufacturing firms, Ben transitioned to entrepreneurship full-time in Nov 2022. Ben’s thesis was that the small business community would value the same expertise, technology and know-how that the large organizations have to help accelerate their own businesses.

12:00-1:00pm – GROW Session

Sandwiches, salad and chips will be catered by Del Vecchios!

Please register for this event in order to help us plan accordingly.

About PROpel AVL:
Designed for young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 in the Asheville/Buncombe area, PROpel AVL provides outstanding professional leadership development opportunities through educational seminars, service opportunities and networking.

Stay connected with text alerts! Text #propelavl to 828-827-5332 for updates and reminders about PROpel AVL programs.

Chamber members impact the local business community by making an investment in Chamber membership. Whether you’re a new member, a long-time member with new staff, or a business who’s considering membership, we welcome you to attend our Chamber Orientation to learn how to get the most value from your membership investment.

Chamber President Kit Cramer will give an overview of the work the Chamber is doing every day to build our community, including how we support our thriving economy by growing jobs, advocating for a business-friendly environment and helping our members prosper. We’ll dive into member benefits and share ideas of how you can take advantage of the many opportunities available to you as a member. You’ll also have a chance to meet Chamber staff and learn how you can get more engaged.

Orientation is also a great chance to meet other Chamber members.

This event is free, but registration is requested in order to help us plan appropriately.

Drip is Asheville’s first and only wood fired sauna and cold plunge experience, overlooking the beautiful French Broad River. Enjoy a traditional sauna experience in the great outdoors with friends, for a truly unique experience that will leave you energized and inspired. They’re supporting events through mobile delivery and bringing the heat to nature near you.

Come check out their new location to take in the view while enjoying a sauna and cold plunge experience. They will offer a raffle for a free sauna experience as well as other fun items on site.

Join us in celebrating the Grand Opening of Coldwell Banker Advantage with a ribbon cutting!

Join us for an evening of networking, great food and drinks at Bears Smokehouse BBQ!

PROpel AVL provides outstanding professional leadership development opportunities through educational seminars, service opportunities and networking for Asheville professionals between the ages of 21 and 40.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s annual School Supply Drive is thrilled to give you the opportunity to help distribute backpacks to various local nonprofits for students who cannot afford school supplies. This year, PROpel AVL is teaming up with Highlands Circle, UWABC’s young professional group, to highlight how essential community service is for ensuring that everyone in Asheville and Buncombe County can thrive.

We have an important volunteer shift coming up on Wednesday, July 31st, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. During this time, we’ll be loading backpacks into vehicles, breaking down and cleaning the space, and returning items to UWABC’s offices.

By joining us, you’ll play a crucial role in providing over 2,000 backpacks to students in our county, giving thousands of children the supplies they need to succeed in school. Your participation is vital to making this initiative a success.

Every single contribution counts, and your efforts truly matter. Together, we can make a significant impact on our community. Your support will help ensure that all students have the tools they need for a bright future. Please come out and join us—your involvement can make all the difference!

To read more about school supply drive go here! If this shift does not work for you, but you would like to participate please email Ella Pullman at [email protected].

WomanUP welcomes keynote speaker, author and executive coach Val Grub for a workshop on working across generations. On August 1st, we’ll explore strategies to engage with people of all ages in the workplace and embrace the wisdom of age while valuing the contributions of youth.

Are you ready to rock the networking scene in Hendersonville? Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection and opportunity at the Rockstar Connect Networking Event on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 6 PM to 8 PM at Trailside Brewing Co.

Hosted by Jeff Patterson, this event is all about building meaningful relationships with people who get things done in Hendersonville. Our events are open to everyone to make meaningful connections, known for their friendly and engaging atmosphere, and we guarantee that you’ll feel welcome from the moment you arrive.

Don’t pass up the chance to network with the appropriate people, become part of the Hendersonville community, and create long-lasting connections that will further your career. Join our Facebook Group: Hendersonville Networking powered by Rockstar Connect

Visit our landing page: https://rockstarconnect.com/hendersonville-networking/

Rockstar Connect

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WHY: To learn more about our mission and raise funds which will provide shelter, residential treatment, education, and life skills for children and young adults at Eliada. Helping children and teens in crisis develop the skills they need to overcome life’s obstacles and become productive adults helps ensure the future of our community. But we cannot do it without your support.

MISSION: Helping Children Succeed

SERVICE AREA: State of North Carolina – Eliada serves more than 500 children annually through 5 key programs that provide a place to live, education, special education, food and clothing, and intensive therapy to children who need these services. While most children are from Buncombe and surrounding counties, Eliada serves children from all corners of NC.

Thank you for helping us share Eliada’s mission with the community!

Have an auction item you would like to donate? Please fill out the Auction Donation Form. We appreciate your helping making this event a success!

If you’d like to attend, please call the Memorial at 828-253-8304, or email Kayla Seay at [email protected] to reserve a spot. Our capacity for this event is 40.

This is a free event, but donations are appreciated as we raise funds to update our A/V equipment and website.

For its first big community event, Phoenix Fire Coffee is hosting Phoenix Festival – a fundraising event and small business expo showcasing local artists, food trucks, and live music. The event will be at The Outpost near Carrier Park on August 2liv4th. Food and vendors open from 4pm to 9pm. Music goes until 11pm. We hope to use this event to raise money for our grand opening while simultaneously uplifting small businesses and fostering a sense of community.
Admission is free, but a donation of $5 or more would be greatly appreciated.

If dancing and craft beer – and the opportunity to sample some fine bourbon – sound like fun, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ fundraiser Oct. 3 at Point Lookout Vineyards will get your toes to tapping.

A Taste of the Vineyard, BBBS of Henderson County’s annual fundraiser now 11 years old,
has added a new twist – an optional specialty bourbon tasting. It’s all part of a night of fun, friendship, and fundraising for an organization that matches professionally vetted and supported “Bigs” with “Littles” looking for mentors who listen well and are up for fun.

The annual event will pair a sumptuous BBQ dinner with a cash bar accessing craft beer and wines by Point Lookout Vineyards (specialty bourbon tastings are an additional cost, except for package deals and sponsorships). A silent auction featuring unique experiences will accompany live music by Marley’s Chain. The dance floor opens up after the meal to continue the celebration of the power and potential of Henderson County youth.

“We are fortunate to have community support through sponsorships and ticket holders, allowing us to raise funds that are applied to keeping our dream alive,” said Joey Popp, a Henderson County Big Brother and former BBBS of Western North Carolina board member. “The annual event will provide valuable support for our volunteers as they mentor young people to help guide them to success.”

Admission is $75 per person. The $1,000 VIP package include eight event tickets and a complimentary bourbon tasting for each of the eight guests. Tickets are available at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/totv-bootsbourbon/event/totv-boots/. Several levels of sponsorship, with increasing benefits, are available at the website too.

Point Lookout Vineyards, with its extraordinary views, is at 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville.

Most festivals are about the music, the food and the fun… the InterBeing Festival includes all of that, but the focus is on meaning and connection. Individuals from all walks of life are invited to gather, elevate the spirit, relate with others, and explore the power of community.

Through a rich array of interactive workshops, engaging discussions, artistic performances and group ritual, participants will embark on a journey of discovery and connection. Whether singing in a song circle, being part of a cacao ceremony, creating art on the spot or dancing to the rhythm of world music, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and engage with.

The festival will feature an inspiring lineup of speakers, activists and artists; performers include musical headliner Alexander Caruso, along with Adama Dembele, Billy Jonas, and One Heart Band, all of whom are known for catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics.

The festival theme this year is Community: Refuge in a Changing World. To that end, our featured session will be the Community Leaders Roundtable, bringing together community support organizations to be in dialog with each other for the first time, sharing their values, their vision, their challenges and solutions.

The festival is a fundraiser for Beloved Asheville, our scrappy local nonprofit that serves those most in need.

The Wooftop Party is a fun yappy hour for dog owners. With sweater weather here, it’s the perfect time for guests & their pups to enjoy The Roof. Botanical Bones will offer dog treats to keep tails wagging all night, and Mountain Pet Rescue will have adoptable dogs in search of their forever homes.

Blue Ridge Humane Society (BRHS) invites the community to participate in their 4th Annual Historic 7th Avenue District Pup Crawl, presented by Hunter Subaru, on Saturday, October 19th, from 12-5 pm. Participants will purchase “Pawsports” and enjoy a pet giveaway
or treat and a unique pet-themed activity at participating dog-friendly food and beverage businesses, earning stamps at each stop for a chance to win a grand prize.

Pawsports are available on the BRHS website, https://www.blueridgehumane.org/get-involved/events/pupcrawl or by calling (828) 692-2639 ext. 304.

Senderos is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children and communities in Guatemala through educational initiatives. Since its inception, Senderos has worked to improve the lives of children through partnerships with local changemakers. This 20th Anniversary Celebration will feature a performance by Senderos founder and acclaimed musician David LaMotte, as well as live music from students in the El Tejar Music Program, presented via video feed. Attendees will also enjoy one complimentary drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), authentic Guatemalan finger foods, and a big dose of inspiration.

The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains is hosting “Strings of Hope”, a concert to support local builders, suppliers, and industry professionals impacted by Hurricane Helene. The event, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, will feature live performances from Cuberow, The Asheville Mountain Boys, Red Clay Revival, and Fireside Collective. Suggested ticket donation: $10.

Mark your calendar for an immersive Smokies experience like none other! Spend your days exploring the wilds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and your nights glamorously camping off the grid. Discover Life in America and partner A Walk in the Woods bring you a 3-day, 2-night adventure, with expert-led nature hikes, camping in a luxurious off-grid setting, mouth-watering, local food and drink, and much more. All proceeds from this fundraising event will help DLiA discover and conserve the rich biodiversity of the Smokies.

The Blue Ridge Music Trails is hosting a benefit concert at White Horse in Black Mountain on November 14, 2024, at 7 p.m. We invite you to attend and support the traditional music artists in Western North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene. 

Headlining the show will be Unspoken Tradition, a chart-topping quintet hailing from Western and Central North Carolina. Their music is influenced by their lives and roots in traditional and new grass music, as is evident in their quality catalog of unique songs. Several of their singles have topped the Billboard Bluegrass and Bluegrass Today charts. They took the stage at the 2024 IBMA Bluegrass Live! concert.

Unspoken Tradition has also been busy dedicating time and raising money for their home state the past month. We’re excited to have them play this event, bringing more joy to the region and providing hope and levity as we focus on lifting up this region’s rich and enduring music scene.

Tickets will be available in advance and at the door. Due to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene this is a pay-what-you-can event. A portion of the proceeds will support the Blue Ridge Music Trails artists, with the other portion going towards charities of White Horse’s choice. Together, we continue to support our communities. If you cannot make the event but would like to help, please consider donating to the Blue Ridge Music Trails at: https://www.blueridgemusicnc.com/donate/

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your running shoes and join us at 10:00am for our 3rd annual Blackhawk Bolt 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Run this unique road-to-trail course to benefit North Buncombe High School PTSO and Blackhawks Marching Band

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.