This Fall, My Southwest Virginia Opportunity will host the first annual My Southwest Virginia Opportunity Cup in Southwest Virginia.  Modeled after the 2013 My Southwest Virginia Opportunity Entrepreneur Challenge, the Cup is a level II entrepreneur challenge for existing businesses looking to expand with additional job creation in Southwest Virginia. […]

Clinch River Valley Initiative’s Hometowns of the Clinch Week begins on March 20 – 27. Join us as we celebrate and support our hometown start-ups with a week full of educational events focused on entrepreneurial communities and small business development. Retail and small business expert, Marc Willson will be presenting […]

Virginia Community Capital and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses invite participation in a national education opportunity. The 4th National Education Class of 10,000 Small Businesses at Babson College will provide small business owners with the tools and support to take their business to new heights.   Qualifying small businesses can […]

The Entrepreneur Challenge—the inaugural business development competition conducted by the collaborative My Southwest Virginia Opportunity effort came to a close on December 3, with an awards dinner and the announcement of winners in the regional business development competition. Ninety people gathered at the Hotel Norton to meet the entrepreneurs, watch […]

Visit a Farmers’ Market in far Southwest Virginia, and there’s a chance you might meet Joseph Bates, or some of his family who helps out on Bates Family Farm, a start-up family business in its first year of operation. The entrepreneur is busy providing fresh eggs, dairy, and produce in […]

Honaker has changed a great deal since Diane’s Fuller’s mother, Beatrice owned and operated Fuller’s Café in the 1940’s.  And in pursuing her dream of opening Honey Bea’s Café and Ice Cream Parlor, Diane fulfills a legacy. It’s a journey reflected in the photographs lining the walls of the restaurant, housed […]

Mark and Carol Caruso believe that Southwest Virginia is poised for big things. The Norton couple owns Pathfinders Outdoor Adventures, a part time business providing firearms training and equipment.  “With our region’s incredible vistas, great fishing and hunting, and easy access to the outdoors, there’s great opportunity here,” says Mark. […]

Twenty small business owners and potential entrepreneurs have begun the six month process of developing and refining business plans in an effort to compete for more than $30,000 in awards. “Acceptance into the program was very competitive–and that’s just the beginning of the competition,” said mySWVAopportunity Steering Committee member Shannon […]

BUSINESS CHALLENGE PLANNED FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA A competitive challenge with more than $25,000 in prizes ABINGDON, VA:  The Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, The Washington County Chamber of Commerce, People Incorporated, and The Small Business Development Centers have partnered with Washington […]

On May 16, 2015 at the Tazewell Spring Expo, People Incorporated of Virginia announced the winners of the My SWVA Opportunity, Russell & Tazewell County Business Challenge.   The grand prize of $5000 was awarded to Vincent & Betsy Gilmer with Melody Acres Melody Acres’ Pitch   The second prize […]