Bethann West James and Hope Harris-Gayles on Creating Inclusive Entrepreneurial Support Networks

By working together and bringing entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders together with an interest in supporting Black and Brown-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, we can build stronger regional economies. This week, episode 9 of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast is about creating inclusive entrepreneurial support networks! 

RISE Collaborative is striving to create a more inclusive and vibrant regional economy in which makers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and service providers interact organically and collaboratively. Our mission is to enhance equity and access to entrepreneurship and innovation for people who have been underserved based on geographic location (anyone who lives, works, or owns a business in Southern Virginia), and for people who have been underrepresented based on race, gender, religion, or other factors. We are doing this by creating regionally-relevant incubator services and accelerator programs that can be accessed at many locations across our service area.

In this episode of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast, Jacob and Lauren, joined by their guests Bethann West James and Hope Harris-Gayles are sharing the importance of building a better ecosystem through diversity and how the Grapevine Network pours into their efforts of supporting these marginalized entrepreneurs. 

Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• How RISE Collaborative has evolved and grown over time. 
• What is Grapevine in relation to RISE Collaborative and what it stands to accomplish. 
• What the summit confirmed as to the kind of support entrepreneurs are looking for. 
• Hope and Bethann’s vision for growth for the Grapevine Network.
• Actionable tips to hold a productive meeting.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag us!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about RISE Collaborative at https://sovarise.com/ 

CONNECT WITH BETHANN:

LinkedIn 

Gemstone Consulting

CONNECT WITH HOPE:

LinkedIn

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Dan River Region Black Chamber of Commerce 

Southern Virginia Higher Education Center

The Grapevine Entrepreneur Network

Longwood Small Business Development Center

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

RISE