This month’s Entrepreneur Exchange welcomes Byron Hicks, the Deputy State Director of the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center to explore how his organization assists businesses throughout the state of North Carolina during good times, as well as during pandemics. The discussion includes the availability of capital for businesses during this challenging environment, and how you should prepare for lenders. Plus hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller review ideas for how to hire the right person from none other than Jeff Bezos, and they share their small businesses of the month…dog treats and whiskey! It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange!

Get in touch! CVCC Small Business Center, Small Business and Technology Development Center

Small Business’ of the Month Zookies Critter Cookies, Bespoken Spirits

Jeff Neuville is Director of the Small Business Center at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC, where he works with entrepreneurs and small business owners to assist them in starting and growing businesses.  Jeff spent most of his business career as an Executive with a mid-sized North Carolina apparel manufacturing company before starting his own business to assist companies to develop profitability improvement strategies.  In addition to his work with start-ups and small businesses, Jeff is a dedicated fan of his beloved North Carolina Tar Heels, particularly during the basketball season.  Connect to Jeff on LinkedIn or on Twitter @jeffneuville.

Gary Muller is the Dean of the School of Workforce Development and the Arts at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC). He has his BA and MBA from Wake Forest University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is also the co-owner of two businesses. The businesses focus on real estate development and investment management. He has over 20 years of business experience in public accounting, franchising of specialty retail snack food shops, and manufacturing. The last 12 years have been spent in education at CVCC. Gary is also the SkillsUSA Co-Director for the Challenger and CVCC Chapter. Of course, everyone knows Gary is a diehard Wake Forest Deacon Deacon fan and he bleeds black and gold!!