From Side Hustle to Startup: Build Your Business Without Quitting Your Day

This workshop is designed for the dreamers, doers, and 9-to-5ers who are building something on the side and want to do it right. We’ll cover the legal and strategic must-haves for growing your business with confidence while staying employed.

You'll learn:

• What your employment agreement really says about side projects

• Why contracts matter (even if you’re working with friends)

• IP ownership 101: make sure your employer doesn't accidentally own your business

• Steps to protect your brand, your time, and your peace of mind

Whether your goal is extra income, a future exit, or full-time freedom, this session will help you build a solid legal foundation — no resignation letter required.

New location Alert! We are bringing it home.

Join us at our new location The Wright Note Cafe for an evening of socializing to tap into new connections within our Village and other local businesses. Invite someone you would like to do business with.

• Mingle with other business owners

• Enjoy Refreshments

• Meet new contacts

• Build business relationships in the community

If you would love to sponsor our next Business After-Hours mixer, please request information at events@thewrightvillage.com

Southeast Raleigh’s Shark Tank

Business Networking Event

Raleigh Shark Tank: Where Bold Ideas Meet Big Connections! Step into the spotlight and pitch your business to a room full of movers, shakers

Black Chamber of Raleigh is proud to collaborate with The Wright Village, Raleigh’s premier business resource hub dedicated to supporting Black and underrepresented entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, we’re creating a stronger ecosystem of mentorship, shared resources, and strategic support—helping small businesses grow, scale, and thrive in the heart of Raleigh. Together, we’re building a village where collaboration drives success.

This class begins by recapping some search basics and then moves into a discussion on how the shifting sands of AI are impacting the bedrock principles of SEO.

How are we searching in the post-AI world? Is our content training future AI models? And how can we take advantage of AI to adjust to the ongoing changes from search stalwarts like Google and Bing?

Hosted by: Jen McFarlandJen founded Marit Digital in 2022 after 20+ years in higher ed and a year-long stint in corporate America. She is an avid reader, loves games, and is a busy mom to two kids.

Marit Digital is a dedicated B Corp, primarily working with small businesses and teams. They step in to support the needs of companies lacking dedicated technical expertise, or those needing project-based strategy and support. Their goal is to be a resource provider for the long-term, building partnership and trust through excellent experiences.

https://maritdigital.com/

Join us for an inspiring evening of connection, community, and conversation with Solomon, a business strategist, educator, and nonprofit leader dedicated to building strong family enterprises and creating generational impact.

We’ll start the evening with a warm community dinner (ticketed at an affordable rate), creating space to share stories and build meaningful relationships. After dinner, Solomon will guide us through an intimate talk on how to build family businesses that honor your story, center cultural values, and create lasting wealth for future generations.

Dinner Ticket: $10 (includes meal and reserved seat)

Together, we’ll explore:

• Defining family business in our communities

• Trust, governance, and shared vision

• Navigating emotional and generational dynamics

• Planning for succession and sustainability

• Addressing unique challenges in historically excluded communities

Whether you're building a business with family, thinking about legacy, or simply curious, this evening is for you. Come ready to share a meal, listen, reflect, and connect.

This online workshop is designed to empower business owners with the tools and knowledge to use GoFundMe as a strategic funding resource. Participants will learn how to effectively launch and manage fundraising campaigns to support a wide range of business needs.

Alice is a mission-driven sales and partnerships professional with 13+ years of experience helping purpose-driven organizations scale their impact, from supporting criminal justice reform at Rasa Legal to building community connections in underserved housing markets at Bungalow. Her approach to business development is rooted in empathy and genuine care for helping others, consistently ranking as a top performer while maintaining focus on serving people during challenging moments in their lives

Join us for Reel Resilience: A Film Series for Entrepreneurs, a monthly gathering designed to inspire, educate, and empower entrepreneurs. Each event features a compelling film or documentary exploring themes of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation, followed by thought-provoking discussions on business growth, financial success, and overcoming challenges.

This series welcomes all business professionals looking to gain insights, build connections, and be part of a thriving entrepreneurial community.

🎥 This Month’s Featured Film: "SHE DID THAT"

She Did That. is a powerful documentary that celebrates Black women entrepreneurs and the incredible impact they have on business, culture, and communities. Directed by Renae Bluitt, the film offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the journeys of Black women who are building thriving brands and breaking barriers — despite facing systemic obstacles and underrepresentation.

It features inspiring stories and insights from influential business leaders including Lisa Price (founder of Carol’s Daughter), Melissa Butler (founder of The Lip Bar), Tonya Rapley (financial educator), and Luvvie Ajayi (author and speaker).

More than just a business documentary, She Did That. is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the unapologetic drive of Black women to create their own lanes and redefine success on their own terms.

Key Themes:

✅ Entrepreneurship & Business Growth – Building a brand from the ground up✅ Resilience & Overcoming Adversity – Facing discrimination and industry challenges✅ Women in Leadership – Breaking barriers in a male-dominated society✅ Branding & Marketing – The power of storytelling and self-promotion

VIP Black Box Experience 🎁

Attendees who select VIP admission will receive an exclusive VIP Black Box, filled with premium products and resources from local businesses. Want your brand featured? This is a prime opportunity to showcase your business to a targeted audience of entrepreneurs!

📢 Just want to say thank you to Raleigh Division of Community And Small Business Development for sponsering this event!

📩 Interested in Sponsoring or Featuring Your Product?Email us at outreach@thewrightvillage.com or call 919-822-1937 for more details!

📅 When: Last Thursday of Every Month | ⏰ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM📍 Where: The Wright Village

🍿 Limited seats available—reserve yours today! 🎟️

Session - 1

July 22nd,11:00 am- 12:30 pm

Small Business Capital (Reasons and Sources for Funding):

This session will outline the primary sources of small business capital, including some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. A focus will be on debt financing, with an overview of small business loan underwriting fundamentals to help the entrepreneur understand better what lenders look for in a loan package. The presenter will also provide a brief overview of SBA loan products and how the SBA works with banks and other lenders.

Session - 2

July 22nd, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm

Financial Statements and Analysis for Small Businesses:

This session will provide an overview of the main financial statements, stressing the importance of accurate bookkeeping and discussing some information that can be learned from analyzing these statements. The presenter will introduce participants to key ratios and other measures used in analysis and as key performance indicators as they manage their small businesses. Some of these measures are also used by bankers and other lenders when making approval decisions on small business loans and lines of credit.

• Workshops begin promptly at 11:30

• 12:30 Lunch

• Bring paper and pens to take notes

Villager(member) - $10 with lunch, FREE workshop only

Catered by: Taste Of Soul

• Jerk Chicken Sandwich

• Jerk Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

• Caribean Slaw, Chips, and a drink are included with all meals

For questions please call 919-822-1937, email info@thewrightvillage.com or visit www.thewrightvillage.com/events

About our Facilitator Gene Holland:

Gene brings financial analysis and business credit underwriting expertise to the SBTDC Raleigh Center, drawing on his experience with BB&T (now Truist) as a Commercial Banker and a Business Credit Instructor. Gene exited the financial services industry in 2007 as Co-Founder of CORK & TEE, LLC, a boutique, luxury travel company specializing in customized experiences featuring golf, wine, culinary, and cultural elements. In this role, Gene wore every hat imaginable, leading up to his departure in 2019, he focused largely on financial, HR, and operational areas as CORK & TEE grew to a profitable, $ 4+ million company. Along the way, Gene gained a considerable understanding of international payments and foreign exchange rate hedging methods.

Gene grew up in Chapel Hill and attended UNC-CH, where he played Varsity Golf and earned a BA in Economics. Upon graduation, Gene spent nearly eleven years as a PGA Golf Professional, then earned his MBA from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School in 2002. Along the way, Gene has refined his mentoring skills coaching middle school basketball and youth, showcase, high school, and American Legion baseball.

About this event

Join us for Reel Resilience: A Film Series for Entrepreneurs, a monthly gathering designed to inspire, educate, and empower entrepreneurs. Each event features a compelling film or documentary exploring themes of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation, followed by thought-provoking discussions on business growth, financial success, and overcoming challenges.

This series welcomes all business professionals looking to gain insights, build connections, and be part of a thriving entrepreneurial community.

🎥 This Month’s Featured Film: Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street

Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street is a 2021 documentary directed by Salima Koroma and executive produced by LeBron James through his SpringHill Entertainment company. The film commemorates the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a devastating event in American history that saw the destruction of the prosperous Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma—an area known as "Black Wall Street."

The documentary delves into the origins of Greenwood's economic success, highlighting its vibrant Black-owned businesses, cultural institutions, and the community's resilience in the face of systemic racism. It examines the events leading up to the massacre, where a white mob, incited by a false accusation against a Black teenager, decimated the 35-block neighborhood, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The film also explores the subsequent cover-up and the long-term impact on the descendants of the victims.

It’s an inspiring story of resilience, influence, and the power of relationships in shaping Black excellence across multiple industries.

Key Themes:

✅ Capitalism and corporate greed

✅ Racial identity and code-switching

✅ Labor rights and unionization

✅ Media manipulation

✅ Moral compromise for success

VIP Black Box Experience 🎁

Attendees who select VIP admission will receive an exclusive VIP Black Box, filled with premium products and resources from local businesses. Want your brand featured? This is a prime opportunity to showcase your business to a targeted audience of entrepreneurs!

📢 Just want to say thank you to Raleigh Division of Community And Small Business Development for sponsering this event!
Businesses can sponsor the event or include their products in the VIP Black Box for premium exposure. Gain direct access to motivated entrepreneurs, increase brand visibility, and make a lasting impression.

📩 Interested in Sponsoring or Featuring Your Product?
Email us at outreach@thewrightvillage.com or call 919-822-1937 for more details!

📅 When: Last Thursday of Every Month | ⏰ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Where: The Wright Village

🍿 Limited seats available—reserve yours today! 🎟️

Handle Conflict. Build Confidence. Negotiate Better.

A 2-hour workshop to help you navigate everyday negotiations with clarity and calm.

Whether you’re asking for a deadline extension, managing a tough client conversation, or trying to align competing priorities—negotiation is everywhere.

Based on his TEDx talk, “What if Conflict Wasn’t Your Enemy?”, negotiation coach Dr. Sam Bayer introduces the Negotiating AGENT framework: a simple, practical approach to resolving conflict without sacrificing relationships.

You’ll learn how to:

• Stay grounded when conflict heats up

• Distinguish what people want from what they need

• Help others win—without giving up what matters to you

• Craft agreements that actually stick

Through real stories, guided exercises, and hands-on practice, you’ll walk away with tools you can use immediately—whether you’re a freelancer, founder, creative, or consultant.

Come ready to shift how you think about negotiation—and maybe even conflict itself.

Are you a startup founder or small business owner who feels lost when it comes to understanding your finances? Join us for Basics of Bookkeeping, a beginner-friendly workshop designed to help you make sense of your numbers. You’ll learn the essential concepts of accounting, including what a balance sheet is, how to read an income statement, and what EBITDA means and why it matters.

This session will break down bookkeeping fundamentals in a clear, practical way, giving you the tools to organize your records, track your business performance, and make smarter financial decisions. Whether you're just getting started or need a quick refresher, this workshop will help you feel more confident about managing your business finances.

About this event

Join us for Reel Resilience: A Film Series for Entrepreneurs, a monthly gathering designed to inspire, educate, and empower entrepreneurs. Each event features a compelling film or documentary exploring themes of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation, followed by thought-provoking discussions on business growth, financial success, and overcoming challenges.

This series welcomes all business professionals looking to gain insights, build connections, and be part of a thriving entrepreneurial community.

🎥 This Month’s Featured Film: Sorry to Bother You

The movie "Sorry to Bother You" (2018), directed by Boots Riley, is a surrealist dark comedy and social satire that follows Cassius "Cash" Green, a struggling Black telemarketer in an alternate version of Oakland, California. When Cash discovers the secret to success—using a "white voice" on the phone—he rapidly climbs the corporate ladder. But as he rises, he uncovers the disturbing truth about the company he works for, WorryFree, which essentially exploits workers through indentured servitude.

Key Themes:

✅ Capitalism and corporate greed

✅ Racial identity and code-switching

✅ Labor rights and unionization

✅ Media manipulation

✅ Moral compromise for success

VIP Black Box Experience 🎁

Attendees who select VIP admission will receive an exclusive VIP Black Box, filled with premium products and resources from local businesses. Want your brand featured? This is a prime opportunity to showcase your business to a targeted audience of entrepreneurs!

📢 Just want to say thank you to Raleigh Division of Community And Small Business Development for sponsering this event!
Businesses can sponsor the event or include their products in the VIP Black Box for premium exposure. Gain direct access to motivated entrepreneurs, increase brand visibility, and make a lasting impression.

📩 Interested in Sponsoring or Featuring Your Product?
Email us at outreach@thewrightvillage.com or call 919-822-1937 for more details!

📅 When: Last Thursday of Every Month | ⏰ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Where: The Wright Village

🍿 Limited seats available—reserve yours today! 🎟️

Are you ready to use AI but aren’t quite sure how to get started?

We’ll talk about the cool tools, training your AIs, and managing prompts, plus we’ll examine the costs vs. benefits. We’ll also talk about some of the security risks and when AI can give your company a competitive advantage.

This is a 1.5-hour class on working with this promising new technology and insights into how AI can make your small business better.

Hosted by: Jen McFarland

Jen founded Marit Digital in 2022 after 20+ years in higher ed and a year-long stint in corporate America. She is an avid reader, loves games, and is a busy mom to two kids.

Marit Digital is a dedicated B Corp, primarily working with small businesses and teams. They step in to support the needs of companies lacking dedicated technical expertise, or those needing project-based strategy and support. Their goal is to be a resource provider for the long-term, building partnership and trust through excellent experiences.

New location Alert! We are bringing it home.

Join us at our new location The Wright Note Cafe for an evening of socializing to tap into new connections within our Village and other local businesses. Invite someone you would like to do business with.

• Mingle with other business owners

• Enjoy Refreshments

• Meet new contacts

• Build business relationships in the community

If you would love to sponsor our next Business After-Hours mixer, please request information at events@thewrightvillage.com

About this event

Join us for Reel Resilience: A Film Series for Entrepreneurs, a monthly gathering designed to inspire, educate, and empower entrepreneurs. Each event features a compelling film or documentary exploring themes of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation, followed by thought-provoking discussions on business growth, financial success, and overcoming challenges.

This series welcomes all business professionals looking to gain insights, build connections, and be part of a thriving entrepreneurial community.

🎥 This Month’s Featured Film: THE BLACK GODFATHER

The Black Godfather (2019) is a documentary about the life and legacy of Clarence Avant, a highly influential music executive, entrepreneur, and dealmaker known for shaping the careers of countless Black artists, athletes, and politicians. Directed by Reginald Hudlin, the film explores Avant’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming a behind-the-scenes powerbroker in the entertainment industry.

Nicknamed "The Black Godfather," Avant played a crucial role in breaking barriers for Black talent, negotiating groundbreaking deals, and mentoring figures like Quincy Jones, Diddy, and Barack Obama. The documentary features interviews with industry icons, including Bill Clinton, Kamala Harris, Snoop Dogg, and Jamie Foxx, who discuss Avant’s immense impact on music, sports, and politics.

It’s an inspiring story of resilience, influence, and the power of relationships in shaping Black excellence across multiple industries.

💡 Discussion Topics: Overcoming financial barriers, wealth-building strategies, and navigating systemic challenges in business.

VIP Black Box Experience 🎁

Attendees who select VIP admission will receive an exclusive VIP Black Box, filled with premium products and resources from local businesses. Want your brand featured? This is a prime opportunity to showcase your business to a targeted audience of entrepreneurs!

📢 Just want to say thank you to Raleigh Division of Community And Small Business Development for sponsering this event!
Businesses can sponsor the event or include their products in the VIP Black Box for premium exposure. Gain direct access to motivated entrepreneurs, increase brand visibility, and make a lasting impression.

📩 Interested in Sponsoring or Featuring Your Product?
Email us at outreach@thewrightvillage.com or call 919-822-1937 for more details!

📅 When: Last Thursday of Every Month | ⏰ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Where: The Wright Village

🍿 Limited seats available—reserve yours today! 🎟️

Join us for Reel Resilience: A Film Series for Entrepreneurs, a monthly gathering designed to inspire, educate, and empower entrepreneurs. Each event features a compelling film or documentary exploring themes of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation, followed by thought-provoking discussions on business growth, financial success, and overcoming challenges.

This series welcomes all business professionals looking to gain insights, build connections, and be part of a thriving entrepreneurial community.

🎥 This Month’s Featured Film: Self Made

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker is a biographical drama based on the true story of Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black self-made female millionaire in America. Starring Octavia Spencer, the film follows her rise from a laundress to a haircare empire mogul, navigating racial and gender biases while revolutionizing Black beauty and entrepreneurship.

Key Themes:

✅ Entrepreneurship & Business Growth – Building a brand from the ground up
✅ Resilience & Overcoming Adversity – Facing discrimination and industry challenges
✅ Women in Leadership – Breaking barriers in a male-dominated society
✅ Branding & Marketing – The power of storytelling and self-promotion

VIP Black Box Experience 🎁

Attendees who select VIP admission will receive an exclusive VIP Black Box, filled with premium products and resources from local businesses. Want your brand featured? This is a prime opportunity to showcase your business to a targeted audience of entrepreneurs!

📢 Sponsorship & Product Inclusion Opportunities
Businesses can sponsor the event or include their products in the VIP Black Box for premium exposure. Gain direct access to motivated entrepreneurs, increase brand visibility, and make a lasting impression.

📩 Interested in Sponsoring or Featuring Your Product?
Email us at outreach@thewrightvillage.com or call 919-822-1937 for more details!

📅 When: Last Thursday of Every Month | ⏰ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Where: The Wright Village

🍿 Limited seats available—reserve yours today! 🎟️

New location Alert! We are bringing it home.

Join us at our new location The Wright Note Cafe for an evening of socializing to tap into new connections within our Village and other local businesses. Invite someone you would like to do business with.

• Mingle with other business owners

• Enjoy Refreshments

• Meet new contacts

• Build business relationships in the community

If you would love to sponsor our next Business After-Hours mixer, please request information at events@thewrightvillage.com

In partnership with Let’s Get Social Raleigh, The Wright Village proudly presents Village Vibes: Let’s Get Growing—a monthly series that blends entrepreneurship with the broader community. This isn’t just another networking event; it’s a dynamic space where relationships are built, ideas take root, and everyone walks away inspired.

Together, we’re redefining what it means to grow your business and your community. With a mix of engaging games, team-building challenges, vibrant conversations, and a touch of friendly competition, each event is designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and good vibes all around.

What to Expect:

• Fun-Focused Activities: Think trivia, creative challenges, and team games that bring entrepreneurs and guests together.

• Social Growth: A welcoming environment where business owners, professionals, and supporters can connect and thrive.

• Food, Music, and Laughter: Enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with great food, local beverages, and tunes to keep the energy high.

When: Every 3rd Wednesday, February to November
Where: Wright Note Cafe located inside The Wright Village Hubert St., Raleigh
Who’s Invited: Everyone! Entrepreneurs, supporters, friends, and neighbors—all are welcome!

At Village Vibes, we’re blending the best of business, community, and fun to create a space where everyone feels at home. Let’s grow together—one laugh, connection, and game at a time!

When: Every 3rd Tuesday at 7:30 PM
Where: Wright Note Cafe, Hubert St, Raleigh
Cost: $5 per person

We’re back, and this time we’ve partnered with Bibe Media Group to bring you an even more dynamic Creative Connect Meetup! Join us for an evening of networking, creativity, and collaboration as we continue to build a thriving community of creatives in Raleigh.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, photographer, designer, influencer, model, musician, or just passionate about the arts, this event is the perfect space to exchange ideas, make connections, and find inspiration.

What to Expect:

✨ A relaxed environment to network with fellow creatives
🎨 Opportunities to share your work and ideas
💡 Collaborations that could spark your next big project
🍻 In February, enjoy beer sponsored by Proximity Brewing

Bring your business cards, portfolios, or just your enthusiasm! Let’s connect, create, and grow together.

Details:

• $5 Admission: Covers event costs and supports future meetups.

• Light Refreshments: Available to keep the creative energy flowing.

• Proximity Brewing Sponsorship: Don’t miss their craft beer on us in February!

Reserve Your Spot

Seating is limited, so register early to secure your place. We can’t wait to welcome you to an evening of connection, collaboration, and creativity.

Let’s shape the future of the creative community—together!