On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Greater Fayetteville Business Journal hosted its Power Breakfast, themed “Creative Impact,” to highlight the impact that the arts and culture industry has on the region.
The event, held at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, was a huge success, bringing together hundreds of employers, employees and community members for a morning of pleasant cuisine, company and conversation. It is wonderful to see familiar faces as we continue to offer these events as well as new folks whom we gladly welcome to the table.
“It was a pleasure being able to moderate a critical conversation about the arts in our area,” stated GFBJ editor and moderator for the event Faith Hatton. “Our panelists provided some insightful information that I hope will stay in the minds of the business community moving forward. I've already received messages from attendees sharing how they are on fire for the arts, and I can't wait to see what partnerships and continued progress grow from today!”
Our panel of industry experts featured Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke, Cape Fear Botanical Garden CEO Christopher Hoffman, Executive Director of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra Anna Meyer and President/CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County Robert Pinson.
Each of these four professionals is well-versed in maintaining a successful business.
“Although we hear the word nonprofit, nonprofit is a tax category—it's not a way of doing business. We are all business people up on this stage, so we relate to the challenges and the stresses of everything that you all go through,” remarked Bob Pinson.
Creativity as a mindset is very valuable in the workplace.
“When you’re creative, and have an impulse to like, create things as part of your ethos you just keep going…if you have people who are creative, there's no problem that you can't solve. That's literally what our minds do all day long, and creativity is a muscle, right? So when that's part of what you do every day, it's fascinating to work together to solve all kinds of problems” shared Mary Kate Burke.
The arts have an enormous impact on our local community, making this a place not only where new businesses want to come, but where local businesses can stay and thrive.
With just one more Power Breakfast to go in this calendar year, we’d also like to remind our readers of our second annual Health Care Heroes event which will take place Nov. 7. We look forward to continuing to organize these events that celebrate the work of local businesses and professionals and bring the community together.
Brian and Staci Graybill opened their third business together, Market Square Pantry, in December 2025. Photo provided by Faith Hatton. For Fayetteville entrepreneurs Brian and Staci Graybill, building a business has often started when they were
The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to hel
Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service. Photo
