Small business owners in Bladen County are invited to participate in the first Small Business Roundtable on Monday, Sept. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Bladen Community College.
“Our area businesses requested more opportunities to network with other businesses and to learn from local experts about business-related subjects,” Director of the Small Business Center at Bladen Community College Terri Dennison said in a press release. The Small Business Roundtables will be held the fourth Monday of every month and are designed to provide a unique opportunity for small business owners to connect, share insights and learn from each other’s experiences.
“This Roundtable program is a direct result of the Secretary of State’s visit in July,” Dennison added in a press release. “We saw some great connections being made among the participants. We also heard some mutual concerns over issues that business owners face. As the SBC, we have resources that can help once we are aware of the issues.”
Dennison added that the SBC and BCC hope to create a supportive and collaborative environment where local entrepreneurs can discuss challenges, successes and innovative strategies. Each session will feature a presentation and roundtable discussion, allowing attendees to gain practical advice and inspiration from peers. The goal is to establish a group that fosters networking, community-building and resource sharing.
The Roundtables are open to all existing and potential business owners in Bladen County. Participants are requested to register in advance through the SBC’s website: https://bladencc.edu/support/campus-resources/sbc/ or by calling 910-879-5572.
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
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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
