Events - Tuesday, November 6
River District Association Dream Launch 2019
October 30, 2018
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The River District Association presents RDA Dream Launch 2019 for entrepreneurs seeking to open brick and mortar businesses in the River District in Danville, VA This program is an opportunity for serious entrepreneurs that have dreamed of opening their own business. Those that register for the program will be required to attend 6 sessions of our ‘Entrepreneur Bootcamp’, an intensive workshop that will meet once per week for 6 weeks beginning in January to teach participants a full slate of skills and information that business owners need. Opening your own business is hard work, and unfortunately not everyone that starts a business will stay in business. Through this program, we can provide start-ups the tools, information, and assistance to give you the best possible opportunity for success. Participants that complete bootcamp may then elect to participate in “Pitch Night” to compete for cash and other incentives that total over $100,000. Once the pitch is complete, the entrepreneurs that successfully present the most viable and sustainable plans, including capital investment and job creation, will be chosen to move forward in opening their business. RDA will stay involved with the selected businesses, assist with summer grand openings, and match them with mentors in the community. Participants do not have to be current Danville residents, as long as they agree to the program requirements. The program is also open to current businesses that would like to expand, as well as those that would like to audit the courses to prepare for potentially opening a business in the future. There is no cost to participate in the bootcamp or pitch. Participants must register via eventbrite and will be contacted by RDA for additional information. Funding for the program was awarded via a competitive grant from the State of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for $45,000, and an additional $50,000 from the City of Danville, with the goal of opening 5 new businesses in Summer 2019.
Growing Main St. Businesses
November 6, 2018
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Join the River District Association, The Launch Place and Paul Singh as he shares stories from across the country about how Main Streets are growing and building communities. Paul will focus on best practices he’s seen utilized at small businesses from across the country. For example, how can each of you cross promote in order to grow both businesses – one retail business can tape 5,000 coupons to takeout boxes and in exchange the retail business will distribute restaurant coupons to the next 5,000 customers that walk through their door.
Local examples include: Dell’Anno’s Pizza Kitchen and Ballad Brewery with pizza delivery every hour. Another example is Me’s Burgers & Brews supporting businesses by giving a free appetizer to customers who presented a receipt for shopping locally.
Cost: Free to attend, but registration required.