North Carolina Small Business Center Network Announces 2025 Awards for Innovation, Impact, and Success

RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina Community College System’s Small Business Center Network (SBCN) proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 statewide awards, recognizing outstanding innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial success across North Carolina. 

Through its 58 community college-based centers, the SBCN continues to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen local economies, and drive sustainable business growth. The following centers and leaders exemplify the mission and measurable impact of the network. 

“These award recipients embody the very best of the Small Business Center Network. Their dedication, creativity, and commitment to serving North Carolina’s entrepreneurs strengthen our communities every single day,” said Anne Shaw, State Director. “I am proud of the transformational impact our directors and centers continue to deliver across the state, and we celebrate their outstanding achievements.” 

“The Small Business Center Network plays an essential role in North Carolina’s economic development ecosystem. The leaders and centers recognized this year demonstrate how our community colleges drive entrepreneurship, support job creation, and help businesses overcome challenges and thrive. Their work directly fuels North Carolina’s economic vitality and the success of communities in every region,” said John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development for the System. 

State Director of the Year 

Renee Hode, South Piedmont Community College 
Carmela Tomlinson, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute  

The SBCN proudly recognizes Renee Hode, Director of the South Piedmont Community College Small Business Center, as a State Director of the Year for her enduring and exemplary leadership. Celebrating 20 years of service—including her long tenure as Regional Director for the Southwest—Renee has consistently placed the success of her colleagues, her region, and the entrepreneurs she serves at the forefront of her work. She has strengthened the Network through her service on key committees, her mentorship of new Directors, her leadership in regional reporting and economic impact documentation, and her pioneering efforts in launching the first regional business plan competition. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and collaboration has made her a role model across the SBCN.  

The SBCN is also proud to honor Carmela Tomlinson, Director of the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Small Business Center, with the prestigious State Director of the Year recognition. Since joining the SBCN in 2020, Carmela has become a driving force behind the Network’s marketing strategy—leading the Marketing Committee, advancing rebranding efforts, increasing success story visibility, and fostering statewide adoption of marketing best practices. Her creativity and dedication, including developing new SBCN logo concepts and supporting colleagues with monthly guidance, have strengthened the organization’s brand and outreach. Even while assisting small businesses with Hurricane Helene recovery, Carmela consistently stepped up to serve the Network whenever called upon, inspiring others through her leadership, expertise, and exceptional service. 

Rookie of the Year Award 

Ruthie Holloman, Director – Nash Community College Small Business Center  

The Rookie of the Year Award is presented to Ruthie Holloman, Director of the Nash Community College Small Business Center, whose mission-driven leadership transformed her center into a dynamic hub for entrepreneurial growth in less than two years. Under her guidance, the SBC has served over 20% more entrepreneurs, doubled counseling hours, and significantly expanded training participation and satisfaction. Ruthie’s strategic yet personal approach—marked by empathy, encouragement, and deep community engagement—has strengthened partnerships with chambers, nonprofits, and government agencies, while elevating major regional initiatives like MED Week and the Entrepreneurial and Financial Literacy Summits. Her impact extends beyond campus through her roles as Chair of the Rocky Mount Chamber’s Minority Economic Development Committee, two-time Alignable Small Business Person of the Year, and as a recent honoree by Senator Don Davis. Ruthie is quickly emerging as one of North Carolina’s most influential new leaders in small business development.  

Service Excellence Award 

The SBCN Service Excellence Award is presented to Daphne Carson, SBC Specialist at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, whose unwavering positivity, dependability, and dedication have defined exceptional service since she joined the SBC in 2017. A vital member of the Professional Development Committee, Daphne helps ensure that SBCN conferences are both high-quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities for statewide collaboration. At her college, she manages the many details that keep the SBC running smoothly, and her warm, energetic presence reflects an SBC that is both welcoming and deeply committed to supporting small businesses. Whenever the Network needs someone to step in and support a critical task, Daphne is there—consistently delivering excellence and embodying the spirit of service that strengthens the SBCN. 

Business Success Story – Most Impact 

Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center 
The Wall Printer: Painting Success Across North America 

The Wall Printer (TWP), founded by Paul Baron in Wilmington, NC, stands as a model of innovation and impact. As the first and only U.S. distributor of vertical wall printing machines, TWP has grown to $3.8 million in annual revenue, employs 15 people, and has enabled over 120 entrepreneurs across North America to start their own mural-printing businesses. The company’s success is matched by its community commitment—donating a wall printer to Cape Fear Community College, offering internships, and creating workforce pathways for students. With strategic and marketing support from the Cape Fear CC Small Business Center, with SBC Director Jerry Coleman at the helm, TWP achieved national recognition, including the 2024 Coastal Entrepreneurship Award. The company exemplifies how SBC partnerships can fuel cutting-edge innovation, job creation, and educational advancement, both locally and nationwide. 

Business Success Story – Overcoming Challenges 

Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center 
Replanting Hope: Botanical Treasures Rebuilds After Hurricane Helene 

Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina in September 2024, leaving Robert Stine’s nursery, Botanical Treasures, with a loss of nearly $2 million in plants overnight. Facing unimaginable loss, Robert turned to the Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center (SBC) for disaster recovery support. Through more than 15 hours of counseling and guidance with insurance claims, marketing, and funding access, the SBC, through the steadfast leadership of SBC Director Ben Smith, helped secure over $34,000 in recovery grants. Further, with the aid of volunteers and loyal customers, Robert rebuilt and reopened his nursery, transforming it into a symbol of resilience and renewal. Today, Botanical Treasures continues to thrive—demonstrating how the Blue Ridge SBC empowers small businesses to recover, rebuild, and flourish. 

Business Success Story – Overcoming Challenges

Western Piedmont Community College Small Business Center 
Candor Guitars reopens with help of the Small Business Center 

When Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina, local guitar maker Alex Wiseman faced the devastation of losing both home and business when floodwaters destroyed the basement workshop. The Western Piedmont Community College Small Business Center (SBC), led by dedicated advisor Lily Laramie, stepped in to provide steady guidance and support through the long recovery process. With financial help from a Wells Fargo Foundation–funded grant program for hurricane-impacted entrepreneurs, Alex rebuilt a more efficient and resilient workshop—transforming loss into opportunity. Soon after reopening Candor Guitars, Alex celebrated a major milestone: selling the first handcrafted guitar produced in the rebuilt space. This story stands as a testament to resilience, community partnership, and the vital role SBCs play in helping small businesses not only recover, but thrive.  

Business Success Story – Business Startup 

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute Small Business Center 
Lake Hickory Pub & Marina: Rising Strong After the Storm 

Dan and Meagen Kelly moved from Minneapolis to North Carolina in early 2024 to pursue their dream of owning and revitalizing the Lake Hickory Pub & Marina. With guidance from the Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute Small Business Center (SBC), led by Carmela Tomlinson, they modernized operations and built a thriving lakeside destination—until Hurricane Helene struck, destroying their $500,000 marina. Undeterred, the Kellys rebuilt from the ground up with the help of SBC counseling, community partnerships, $30,000 in grants, and a $100,000 recovery loan. Within months, they reopened stronger than ever, featuring 60 new boat slips, pontoon rentals, and expanded dining services. Their perseverance not only restored a local landmark but inspired the community, earning them the 2025 Caldwell County Small Business of the Year award.  

INNOVATION AWARD – PROGRAMS & SEMINARS

Beaufort County Community College 

Through intentional innovation, quality-focused delivery, and community-centered engagement, the Beaufort County Community College Small Business Center, led by SBC Director Jack Dugan, elevated its programming from “good to great,” setting a new benchmark for excellence in small business support. The center shifted from online to in-person learning to better reach rural entrepreneurs, enhanced workshop quality with updated materials and locally relevant content, and introduced multi-day, in-depth training experiences on advanced topics such as website development and business planning. By hosting on-location workshops at markets and community sites, aligning programs with regional strengths like agriculture and aquaculture, and expanding its Seed & Sow initiative—which has awarded more than $60,000 in funding—the BCCC SBC deepened relationships, improved outcomes, and achieved record impact with 198 jobs created or saved and 149 clients served, solidifying its reputation as a statewide leader in entrepreneurial excellence.   

Innovation Award – Services and Collaboration 

Mitchell Community College Small Business Center 

The Mitchell Community College Small Business Center (SBC), in partnership with Huskins Library and MCC Mooresville Library, developed a groundbreaking collaboration that integrates business counseling, library resources, and educational programming to expand entrepreneurship support across the community. By creating dedicated SBC Resource Areas within the libraries and empowering librarians to assist entrepreneurs with market research and resource navigation, this partnership enhanced accessibility and client support. The initiative’s centerpiece—the Small Business Research Guide, designed by Librarian Devin Ortiz-Hoffman—offers curated print and digital tools for every stage of entrepreneurship. Shared library spaces now host SBC workshops and events, reducing barriers to participation. Through initiatives like the NC IDEA LEAF Fellowship and Libraries Build Business, Mitchell’s model, envisioned by SBC Director Suzanne Wallace, has become a statewide benchmark for library-based entrepreneurial programming—transforming libraries into vibrant hubs of innovation and opportunity. 

Credentialing and Service Awards

Credentialing awards are presented to small-business center directors who have achieved the required training milestones in Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of the credentialing program. The following small-business center directors were recognized with credentialing awards.  

Level 1 credentialing awards were presented to Terri Dennison, Bladen CC; Suling Walker, Durham Technical CC; Halle Nobles, Pitt CC; Flynn Meares, Richmond CC; Cassidy Ball, Stanly CC; Lesa Hensley, Surry CC; Carolyn Perry, Vance-Granville CC. 

Level 2 credentialing awards were presented to Terri Dennison, Bladen CC; Chris Reese, Catawba Valley CC; Dr. Jeff Wilke, Craven CC; Felicia Williams, Gaston College; Grayson Brann, Piedmont CC; Halle Nobles, Pitt CC; Flynn Meares, Richmond CC; Cassidy Bally, Stanly CC; Lesa Hensly, Surry CC; Esteban Guzman, Wayne CC; Carolyn Perry, Vance-Granville CC. 

Level 3 credentialing awards were presented to Phydesia Lewis, Alamance CC; Terri Dennison, Bladen CC; Dr. Jeff Wilke, Craven CC; Laura Brown Evans; Edgecombe CC; Vicki Ashley, Haywood CC; Ruthie Holloman, Nash CC; Halle Nobles, Pitt CC; SaRatta Murphy; Roanoke-Chowan CC; Megan Johnson, Rowan-Cabarrus CC;  

Service awards recognize the number of years a center director has served the Small Business Center Network.  Five year service awards were presented to Carmela Tomlinson, Caldwell CC& TI; Terry Valentino, McDowell Technical CC,; Quinton Louris, Randolph CC; and Megan Johnson, Rowan-Cabarrus CC.  Ten year service awards were presented to Terri Brown, Central Carolina CC and Steve Padgett, Cleveland CC, (retired).  Earning a fifteen year service award is Suzanne Wallace, Mitchell CC.  An award for twenty years of service was presented to Renee Hode, South Piedmont CC. 

About the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) 

The North Carolina Community College System’s Small Business Center Network (SBCN) includes 58 centers across the state, each committed to supporting entrepreneurs through confidential counseling, high-quality training, and vital business resources. Since its founding, the SBCN has helped thousands of businesses launch, grow, and sustain success—driving local and statewide economic development. 

Media Contact
Anne Shaw 
Director, Small Business Center Network 
North Carolina Community College System 
shawa@nccommunitycolleges.edu