A quarterly digest of news, events, and other updates
Spring 2023 Edition
Mark Your Calendar
Cohort 6 is in the midst of its mentorship sessions. The sessions are going well and will continue through May. The program will culminate with a Graduation Ceremony in early June, where each student will give a presentation on their business. We also look forward to the Alumni Social in May, inviting the current cohort, all past cohorts, and the mentors to this fun networking event.
We are very proud of Cohort 6 and the progress they have made!
- Barbara Belicic, LaunchAPEX Program Manager
Save The Date
The application period for the next LaunchAPEX cohort will open on June 5, 2023 and close July 14, 2023. Those interested can learn more and apply at www.launchapex.org.
LaunchAPEX Alumni Social
Mark your calendars for the LaunchAPEX Alumni Social! Join us on May 16, 2023 for an evening of fun. More information to come!
Please consider sponsoring the Alumni Social! Sponsorship pricing starts at $250. As an event sponsor, your business logo will be listed on the LaunchAPEX Sponsor Webpage, you will receive two free event tickets, and sponsor signage will be displayed at the event. If interested, please contact Barbara Belicic at email.
Photos of 2022 LaunchAPEX Alumni Social
Meet A Few Of The Entrepreneurs In Cohort 6
Name: Russel Guilfolie
Business: Rbundle, LLC
What is your main take away from the LaunchAPEX program?:Community resources are vital to successfully starting a business.
Name: Katheryn Rice
Business Idea: Independent Community Bookstore
What do you like most about the mentorship period?:
I love getting to learn from someone one who has years of experience in business and especially local.
Name: Peter Agiovlassitis
Business: Peter Agiovlassitis, Inc.
What is your main take away from the LaunchAPEX program?Being in corporate America for 30+ years in advertising, entrepreneurship is quite a daunting task. Before I had teams and departments for solutions to problems and execution of plans. Now I am a company of one (which I know will grow over time). LaunchAPEX gave me the tools and encouragement to see through the initial startup issues and provided me a framework for getting started, crystalizing my vision and mission, and how to go to market with specific plans and goals. Most of all, LaunchAPEX gave me the confidence that if I put in the work, I can have a very successful speaking business.
LaunchWAKECOUNTY Reunion
The LaunchWAKECOUNTY Alumni Reunion hosted by Wake Tech will be May 3, 2023 at Wake Tech's Scott Northern Wake Campus. More information to come!
Main Street Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program
The Main Street Entrepreneurs Accelerator (MSEA) program is a training and pitch competition for small-business owners in Wake County, aimed at accelerating business growth. Small-business owners can pitch for monetary awards to help accelerate their business growth. Information on the Spring 2023 program will be released March 21st with signups beginning April 1st. Current and past LaunchWAKECOUNTY participants are eligible to participate.
Alumni, please list your business in the graduate business directory on the LaunchAPEX website. If you would like your business to be featured on the LauchAPEX website, submit your business information through our online form.
Alumni Share Their News and Accomplishments
Amber Brennan (Cohort #4)- Rose & Lee named "Best Boutique" in Apex, NC by Suburban Living Apex Magazine.
Louanne Casper (Cohort #1)- Named the Apex Chamber of Commerce's Ambassador of the Month (January).
May 16 - Alumni Social
Location TBD
June 6 - Cohort 6 Graduation Ceremony
Apex Senior Center
Coffee & Connections: Wake Tech Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center presents Coffee & Connections: The Financial Lifecycle for Small Businesses. This informative session will discuss financing options and protections for businesses whether your business is: a startup; new; mature; or in a scaling stage. Initial seed capital and ways to fund multiple locations will also be discussed.
Click here RSVP by March 17, 2023 to attend the complimentary information session.
The North Carolina Small Business Center Network: The SBCN offers a variety of seminars and workshops to support the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses; most are available at no charge. Check out some of the seminars and workshops the SBCN offers below.
Mastermind 1.0: The Apex Chamber of Commerce and Apex Economic Development are excited to partner with Pinnacle Financial Partners to present Mastermind 1.0. This 8-week series led by experienced facilitators focuses on providing business owners with resources to grow their businesses, all while creating connections with other business owners in the community. There is no cost to participate. Space is limited to 10 participants. 5 spots will be reserved for LaunchAPEX graduates/participants on a first come first serve basis.
Meeting Details:
Every Thursday beginning, April 6th
Time: 8am – 9am
Location: The Depot Board Room
Purpose of a Mastermind Group:
A mastermind group brings together a small group of people who are motivated to take their business to a new level.
The desired outcome of the 8-week study is to increase your awareness and understanding of how to work on your business to help it grow in a productive, successful way.
As we move through each lesson, we will bring together our ideas and opinions to shape and mold our understanding of the material in a way that is far superior to simply reading a book on our own. We will be combining all of our minds to becoming a master mind.
How a Mastermind Group Works:
The group meets an hour a week, once a week, for 8 weeks, using the book “The E-myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber as the basis for our discussions. Pinnacle will provide you with a complimentary copy of the book.
The group is limited to 10 people so we all have a chance to participate and interact with each other extensively.
In advance of each meeting you will receive that week’s curriculum and other materials.
Meeting Agreements:
Facilitators will commit to making each meeting meaningful.
Discussions at the meeting are confidential with complete respect for each participant’s privacy.
Careful adherence to the one-hour time commitment will be observed.
No solicitation of business will take place during the hour meeting.
The Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) program, launched in early 2023, aims to support minority and women-owned businesses in finding resources and also provides a directory of their businesses and the services they offer the community. Apex’s MWBE initiatives advocate for and facilitate business growth to provide opportunities for historically underutilized businesses (HUB).
Program benefits include:
Providing a marketing tool to increase visibility of your business
Subscription to email notifications for MWBE news and updates
Increased knowledge, greater access, and connections to resource networks that enhance your business
Questions? Please contact Colleen Merays, Small Business Manager, Apex Economic Development at email.
Apex Small Business Directory
Apply today to have your buisness listed in the Apex Small Buisness Directory. Learn more and submit your business information through the online form.
Questions? Please contact Colleen Merays, Small Buisess Manager, Apex Economic Development at email.
Become a Sponsor
Join our partners in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in Apex! Our network of partners provides a broad spectrum of support and resources to the LaunchAPEX Program. Because of our partners, LaunchAPEX is able to deliver comprehensive business training, connection to financial resources, carefully paired mentoring, and networking with other business professionals. These opportunities are provided at no cost to our students.
Your sponsorship will help us expand the support and resources we offer to LaunchAPEX participants. Please consider one of the following sponsorships for this year’s program:
Advocate $750
Provide your business brochure/flyer to Cohort
Two invitations to Spring Alumni Networking Social
Recognition at LaunchAPEX Graduation in June
Networking & Event Sponsor Signage
Logo listing on LaunchAPEX Sponsor Webpage
Networking & Event Sponsor $500
Two invitations to Spring Alumni Networking Social
Networking & Event Sponsor Signage
Logo listing on LaunchAPEX Sponsor Webpage
Session Sponsor $250
Listing on LaunchAPEX Sponsor Webpage
15-minute introduction of self/company to Cohort at a class
Checks should be made out to Town of Apex (Memo: LaunchAPEX) and mailed to: Town of Apex
Attn: Economic Development Department
PO Box 250
Apex, NC 27502
Questions? Please contact Barbara Belicic at email.
Connect with the online community. Join the LaunchAPEX Facebookgroup for program updates.
