Mountain BizWorks is pleased to welcome 13 high-potential small businesses selected for the 14th ScaleUp WNC Cohort. The program began with a kick-off event on March 13, showcasing companies across a wide range of industries, including cleaning services, food and beverage, fiber arts, technology, landscape design, and creative sectors.
Through ScaleUp, the companies will receive intensive growth-management training, connect with experienced mentors, and receive access-to-capital support. The kick-off session featured special guests: the owners of Pisgah Pest Control, alumni from Cohort 3. They shared their ScaleUp journey and how the program helped set the foundation for growth that has since multiplied their business several times over.
“Western North Carolina is home to an extraordinary community of entrepreneurs who are building businesses with passion,” said Matt Raker, Mountain BizWorks’ Executive Director. “ScaleUp gives them the strategic tools, peer connections, and hands-on support to move forward. And this strengthens the entire regional economy.”
These companies will join more than 200 alumni businesses that have graduated from ScaleUp since its launch in 2015. To date, the program has welcomed a variety of participants hailing from all corners of WNC. This year’s cohort continues that tradition, with companies spanning from Boone to Black Mountain to Asheville.
“Cohort 14 is a remarkable group and diverse in industry,” said Gwynne Rukenbrod-Smith, ScaleUp Co-Facilitator and Business Growth Specialist at Mountain BizWorks. “Each of these founders has built something they’re ready to scale with intention. I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next few months and beyond.”
The following 13 accepted companies will be actively building their growth plans over the next three months:
Black Mountain Yarn Shop: Black Mountain Yarn Shop (BMYS) is a welcoming local yarn shop focused on fiber arts and community. They offer the best natural fibers for knitting, crochet, and sewing, along with all the accessories and a knowledgeable, welcoming community.
Buris Chalmers Communications: Buris Chalmers is a communications firm amplifying nonprofit and community voices across Western North Carolina, providing social media, media relations, design, web development, and messaging, and serving as an external development partner for fundraising, grant writing, and advocacy.
Clean Mountain Escapes: Clean Mountain Escapes is a locally owned cleaning company based in Boone, NC, delivering exceptional residential and vacation rental cleaning with a focus on quality, leadership, and team development. They prioritize high standards, livable wages, and outstanding client care.
Good People Technologies LLC: Asheville-based Good People Technologies helps business and nonprofit leaders define objectives and implement systems and automations that turn goals into results.
Green Go Cleaning Co.: Green Go Cleaning Co. is an eco-conscious cleaning and product company based in Western North Carolina, delivering meticulous home and commercial cleaning services using proprietary non-toxic products rooted in quality, care, and community.
Habibi Village: Habibi Village is a gluten-free Lebanese flatbread and flour mix brand rooted in tradition and built for modern health. Growing through farmers markets and festivals, the company is now scaling into wholesale and retail to bring clean-label, culturally authentic staples to more people.
Healing Roots Design: Healing Roots Design is a 17-year-old, woman-owned sustainable permaculture-based landscape design company dedicated to connecting clients to their land and facilitating land projects that live in balance and harmony with the ecosystem and community.
Kimberly Hodges Art & Design: Kimberly Hodges is a celebrated artist and product designer known for her vibrant, nature-inspired home accents and sculptures. Trained in ceramics, painting, and wood, her unique designs burst with color and creativity, anchoring a rapidly growing wholesale business.
Light + Love Arts: Light + Love Arts is a process-art studio for Asheville families, offering classes, camps, and parties for ages 1–9. With a mission to build creative confidence, they celebrate open-ended creativity through hands-on, sensory-rich art experiences.
Polygons Tile and Hardwood: Polygons is a design-forward tile and hardwood destination serving discerning builders, designers, and homeowners across Western North Carolina, offering curated materials, design support, and industry expertise under one roof.
Sarah Hearts: Sarah Hearts creates unique notions and gifts for sewists, quilters, knitters, crocheters, and makers of all experience levels through cheerful designs and beautiful use of color. Their products bring joy to both handmade projects and the creative process.
Spice Witch: Spice Witch is an Asheville-based maker of seed oil-free chili oils and chili crisps crafted to banish boring from home kitchens. Founded by Sabrina Hill, the brand helps everyday cooks create bold, layered flavor without complicated recipes.
The High Fiber LLC: The High Fiber is an illustration and print studio creating original handprinted textiles and illustrated paper goods celebrating nature and the joys of living simply.
This year’s program is offered with support from First Horizon Foundation, REDF Impact Investing Fund (RIIF), McGuire Wood & Bissette, Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville, and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts. More details on the program can be found at ScaleUpWNC.com.
