Interview with Kat Chitow, co-owner of The Wine Dive in Mooresville, North Carolina which opened in July 2010. Tracy Brener, student in the Masters of Entrepreneurship Program at Western Carolina University conducted the interview on April 29, 2011.
The Nantahala Newscast from Western North Carolina
Entrepreneurial Interview Questions
Hello I am Jeanette Marceau of Nantahala Cabins from Western North Carolina. I am doing an in depth series on the entrepreneurs of Western North Carolina’s tourism industry for the Masters of Entrepreneurship Program at Western Carolina University. This will be an eight part series beginning with an interview with Sara Smith who majored in Graphic Design at Western Carolina University. The other parts of the series will include entrepreneurs of the tourism industry in Western North Carolina particularly the within Bryson City and the Nantahala River and Fontana Lake regions of Bryson City, North Carolina.
Western North Carolina is a premier outdoor vacation capital. “National Geographic Adventure and ABC’s Good Morning America’s “Vacationland” series named the Nantahala River the number one place to spend a wet and wild vacation in the US. The book “101 Best Outdoor Towns” named Bryson City the nation’s third best whitewater paddling town.” Not only is rating popular but the area also has horseback riding, biking, zip lining, boating on Fontana Lake, jeep tours, hiking and many more outdoor attractions for families along with shopping and many restaurants. Being a tourist area there are also many accommodations and restaurants to choose from. The down turn in the economy has hit this area hard and the entrepreneurs are struggling to survive and they are creating innovative ways to succeed.
On Becoming an Entrepreneur; A Discussion with Laura Macek of Sewing Arts Studio
By Tracy Brener
3/18/2011
How do you start your own business? Well some people just fall into it, like Laura Macek, owner of Sewing Arts Studio, located Pineville, North Carolina. Her business was in operation from July 2005 to July 2008.
Laura and her husband had an opportunity come their way that they just couldn’t pass up. The couple was approached about becoming a dealer (kind of like franchise) for a Japanese company that manufactured and sold a line of home sergers and sewing machines. Looking for an “escape from corporate America”, the couple decided to open their doors as Sewing Arts Studio. The two felt the business would be a vehicle that would get them out of the boardroom and into Main Street. Laura’s over 20 years in the accounting industry complemented her husband’s career in the Marketing field, providing a great foundation for starting their own business.
April DeBord is a 31 year old high school teacher who has her Masters and is planning to do her Doctorate within the next 2 years. She is also a Mary Kay consultant and aspires to start a restaurant one day. She inspired me with her multifaceted life and ambition! Enjoy!
What do you find most rewarding about being your own boss?
I can set my own hours and since my job is just on the side I can choose to work or not. I just get some extra money if I choose to work or not. I think that’s the best thing about having your own business you get to make it what you want to make it.
