Community & Economic Development

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Forsyth County is THE place where new and innovative businesses start, grow and thrive. The Community & Economic Development department supports the local entrepreneurship ecosystem and small businesses through strategic partnerships and funding initiatives including administering a Microenterprise Individual Development Account (IDA) program.

Are you a good fit for the Forsyth County Microenterprise IDA program?

01.

Do you own an existing small business that is at least a year old but could benefit from some professional reorganization?

02.

Are you seeking assistance navigating the Forsyth County entrepreneurial ecosystem, while also finding resources that best serve your business?

03.

Are you interested in the opportunity to earn funds for your business and improve your financial literacy through classes and monthly meetings with a Success Coach?

04.

Is your income less than 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in Forsyth County? (Reference 2024 Income Limits.)

Program Requirements

Attend monthly financial literacy classes conducted by Experiment in Self Reliance

Meet with success coach & mentors monthly

Create and submit monthly budgets while saving $100-200/month

Attend small business courses conducted by S.G. Atkins CDC

Accepting applications August 1 - September 30 for the 2025 cohort.

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Eligibility & Requirements

Investment Generated

Small Business Spotlight

Support Systems of Forsyth County

Support Systems of Forsyth County provides transportation services that support the working-class community of the triad area, by ensuring that all members of the community have equal opportunity to mobility solutions that aid in self-sufficiency.

Impact Statistics: Currently, Support Systems is operating with 3 drivers and Transportation Director Gregory James. On average, the drivers alone spend about 80 hours per month providing this service to the current clientele of almost 10 individuals. The partners project that by the end of July, two additional drivers will begin to assist with the anticipated influx of customers

Asset Purchased: Support Systems of Forsyth County plans to purchase transportation vehicles in hopes of increasing their impact in FC.

“

Participating in the Small Business IDA Program has allowed me to connect to resources that will help my business continue to thrive. I have learned to save funds for my business, by picking a bank that truly provides the tools, reporting, and merchant services that optimize my current and future plans for my business and myself. I have even learned investment techniques. The Business IDA program has given me the support I need to truly move to the next level. ”

Courtney James — Partner Business Owner

LeanBack Soul Food

LeanBack Soul Food is a restaurant business owned by Crissy Faison who prepares and caters her North Carolina native soul cuisine for many events throughout Forsyth County as well as across the East coast.

Impact Statistics: LeanBack Soul Food has grown from catering four events a month to five events a week. Because The Enterprise Center supplies a kitchen with pantry staples as well as linens and chafing dishes, Crissy Faison, owner and executive chef, is able to invest more of the income she’s earning back into the business.

Asset Purchased: Crissy is looking to transition out of a shared kitchen and into her own space, either a brick and mortar or food truck.

“

Thanks to the IDA program I was able to get my finances and credit on track to be able to lease a commercial property as a small business owner. The classes and mentors were extremely knowledgeable and informative. Without the guidance of the IDA program LeanBack would not be where it is today. ”

Crissy Faison — Owner and Executive Chef, LeanBack Soul Food

Ease

Ease is a wellness center at 2668 S. Stratford Road in Winston-Salem that offers meditation, massage therapy and yoga. Copeland, business owner and Ortho-Bionomy practitioner, focuses on a wellness approach that uses gentle movement and positioning to relieve muscle tension and pain.

Impact Statistics: The financial model for Ease is somewhat of a unique one in that Erin offers a variety of her services on a contribution or donation basis which breaks down any barriers to experiencing well-being. Her main intention in developing Ease is to help people foster a better relationship with themselves through meditation, yoga, dancing, art and whatever "speaks to them."

Asset Purchased: Erin has purchased a massage table and Ortho-Bionomy course over the past 2 years and hopes to use the remaining funds to focus on store rebranding by purchasing wall fountains, grow lights for plants, meditation cushions, a SketchUp Pro and some furniture to fill her space.

“

The IDA program gave me the skills to better prioritize and budget my money. With the current environment of Covid-19, I want to use my remaining IDA funds to shift focus to less in-person yoga and body coaching and more consultation about client comfort in the home. The IDA program also taught me the importance of planning. With my new service/product ideas I am excited to get my thoughts on paper to map out my finances and plans to market my business shift. ”

Erin Copeland — CEO, Ease

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Forsyth County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, familial status, physical handicap or disability in its employment opportunities, programs, services or activities.

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