SOVA RISE: Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs

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SOVA RISE: Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs

Connecting Entrepreneurs to Opportunities in Southern Virginia and Beyond!

09/22/2026

Business Spotlight: Tiffessentials LLC

Bring a little luxury to your everyday self-care routine!

Owned by Tiffany Hill, Tiffessentials LLC offers body and fragrance products designed to help you look, feel, and smell your best. From whipped body butters and shea butter soaps to fragrance mists and foaming body products, there are plenty of scents and products to explore.

We’re excited to feature Tiffessentials LLC in this week’s RISE Business Spotlight and celebrate another small business growing in Southern Virginia.

Take a look and find your new favorite at https://na2.hubs.ly/H07ZkxY0

09/21/2026

Join us for the Brunswick Entrepreneur Meetup on Tuesday, September 29, from 5:30–7:00 PM at SPC4Life.

Hosted by RISE and Marilynn Cabiness, this casual meetup is a chance to connect with local entrepreneurs, business owners, farmers, ag producers, and others interested in entrepreneurship.

Meet new people, share ideas, and learn about resources available to support your business.

All are welcome!

09/19/2026

The SOVA Innovation Hub is offering a series of AI for Business Workshops designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners put AI to work in practical ways.

The series starts October 1 and continues through January, with workshops focused on:

October 1 or October 20: What AI Is, What It Can Do, & How to Start Using It
November 17: Practical Prompting for Everyday Work
December 3: From Chatbot to Workflow
January 12: AI for Marketing, Outreach, & Content Creation

Whether you’re brand new to AI or already experimenting with it, there’s an opportunity to build your skills and explore ways AI can support the work you’re already doing.

All workshops will be held at the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston. Registration is now open.

Learn more and register: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07VBsB0

09/17/2026

Congratulations to RISE Navigator Marilynn Cabiness on being recognized as an honoree for the inaugural 100 Women of Color Virginia!

In Marilynn’s words, “For me, this is bigger than recognition. This is a reminder that the work, the service, and the IMPACT matter. Every moment matters.”

We are proud to celebrate Marilynn and the impact she continues to make through her work supporting entrepreneurs and communities across Southern Virginia.

Congratulations, Marilynn!

09/15/2026

Sometimes a little extra confidence starts with a smile.

Located at 319 East Market Street in Martinsville, SkyeBright Smile, owned by Devan Smithwick Lowe, is a local health and beauty business specializing in professional cosmetic teeth whitening.

As a certified teeth whitening specialist, Devan offers Gentle, Bright, and Ultra whitening options designed to help clients brighten their smiles and feel more confident.

SkyeBright Smile is another example of an entrepreneur turning a specialized skill into a business while bringing a new health and beauty service to the Martinsville community.

Here's to another Southern Virginia entrepreneur building a business around a specialized skill and serving their local community.

09/14/2026

Mecklenburg, this one is for you.

Have a business idea but aren't sure what comes next?

Join us for The Startup Playbook: Idea to Income, a beginner-friendly workshop designed to help you turn your idea into a clearer business model and identify practical next steps toward business ownership.

Thursday, September 24
5:30 - 7:00pm
R.T. Arnold Public Library | South Hill

Whether you're starting from scratch or already working on an idea, come connect, learn, and take your next step.

Register today! Link in comments.

09/12/2026

Congratulations to Shawn and Chase on the opening of Wardrobe & Vine in Lawrenceville!

They celebrated their ribbon cutting last Friday, marking an exciting milestone for their new business.

We’re glad RISE Business Navigator Marilynn Cabiness was there to celebrate with them and show her support.

If you’re in Lawrenceville, stop by and welcome them to the local business community!

Wardrobe & Vine
221 N. Main St.
Lawrenceville, VA 23868

09/11/2026

Stay connected to what's happening for entrepreneurs across Southern Virginia.

Join us for the next RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup on Thursday, September 17, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on Zoom.

Hear updates from local and regional entrepreneur support organizations, learn about upcoming resources and opportunities, and connect with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners from across the region.

Entrepreneurs at all stages are welcome!

September 17 | 12:00–1:00 PM | Zoom

Register today! Link in comments.

09/10/2026

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Lakeisha Wood, Sweetz Eventz & Entertainment LLC

For Lakeisha Wood, the best part of planning an event is the moment her clients walk into the room and see their vision brought to life.

Growing up in a close-knit community, Lakeisha learned how meaningful it can be to celebrate life's special moments with the people you love. That passion for bringing people together eventually inspired her to start Sweetz Eventz & Entertainment LLC.

Today, Lakeisha helps create weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, and community celebrations where her clients can focus on making memories while she handles the details behind the scenes.

One of her proudest accomplishments has been watching Sweetz grow from a dream into a business that people recognize and trust. Every booking, referral, returning client, and partnership reminds her that taking the leap was worth it.

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs comes from her own experience: Trust God, don't wait for everything to be perfect, stay committed to your vision, and keep learning along the way.

For Lakeisha, every event is an opportunity to create something meaningful and help turn priceless moments into lasting memories.

Thank you, Lakeisha, for bringing your creativity and passion to celebrations throughout our community.

Address

715 Wilborn Avenue
South Boston, VA
24592

Website

https://sovarise.com/

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