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SANFORD, N.C. -- North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall visited Sanford on Wednesday, June 4, for a day of engaging with local entrepreneurs and learning about the collaborative efforts supporting small business development in the region. Hosted by �ڰ�������’s Small Business Center, the visit highlighted the city’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and the impact of grassroots business support initiatives.

The visit began with a lunch at the locally owned Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House, followed by a walking tour of downtown Sanford led by Downtown Sanford, Inc. Executive Director Kelli Laudate. Stops on the tour included High Cotton Couture, Family Grounds Coffee, and the Sanford Antique Mall — three standout examples of downtown Sanford’s vibrant small business community.

“Together with our partners, we explored our vibrant downtown, connecting Secretary Marshall directly with the driving force of our community: our dedicated small business owners,” said Laudate. “Our conversations were engaging, we admired public art, and even got a behind-the-scenes look at coffee making. We capped off the tour with a glimpse of Temple Theatre’s Summer Conservatory production of The Wizard of Oz.”

Secretary Marshall was joined by Deputy Secretary Tim Crowley and Rural RISE NC Project Coordinator Tammy Everett. Local leaders accompanying the tour included Sanford Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon; �ڰ������� President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman; Sanford Area Growth Alliance CEO Jimmy Randolph, and Terri Brown, Executive Director of the �ڰ������� Small Business Center.

Following the tour, Secretary Marshall hosted a roundtable discussion with local small business owners at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center. The group discussed the unprecedented number of new business filings in North Carolina and the challenges facing entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas. These challenges inspired Secretary Marshall’s NC Rural RISE initiative, which aims to improve access to business information and support statewide.

Participants in the roundtable included:

• Keona and DZ Carr, Flooded Screen Prints

• Porshia Wicker, Sankofa Pediatric Therapy

• Janet Stoudemire, BLU Resource Center

• James Jones, The Debonair Chef

• Ryan Morgan, Raven Forge Games

• Matthew Sarmiento, Rogue Toys

• Dehra Green, Mine and Yours Bridal, LLC

• Jessica Nelson, Millie’s Momma Bakes

• Sheena Morrill, Channeled Energies

Most of these entrepreneurs are alumni of Sanford’s Real Investment in Sanford Entrepreneurs (RISE) program — a free, eight-week startup course offered through a collaboration between the �ڰ������� Small Business Center, Downtown Sanford, Inc., and the Sanford Area Growth Alliance (SAGA) Chamber of Commerce.

“It was wonderful meeting with so many entrepreneurs and leaders in Sanford,” said Secretary Marshall. “It was especially illuminating to learn about your collaborative RISE program. Programs like this are crucial to preparing our small business community for success and growing our economy.”

Jimmy Randolph, SAGA’s CEO, added, “It was exciting to learn more about how the N.C. Secretary of State’s office, under Secretary Marshall’s leadership, is connecting innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs with the resources that accelerate their success and strengthen rural communities.”

The next RISE cohort is expected to begin in early 2026. Interested entrepreneurs can learn more and join the waitlist.

Learn more about the initiative.