You can't control an entrepreneurial ecosystem. It has its own form, its own life. It's the magic that happens when certain things and people come together. On episode 10 of the  Entrepreneurship on the RISE podcast, one of those people, Longwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Executive Director Sheri McGuire, joins us to talk about the ever-evolving nature of rural ecosystem building and how a strong ecosystem benefits not only entrepreneurs and business-owners, but entire communities as well.

RISE Collaborative is striving to create a more inclusive and vibrant regional economy in which makers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and service providers interact organically and collaboratively. Our mission is to enhance equity and access to entrepreneurship and innovation for people who have been underserved based on geographic location (anyone who lives, works, or owns a business in Southern Virginia) and for people who have been underrepresented based on race, gender, religion, or other factors.

In this episode of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast, Jacob and Lauren, joined by their guest Sheri McGuire, share the parallels between entrepreneurial ecosystem building and Sheri’s interest in music and baking. They also discuss the importance of in-person connection and relationship-building, and how the future of ecosystem building hinges on the ability to leverage both in-person and virtual relationships. 

Some of the talking points we go over in this episode include:

• How the pandemic allowed them to serve more small businesses through virtual training.
• Navigating the different needs based on the location of the business since there’s such a large geography in Southern Virginia 
• Linking and leveraging assets as one of the key skills in strategic doing.
• How the shift on outcomes has evolved over the years.
• Some ways that work in bringing awareness to the support available to small businesses.
• The right mix of ingredients that are needed for connections that will make an impact in rural communities.
• Advice for other ecosystem builders and how to use your personality to bring your unique power to the table. 
• Ways in which organizations like SBDC can help close the gap in racial injustice by offering support and a seat for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

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Learn more about RISE Collaborative at https://sovarise.com/ 

CONNECT WITH SHERI MCGUIRE:

SBDC Longwood

LinkedIn

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Startup Champions 

Strategic Doing by Edward Morrison 

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Daily Stoic

Startup Community by Brad Feld

Waking Up White by Debby Irving