Unlocking Opportunity: Entrepreneurs Gather for “Community Access to Capital” in Charlotte

On November 5, 2025, local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders gathered at the Do Greater Foundation for “Community Access to Capital,” a live event hosted by The Boost Pad in partnership with Mecklenburg County, Aspire Community Capital, Meck Lending, Carolinas Small Business Growth Fund, and Growmetix.

The evening — with dinner generously sponsored by Mecklenburg County — opened with networking, community connection, and a shared mission: helping entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and resources they need to access funding opportunities across debt, equity, and grants.

Steven Lewis, host and leader of The Boost Pad, welcomed attendees with an overview of the event’s purpose: to empower local founders with practical insights and pathways to capital.

💡 The Importance of Small Businesses

Janelly Rosales of Mecklenburg County kicked off the program by discussing County supports for small business growth and introduced the Carolinas Small Business Growth Fund, a key initiative helping founders access loans and community capital.

🎙️ Panel: Capital Access 101

Moderated by Manuel Campbell of Aspire Community Capital, the main panel featured:

• Wes Head, Aspire Community Capital
• Bilal Johnson, Meck Lending
• Harold Hughes, Angel Investor

The discussion broke down how entrepreneurs can prepare for different funding types, emphasizing the importance of:

• Knowing your numbers
• Separating personal and business finances
• Understanding whether you’re building a scalable startup or a lifestyle business

Harold Hughes shared an investor’s perspective on what differentiates “credit readiness” from “investor readiness,” encouraging founders to approach the right funding partners at the right time.

🎤 Community Dialogue and Next Steps

The event concluded with an engaging audience Q&A, allowing attendees to connect directly with panelists and ask personalized questions about funding strategies and eligibility.

Before closing, Steven Lewis announced the five finalists advancing to The Boost Pad’s Live Pitch Contest and highlighted upcoming opportunities for continued support through The Boost Pad, Mecklenburg County, Aspire Community Capital, Meck Lending, and Growmetix.

The night ended with music, networking, and partnership-building — a testament to what’s possible when community organizations unite to support entrepreneurs.

Special thanks to:
Do Greater Foundation (Venue Host), Mecklenburg County (Event Sponsor), Aspire Community Capital, Meck Lending, Carolinas Small Business Growth Fund, Growmetix, and all the entrepreneurs who showed up to connect, learn, and grow together.

Stay tuned for updates on the finalists and upcoming Pitch Night by subscribing to our newsletter at theboostpad.org