Welcome to the A-B Tech Small Business Center (SBC)
Help Us Now: We're proud to announce that A-B Tech Small Business Center client Yoko Morris is a finalist in the inaugural NC Small Business Center Network's Startup Showdown. There is a voting component to this competition, and we need Your support!
Voting opened September 1 and runs through September 15.
Yoko and her company CareHeld are among 17 finalists vying for the Startup Showdown title and a $30k prize. CareHeld serves physicians and chronically ill patients by offering an innovative suite of tools and support to help patients live their best lives.
How To Vote:
- Watch and "like" Yoko's CareHeld pitch video on the SBCN Startup Showdown YouTube Channel: 2026 SBCN Startup Showdown entry from A-B Tech CC: CAREHELD Chronic Illness Management- Yoko Morris
- Share with your network
- The number of "likes" Yoko receives factors into her total score for the competition
Read more about Yoko at Healthcare Advocate: Yoko Morris to Represent WNC in State’s SBCN Startup Showdown Competition!
Listen to Yoko on the A-B Tech No Limits Radio Show
Looking to launch an entrepreneurial venture or grow a small business? The Small Business Center (SBC) at A-B Tech Enka is part of the statewide Small Business Center Network (SBCN), a community college-funded initiative with a vision to foster and support entrepreneurship, small businesses, and economic development in local communities, with an emphasis on assisting start-ups, early-stage, and at-risk enterprises. Our team is here to serve you and help you succeed on your entrepreneurial journey.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter!
Small Business Counseling
Our experienced counselors and trainers can help take the confusion out of what can seem like an endless list of rules, regulations, and red tape. We can show you what it takes to start your business, serve as a sounding board for your ideas, and assist you as your business grows. The SBC offers a multi-faceted approach to helping prospective and current small business owners with a central point of contact for information, education, and assistance.
Our team operates by appointment only so that we can be prepared to help you from the start, so please request counseling at Register For Counseling
Business Seminars
Our SBC offers a variety of topics, presented by experts in their field, at no direct cost to you. To view the seminar schedule, visit Events/Workshops.
Tools to Help You
- Register for our Newsletter
- Launching a North Carolina Business
- NC Bar Association Entrepreneur Assistance Program
- Statewide Seminars (including those offered by the NC Department of Revenue)
- WNC Strong (a collective of community partners dedicated to helping small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene)
Let us Know How You Are Doing
Are you a former or current client who has utilized our complimentary workshops or services? We would love to hear from you! Your input helps us craft future programming and offer resources to help you succeed. Please update your information with the SBC.
Our Team
- Jill Sparks, Executive Director, Small Business Center / Business Incubation
- Duane Adams, Associate Director, Small Business Center / Business Incubation
- Daphne Carson, Specialist, Small Business Center / Business Incubation
- Steve Poland, Guest Counselor, Small Business Center
Check out the New Business Checklist
(which includes important legal and tax resources as well as filing dates)
