Local entrepreneur Yoko Morris, 43, has been selected to represent the western region of North Carolina in the Small Business Center Network’s (SBCN) Startup Showdown, a new statewide competition that will bring together 17 entrepreneurs to compete for up to $60,000 in unrestricted funding.
The competition, which is powered by Wells Fargo, represents 58 small business centers from across the state. Morris, a client of the A-B Tech Small Business Center, is one of three representatives for the western region; the others are from Blue Ridge Community College and Isothermal Community College.
Initially selected as a regional alternate, Morris, a West Virginia native, is thrilled to have advanced to the state finals. Her business, CareHeld, services physicians and people living with chronic illness, offering them much-needed tools and support to live their best lives. By subscribing to a monthly plan, individuals gain access to online support groups, a library of medical articles, and talks by experts on subjects such as navigating the challenges of health insurance and disability.
Doctors can opt in to have CareHeld set up Integrative Medical Group Visits (IMGV) with patients who suffer from the same illness. The aim of the group visit model is to bring together people suffering from the same illness and reduce costs, time, and energy for both doctors and patients.
“This IMGV model brings the control back to the patient,” Morris said. “Often patients have more information about their illness than doctors. During the visits, the patients can ask questions, offer up information to the doctor, who confirms it or clarifies it. Doctors can also talk about or prescribe medications.”
Morris, who was diagnosed with Long COVID in 2020, knows firsthand what it’s like to live with a chronic illness. When her symptoms – including fatigue, nerve pain and brain fog-- persisted over time, she went to a Long COVID clinic at UNC Chapel Hill to seek support. There, she found resources including weekly support groups, group medical visits with doctors, and online talks on mindfulness and meditation.
“To find a group of others (who) knew what I was going through and to be heard even if there weren’t answers to my questions, (that) was the catalyst for change that I had been looking for,” Morris said.
Eight weeks in, one of the group’s co-facilitators, noting that Morris was a natural cheerleader for fellow group members, asked her to co-facilitate while she was out on maternity leave. In stepping into the role, Morris quickly realized she’d found her life’s calling. Her lived experience made her the perfect candidate for the job, and she loved watching group members leave sessions feeling empowered and hopeful about their lives.
Earlier this year, the UNC clinic cut back on its offerings, but Morris has continued to co-facilitate member meetings, a role she’s held now for five years. She hopes to step in to fill the gap in services with her own business, CareHeld, which is accepting queries now from future members, and will launch full-time in September.
“I’m excited to get the word out, not just about CareHeld, but the need for more resources for people with chronic illness in general,” she said. “Because there is a big gap in healthcare, a lot of people are struggling to be heard."
Morris’ background has been focused on supporting area businesses. With degrees in Art and Small Business Management, she has several years’ experience managing businesses including East Fork Pottery and the nonprofit HandMade in America.
Morris is preparing to go to Raleigh on August 8, where she and other finalists will be recorded pitching their businesses in short videos that will later be shared on social media for statewide voting. The formal statewide (SBCN) Startup Showdown- complete with judging and awards ceremony – is set for September 17 in Durham.
Jill Sparks, Regional Director of SBCN, pointed out that people in WNC have always been entrepreneurial. The competition, she said, provides an opportunity for small business center clients throughout the state to bring their ideas to fruition.
“It is a win-win for all applicants, as part of the competition, everyone receives world-class training, mentorship, publicity and opportunities to network across the state,” she said. “I am confident that an entrepreneur from WNC will bring home the prize.”
For more information, or to sign up for CareHeld’s newsletter, visit CareHeld.