A Day in the Life:
Entrepreneurs in Surry County, NC

Building something real, without the soul-crushing overhead

Jordan moved her consulting business from Raleigh two years ago, and she's still kind of shocked it worked out this well. "I wasn't planning to stay," she admits. "I just needed to cut costs while I scaled. But then I realized—this is actually the smarter way to build."

7:00 AM

She's at InterWorks coworking in downtown Mount Airy before most people are awake. High-speed internet, real office space, actual meeting rooms—all the professional stuff without the Charlotte price tag. "I'm paying $200 a month," she says. "I was paying $600 in Raleigh for a smaller space with worse parking."

1:00 PM

Lunch with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber's entrepreneurship crew. Here's where Jordan gets a little emotional: "The community here actually shows up. The 'if you buy into Surry, Surry buys into you' thing isn't marketing—it's real." Local businesses refer clients to each other. People actually want you to succeed. She's also active in BNI and Yes Surry—networking that actually generates revenue.

Evening

Team celebration at Shelton Vineyard—they just landed a six-figure client. Jordan's grateful she can build a successful business while actually enjoying her life. Tomorrow she's setting up a booth at the Autumn Leaves Festival. "Festival marketing actually converts here," she explains. "People buy local.""We're not just living here," Sarah says. "We're actually building something. Roots. A real life."

1:00 PM

Lunch with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber's entrepreneurship crew. Here's where Jordan gets a little emotional: "The community here actually shows up. The 'if you buy into Surry, Surry buys into you' thing isn't marketing—it's real." Local businesses refer clients to each other. People actually want you to succeed. She's also active in BNI and Yes Surry—networking that actually generates revenue.

Evening

Team celebration at Shelton Vineyard—they just landed a six-figure client. Jordan's grateful she can build a successful business while actually enjoying her life. Tomorrow she's setting up a booth at the Autumn Leaves Festival. "Festival marketing actually converts here," she explains. "People buy local.""We're not just living here," Sarah says. "We're actually building something. Roots. A real life."

1:00 PM

Lunch with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber's entrepreneurship crew. Here's where Jordan gets a little emotional: "The community here actually shows up. The 'if you buy into Surry, Surry buys into you' thing isn't marketing—it's real." Local businesses refer clients to each other. People actually want you to succeed. She's also active in BNI and Yes Surry—networking that actually generates revenue.

Evening

Team celebration at Shelton Vineyard—they just landed a six-figure client. Jordan's grateful she can build a successful business while actually enjoying her life. Tomorrow she's setting up a booth at the Autumn Leaves Festival. "Festival marketing actually converts here," she explains. "People buy local.""We're not just living here," Sarah says. "We're actually building something. Roots. A real life."

1:00 PM

Lunch with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber's entrepreneurship crew. Here's where Jordan gets a little emotional: "The community here actually shows up. The 'if you buy into Surry, Surry buys into you' thing isn't marketing—it's real." Local businesses refer clients to each other. People actually want you to succeed. She's also active in BNI and Yes Surry—networking that actually generates revenue.

Evening

Team celebration at Shelton Vineyard—they just landed a six-figure client. Jordan's grateful she can build a successful business while actually enjoying her life. Tomorrow she's setting up a booth at the Autumn Leaves Festival. "Festival marketing actually converts here," she explains. "People buy local.""We're not just living here," Sarah says. "We're actually building something. Roots. A real life."

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Find Yourself Here

Launch Your Business Professional Networks Learn & Grow All Things Work

WORK

The Business Infrastructure Actually Exists

Location Matters (And This One's Good)

Access to Markets:

I-77, I-74, US 52 – Major interstate corridors giving you direct access to the East Coast

Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania – Within a day's drive for distribution

Charlotte's 90 minutes away – Big clients, airport, metro access without metro costs

Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh nearby – Regional markets within reach

Last-mile logistics advantage – Way cheaper than shipping from urban areas
High-speed broadband throughout the county—not dial-up, actual internet

Fiber options for data-heavy businesses

InterWorks – Enterprise-level internet, professional workspace

Reliable infrastructure – Run your cloud-based business without issues
Resources that would cost you thousands elsewhere:

Small Business Center at Surry Community College:

One-on-one business counseling from people who actually know what they're doing

Workshops on real stuff – Business planning, marketing, finance, operations

Startup resources including templates, market research, connections

Zero dollars. Free. No catch.

Surry Economic Development Partnership:

Help finding the right location for your business

Market access support and industry connections

Navigate incentive programs (yes, there are incentives)

Workforce partnerships to help you find and train talent

NCWorks:

Help with recruiting when you're ready to hire

Job posting services and candidate matching

Training grants to upskill your workforce

Labor market data so you know what to pay people

Surry Community College:

Custom workforce training for your specific business needs

Grants available for training your team

Continuing education to keep your employees sharp

Pipeline partnerships for long-term talent needs
Business connections that generate ROI:

Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce:

Business advocacy that actually matters

Networking events that don't suck

Leadership programs worth your time

Entrepreneurship committee focused on helping startups succeed
Yadkin Valley Chamber:

Regional connections across multiple counties

Policy work creating business-friendly environment

Economic initiatives that impact your bottom line
BNI (Business Network International):

Structured referral networking with actual results

Weekly meetings generating business (not just collecting cards)

One person per profession—no competing with other members

Track record of ROI
Yes Surry:

Young entrepreneur support and mentorship

Collaboration over competition mindset

Growth initiatives that benefit everyone
Rotary Clubs:

Community service + business relationships

Leadership development opportunities

Multiple chapters to choose from
Foothills Young Professionals:

Network for emerging business leaders

Professional development that's actually useful

Social events where real relationships form
Human Resources Association:

HR support as you grow

Compliance help so you don't screw up

SHRM-affiliated resources
Downtown Office Options:

Mount Airy and Elkin downtowns – Character buildings at modern prices

$8-15 per square foot vs. $25-40 in Charlotte/Raleigh

Walkable to everything – Coffee, lunch, banks, client meetings

Parking that doesn't cost extra (wild concept)

InterWorks Coworking:

Flexible desks starting ~$200/month – Try before you commit to a lease

Private offices when you need walls and a door

Meeting rooms for client presentations

Community of other entrepreneurs who get it

Industrial & Warehouse:

Affordable options for manufacturing and distribution

Right off major highways for logistics advantage

Lower property taxes than metro areas

Room to scale without lease panic
Talent pipeline is real:

Surry-Yadkin Works:

Connects you with students through internships and apprenticeships

Career readiness programs preparing local workforce

Talent pipeline for long-term needs

Education Access:

Surry Community College – Technical and professional training

Universities nearby – UNC Charlotte, Wake Forest, UNCG, Appalachian State

Custom training programs designed around what you actually need

Workforce with strong work ethic and loyalty

Housing Experience the Area All Things Live

LIVE

Your Life Doesn't Have to Suck While You Build

The Cost Advantage Is Real

When you're launching or scaling a business, your personal burn rate directly impacts your business runway. Lower cost of living in Surry County means:

More capital for business investment vs. rent and groceries

Better salaries for employees relative to their cost of living

Longer runway before needing more funding

Less financial stress so you can actually think clearly

Better profit margins when you're not bleeding on overhead
Flexibility as your business grows:

Short-Term Options:

Airbnbs and short-term rentals if you're testing the market

Furnished apartments while you figure things out

Month-to-month flexibility in some properties

Established Living:

Park Ridge Town Homes – Modern, low-maintenance

Spencer's Apartments – Downtown Mount Airy, walkable lifestyle

Rental homes at prices that don't make you cry

The Dream:

Build your custom home when the business is thriving

$220-250/sq ft vs. Charlotte's $400-450

Luxury options when you're ready to celebrate success

Check the housing study
The infrastructure that matters:

Safe neighborhoods – Focus on business, not security

Good schools – Top-rated systems if you have kids

Quality healthcare – Hugh Chatham, Northern Regional

Actual work-life balance – Short commutes, outdoor access, community

Housing that fits your stage – From startup lean to successful scaling

Find Your Community Get Active All Things Thrive

THRIVE

Community That Actually Supports You

Marketing & Exposure That Works

Festival Opportunities:

Autumn Leaves Festival – One of NC's biggest festivals, vendor booths available

Milltown Get Down – Downtown Elkin street festival

Year-round events for business exposure

"Shop local" culture that actually drives purchases

Festival marketing converts because people support local businesses
Work-life integration that doesn't suck:

Recharge Options:

Yadkin Valley Tourism – Wineries, outdoor adventures, regional escapes

Pilot Mountain State Park – Clear your head on the trails

Elkin Valley Trails – Walk/bike while working through problems

Shelton Vineyard – Client entertainment and team celebrations

Creative Community:

Surry Arts Council, Foothills Arts Council – Cultural partnerships

Creative environment that sparks innovation

Arts scene that attracts diverse talent

Give Back:

Yadkin Valley United Fund – Meaningful volunteer work

Community gatherings beyond business transactions

Purpose-driven entrepreneurship – Make money and make impact
Chamber Visibility:

Business award programs recognizing success

Ribbon-cutting celebrations for openings

Spotlights in chamber communications and social media

Networking events that mix business and relationship-building
Local media covers business milestones

Tight-knit community means referrals actually happen

"If you buy into Surry, Surry buys into you" isn't a slogan—it's how it works

Real investment in your success