Events
Entrepreneurs Showcase New Businesses
RALEIGH N.C. (June 4, 2025) – Dozens of entrepreneurs gathered at Wake Tech Wednesday to showcase their homegrown products and services. The small-business owners are helping to strengthen the small-business footprint in Wake County as alumni of the LaunchWakeCounty program.
The college hosted an Alumni Vendor Expo for more than 60 graduates of LaunchWakeCounty, a partnership between Wake Tech and Wake County that helps develop entrepreneurs with training and community support. Towns and cities across the county collaborate with Wake Tech to offer the program in their communities. It includes a free 10-week training class, hands-on mentoring and assistance locating non-traditional sources of capital.
Entrepreneurs at the showcase featured their unique start-ups, ranging from original beverages and sweet treats to beauty and wellness products, dog treats, candles and apparel.
David Geikler, community coordinator for Wake Tech's Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center, organized the event.
"We want to help these new entrepreneurs thrive," said Geikler. "Events like today's Alumni Vendor Expo give new small-business owners a chance to use what they have learned to grow their start-ups and strengthen the local small-business community."
One of the new entrepreneurs, Shalon Maxile, has been baking and selling bundt cakes to friends and family for years but recently decided to start a business. She completed the LaunchGarner program in 2023 and Bundts by Brenee was born. She sells her cakes in local markets and says the guidance she received from the program gave her the boost she needed.
"LaunchGarner helped me face my fears," said Maxile. "I was worried that my business idea wasn't viable. The program helped me understand my customers, pinpoint my business objectives and how to achieve them. It gave me the confidence I needed to know that I can be successful."
Maxile has indeed found success. Her business is booming and now includes a food truck that her husband helps operate. When Maxile decided to take Bundts by Brenee on the road, she turned to Wake Tech again for additional training. She completed How to Start a Food Truck Business, one of the short-term, non-degree Workforce Training courses offered at the college.
"We launched the food truck earlier this year and have been on the road ever since!" she said.
Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls says small businesses like Bundts by Brenee are vital to the region.
"Small companies are the heart and soul of our communities," said Ralls. "Wake Tech is here to support you as you grow and thrive as entrepreneurs."
To date, LaunchWakeCounty has graduated nearly 1,000 small businesses.
