A new cabinetry design business and an expanding daycare center won the top prizes in the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Rev Up Danville Pittsylvania competition. Eight small businesses were awarded $77,000 to open or expand their businesses in the city of Danville or Pittsylvania County.
Rev Up Danville Pittsylvania helps small business owners develop business plans, work with mentors, and develop a “pitch” that demonstrates their plan and potential for success.
Sixteen businesses participated in the competition and the awards were announced at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Ceremony held on May 24, 2023. Winners and prizes were:
• Little Bird Daycare – Owner Chasity Phillips ($15,000)
• Design To A ‘T’ – Owner Tyler Harrell ($15,000 + $1,000)
• Trey Belcher Training – Owner Trey Belcher ($10,000)
• Nicholas Drone Service – Owner Nicholas Carty ($10,000)
• Hammer Hill Computers – Owner Steve Barrow ($10,000 +
$1,000)
• Fitz Over Food – Owner Terri Fitzgerald ($8,000)
• The Little House Esthetics – Owner Conner Finney ($5,000)
• The Heritage Salon & Co. – Owner LaShawn Walker ($2,000)
In addition to the 2023 Rev Up Pitch Grants, Movement Bank offered $1,000 grants to Design To A ‘T’ and Hammer Hill Computers. All sixteen participants were awarded a complimentary one-year Chamber membership at a value of $290 each.
Through Rev Up, the Chamber prioritizes and supports small business development and entrepreneurship. The program partners with the River District Association‘s [RDA] Dream Launch Bootcamp, a mandatory six-week program, to share resources while inviting participants beyond the River District.
Funding for the 2023 Rev Up Program is provided by the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, and the Dan River Region Entrepreneur Ecosystem. Partners also include The Launch Place, the Longwood SBDC, Movement Bank, and the many volunteer judges and mentors across the Dan River Region.
Rev Up Danville Pittsylvania, now finishing its third year, has seen 32 business plans pitched to judges for a total of $175,000 in funding. The fourth year of the program will open for registration in the fall of 2023 with classes beginning in January 2024.