Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/742437
36 UCW OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2016 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM "One million cups of what?" is the most often asked question. "Coffee!" is our answer. But, one million cups is truly more than that. 1 Million Cups is a national program to engage, educate and connect local entrepreneurs based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee. Started by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 1MC is a free weekly gathering that helps build startup communities at a grassroots level. 1MC offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their startup business ideas to a diverse group of fellow entrepreneurs, advisers and educators. Presenters tell their stories during a six-minute presentation, highlighting their business and discussing the challenges they face. Following the presentation, there is a 20-minute exchange with audience members. The entrepreneur gains insight into possible ways to improve their business, gathers real-time feedback and connects with the community that wants to help them succeed. The audience can also learn from the presenter as well as provide valuable feedback to help the entrepreneur's business grow. 1MC attendees enjoy the opportunity to network before and after the presentations. Connections are made, resources are shared and new relationships are formed as attendees huddle together to collaborate — even after the meeting has concluded. New leads are also identified. Several presenters receive a list of new customers even before their presentations are over. 1MC sessions are recorded and made available on YouTube, allowing information to be shared through social media. This method proves to be valuable for presenters, who are often given ideas at a rapid-fire pace with little or no time for stopping to write down ideas, notes or information. Entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses can apply to present. New startups are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the knowledge of those who have "been there, done that." We seek out businesses from a wide variety of industries. Nonprofit organizations and community resources are also welcome. Anyone interested in presenting can submit a request to present at the 1MC Fayetteville website: www.1millioncups.com/fayetteville. 1MC takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesdays in more than 80 cities across America. In Fayetteville, 1MC meets in the General Classroom Building Room 114 at 2817 Fort Bragg Road on the Fayetteville campus of FTCC. FTCC is a sponsor of 1MC Fayetteville and a supporter of entrepreneurship in the Cumberland County community. Cumberland Coffee Roasters is also a sponsor of 1MC Fayetteville by graciously providing wonderful blends of coffees from around the world. 1MC Fayetteville is celebrating our two-year anniversary in October. Come and see what 1MC can do for you and your business. Bring a friend! The coffee is hot, delicious and waiting for you! Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook. One Million Cups at Fayetteville Tech by TAMARA BRYANT AND CINDY BURNS TAMARA BRYANT AND CINDY BURNS, FTCC One Million Cups Organizers. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200 Full Season Schedule available at CrownComplexNC.com Tickets: CapeFearTix.com First Kids Get A FREE Youth T-Shirt On Opening Night! First Kids Get A FREE Youth T-Shirt On Opening Night!