Launch Gaston, Gastonia, NC (2026)

03/10/2025

📢 BIG NEWS for Aspiring Entrepreneurs! 👀

💡 Have a business idea but don’t know where to start? Already own a small business but feel stuck? Launch Gaston gives you the blueprint, mentorship, and connections to take your business to the next level.

🔥 45+ entrepreneurs have already launched with us—YOU could be next!

🚀 What You’ll Experience:
✅ Real strategies for funding, marketing, & scaling
✅ One-on-one mentorship from business experts
✅ A powerful network of local entrepreneurs
✅ Hands-on coaching to help you move forward with confidence

💬 “Small business is not just a far away dream, take the plunge and you’ll never look back!!” – VP. Obie Batista .batista

⚠️ Only 15 Spots Left – Apply by 4/1/2025
📍 In-Person & Community-Based
🔗 Click the link to apply!

https://advancegaston.org/sign-up-for-class -124e-4a8d-a003-de740399519b

12/27/2024

A bit late, but better late than never!

This incredible group of entrepreneurs has taken the leap to build their dreams and create lasting impact in our community. As the last cohort of the year, they’ve all worked tirelessly to develop their business ideas, refine their pitches, and gain the skills they need to thrive. 💼✨

We couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of our sponsors, board members, and community who champion the mission of empowering local entrepreneurs. Your generosity and dedication make this program possible, and we are so grateful for your partnership. ❤️🙌

To our graduates: This is just the beginning! Keep dreaming big and working hard. Gaston County is lucky to have such passionate and talented individuals paving the way for our future. 🚀🌟

Here’s to success, growth, and a brighter future for all! 🥂👏

09/17/2024

Pitching your business isn’t just for Shark Tank—it’s your chance to share your story, your passion, and the values that drive your business. It’s more than a product; it’s an opportunity to make a real impact on your community. This week, Ben from , shared how they’re doing just that by creating custom computers and peripherals for hobbyists and enterprise markets. 💻⚡

How will your business make a difference?

View all of Ben’s amazing products at NimbusNerds.com!

09/16/2024

Our latest cohort had the incredible opportunity to connect with one of Gaston County’s brightest young business owners!

A huge thank you to Chandler, owner and Chief Licensed Mental Health Counselor at , for sharing her inspiring business journey and valuable insights with our class.

Community partners like Chandler and offer a unique, firsthand look into the everyday realities of building a successful business, navigating growth, and adapting through challenges.

If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, loss, anxiety, or life’s challenges, remember that help is available. Reach out to Chandler’s team at – they’re here to support you.

03/06/2024

Have a business idea that you’ve been waiting to start, but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’re already in business and you’re looking to see what can be done to help grow your business!

Registrations are now open for Launch Gaston’s new Small Business and Entrepreneurship class!

Details:

Classes will meet 10 weeks
Every Friday Starting May 10th from 6PM - 9PM

Ready to make it happen? We’re here to guide you!

Register today! Registrations will close April 25th!

02/05/2024

2024 has started out with a BANG at Launch Gaston!

Join us as we congratulate our latest Small Business and Entrepreneurship class graduates as their businesses get on their way forward, propelling their families towards a better future!

Congratulations to all of our graduates, and their amazing businesses.

Our next cohort will be announced over the next coming weeks - be on the look out.

Business and entrepreneurship doesn’t just have to be a dream in the back burner, it can be a reality and Launch can guide you to success!

A special thanks to our sponsors and community partners for their unwavering support:

Gaston Business Association
TechWorks Gaston
Sharonview Federal Credit Union
City Church - Gastonia NC
Blue Ocean Delights
Milltown Meats
Business Latino Solutions
Wills Doggn it Grill

10/16/2023

What a phenomenal start to our 3rd cohort of Small Business owners & Entrepreneurs at Launch Gaston.

We had the privilege of having Sharonview Federal Credit Union, a great community partner, come by to visit the new class and explain the important of business finances, the many financial resources available to them as well as necessary products that could take their businesses to the businesses to the next level!

The success of a small business rests in the great financial decisions the owners/operators make - this is a proven fact!

09/12/2023

🎓🚀 Congratulations to the Graduates of Launch Gaston's 2nd Cohort! 🚀🎓

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible 10 Week journey and hard work of our talented graduates. 🌟

Throughout the intensive 10-week course, these aspiring small business owners have shown dedication, resilience, and a true passion for turning their business dreams into reality and much more. 💼🌐

We're so proud of your commitment to your small businesses, families, and to your community.

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing partners who have been instrumental in making Launch Gaston a success:

🌟 Gaston Business Association: Your support and commitment to the local business community are invaluable!

🌟 TechWorks Gaston: Thank you for providing the technical expertise and many resources needed to empower our small business owners.

🌟 Sharonview Federal Credit Union: Your financial guidance and expertise will in a great way expand the success rate and financial goals of our small business owners and our community.

And a big shoutout to our generous sponsors:

🌟 Blue Ocean Delights: Your support has been a delightful addition to our program, as alumni of first class; we're extremely proud of you business journey, and absolutely refreshing creations!

🌟 Will's Do**in' It: Deli And Dogs: Thank you for your your business expertise that has been shared with our graduates over the last two cohorts and for your continued suport.

🌟 Milltown Meats: Your mouthwatering creations have added flavor to our celebrations, and everyone is looking for more! (Also a graduate of Launch Gastons Inaugural Cohort)

🥳 Let's applaud our graduates for their achievements, our partners for their unwavering support, and our sponsors for their generosity. Together, we're fueling innovation and driving Small Business l success in Gaston County and beyond!

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from our talented alumni as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. The future is bright, and we can't wait to see what they will accomplish! 🌟👏

08/08/2023

World, meet John Kelley!

John is one of our visionary entrepreneurs who accepted Launch Gaston’s 10 week challenge to start & scale his own business.

At “A Tailored Syence” John believes every man should look his best because first impressions last forever! With big department stores and boutiques mostly catering to women in their fashion lines, A Tailored Syence is committed to providing men with the best locally sourced fashion pieces to impress in the boardroom or slay while out in conquering the city!

“Look Good, Feel Good, Be Good”

06/28/2023

So good to see our friends from Blue Ocean Delights succeeding, and bringing their amazing ceviche to the Gaston Business Association Minority Owned Business Program & Social!

Launch Gaston’s Executive Director Obie Batista was able to share some notes on Innovation and its value as a catalyst to drive forward business scalability and success for women and minority owned businesses in the Gaston County area.

05/10/2023

Our website is currently experiencing some issues, we’re working on it!

If you’re trying to register for the upcoming class, please try again a bit later in the day.

Thank you for understanding 🫡🙏🥰

05/08/2023

🎉🍹🌮 Congratulations to Blue Ocean Delights - one of Launch Gaston’s graduating businesses! We caught up with them as they were selling their amazing seafood cocktails & tacos using a TFE permit. They were doing so well that by the time our partners visited them, they had already sold out on 2 out of 3 items available that day! We're extremely proud of them, especially since they moved from California to Gastonia, NC and immediately signed up for our business and entrepreneurship course. They went from a simple business idea to hitting the floor with products that people are loving!

If you're interested in starting your own business or improving your entrepreneurial skills, don't miss out on Launch Gaston's next business and entrepreneurship class! Registrations close Wednesday at 12AM, so sign up now at launchgaston.org and go from 0-to-Business in just 10 weeks!

Classes begin this Friday, May 12th - Register online at LaunchGaston.org

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