Mountain BizWorks (formerly Mountain Microenterprise Fund) Review

We were introduced to Mountain BizWorks by our local SBA director and they ve been an incredible resource to us throughout the pandemic. Always quick, responsive, efficient, and friendly, they helped us with PPP funding when we were at our wits end with another company. We re very pleased with our relationship with them and highly encourage seeking their services to any business in need.

I had an excellent meeting with Christopher per seeking funding for my company; and even though, MountainBiz could not find an immediate solution, Christopher provided some excellent alternative resources and outstanding advice. Professional, amiable, and informative. I can't recommend MountainBiz and its staff highly enough. Thank you, Steven Sikes, Principal, QuestCourse

Resource for small business development based in Asheville. Incredibly helpful and encouraging advice for local businesses whether small or large. Affordable classes in business administration and marketing are offered to educate participants so that they can achieve their business development goals. They have assisted our small business with loans, business classes and, best of all, an amazing business coach.

First off just don t bother. My wife and I own a small business in Henderson County and we were recommended to try this company out for a small business loan. First time I called no answer so I left a message, received a phone call just a few minutes later and was told there is a rapid recovery loan for the COVID-19 pandemic. We thought this was going to be a great loan as it was going to be used for that purpose. My wife and I filled out and sent in all the required information which took a few days to do. The first person we were assigned to answered a few calls regarding questions we had. Then a few days later decided not to answer or return anymore of my calls. So we were left in the dark. Tried getting in contact with the office but no answer. 2 Months go by and we received an email from one of the Disaster loan specialists. We got all excited thinking they were working on it as they ran our credit. A few weeks go by I tried calling that person as they gave me there direct number and no answer so I left a message and no call back. I then called the office 2 weeks later and I talk to someone and they told me They were looking into it. Tried calling 1 more time As they requested and the same answer but they were going to call me back this time. Well no Call back and come to find out we were not able to get the loan as I found out through the website account created early on. They did not even include certain information that would ve made the loan get approved. So 3 months of waiting in the dark and a hard credit inquiry. Thanks Mountain BizWorks. As a successful small business owner I will say that s just bad business.

Mountain Bizworks has been a tremendous resource and support for me over the last several years, and rose above and beyond even more so during the pandemic. I hope everyone in our community learns about what an incredible resource they are for businesses and what a big difference they can make in the individual lives of our community s people.

I originally took a business course through Mountain Bizworks and applied for and received a scholarship to make it more affordable, and therefore was able to do it. The instructor was a local business person who was very knowledgeable and a great teacher! I met some kind and inspiring classmates as well! Because I completed the business course, I therefore qualified for additional assistance in the form of mentorships for various aspects of my business with which I needed assistance. These resources alone have made Mountain Bizworks invaluable to me. And THEN add in the many patient, knowledgeable, motivated, and persistent staff members who have assisted me over the phone, via email, sometimes even via texts to help me navigate through the many tedious and confusing applications during such an uncertain and scary time for all of us during Covid. To say it has been a difficult year for me is an understatement, as it has been for so many and for some... much worse.

I must say I am so grateful. I was fortunate enough to have known about Mountain Bizworks and have either reached out to them and been received with such prompt response and support or they have even reached out TO me a few different times to inform me of assistance I did not know existed or programs or grants that were soon to be available. I am so impressed with each and every staff member I ve had the privilege to work with, whether it was a short question and answer, a short or lengthy phone conversation, and quite often it s been many back and forth emails with questions and answers to help me complete various loan and grant applications as I navigated my business through these especially challenging times. They have never let me down as a resource for information and support.

With the support and guidance of Mountain Bizworks I have received financial assistance this past year that I wouldn t have otherwise known about or felt confident enough to embark upon the application process on my own. Not to mention, the staff to me collectively has been like one very multitalented, dedicated friend. Thank you, Mountain Bizworks, for helping me and so many in our community!

They just want to spend the money so they can get more.

Supporting innovation locally to make impact globally!

During the pandemic of 2020 I applied for a Rapid Recovery Loan for my small, local business struggling in Charlotte, North Carolina. They matched me up with this company.
The company had me fill out an EXTENSIVE application (which took days) then I waited for weeks. After ME following up numerous times, I was finally emailed and told I was approved for a small sum of money.
They asked a few more questions, one being if I had received an SBA Loan. I said yes and then heard nothing back for weeks again.
Yet again, I reached out numerous times and finally was told I actually could not receive the loan since I had received an SBA one in the past.
My anger is due to the fact that I waited for months. Additionally, why was I not asked about an SBA Loan PRIOR to my credit being run?
As much as I appreciate opportunities to help businesses like mine during these tough times, THE LAST thing I needed was more damaged credit, false-hope, and the run-around.
I said all this to a manager and was told there was nothing that could be done.
Extremely disappointed in this company.

I am so grateful that these guys exist within our community. I am a single owner small business and I have been able to utilize so many invaluable resources from them that I would not be able to afford otherwise (e.g., business classes, business coaching, help with getting the PPP loan, etc.) Everyone I have ever spoken with from Mountain Bizworks has been extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable regarding things that I wouldn't have the first clue how to do by myself. Highly recommend! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

They were OK to deal with during the loan process. Since they secured the loan and have had 2 years of on time payments they couldn t be bothered to return calls or emails in a even remotely reasonable timeframe. If you are looking to grow or start a business in Buncombe County look elsewhere for funding unless you have a high tolerance for terrible service.