VINTON–When the HIVE (Home of Innovative and Visionary Entrepreneurs) held its ribbon-cutting ceremony in Vinton on August 12, three inaugural businesses were already moved in, business licenses in hand, and ready to roll.
Stephen Niamke has established Conversation Peace, a human relations consulting and training firm; Charlotte Dowd has opened a massage therapy center; and Wanda Richards has set up Shows Great Photography and Staging, a real estate staging company.
The HIVE Business Incubation Center came about through the combined efforts of Annette Patterson, founder of the non-profit The Advancement Foundation (TAF) and the Town of Vinton.
Patterson’s vision is to support aspiring entrepreneurs during their crucial start-up period without the typical start-up expenses by providing office space and equipment, clerical assistance, a physical mailing address, and access to high speed Internet and phone systems.The HIVE also provides advice from local experts through a volunteer database and workshops.
Patterson hopes that the HIVE will be a boon to Vinton, as studies show that incubators help three times more money stay in the local economy because small businesses “buy supplies local, live local, and donate to the community.”
The HIVE is located on Pollard Street on the upper level of the Health Department building owned by the town. TAF is renting the space for $1 per year with utilities and Internet services provided by the town as part of the agreement. The HIVE can accommodate six businesses with private offices and 25 more in the co-working space. The entrepreneurs pay rent with all monies going back into TAF programs.
Patterson has leveraged a host of contacts throughout valley to transform the upper floor of the building into an elegant office space through renovations, furnishings, and technology.
Stephen Niamke, president of Conversation Peace, is a mental health clinician with East Mental Health in Roanoke. He has been acquainted with Patterson for many years. He is a 1979 graduate of Roanoke Catholic School where her husband Patrick is now the principal and served as the Athletic Director at the school for several years and also coached their girls’ basketball team.
He has a degree in clinical social work and experience as a mediator, social worker, and facilitator. He has a passion for helping people improve their relationships. That’s what led to Conversation Peace.
“Conversation Peace currently offers programs and training on team building, leadership, conflict resolution, human diversity, ending violence against women, prejudice reduction, and a range of social issues,” said Niamke. “Conversation Peace seeks to improve relations between all peoples from the broadest perspectives and most diverse backgrounds.”
His philosophy is that “Talk is Keep. People keep or remember what you say to them, and how you said it. More importantly, they remember how your words, gestures, and tones made them feel. Ultimately, how we communicate and what we communicate forms, changes, builds and/or destroys our relationships.” He hopes to improve that dialogue.
“I predict that the Hive will assist Conversation Peace and other entrepreneurs in a number of ways,” said Niamke. “Establishing a business in the Hive is essentially an announcement that you are serious about offering something of value to the community. In turn, there is an opportunity to connect to the community. One can leverage the good name the Advancement Foundation has already established. Some publicity is inherent.”
“The Hive offers a base or a foundation,” continued Niamke. “It is literally a place to start. In addition to office space, I have a place to lead workshops, store training materials, or hold meetings. More importantly, there is a feeling of being supported. There’s someone in your corner, so to speak. They helped me develop my logo as well as my business cards. They have welcomed me and encouraged me to follow my dreams.The Hive provides classes on how to succeed in business in addition to coaches and advisers who provide structure, guidance, and direction. No one succeeds in business in isolation. It helps to get insight from those who have traveled a certain path. I plan to take advantage of all of the resources available.”
Conversation Peace hours are by appointment.
Charlotte Dowd is also living out her passion—hers is for massage therapy. She is fulfilling a lifelong dream by opening “aNew Day Massage Wellness Studio” at the HIVE.
Dowd is a recent graduate of the massage therapy program at Miller Motte Technical College, a rigorous program which includes anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, ethics, and business courses in addition to instruction in therapeutic massage. She is open at the HIVE on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dowd said massage has been a lifelong interest. She had her beginnings in massage with her handicapped mother who insists the only reason she can walk today is because of her daughter’s care.
Wanda Richards began working in real estate about 30 years ago. When the real estate market bottomed out she took her talent for photography and found a new niche in home staging—preparing homes to be advertised and sold.
She works with realtors in the Roanoke and Lynchburg areas to increase a home’s web and market appeal and then photographs the results. Often homeowners have moved and removed many of their furnishings, which makes a tour of the home less appealing to buyers. She brings in furniture and/or accessories to make the home “homey” for those touring or browsing online.
Richards worked from her home and then had a booth at Black Dog Salvage for a time. However her business grew so rapidly that she needed more space, but was hesitant to go from a home office to “solo” in one step. She found what she needed at the HIVE.
She hopes one day to take the next step and establish an independent office with warehouse space to house furniture and accessories for home-staging, but for now the HIVE offers a space where her office manager Ananda Duncan can take care of business logistics and manage inventory control.
Their office in Vinton will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and may be reached at 540-520-6434.
Richards is in the process of hiring and training more employees. Her son Trey works with her as a photographer and draws floor plans. Often they handle five or six photo shoots in one day.
Richards lives in Vinton. Her four children have “gone through Vinton schools” and her first job in real estate was in Vinton.
The HIVE ribbon-cutting ceremony was sponsored by the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce, along with TAF and the Town of Vinton. Several members of the Vinton Chamber are volunteering their time as mentors and advisors for the Business Incubator program.
“I think the Business Incubator will be a great addition to our downtown and to the business community here in Vinton,” said Mayor Brad Grose. “The participants will certainly be working in downtown Vinton and their clients will often come to Vinton. Hopefully, some of the graduates of the Incubator will locate their business here. The assistance provided to the individual participants will be very valuable.”
“We are truly blessed to have Annette and Bob Patterson as part of our community,” said Mayor Grose. “They have enriched the lives of many people throughout the entire valley. Annette not only has a deep desire to help people, she also has the ability and energy to fulfill her vision. I am convinced many of her projects have already helped countless people in our area.”
Information on the HIVE and its entrepreneurs is available by calling 540-345-1292.