When Jabrille Brown moved from Dallas, Texas to Danville in 2022, she brought with her a lifelong dream: to create a space where people could gather, laugh, and connect. That vision became reality with Sundae School Selfie Studio, an interactive space filled with...

When life didn't go according to plan, Laura "Muff" Brent found her path to entrepreneurship in an unexpected place – her kitchen. After stepping away from her 22-year counseling career to homeschool her twins in 2018, she struggled to re-enter the workforce despite...

When Ciearia went on maternity leave with her fourth child in early 2024, she found herself contemplating life beyond her regular job. Drawing from her experience planning birthday celebrations for her children, she recognized a persistent challenge many families...

“The blueprint for the rest of your life is formed in the early years.” Robin Criscuolo’s belief in education is founded in her own upbringing in rural Virginia.  Her passion for exploration and early childhood education led her to create Robin’s Nest — an...

Maya is pictured in the middle. In February 2023, Maya Hairston launched LabeledLex with a clear vision – creating affordable, high-quality handbags for those who appreciate luxury but can't always afford premium designer brands. Today, her business stands as a...

Melissa Hill capturing photos for another CIC Grad, Harley Gentry, Wiley's Street Food Every photograph tells a story, and for Melissa Hill, that story is about perseverance, self-discovery, and the power of capturing human dignity. What began as a childhood...

Renata Miller carries a piece of everywhere she’s been and everything she’s done within her. A deep connection to her Brazilian culture and a willingness to create beautiful memories anywhere inspired her to create Viva la Nosh, a booming boxed tea-time business...

A new venture is taking shape in Charlottesville—one that combines art, craftsmanship, and community. Milk Glass, a glassblowing business founded by Christian “Ceejay” Renner-Thomas, is the culmination of years of dedication, learning, and commitment to bringing...

In a world where our lives are often chaotic, there's a business dedicated to bringing order and serenity into the homes of its clients. Meet 139 Goodman, a unique home organization, decluttering, and move management company that goes above and beyond to transform...

Meet Johnetta Murray! She is the owner of Justified by Netta, a body contouring and nail service that was sparked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis led to the temporary closure of nail salons, including the one where Johnetta was...