Charlotte, N.C./June 6, 2023 – Andrew Smith ’15 founded his video production company Nova Initia in 2017. After several hard years following his graduation, including one in which his mother passed, he was ready to pursue a bright new future.
When searching for a name, a coworker suggested Nova Initia, which is Latin for “new beginnings.” The name stuck, and Smith got a fresh start as an entrepreneur. Although, he admits he didn’t know much about starting or running a company.
“I paid someone to create my LLC and EIN. I found out later that doing that is pretty easy and affordable if you do it yourself,” he said. “You never realize how much money you’re wasting doing that.”
That’s why he cofounded the Network and Chill Foundation with his friend Michael Williams in Baltimore. Now that Smith has moved back to Charlotte, he’s made it a focus to bring young entrepreneurs and artists together for networking and business opportunities.
Smith and the Network and Chill Foundation will host a networking and mentorship event featuring a pitch competition in celebration of Juneteenth on June 17, 2023, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Arts League.
“We started doing the Juneteenth event 7 years ago,” he said. “We chose Juneteenth specifically to celebrate our Black artists and entrepreneurs and those who are coming from underserved communities who could really use these kinds of connections.”
The networking event will allow young entrepreneurs and artists to meet and learn from people who are working in the industries they hope to break into. The family friendly event will feature art installations, poetry readings, musical and dance performances and representatives from Charlotte business organizations and nonprofits who will talk about what they are doing in the community.
There will also be face-painting and other children’s activities as well as a workshop at 4 p.m. by artist Mason Parker.
Smith said the pitch competition is a new element to the yearly celebration. Those interested in participating in the competition should register and come prepared to showcase their idea on how to uplift underserved communities. Participants are eligible to win up to $500 in seed money to make their ideas happen.
The panelists will include Smith as well as Royce Wolfe, a seasoned marketing and sales executive with more than 25 years of experience in the financial services and sports industries. Even if participants don’t walk away with seed money, they’ll make connections that will help them start and grow their businesses.
“Outside of visibility and being able to get their names and businesses in front of other people in the industry, the biggest value for the pitch competition will be the feedback and continued mentorship. We’ll be connecting everyone with an organization called Operation Hope. They offer free mentorship and a free business class.”
Smith said he is excited to see a new wave of entrepreneurs, especially coming from communities of color. He hopes to expand the Network and Chill Foundation’s from one event a year to one a month.
Currently, the foundation is looking for sponsors.
“Sponsors can be financial or just someone who donates their time as a mentor. Someone who can come and speak,” he said. “We see ourselves as an oak tree. With every single branch we grow, we’re able to connect artists and entrepreneurs to others in their field who can support their endeavors.”
To learn more about the Juneteenth event, visit www.NetworkChillFoundation.org or email info@networkchillfoundation.org. Follow the foundation on Facebook and Instagram @ncfoundationinc. Monetary donations can be made via CashApp to $ncfoundation.
