Business Bootcamps Help Entrepreneurs Grow, Learn, and Succeed

Local business owners looking to sharpen their marketing skills and grow their revenue are invited to attend the Downtown Ashland Association’s Business Bootcamps, held on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00 – 7:30 PM at the Ashland Branch Library, 201 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005. Registration and more information are available here.

This March and April, the bootcamps are especially designed to help business owners gain clarity, confidence, and actionable tools to accelerate growth. These sessions feature Dorian Cunion of Your Path Coaching and Consulting bringing expertise, guidance, and an interactive approach to each workshop. We are proud to be co-promoting this workshop with the Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce (CVAACC),

In March, participants will dive into the art of validating their customers and understanding their market. Attendees will explore practical ways to identify their ideal customer, uncover insights about their target market, and leverage free and low-cost resources—ranging from library collections and government tools to emerging AI platforms. Through interactive exercises with fellow business owners, participants will learn how to implement a “test-and-learn” process, gain confidence in their marketing decisions, and leave with clear steps to grow their business.

Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce’s April’s Business After Hours event at Annie Ruth’s Wine Bar and Bistro in Midlothian, VA, with guest speaker Dr. Dwayne Whitehead

April’s session focuses on building a marketing strategy that works. Attendees will explore a variety of ways to market their business and will walk away with a 90-day plan designed to turn strategy into action. The workshop emphasizes execution and reflection, helping entrepreneurs evaluate results, refine approaches, and invest their time and money more efficiently to generate revenue.

“March and April are critical months for business growth,” says Dorian Cunion. “Many small businesses face slow revenue in January and February, and this year, challenges like snow and school closings have added extra hurdles. These workshops give entrepreneurs a chance to pause, reflect, and put a concrete plan in place to make up lost ground and accelerate revenue growth.”

Cunion hopes participants walk away with three key insights: that growth doesn’t have to be expensive, that free resources like the Ashland Branch Library are a powerful tool for learning and skill development, and that a focus on the fundamentals of marketing can dramatically improve time and money investment in growing revenue.

The impact of these workshops is already clear. “I first partnered with the Downtown Ashland Association on the Entrepreneur Bootcamp two years ago,” says Cunion. “Watching participants like Karie from Shaken Not Spurred and Liz from Bravo Bakeshop move from idea to fully formed business has been incredibly rewarding. Quarterly updates show how they continue to refine their business models and seize new opportunities.”

Business Bootcamps in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

For CVAACC, the results are equally inspiring. During a Fall workshop for their Business Accelerator Program, participant Devine Crenshaw of Crenshaw Janitorial shared that the frameworks provided gave him clarity and direction for strategic planning. “With the right tools and guidance, small business owners can take confident, actionable steps toward success,” says Cunion.

The Downtown Ashland Association and CVAACC are dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs thrive. CVAACC’s mission is to support business growth, especially within the African American community, by connecting entrepreneurs to resources, education, and opportunities that strengthen and advance their businesses (www.cvaacc.org).

Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine your marketing strategy, these bootcamps offer practical skills, networking, and expert guidance that can transform your business. For Ashland entrepreneurs ready to take their growth to the next level, attending the Business Bootcamps is more than an opportunity—it’s a smart business decision.

Date & Time: First Wednesday of every month, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: Ashland Branch Library, 201 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005
Registration & More Info: https://www.ashlandvirginia.com/bootcamp

Ashland to Honor “Hero Dog” Gozier at Town Hall Ceremony

Hero Dog Gozier with owner Dan Dan DiCandilo - Ashland neighbor and Edward Jones Financial Advisor

On Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m., the Town of Ashland will pause during its regular Council Meeting to honor an unlikely hero — a loyal golden companion whose instincts saved a life on a bitter winter morning.

The ceremony will take place in the Council Meeting Chambers at Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson Street. Ashland neighbor and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Dan DiCandilo will be present — along with a life-size photo of the town’s newest four-legged legend, Gozier.

For nine years, Dan and Gozier have followed the same morning ritual.

“Gozier and I go for a walk every morning at quarter seven — we’ve done it for nine years,” Dan shared. “We walk over nine thousand miles.”

Through snow, rain, sun, and even frigid temperatures, the routine never breaks.

“It was fifteen degrees out that day, but she doesn’t care. She’ll go out in snow, rain, sun — whatever it is.”

On that particular morning, about 15 to 20 minutes into their walk, something changed.

Historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia in snow

“She started barking wildly — and the bark had a cry to it. I’ve never heard it before.”

Gozier was fixated on a nearby home. Dan looked carefully.

“I don’t see a cat. I don’t see a dog. I don’t see people. I don’t see anything. So I told her, ‘Come on, let’s go,’ and she wouldn’t go. She was pulling toward the house over and over and over.”

Then he noticed it — what appeared at first to be nothing more than a small pile of snow near the front steps.

“It didn’t look like anything… but that’s what she was barking at.”

As they moved closer, the truth came into focus.

“We noticed that it was a woman. She was definitely struggling — non-responsive, I would say, barely hanging on. No gloves, no hat, no shoes. Just stocking feet. She was in a white robe, which camouflaged her in with the snow, so you couldn’t see her.”

Dan immediately called 911 and rang the homeowners’ doorbell. All the while, Gozier stayed by the woman’s side.

“The whole time, Gozier’s was barking in her ear, trying to get her up.”

The homeowners confirmed the woman was not from their household. Emergency responders arrived quickly and transported her for medical care.

“From what I understand, her body temperature was seventy-eight degrees,” Dan said. “The homeowner’s Ring camera saw her out there at 4:15, so she was out in that weather with hardly anything covering her for three hours before we walked by.”

Then came the realization.

“If it wasn’t for Gozier, I would have never stopped — because I didn’t see anything.”

In a town known for neighbors looking out for one another, this act of instinct and persistence stands as a powerful reminder that sometimes heroes don’t wear capes — they wear collars.

On March 3, the Town of Ashland will officially recognize Gozier’s lifesaving action and celebrate the bond between a man, his dog, and a community that believes in showing up for one another.

Downtown Ashland is Officially Off to the Races

Secretariat Racing Into History in historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia

On Friday, March 27, Ashland will debut its very first 2026 Ashland Fourth Fridays, and in true Center of the Universe fashion, the celebration is arriving with a legendary head start. The kickoff weekend just so happens to coincide with the birthday of Ashland’s hometown hero, Secretariat—so naturally, Big Red is setting the pace.

From March through October, on the fourth Friday of each month from 5–8 PM (with April taking a breather ahead of Ashland Train Day), downtown Ashland will transform into a lively, walkable evening affair where shopping stays open late, farm-to-fork dining goes trackside, and the Town Hall lawn and parking lot fill with art, crafts, local businesses, games, prizes, and delightful discoveries for all ages. It’s a monthly tradition built for strolling, grazing, laughing, and lingering—no reins required.

Raffle - Big Red Bash Raffle - Big Red Bash
Raffle - Big Red Bash
$10.00

The inaugural Fourth Fridays celebration will be a full-stride tribute to Secretariat, in partnership with Secretariat for Virginia, who will be setting up shop in the Ashland Town Hall parking lot with their brand-new 10x10 booth and exclusive 2026 Secretariat Day merchandise. They’re also sweetening the pot with a raffle that’s sure to get hearts racing: two tickets to the beloved Big Red Bash at Oakdale, the cocktail party and fundraiser that kicks off Ashland’s annual Secretariat Birthday Celebration.

The Big Red Bash gallops in the very same weekend, taking place Friday, March 27 from 6:00–9:00 PM at Oakdale in Ashland—just follow the blue and white flags. Bash guests will enjoy generous grazing tables stacked with sumptuous charcuterie and decadent desserts, a lively bar pouring champagne, mint juleps, wine, and a signature “Big Red” beer, plus live patio music, an artsy silent auction, and a high-energy Horse Race Game. Adding an extra thrill to the evening, attendees will even meet Pepe, a real racehorse and proud descendant of Secretariat himself. Tickets are $100 per person and, in the spirit of love for Big Red, go on sale Valentine’s Day, February 14. Proceeds support the maintenance of the Secretariat Monument and Reynolds Family Plaza in Ashland, along with educational efforts celebrating the region’s renowned horse history. Raffle entries can be made at ashlandvirginia.com/raffles, with the winner contacted by email on Thursday, March 26.

Back at the heart of Fourth Fridays, the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion will set the tone for the evening with movement and music. Ashland Dance Academy opens the show with original choreography spanning ballet, hip hop, tap, and musical theatre, including a special Secretariat-themed piece set to “It’s Who You Are” by AJ Michalka—an inspiring tribute to Big Red’s enduring legacy. From there, the stage opens up for a free, family-friendly concert by Alan MacEwen of Grandson’s acclaim, perfect for spreading out a picnic blanket or pulling up a lawn chair to soak in the sounds from Ashland’s picturesque town square.

Ashland Dance Academy performs at Ashland Fourth Fridays

Around the lawn, the fun keeps trotting along. ReFunkIt brings their horseshoe set for a little friendly horsing around, Sign Gypsies of Mechanicsville creates a perfectly posable photo moment, and Girl Scouts of Virginia keep things sweet with their famously irresistible cookies. Inside, Tiny Tim’s Trains and Toys invites Fourth Friday fun-finders to paint Beyer Horses for free—proof that creativity runs on all four hooves in Ashland.

Vendors interested in joining the ride can apply at AshlandFourthFridays.com or guarantee their place by becoming a Downtown Ashland Association sponsor at ashlandvirginia.com/sponsor. Through marketing initiatives, special events, business engagement, and economic development, the Downtown Ashland Association proudly advances its nonprofit mission by deploying its time, funding, and voice on behalf of the community.

Because Ashland Fourth Fridays isn’t just an event—it’s a reflection of who we are.

We are organizers, fundraisers, and small-town cheerleaders. We are artists and farmers, government leaders and business owners, parents and grandparents. And together, we harness the power of community to build a stronger future for everyone.

So mark your calendar, grab the reins, and join us as Ashland’s newest tradition breaks from the gate—full of heart, heritage, and a whole lot of hometown horsepower.

Wish You Were Here Variety Show Returns February 28

The Wish You Were Here Variety Show returns on Friday, February 28,  bringing an evening of live music, comedy, and storytelling to the Cultural Arts Center at Glen  Allen. Created and hosted by Bryan Dupuis, the show blends professional artistry with a deep commitment to community, offering audiences a night that is both entertaining and meaningfully human. 

The February 28 performance features a dynamic lineup including Garden Variety String  Band, Drew Dunbar, Justin Paciacco, and the COTU Players, whose sketch comedy adds a playful and unpredictable element to the night. 

Wish You Were Here Variety Show

Part concert, part comedy showcase, and part storytelling experience, Wish You Were Here is intentionally designed to feel more like a shared gathering than a traditional performance— inviting audiences to laugh, reflect, and experience something together. 

“The heart of Wish You Were Here is creating space for people to feel connected—to the artists,  to each other, and to the stories that remind us there’s a better story unfolding all around us,” said  Dupuis. 

A Collaborative Creative Process 

Each show is built collaboratively with the featured artists, allowing performers to bring their authentic voice and personality to the stage rather than fitting into a rigid format. 

“I don’t think of this as booking acts as much as curating conversations,” Dupuis explained.  “When artists are given room to be fully themselves, the audience feels that honesty  immediately.” 

Highlighting Community Impact 

In addition to showcasing live performance, the February 28 show will highlight the work of  Comfort Zone Camps, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. 

Comfort Zone Camp

“One of the defining values of Wish You Were Here is using creativity to shine a light on people and organizations doing meaningful work,” said Dupuis. “Comfort Zone Camps is creating space  for kids to grieve, heal, and feel understood—and that mission aligns beautifully with what this  show is about.” 

Throughout the evening, audiences will learn more about Comfort Zone Camps and the impact of their work, reinforcing the show’s commitment to storytelling that extends beyond the stage.

An Audience-Centered Experience 

Audience response has become one of the most distinctive aspects of the Wish You Were Here experience, with laughter often giving way to moments of quiet attentiveness. 

“One of my favorite moments is when the room shifts—from laughing out loud to being completely still because a song or story just landed,” Dupuis said. “You can feel everyone  leaning in together.” 

Attendees frequently describe the show as uplifting and refreshingly different. 

“People often tell us, ‘I didn’t know I needed this,’” Dupuis added. “That’s always the hope— that people leave lighter than they arrived.” 

Rooted in Community 

Beyond entertainment, Wish You Were Here exists to celebrate creativity, generosity, and hope within the local community. 

“The goal isn’t just a great night out,” said Dupuis. “It’s reminding people that beauty, humor,  and compassion are already present around us—and worth paying attention to.” 

The February 28 performance promises a fresh mix of music, comedy, and storytelling, all delivered with warmth, humor, and heart. 

Event Details:
What: Wish You Were Here Variety Show  
When: Friday, February 28, 7PM  
Where: Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen  
Tickets: wishyouwereherelive.com 

The Hunt Continues in Downtown Ashland ✨🍫

Downtown Ashland has officially entered its main character era, where the soundtrack swells, the villains don’t dare to even lurk in the shadows, and destiny arrives wrapped in milk chocolate. The Gonna Be Golden Chocolate Bar Hunt is unfolding like a K-Pop Demon Hunter saga — dramatic, joyful, and powered entirely by community love.

The mission is simple but the thrill is real: four Golden Tickets are still hidden somewhere downtown, waiting for the next hero to discover them. Each participating business is guaranteed to hold a Golden Ticket among their Gonna Be Golden bars, which means every stop is a new chapter. If you don’t strike gold right away, consider it an invitation to linger, explore, and fall a little more in love with everything Ashland has to offer.

Barry Farmer of The Barry Farmer Morning Show happened upon their Golden Ticket at Ash & Olive

Already, a few legendary moments have been written into Golden Ticket lore. Ashland Dance Academy sold out of their bars at lightning speed, where a tiny dancer with unmistakable star power uncovered the Golden Ticket and chose to exchange it for a $50 gift card to Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys. Ash & Olive set the trend, selling out completely on their first night when a crowd of neighbors poured into the delicious restaurant. When Barry Farmer of The Barry Farmer Morning Show happened upon their Golden Ticket and claimed the Ash & Olive gift card reward like fate itself had tuned in.

When Wagner Jewelers sold out of their chocolate bars, their Golden Ticket found a thoughtful home at Chirp, where the winner stocked up on bird seed to help feathered friends flourish through the winter months. Over at Miss Timmie’s, the Golden Ticket winner leaned fully into the moment, using their prize to select beautifully curated antiques that felt as timeless as the story itself.

Now, the spotlight shifts — because the hunt is far from over.

Miss Timmie’s Golden Ticket winner

At Homemades by Suzanne, a full basket of chocolate bars remains, along with a Golden Ticket waiting patiently among fresh fare, boxed lunches, catering favorites, gift baskets, homemade breads, and bakery treats made from scratch with love. Just down the street, RefunkIt hums with creative energy, offering carefully chosen funk, handcrafted art, and gifts from Virginia and beyond, plus a still-undiscovered Golden Ticket tied to a mystery prize guaranteed to be one of a kind.

Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys continues to feel like a wonderland straight out of a collector’s dream, filled with toys and model trains in Ashland’s historic downtown, and with a few bars still left, the next Golden Ticket reveal could happen at any moment. Chirp, beloved for its special formulas, feeders, and all things birding that support native species and backyard habitats, has already awarded its prize — yet its Golden Ticket remains hidden, quietly waiting for the right person to notice.

Adding a bold new beat to the story, Los Regios Tienda Latina has joined the hunt with their own stack of Gonna Be Golden Bars and a Golden Ticket just waiting to be found. A visit there promises far more than chocolate alone, with warm fresh tortillas, international candies, heavenly pastries, groceries, colorful piñatas, and festive party supplies filling the shelves. Their highly acclaimed food truck adds another layer of magic, serving authentic Mexican dishes that transport taste buds straight to the heart of Mexico for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Ashland Dance Academy golden ticket winner

Once a Golden Ticket is discovered, the ending is yours to choose. Winners can redeem their ticket for a free month of dance classes from Ashland Dance Academy, the ultimate Homemades Snack Pack from Homemades by Suzanne featuring chicken salad, rolls, and chocolate chess pie, or a $40 basket of heartfelt treasures from Take Away, Ashland’s newest card and gift shop. Those drawn to the unexpected may find their way back to RefunkIt, where a mystery prize awaits — eclectic, thoughtful, and impossible to duplicate.

Joining the adventure is easy. Simply visit participating downtown Ashland locations, pick up a Gonna Be Golden milk-chocolate bar, and scan the QR code on the back of the Minuteman Press of Ashland wrapper to pay — or hand over cash if you prefer. Every purchase doubles as a donation to Downtown Ashland Association, supporting free community events, entrepreneur resources, and powerful media that continues to uplift Ashland’s Main Street.

This golden saga is made possible thanks to the generosity and creativity of sponsors Ashland Dance Academy and Minuteman Press of Ashland, who donated their talents to bring the Gonna Be Golden Chocolate Bars to life. With every bar purchased, shoppers become part of the story — champions of small businesses, believers in community, and heroes in a downtown worth celebrating.

The bars are disappearing. The tickets are hiding. The music is building.

The only question left is whether you will be the next to go golden in Downtown Ashland.