Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director Coach Antonio Miller speaking during the first Wednesday Entrepreneur Boot Camps in Ashland Branch Library
Local entrepreneurs are growing, connecting, and thriving through a new monthly Entrepreneur Boot Camp Series, held the first Wednesday of every month at 6 PM inside the Ashland Branch Library’s conference room.
The first boot camp, held in November, was a resounding success—bringing together business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and creative minds from across the Center of the Universe for an evening of collaboration, resource-sharing, and inspiration. Attendees networked, learned about new opportunities, and gained tools to take their ventures to the next level.
“I learned such valuable information in a short amount of time,” Local business owner Anna Riccio of GRIT and Drift Beverage Co. shared. “The whole group was so welcoming! I truly felt like I had a ‘seat at the table.’”
The next Entrepreneur Boot Camp will be held Wednesday, December 3, featuring a holiday meet and greet designed for connection and cheer. Participants can mingle with fellow business owners, exchange ideas, and celebrate the season in true Ashland style.
“These monthly gatherings are about more than business,” said Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. “They’re about community—because when our entrepreneurs connect, the entire town grows stronger.”
Downtown Ashland is already known as a hub for small business innovation. Main Street is lined with local shops, farm-to-fork restaurants, and vibrant public art—all powered by passionate local owners who make Ashland unique. Downtown Ashland Association also offers year-round resources, including a free online Start Up Business Accelerator, on-demand video workshops, and Happy Hour Vibes Networking and Recording Parties at K101.2 POP Richmond—a partnership that helps businesses engage 1.3 million listeners while enjoying mocktails, games, and laughter.
The Ashland Branch Library complements these opportunities by offering free access to powerful entrepreneurial tools through library card membership, including the Hoopla and Libby apps.
To explore more programs from the Pamunkey Regional Library, visit www.pamunkeylibrary.org. For questions or accessibility accommodations, email ask@pamunkeylibrary.org or call the Ashland Branch Library at (804) 798-4072.
Mark your calendars now—the first Wednesday of every month belongs to Ashland’s entrepreneurs.