Axios Event: Charlotte small businesses are leaning on creativity in tough times

CHARLOTTE – Navigating periods of uncertainty with optimism and creativity are crucial to survive as a small business in today's climate, local leaders said at a May 29 Axios event.

Axios Charlotte's Laura Barrero and Ashley Mahoney spoke with Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group owner Jamie Brown and Manolo's Bakery founder Manolo Betancur at the event, sponsored by Bank of America.

The big picture: Creativity in problem-solving and brainstorming new projects is an asset that can help small businesses successfully pivot in tough times, especially in the fast-paced and unpredictable food industry.

What they're saying: "There are so many challenges that come our way, and probably the biggest things I've learned, which I did not know at the beginning, was that the obstacles there are actually there to help you," Brown said.

• "They're there to make you better at what you do. They're going to help equip you to make bigger decisions down the road. They might even help align you with different partners that you wouldn't have met had you not had to fight through those challenges."

Case in point: Embracing that mindset has allowed her to take on bigger projects with her husband Jeff Tonidandel, who is also a restaurateur, Brown said.

• The couple fought to save the historic Leeper-Wyatt building from demolition and now have plans to repurpose the landmark building for a new culinary project.
• "We're looking at getting really creative with the concept so that we can use each floor and create different dining experiences throughout the building," Brown said.
• "It's an old grocery store, as I mentioned, so we're gonna be milling our own grains. We're working on the concept still, but we're going to use that to make homemade breads and pastas and lean into that grocery store component."

The bottom line: Creativity can help small business owners make it through difficult times.

• "Creativity is the biggest part of our businesses," along with determination to never give up and always retain hope, Betancur said.
• "Just be very mindful that it's not going to be easy, that it is gonna be hard. But it gives you a lot of freedom and a lot [of pride]. …. And you are really the engine of this nation and the engine of the local economies."

Content from the sponsored segment:

In a View From the Top conversation, Bank of America market executive and senior vice president of business banking Carolina Ko highlighted recent findings that small business owners are bullish on continuing to grow their businesses despite external uncertainty.

• "We're really seeing the opportunities for [entrepreneurs] to continue with their business plans and potentially pivoting. A lot of times, we see opportunity in disruption, opportunity in changes, and we see that entrepreneurs have been very nimble."