Triangle Startup Guide exclusive: Going inside The Wright Village

Editor’s note: This article is the latest in a series of in-depth reports about startup-focused hubs across the Triangle region. The Startup Guide is an exclusive feature from WRAL TechWire designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow entrepreneurial companies. These reports are being written by WRAL TechWire contributor Sarah Glova as part of our Startup Monday packages.

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RALEIGH – In an exclusive interview with WRAL Techwire, Mel Wright, Founder & Owner of The Wright Village, discusses Raleigh’s first Black-Woman-Veteran-owned co-incubation hub.

“I’ve been there, without the support and the resources, so I’m just doing what I would’ve wanted someone to do for me,” said Wright. “If I can help as many entrepreneurs as I can avoid some of the obstacles I had to overcome when starting out, that is what I will do. This is my purpose! ”

A lightly edited transcript of the interview with Wright appears below.

What are you seeing in terms of demand?

I am seeing that the people with great ideas who want to start businesses are looking for guidance with growing and scaling their business.

Where is demand strongest—office space? Drop-ins?

Right now, I would say our demand is the strongest with virtual offices. But whether a member signs up for mail service, virtual office, communal space, or leased office membership, everyone has access to all of our incubator resources, including workshops, coaching, networking, and business advisors.

Are there plans for expansion?

We have a little under 1600 sqft of space. We are expanding to an online community next month. By the end of 2023, we plan to expand in Raleigh. We have been eyeing different properties and land for the future Wright Village 2.0 in the local area.

Fact Box – The Wright Village

Address: 315 Hubert Street, 2, Raleigh, NC 27603

Contact information:

Instagram: @thewrightvillagerdu

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melwright311

Email: info@thewrightvillage.com

Website: thewrightvillage.com

Owner: Mel Wright

Mission statement: The mission of The Wright Village (TWV) is to foster culture, inspire and empower, encourage innovation, and accelerate development through the collaboration of entrepreneurs.

Availability: We currently have office leasing available starting from $250/month and we also have communal space memberships available starting at $75/month. Beginning May 1st, we will offer an online community membership; we’re currently looking for 100 innovative founders to help us pilot this new service for a low monthly fee

Best way to learn more: The best way for the community to learn about us is to follow us on social media and come in for a tour. We love to meet new people.

How have you received support? From local, state, and/or federal government? From corporations? From grant programs?

I received an ENGAGE Grant from NC IDEA to help with our Topic Tuesday Entrepreneurship 12-week Program that I put together.

What services do you offer at The Wright Village?

We offer consulting, one-on-one and group coaching, a support system, workshops, seminars, and connections to top-tier resources. We can also offer a business address, registered agent services, and digital advertising opportunities.

We’re also launching a new online community membership program on May 1st. We aim to bring together 100 innovative founders to help us pilot this new service for a low monthly fee.

Do you have any programs that focus on women entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses, or veteran-owned businesses?

Our community targets the under-served communities to include all of the above. I actually fit all three categories, so many of my resources are focused on helping these groups of people. However, I do want to create a program for rehabilitated citizens and for junior entrepreneurs in the near future.

Who owns your hub and what is their philosophy about helping startups and small/emerging companies to grow?

I am the CEO/ Founder. We are unique as the first Black-Owned, Woman-Owned, Veteran-owned co-incubation hub in Raleigh specifically catering to the underrepresented communites. I’ve been there without the support and the resources, so I’m just doing what I would’ve wanted someone to do for me.

If I can help as many entrepreneurs as I can starting out avoid some of the obstacles I had to overcome, that is what I will do. This is my purpose!