In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Asheville and the Southeastern U.S., countless women-owned businesses in our community are struggling to rebuild. While we, Ginger Frank of Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, Allison Blake & Elisa Van Arnam of SoulKu, and Meg Ragland of Plum Print, were fortunate to resume business soon after, many of our fellow Asheville women entrepreneurs lost everything: their inventory, equipment, spaces, and, in some cases, the ability to reopen.

Together, we formed WE ARE—The Women Entrepreneurs Asheville Recovery Endeavor—to help these resilient women restore what they’ve lost. Partnering with Asheville-based HATCH Innovation Hub, we are able to offer tax-deductible corporate sponsorships and donations. Through these contributions and a raffle of remarkable Asheville-made products, experiences, and stays, we aim to fund multiple grants and provide mentorship to support women whose dreams of business ownership have been disrupted by this tragedy.

WE ARE here to support, rebuild, and recover as a community. Join us in lifting up Asheville’s women entrepreneurs as they rebuild and reclaim their futures.