Cultural Grounds in downtown Washington

This article was written by our sponsor, Washington Tourism Development Authority.

The concept was thought up by local business owner Oliver Stevenson. A man on a mission to help striving entrepreneurs to get their businesses off the ground. Stevenson is no stranger at starting a small business. He and his wife, Betty, started their business, Diamond N-D Rough, four years ago and it has flourished ever since. Not only is it a successful business downtown, but it has partnered with Beaufort County Community College to bring industrial upholstery to a town that has several boat building companies.

Mr. Stevenson has done so much more than that for the community in Washington. He saw a need for entrepreneurs to have a ‘storefront’ in town. He has created a space for business owners just starting out to have their own space under one roof. “This concept was thought of years ago here, but it never materialized. This building was empty, and in sitting down and talking to some of the entrepreneurs, some of which were operating from home or online, I said what if there was a place where you could each put your own individual business to work on scale and growing your business? They were intrigued.”

Stevenson says he organized some things and the entrepreneurs were thrilled at this idea of an ‘incubator’ business space. He says that one of the differences between this model and say, a consignment shop where you leave things for other people to sell, is that the consumer actually sees and interacts with the business owner. “You can feel that pride and energy behind the business. Customers can feel the passion behind the business. I was always taught if you are passionate about what you’re doing, you’re going to be successful at some point. That’s how we came up with Cultural Grounds. Our motto is ‘Where businesses blossom from the ground up’.”

He said they started with one business, and now there are six, with room for five more.
Stevenson says he is excited to be able to facilitate positive changes in Washington, to make a difference. “I am purposeful in the vision that God has given me to make a difference in town. I think my purpose is to help anyone that wants to be an entrepreneur and has never been given the opportunity to do that. I’m not going to stop. I asked God to give me the strength and the wisdom to make a difference in the community here.”

Check out the businesses in Cultural Grounds at 223 West Main Street. Or go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564189803231&mibextid=LQQJ4d.

The businesses currently include:
*S.W.A.G.G. – Superior Wash for All Great Gear – Shoe cleaning and restoration, upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, dry cleaning, boat seat & saddle cleaning,
*IBX Custom Sewing & Upholstery
*WAVES – Eclectic home furnishings & decor
*DIABLO KUSTOMS – Custom shoes, shirts, business cards, stickers, & more
*YAYA’S GALLIPOT – Household products free from dyes, allergens, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, toxins, & more
*THE B. NILLAFUDGE COLLECTION – Beautiful, one of a kind artwork

If you are a starting entrepreneur and are interested in renting a space, call 252-833-0977.

This article was written by our sponsor, Washington Tourism Development Authority.