Charlotte Small Business Month
May 2026
Charlotte Small Business Month is a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs and small business owners who keep our city thriving. From neighborhood storefronts to growing startups, small businesses create jobs, fuel innovation, and bring character and connection to our communities.
Each year, Mayor Vi Lyles of the City of Charlotte declares May as Charlotte's Small Business Month. The City of Charlotte is recognizing their impact, sharing resources to help them grow, and highlighting the people behind the businesses who invest their time, talent, and heart into Charlotte every day.
Our #31DaysofBiz Video Series showcases success stories, during the month of May, of small businesses propelling our local economy forward. To explore last year’s business spotlights and watch inspiring stories, subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Schedule
May 1
12 PM
12 PM
CLIMB Monthly Small Business Clinics: Client Registration
Hosted By: CLIMB
Online
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Online
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
May 1
6 PM
6 PM
Positioned for Growth: Building Strategic Connections
Hosted By: Sugar Creek Business Association
Sugar Creek Business Association Building
610 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sugar Creek Business Association Building
610 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
May 4
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
Small Business Month Kickoff Networking Event
Hosted By: City of Charlotte, Economic Development
The Market at 7th Street
224 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
The Market at 7th Street
224 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
May 4/ May 18
11:30AM
11:30AM
Coffee Chats: 1:1 Drop-In Tech and Business Reference Support
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
Cornelius Branch
21105 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Cornelius Branch
21105 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
May 4/ May 18
11:30AM
11:30AM
Nonprofit: Intro to Foundation Directory (Grant Assistance)
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
Independence Regional Branch
6000 Conference Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Independence Regional Branch
6000 Conference Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
May 4/ May 18
3:00PM
3:00PM
Nonprofit: Intro to Foundation Directory (Grant Assistance)
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
North County Regional Branch
16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC28078
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
North County Regional Branch
16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC28078
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
May 7
12:30PM
12:30PM
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: SCORE & The Library
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
Online
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Online
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
May 7
12:30PM
12:30PM
Small Business Lunch & Learn: Win More Business
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
University City Regional Branch
5528 Waters Edge Village Dr, Charlotte NC 28262
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
University City Regional Branch
5528 Waters Edge Village Dr, Charlotte NC 28262
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
May 7
5:00PM
5:00PM
Crowns of Enterprise Awards
Hosted By: City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg Counuty
BoPlex (CLT East Room)
2700 East Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
BoPlex (CLT East Room)
2700 East Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
May 7
6:00PM
6:00PM
Navigating Your Cash Flow
Hosted By: The Women's Business Center of Charlotte
916 West 5th Street, Charlotte NC
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
916 West 5th Street, Charlotte NC
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
May 7
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
Orientación sobre su negocio y Prospera
Hosted By: Prospera
YMCA Simmons
824 Democracy Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212
YMCA Simmons
824 Democracy Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212
May 11
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
ASPIRE Fest: Golf Tournament. Driven by Purpose, Played with Pride
Hosted By: ASPIRE Community Capital
Raintree Country Club
8600 Raintree Ln, Charlotte, NC 28277
Raintree Country Club
8600 Raintree Ln, Charlotte, NC 28277
May 12
1:00 PM
1:00 PM
Positioned for Growth: Strengthening Businesses, Expanding Opportunity
Hosted By: Sugar Creek Business Association
Sugar Creek Business Association Building
610 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Sugar Creek Business Association Building
610 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
May 12
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Nonprofit: Introduction to Foundation Directory (Grant Assistance)
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
Online
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Online
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
May 12
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
Iniciar un Negocio en Carolina del Norte
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
Online
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Online
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
May 13
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Business Finance Basics
Hosted By: The Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in partnership with Truist
210 Delburg Street Davidson, NC 28036
9:00 am to 10:00 am
210 Delburg Street Davidson, NC 28036
9:00 am to 10:00 am
May 13
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
A Roadmap for Small Business Resilience
Hosted By: City of Charlotte, Economic Development
Freedom Business Collective, 1525 Enderly Road, Charlotte, NC
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Freedom Business Collective, 1525 Enderly Road, Charlotte, NC
10:00 am to 11:00 am
May 13
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
ASPIRE Fest: Business Conference and Awards Lunch
Hosted By: CPCC and ASPIRE Community Capital
Harris Conference Center
3216 CPCC Harris Campus Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208
Harris Conference Center
3216 CPCC Harris Campus Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208
May 14
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Huntersville Small Business Roundtable: Featuring Mecklenburg Economic Development
Hosted By: The Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the North County Regional Library
North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC 28078
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC 28078
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
May 16
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
ASPIRE Fest Community Expo
Hosted By: West Charlotte High and ASPIRE Community Capital
West Charlotte High School
2219 Senior Drive, Charlotte NC 28215
West Charlotte High School
2219 Senior Drive, Charlotte NC 28215
May 18-19
Seed the South Capital Summit
Hosted By: Innovate Charlotte & Growing Womens Entrepreneur Network
Bank of America Stadium
800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Bank of America Stadium
800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
May 19
TBD
TBD
Thinking through Entity Formation and Contracts Basics for Small Businesses
Hosted By: CLIMB, Mecklenburg County Bar, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
South County Regional Branch
5801 Rea Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time TBD
South County Regional Branch
5801 Rea Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time TBD
May 20
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
It’s Not Personal, It’s Business
Hosted By: The Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in partnership with Truist
210 Delburg Street Davidson, NC 28036
9:00 am to 10:00 am
210 Delburg Street Davidson, NC 28036
9:00 am to 10:00 am
May 20
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
Mayor's International Community Awards (MICA)
Hosted By: City of Charlotte, Economic Development
The Booth Playhouse, 430 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
The Booth Playhouse, 430 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
May 21
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
B.O.S.S. Conference
Hosted By: The Women's Business Center of Charlotte
UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel
9401 Robert D Snyder Road, Charlotte, NC 28262
8:30 am to 6:00 pm
UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel
9401 Robert D Snyder Road, Charlotte, NC 28262
8:30 am to 6:00 pm
May 21
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Solopreneur Circle
Hosted By: The Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
210 Delburg Street Davidson, NC 28036
9:00 am to 10:00 am
210 Delburg Street Davidson, NC 28036
9:00 am to 10:00 am
May 21
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Positioned for Growth: Navigating Change on the Corridor
Hosted By: Sugar Creek Business Association
Sugar Creek Business Association Building
610 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sugar Creek Business Association Building
610 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28213
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
May 21
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
Proteja su negocio legalmente
Hosted By: Prospera
YMCA Simmons
824 Democracy Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212
YMCA Simmons
824 Democracy Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212
May 26
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Introduction to Proposal Writing
Hosted By: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
Online
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Online
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
May 27
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
What Small Businesses Need to Know About Data Privacy
Hosted By: CLIMB
Online
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Online
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
2025 #31DaysofBiz
Charlotte Economic Development celebrates the hard work, ingenuity and contributions to the economy of entrepreneurs and small businesses with #31DaysofBiz. Each business owner was nominated by one of our Charlotte Business Resources partners.
Check our social media daily starting May 1 for this year's spotlights!
Check our social media daily starting May 1 for this year's spotlights!
Connect With Us!
Stay in the loop on news and events, upcoming workshops, contracting opportunities, and other tools and resources designed to support Charlotte’s small business community.
Get the latest updates: https://linktr.ee/cltsmallbiz
Get the latest updates: https://linktr.ee/cltsmallbiz
Join us on May 4, 2026
Small Business Month Kickoff Networking Event
Small Business Month Kickoff Networking Event
We look forward to seeing you!