Small businesses and solopreneurs make up a significant portion of the business community in the New River Valley. While many entrepreneurs begin with a single idea or passion project, turning that idea into a sustainable business often requires strategy, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from both success and failure.

To support these entrepreneurs, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce hosted its first session in the 2026 Solopreneur Webinar Series, titled Entrepreneur Lessons & Strategy. The session featured Krissy and Wes Reynolds, the husband-and-wife team behind the fast-growing handmade bath and body brand Sun & Spruce.

The webinar offered attendees a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship—how a small startup evolved into a regional brand, the strategies that helped guide growth, and lessons learned along the way.

For business owners in Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Radford, and across the New River Valley, the discussion provided practical insight into building and scaling a business while remaining grounded in community.

The Solopreneur Webinar Series

The Chamber’s Solopreneur Webinar Series was created to serve business owners who may not always be able to attend in-person events. Each session is hosted online and focuses on practical topics that help entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses.

Topics across the series include:

• Marketing strategy

• Financial planning

• Legal and regulatory considerations

• Technology tools for small businesses

• Operational efficiency

The goal is simple: provide accessible, actionable knowledge that entrepreneurs can apply directly to their work.

For many solopreneurs and micro-businesses—especially those operating from home offices, studios, or shared workspaces—this format allows them to participate in business education while continuing to manage their day-to-day operations.

The Story Behind Sun & Spruce

Krissy and Wes Reynolds began Sun & Spruce in 2020 as a small kiosk operation. Over the course of several years, the business has grown significantly, expanding into multiple brick-and-mortar locations, developing a national network of retail stockists, and building a team that supports production, sales, and operations.

What started as a small entrepreneurial venture has since become a recognized regional brand known for handcrafted bath and body products inspired by Appalachian culture and natural ingredients.

Their growth reflects a common path for many entrepreneurs in Southwest Virginia: beginning with a focused product or service, refining operations over time, and gradually expanding into larger markets.

During the webinar, Krissy and Wes shared lessons learned through this journey, including the realities of scaling a business while maintaining product quality, managing inventory, and supporting a growing team.

Lessons from the Early Stages of Business

One of the key themes discussed during the webinar was the importance of learning during the early stages of business ownership.

For many entrepreneurs, the initial phase involves experimentation—testing products, refining messaging, and understanding customer demand. Krissy and Wes discussed how early challenges helped shape the systems and processes they use today.

These experiences highlighted several realities many small business owners face:

• Not every idea works the first time.

• Systems often develop through trial and error.

• Growth frequently requires adjustments in strategy.

Rather than avoiding mistakes, entrepreneurs often benefit from viewing them as opportunities to improve operations and better understand their customers.

This perspective can be particularly helpful for newer businesses across Montgomery County, where entrepreneurs are frequently building companies from the ground up.

Building Systems that Support Growth

As businesses grow, operational complexity increases. What works for a small startup may not scale effectively once demand increases.

The Reynolds emphasized the importance of building systems early that can support future growth. These systems can include:

• Production workflows

• Inventory management

• Wholesale distribution processes

• Financial tracking

• Customer communication strategies

Developing repeatable processes allows businesses to maintain consistency even as they expand into new markets or hire additional staff.

For solopreneurs, this lesson is especially important. Many business owners begin by doing everything themselves, but long-term sustainability often depends on creating systems that allow responsibilities to be shared or delegated.

Navigating Challenges in Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship rarely follows a perfectly predictable path.

During the session, Krissy and Wes discussed the importance of resilience when navigating challenges such as supply chain issues, evolving customer expectations, and changing market conditions.

For many small businesses, these obstacles require creative problem-solving and adaptability.

This mindset is particularly relevant for businesses operating in regional markets like the New River Valley, where companies may balance local demand with broader online or wholesale sales.

Successful entrepreneurs often develop the ability to evaluate challenges quickly, adjust their approach, and continue moving forward.

The Role of Community in Small Business Growth

Another theme throughout the webinar was the role community support plays in small business success.

Sun & Spruce grew not only through strategic decisions but also through relationships with customers, retail partners, and fellow entrepreneurs.

In regions like Blacksburg, Radford, and Christiansburg, the business community frequently collaborates through local markets, events, and organizations such as the Chamber.

These connections can create opportunities for:

• partnerships and collaborations

• shared knowledge between business owners

• increased visibility for local brands

• stronger regional economic development

Entrepreneurs often find that engaging with their local business network provides valuable support and insight as their businesses evolve.

Why Entrepreneur Education Matters

Educational programs like the Solopreneur Webinar Series are designed to provide business owners with access to real-world experience from other entrepreneurs.

Rather than focusing solely on theory, these sessions highlight the practical realities of running and growing a business.

For entrepreneurs balancing multiple responsibilities—product development, marketing, accounting, and customer service—learning directly from experienced business owners can provide valuable perspective.

Programs like this also help strengthen the broader business ecosystem across Montgomery County, supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of development.

Watch the Full Webinar

The full recording of the Solopreneur Webinar: Entrepreneur Lessons & Strategy is available on the Chamber’s YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/@montgomerycountychamber9404

Business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the realities of small business growth are encouraged to watch the full discussion to hear the detailed insights shared by Krissy and Wes Reynolds.

As the Solopreneur Webinar Series continues throughout the year, additional sessions will cover topics including marketing, digital tools, artificial intelligence, and financial strategy for small businesses.

To learn more about upcoming programs and events, visit the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce website:
https://www.montgomerycc.org/