Everyone comes into our lives for a reason or a season. This week was a big week for forming new friendships and rethinking old ones.
I first heard about Mount Inspiration from another passenger who was also delayed 16 hours on our Allegiant flight from Minneapolis to Asheville on Sunday (well, Monday, in the end). She told me about a quintessentially Asheville establishment where the beer is always free and the dogs are always excited to have company. Kate and I entered the store on Monday and were almost knocked over by five overly enthusiastic slobbering puppers. We met Evans, the perpetually in motion Gemini behind the successful apparel brand called Mount Inspiration.
Evans took us under his wing this week. He told us where to get pizza and beers, and invited us to community nights at the store, which are held every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. At tie-dye night on Wednesday, I met three other amazing members of the Asheville community and started to feel like I had a sense for the place that I hope to one day call home.
Evans implements a pay-what-you-can model in his store - you are welcome (and pretty much required) to pay what you think an item is worth, although there a suggested retail price is listed to help you out with the decision.
As a nonprofit fundraiser and natural networker with an excess of mental energy, I started brainstorming ways to make Evans’s community nights even more successful and well-attended. The result is an idea for a new small business, which I am calling DancingFish (the name came to me during a massage at Urban Exhale Massage). DancingFish is here to help businesses and nonprofits spice up their events and fundraising events. I am proud to have adopted Mount Inspiration’s pay-what-you-can ethos.
If you or your business are looking for a little extra help planning your next community event or fundraiser, please reach out. I would love to support you in making your community feel as loved and supported as possible.
Peace, love and dancing,
Sarah