Hello Buncombe County!
This week’s Tuesday Small Business Highlight is all about creativity and connection. Meet Cork & Craft Asheville, a pop-up paint and sip experience bringing locals together through art, wine, and community across Buncombe County.
What began as a personal passion for creative gatherings is quickly growing into a vibrant way for people to unplug, create something beautiful, and share a memorable night out.
Tell us the story behind your business. What inspired you to start it, and how did it all begin?
Cork & Craft Asheville grew out of a major life transition. After more than two decades in corporate leadership roles, and a layoff that gave me space to reassess what I truly wanted, I realized I was ready to build something rooted in joy and connection. I wanted to create experiences centered around the things I have always loved: wine, art, and bringing people together.
About fifteen years ago, I attended my first paint and sip event and was immediately hooked. It felt creative but not intimidating, social but relaxed. I started painting as a hobby, hosting friends at my home, inviting their kids to create, and even bringing paint sessions into the workplace as team-building events. For years, I carried the quiet thought: What if I did this for a living?
Wine has always been part of the theme for me. It creates warmth, conversation, and a sense of ease. Art invites expression. Combining the two felt natural.
As Cork & Craft has evolved, it has become more than just a class. It is about creating welcoming spaces where people can step out of their routine and feel part of something. In a world where so much of life happens behind screens or alone at home, I wanted to offer both pop up paint experiences in local venues and small DIY art kits for individuals who may not want a full class but still want to get out, create, and be around community. Even before opening a permanent studio, the goal is the same. To give people a reason to gather, connect, and feel less isolated.
What started as a “what if” has turned into a business built around creativity, accessibility, and belonging.
Why Buncombe County? What made you choose this area to plant roots?
I first came to Asheville while traveling for a bike polo tournament hosted by Asheville Bike Polo, and I felt something shift. There is an energy here that is hard to describe. It feels creative, grounded, deeply connected and just really good vibes. The mountains, the art, the independent businesses, it all feels intentional.
After that first visit, I did not immediately move. I spent nearly three years coming back, building relationships, and working toward making Asheville home. It was important to me that this was not just a passing idea, but a real commitment.
What stood out most was how much this community values local businesses and makers. There is pride here in building something authentic and contributing to the character of the area. That resonated with me deeply.
As someone stepping into a new chapter, Buncombe County felt like the right place to plant roots, not just personally, but professionally. It is a place where creativity is supported, where small businesses matter, and where experiences that bring people together can truly thrive.
What’s something about your business that most people don’t know?
What most people don’t realize is that Cork & Craft is designed to be more than just a paint night business. I am building toward a broader vision that includes pop-up experiences, DIY art kits available at local markets, and eventually a permanent creative event space that incorporates wine offerings, where people can gather regularly.
Partnership is a core part of the model. I intentionally collaborate with local breweries, wineries, small businesses, and gathering spaces so that each event supports multiple businesses at once. It is important to me that Cork & Craft contributes to the broader Buncombe County small business ecosystem rather than operating in isolation.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a small business owner here?
As I am currently in Phase 1 as a pop-up based business, one of the ongoing challenges is securing prime evening time slots at local venues. Thursday through Saturday nights are when people most want to gather, and understandably, those are also the busiest nights for breweries and event spaces.
Because Cork & Craft is built around partnerships, it takes time to align schedules and find venues that recognize the long term value of hosting creative, hands-on experiences alongside their existing offerings.
I believe there is a tremendous opportunity for experiential events to become a regular part of Buncombe County’s nightlife and tourism landscape. I am always excited to connect with local businesses interested in collaborating to create something unique for their customers as the brand continues to grow toward a permanent storefront.
What’s been your most rewarding moment so far?
Participating in the Mountain BizWorks Foundations program has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. The six-week course gave me the practical tools and the confidence to turn Cork & Craft from an idea into a sustainable business. It also connected me with other local entrepreneurs and reinforced how important small businesses are to Asheville’s creative economy. They have been such a great supportive resource.
Beyond that, sharing the vision for Cork & Craft with locals and seeing their genuine excitement has been incredibly encouraging. When people light up at the idea of a space where they can gather, create, and connect, it reinforces that this business resonates beyond just me.
And of course, nothing compares to watching someone in class see their painting come to life. There is a moment when they step back, look at their canvas, and you can see the shift. Pride. Surprise. Confidence. It is never just about the art. It is about how they feel when they realize they created something beautiful.
What’s next for you? Anything exciting coming up that readers should know about?
Right now, I’m continuing to grow Cork & Craft through pop-up events and new partnerships across Buncombe County, while also developing DIY art kits that will be available online, at local markets, and at community events. You can find my DIY Art kits at the West Asheville Tailgate Markets and also the Downtown Asheville After 5 Events vendor space. Many of the designs are inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains, moody skies, amazing sunsets, layered ridge lines, and that peaceful mountain energy everyone is drawn to.
I’m especially excited about building more collaborations with local breweries, wineries, and gathering spaces that want to add something hands-on and creative to their lineup. There’s a real appetite here for experiences that bring people together, and it feels like the perfect time to lean into that. My current events can be found on my website
Long term, the dream is to open a permanent Cork & Craft creative event space here in Asheville, a cozy, welcoming spot where locals and visitors can gather, have a glass of wine, and make something with their hands.
For now, I’m focused on growing thoughtfully, showing up in the community, and connecting with anyone who wants to collaborate. The best part is, this is just the beginning.
Website : corkandcraftasheville.com
Instagram : @corkandcraftasheville
Small businesses like Cork & Craft Asheville help keep Buncombe County’s creative spirit alive. If you’re looking for a fun night out or a new way to connect with friends, keep an eye out for one of their upcoming pop-up events around town. Supporting local creativity helps our whole community thrive.
We hope you liked this new edition. Please send over any feedback as we always read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for being part of the Buncombe County Digest community.
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