The Business Of Giving Back: How Small Capital & Big Character Build Strong Communities
Thoughts from the recent Consulting from the Couch podcast interview with Scott Riggs of Capital Connection, about giving back to the community and servant leadership.
At BLC Consulting, we believe leadership doesn’t just live in the boardroom—it lives in everyday actions that make communities stronger. That’s why our Consulting from the Couch podcast spotlights leaders who live out that belief in the real world.
In this episode, “The Business of Giving Back,” we sit down with Scott Riggs, a finance veteran and community builder who’s proving that small, well-placed capital and a servant’s mindset can reshape local economies from the ground up.
The Power of Purpose in Practice
Riggs’ story begins with humble lessons learned in the fields and grocery aisles of rural North Carolina—moments that built a deep respect for work, generosity, and responsibility. Those values now guide his approach to economic development through a local economic development group's Community Business Loan Fund, a model that helps business owners who are “not quite bank-ready” but full of potential.
With microloans between $10,000 and $50,000, the fund—backed by the Truist Foundation and Duke Energy—has already unlocked growth for new ventures and issued microgrants that turned ideas into jobs. It’s proof that meaningful change doesn’t always start with millions; sometimes it starts with trust and $10K.
Building Partnerships That Last
Scott also takes us behind the scenes of Project Frontier, the coalition that brought Amazon’s last-mile facility to Jacksonville, NC. The secret wasn’t luck—it was readiness. By aligning city, county, and private-sector partners, the community created a credible, investment-ready “product.” The result wasn’t just one facility—it was a new template for how local leadership and collaboration can compete on a national stage.
The COAL Framework: A Leader’s Daily Fuel
At the heart of Riggs’ philosophy is a simple but powerful system he calls COAL—Communication, Organization, Attitude, and Living. It’s his daily checklist for staying grounded, balancing purpose and productivity, and remembering that leadership starts with service.
From mentoring a Marine veteran who built her own construction firm to launching Capital Connections, a commercial lending consultancy for small businesses, Scott demonstrates how leadership creates space for others to succeed.
Leadership That Begins Close to Home
At BLC Consulting, we often remind our clients that leadership starts where you are—with what you have and who you serve. The Business of Giving Back captures that truth beautifully.
If you want to strengthen your community, start small and start close: fund a local startup, coach a youth team, mentor a new leader, or offer your expertise where it’s needed most.
To listen to the podcast interview with Scott, click here