Helen Zhang
CEO & Partner, Futurise Growth Partners
Helps Triangle business owners get clear on the numbers and grow with intention.
Co-hosted by Futurise & STOA
RDU SMB Meetup
“Real people building real businesses, together.”Every month, Futurise CEO & Partner Helen Zhang co-hosts a Triangle gathering where SMB owners and operators trade hard-won lessons — not polished pitches.
MonthlyIn person
OperatorLessons
4.9+Attendee rating
TriangleRaleigh–Durham & beyond
Next Meetup
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 · 5:00–8:00 PM
Under the Hood: How Three Owners Actually Run Their Businesses on AI
Everyone’s talking about AI — few show what they actually do with it. Three Triangle owners pull back the curtain on tools, workflows, wins, and headaches from the day-to-day, not the hype reel.
Starting August 2026, RDU SMB Meetup uses a Luma signup fee ($5 early bird / $10 regular) to help fund food and venue. Seats still fill fast — RSVP early.
- Venue: Roney Brown – Keller Williams Raleigh
- Address: 4700 Homewood Ct Ste 200, Raleigh, NC 27609
- Speakers: Monte Marcum (Filta), Steve Rock (Roack Grading), Brandon Smith (Disruptive Process Solutions)
- Dress: Casual · Entry: $5 early bird / $10 regular on Luma
5:00–6:15Networking
6:15–7:30Panel / session
7:30–8:00Networking
Beverages & appetizers · raffle prizes · 50-50 raffle · Casual dress
The hosts
Co-hosted by Futurise & STOA
Financial clarity and operational systems — two partners, one community for Triangle operators.
Alejandro Morales
Founder & COO, STOA Digital Solutions
Builds systems and automation that give SMB operators their time back.
Why operators show up
No pitch nights. Real operator lessons.
Built for founders and operators across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond who want practical relationships — not just business cards.
About the community on rdusmb.com ↗- Monthly, in person40–60 operators in a room built for honest conversation.
- Practical panelsExit, AI, hiring, leadership — lessons you can use Monday morning.
- Relationships over cardsPeer support from people who’ve been in the arena.
- Community reinvestmentSponsorship dollars go back into venues, food, and giveaways.
8+ meetups since 2025
Recent themes
Topics Triangle operators are already thinking about at 11 PM.
- Ask Better Questions
- Owner or Leader?
- AI in Action
- The Exit Equation
- Deals, Risk, and Day One
- Marketing & Branding in the Age of AI
- People, Process, Technology
Met Helen at RDU SMB — or want the numbers conversation next?
Get financial clarity for the business you’re building.
Futurise helps growth-minded owners understand their numbers, reduce tax burden, and make sharper decisions — whether you met us at the meetup or found us here first.