Join us for our next program on Saturday, November 13:

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Hidden-Tech Presents:
RESILIENT BUSINESSES SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT
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When: Saturday, November 13, 2010, 10:00am - 3:00pm

 

Where: People’s Bank Conference Room, The Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke MA 01040

 

Who: Small Business Leaders, Advocates, Policy Makers, Community Activists, and Entrepreneurs

 

Cost: Open to the public, cost $25, registration

The Resilient Businesses Small Businesses Summit is being built around what YOU need and want in the conversation.  Based on the unconference design, small business owners are invited to attend the summit and participate in pro-active dialogue with support organizations and other small business owners. The discussions all support the goal of creating Resilient Small Businesses and cover such topics as  economic stability, financial options, current and future policies, and best operating practices. The day will include networking, panelists, and round table discussions.  Watch our website, www.resilientbusinesses.com, for ways that you can join the conversation in advance. 

 

 

Small businesses are at the heart of our economy: their resilience is essential to a strong, successful, and influential industry.  It is well documented that small businesses generate more jobs than any other scale business or sector per investment dollar. With their dollars remaining in their communities, they have the largest impact on local economics which increases the impact of the dollars invested in such businesses.  But their inherent success is challenged by a lack of big business and federal support that comprehends the particular needs of small and micro-businesses.

The support services currently in place to help small businesses are mis-targeted.  For example, the Small Business Association (SBA) has emergency loans as part of the Recovery Act.  All studies of micro-loans show a higher payback rate then larger business loans and yet the SBA loans under $30K have an extra 'high risk' surcharge.  There is a disconnect between services providers and the very Small Businesses they propose to support. 

In this summit, we bring together the voices of small businesses and their potential support systems. We lay the cards on the table and discuss the needs, the challenges, and the practices, and leave with a plan for instigating change.  What does it mean to be viable and successful? What are supportive policies? What exactly will the new Small Business Funding law provide? What are the necessary community structures that need to be in place in order for this to happen? How can existing organizations and government programs provide for scaled services?

 

This event is sponsored by TnR Global.