“Dream big. Start small.” That’s the theme to this year’s National Small Business Week, which is May 4 through May 8. As the Small Business Administration’s website states, the organization “takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.”
Since 1963, the president has issued a statement about the importance of small businesses in conjunction with the week, as smallbiztrends.com reports. Here are some highlights from President Barack Obama’s 2014 declaration:
“Today marks the beginning of National Small Business Week, a time to highlight the crucial role that America’s small businesses play in our economy. Employing millions of Americans and creating nearly two out of three new jobs, America’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy. More than that, our small businesses represent what is best about America — that with hard work and ingenuity, anyone — no matter their background — can build a better future for themselves and their families. … During National Small Business Week, we renew our commitment to helping our businesses hire more workers, sell more products and continue to grow the foundation of our American economy.”
The SBA fills the week with speakers, discussions and networking opportunities at five stops around the country. Here’s a look at this year’s events.
Details: Monday, May 4, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern time) at Office Depot headquarters in Boca Raton.
Discussions: “How to find funding for your small business” and “How to break into a supply chain.”
Speakers: Maria Contreras-Sweet of the SBA, and Roland Smith, chief executive of Office Depot.
Details: Tuesday, May 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Pacific time) at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Discussion: “How businesses can benefit from international trade.”
Speaker: Contreras-Sweet of the SBA.
Details: Wednesday, May 6, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (Central time) at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Discussion: “How businesses can benefit from SBA’s financial programs including LINC, a new SBA program that connects small businesses with SBA-approved small business lenders.”
Speaker: Contreras-Sweet
Details: Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. (Eastern time) at LinkedIn in the Empire State Building.
Primary topic: To “bring together millennials in NYC from all walks of life for a town hall conversation focused around entrepreneurship. This event will highlight the individual journeys of a diverse set of entrepreneurs — people whose stories show exactly why America needs to foster more opportunities across all communities to help us compete in the global market.”
Speakers: Mike Muse of Muse Recordings, Contreras-Sweet
Details: Friday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern time) at The Washington Post.
Primary topic: The InnovateHER competition finale, which the SBA describes this way: “A live pitch competition featuring 15 entrepreneurs whose products and services were deemed by the SBA to best meet the competition criteria and present the greatest potential for success in supporting the lives of women and families. The top finalists will give a 2 minute pitch on their product or service in front of a team of expert judges, and will answer any questions from the judges for 2 minutes as well.” The top prize is $15,000, second place is $10,000 and third is $5,000.
