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In this section:
Small & Entrepreneurial Business Services
AM Business Connection
A unique "speed networking" event that allows participants the opportunity to polish their presentation skills while building their contacts.
Small Business Council
The Chamber's Small Business Council champions the growth and development of small business by providing education resources, advocating for small business in the region, and fostering business development through relationships and networking.
Roundtables
Confidential forums of Chamber-member business leaders that regularly meet to share practical knowledge and counsel on the challenges and opportunities facing today's businesses.
Music City Future 50
Annual recognition program of the 50 fastest-growing, privately held companies headquartered in Middle
Tennessee.
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Small Business Council
Middle Tennessee's economy depends on the health of its small and entrepreneurial businesses. The Nashville region has a vibrant and diverse entrepreneurial business community; approximately 90 percent of the Chamber's membership is comprised of small businesses (defined as companies with 100 or fewer employees). Small business owners who are members of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce are encouraged to join the Small Business Council (SBC) at no additional membership fee.
Learn how the SBC is working for you!
On Dec. 11, the SBC hosted a small business breakfast, where Chamber CEO Ralph Schulz unveiled the results of the recent Metro purchasing survey.
Click here to view a summary of the survey results.
Also on Dec. 11, Schulz testified before the state's Joint Study Committee on Small Business Development and Retention regarding the challenges Middle Tennessee's small businesses face, and the steps the Chamber and others can take to improve the regional small business climate.
Click here to read Schulz's comments.
Finally, as part of the Mayor's Small Business Summit, the Chamber shared a presentation on trends affecting Nashville-area entrepreneurs.
Click here for more information.
SBC Mission:
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Council champions the growth and development of small business by providing education resources, advocating for small business in the region, and fostering business development through relationships and networking.
Strategies
- Providing education resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses:
- Highlighting and communicating the "best picks" for education opportunities offered through the Chamber and other organizations
- Workshops
- Advocating for small business in the region:
- SBC will serve as a voice and resource for Chamber activities/issues that impact small business.
- SBC members will be present at Member Orientations to promote Chamber resources available to support small business growth and development.
- Fostering business development through relationships and networking:
SBC Sub-Committees:
- Marketing & Communication, led by Pam Daly, DK & Associates
Ensures clear and timely communications of SBC programs and events to Chamber small business members to encourage active participation in SBC.
- Small Business Issues, led by James Crumlin, Jr., Bone McAllester Norton PLLC
Identifies key legislative initiatives that may affect SBC members; provides liaisons to the Chamber's Policy Advisory Committee related to policies and positions that affect small businesses; educates small businesses on how to be heard on key legislative issues.
- Member Education, led by Michael Patenaude, The Initiatives Group
Supports new and existing small business educational programs by encouraging increased participation and serving as event/program volunteers.
- Business Development, led by Charles Sueing, Nationwide Insurance/The Sueing Agency
Serves as a program advisory group for new networking events and activities by encouraging increased participation and serving as program volunteers.
SBC Advisory Committee:
Michael Carter, Athena Health Club and Day Spa (SBC chair)
James A. Crumlin, Jr., Bone McAllester Norton PLLC (Small Business Issues Sub-Committee chair)
Pam Daly, DK & Associates (Small Business Marketing & Communications Sub-Committee chair)
Michael G. Patenaude, The Initiatives Group, LLC (Member Education Sub-Committee chair)
Charles Sueing, Nationwide Insurance/The Sueing Agency (Business Development Sub-Committee chair)
Liz Allen Fey, Management Solutions Group
Nelson Remus, MEDIAmail Packaging & Fulfillment
Don Bingham, SCORE
Cheri Henderson, Tennessee Minority Supplier Development Council
Roxianne Bethune, Metro Nashville Government (minority and small business liaison)
Wisty Pender, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
Surendra Kumar, Oakwood Cleaners
Tera Vazquez, Guy Brown Office Products
Paula Roberts, Small Business Development Center
Marissa Benchea, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Donna Mattick, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Wendy Stoneberger, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
SBC "Informed and Inspired" Speaker Series:
All events in this series will be held in the following format:
7:30-8 a.m. - Networking
8-8:15 a.m. - Welcome and introductions
8:15-8:45 a.m. - Speaker presentation
8:45-9 a.m. - Q&A and closing remarks
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Speaker: TBA
Location: TBA
For more information, contact Marissa Benchea at 615-743-3114 or mbenchea@nashvillechamber.com.
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