Next week, April 29th– May 5th, is National Small Business Week! The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) distinguishes exceptional entrepreneurs and small business owners from all across the country. National Small Business Week was declared by the President in 1963 and since then has been celebrated by the SBA, Small Business Development Centers, businesses, and people all over the country.
It all began when the Small Business Association was officially established in 1953. Although it was not created until this date, the beliefs of this organization formed in reaction to the Great Depression and World War II. From SBA’s inception, it has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. Congress created the Small Business Administration in the Small Business Act to “aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns.”
As of 2010, there are 27.9 million small businesses in the U.S. and small businesses make up for 99.7% of U.S. employer firms. As you can see the need for a small business advocacy organization is without a doubt necessary. Today, the SBA continues to help small businesses and has grown with assistance and programs. By visiting the website you can browse many different business topics that include how to plan, launch, manage, and grow your business.
Additionally, the SBA helps to spread awareness and educate about small businesses, and during #SmallBusinessWeek they are doing exactly that. The SBA is offering the first ever virtual conference that is scheduled from May 1st– May 3rd. This three day virtual conference will be held from 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and hosts different webinars throughout those times. Furthermore there are events such as a Hackathon in Washington D.C. the weekend of April 27th– 29th, the National Awards Ceremony that can be watched live on SBA’s Facebook page, and a bus tour in different cities will all be held in honor of this week. Check out SBA’s sitefor more information on Small Business Week!
As well, here at The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center, we are kicking off #SmallBusinessWeek by offering a few classes. On April 27thfrom 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in Tunkhannock, we will be hosting a Cybersecurity event at no cost. As well, there will be a First Step Express webinar that provides information on the basics of starting a business on April 30thfrom 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and will be $15. Another Cybersecurity event will be held in Wysox on May 4thfrom 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Visit our websitefor more information and to sign up!
Are you interested in celebrating Small Business Week? Here are a few ways you can do so!
- Visit local small businesses.There are plenty of options to shop local; stores of all types literally surround you. Instead of buying a new shirt at a major store or going out to eat at a chain restaurant, make your way to local establishments. Often times the options are better and they support your community!
- Spread the word. Word of mouth is a great way to advertise for businesses, especially local ones. People often trust community members’ experience and opinion. By actively sharing about local businesses, you help to gain awareness about local shopping. You could also spread the word through social media as well, since many businesses have social media pages take the time to look at them. Whether you give them a like, a follow, and/or a share, you are helping to spread the word for their business. Also don’t be afraid to write reviews online if you had a great experience. Whatever you can do to share the word about local businesses is helping to support small business!
Remember if you are interested in starting your own small business, The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center is here to help! Visitwww.scrantonsbdc.comfor all information about working with our center.
Danielle Guari
Business Consultant
The University of Scranton
Small Business Development Center
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