By Debbie Gregory.

With the theme “Dream Big, Start Small,” President Obama declared May 1^st -7^th  as National Small Business Week.

The president said that America’s small businesses are “responsible for creating nearly two-thirds of net new jobs in the United States each year and employing more than half of all Americans.” He added that “small businesses have always been a vital part of our country’s economy. Across America, small businesses support economies, employ local residents, and contribute to the vibrancy of their communities.”

Throughout National Small Business Week, events will be live-streamed and focused on a variety of entrepreneurial topics including: trade, business trends and resources to help you start and grow a business, cyber security, veteran support, targeting millennial entrepreneurs and innovation. In addition there will be workshops on ideation to commercialization, small business opportunities in the entertainment industry and exporting opportunities.

Small businesses support economies, employ local residents, and contribute to their communities.

“Our Nation does best when we help our startups and small businesses expand into new markets and offer goods and services to more people,” said Obama

In 2015, the Obama administration awarded an all-time high of more than a quarter of eligible Federal contracts to small businesses.

The annual event is hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is designed to recognize the nation’s top small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business advocates. The week-long event will continue through May 6, with SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet hosting planned national events in New York, Denver, Phoenix, Oakland and San Jose, CA.

There are free training webinars covering:

• Taking the Mystery out of Voluntary Benefits
• The Decline of Magstripe Cards—and What That Means for Your Business
• Cloud, Mobile, and Social: Great Apps and Services That Will Grow Your Business
• Access to Capital and Business Loans: Best Practices, Tips for Getting Your Business Financially Fit

To see the city-by-city schedule and to register for the webinars or view live-streamed events please visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.

In Recognition of Military Veterans Appreciation Month

The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

HUD Veterans Affinity Group

hosts Veterans Small Business Forum

‘Overcoming Barriers to Becoming a Successful Veteran Entrepreneur in the Federal Marketplace’

Keynote Speaker

Jennifer Carroll

Former Lieutenant Governor Florida

Naval Officer (Ret)

Monday, May 12, 2014

9 am – 1 pm

HUD Brooke – Mondale Auditorium

451 7th Street, S.W.

South Visitors Entrance

Washington, DC 20410

All are Welcomed to Attend

You Must Register not later than May 7th

If Participating by Phone

Send email to Keyvi.Boyer@gmail.com

(805) 399-1200

Code 877589#

(Call in lines will open up at 945 am following onsite reception)

Please be mindful to mute your phone using *6 when listening then you may press *6 again to unmute when you are speaking.  Thank You!

Each year since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation that calls for a National Small Business Week. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) promotes National Small Business Week as a way to bring into the limelight the impact that outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and others have had on the nation’s economy. These men and women strive to grow small businesses, which in turn helps to create jobs, drive innovation, and increase the nation’s economic competitiveness.

For this year’s National Small Business Week, the SBA has planned several events that will take place across the country in order to engage the small business community and emphasize their importance to America’s economy. These events will include activities designed to engage attendees, including panels and forums that will discuss small business trends, networking events, award ceremonies and informational seminars.

The planned events are scheduled for the following cities:

May 12- San Francisco, CA:

This event will involve speakers from the small business, government, consumer and high-tech communities. The event will be held at Twitter’s headquarters and will include instruction on how to utilize social media to help drive your business growth. Click here for more information or to register for the San Francisco event.

May 13- Kansas City, MO:

This event will include networking opportunities, discussion panels and information sessions. It will be held at the Burns and McDonnell headquarters. Click here for more information or to register for the Kansas City event.

May 15- Boston, MA:

This event will include discussion panels, matchmaking sessions and information sessions. It will be held at the Microsoft New England R&D Center. Click here for more information or to register for the Boston event.

May 15- Washington DC:

This event will include networking sessions, discussion panels and guest speakers. It will be held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

May 16- Washington DC:

This event will include an awards breakfast, networking sessions, resource expo, awards luncheon and information sessions. It will be held at the FHI360 Conference Center. Click here for more information or to register for either day of the Washington D.C. events.

Throughout National Small Business Week, there will also be webinars and other live-streamed events.  Interested individuals can register online at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek. For more information about National Small Business week visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov

VAMBOA: National Small Business Week May 12-16, 2014