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.

The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is always ready to express gratitude to the men and women who have served their country. This gratitude is expressed to those who are now braving the entrepreneurial path by connecting them with resources and benefits to start or grow their business. This week, more than ever, VAMBOA would like to offer a special salute to all Veteran business owners during National Small Business Week 2014.

President Obama proclaimed May 12-16 2014 as National Small Business Week in order to recognize entrepreneurs and small business owners as the “lifeblood” of our nation’s economy. Small businesses employ more than half of America’s workforce, and are responsible for creating almost two out of every three new jobs each year.

Each year, National Small Business Week is hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This year’s events kicked off on May 13th at Twitter Headquarters in San Francisco, CA. There are also scheduled events for this year’s festivities at Burns and McDonnell headquarters in Kansas City, MO; the Microsoft New England R&D Center in Boston, MA; and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

VAMBOA is a non-profit Veteran business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. VAMBOA recognizes the special skill-set and experience with leadership that these individuals bring to their businesses and to our local, state, national and global economies. With the right resources, Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners are highly qualified to build successful businesses.

VAMBOA is here to serve as a conduit to those Veteran business owners and the resources they need to thrive.

VAMBOA advises all Veteran business owners to take advantage of the events and discussions taking place this week as part of National Small Business Week. Business owners should also be made aware that the SBA will be conducting 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 Commences: By Debbie Gregory