Small Business Committee

Co-Chairs

Rachel Flynn, Betz Jewelers and Jayme Prenger, Missouri Women's Business Center

Purpose

The Small Business Committee works to enhance and improve the small business and entrepreneurial community in Columbia by providing education programs, opportunities for relationship building and access to resources that can help small business owners thrive.

Goals

• Enhance and improve the small business and entrepreneurial community.
  o Plan and present the Small Business of the Year awards.
  o Plan and execute Small Business Week and all subsequent events in relation to it.
  o Advocate for issues and challenges facing small businesses in our community.
  o Annually during the November Quarterly Membership Breakfast, the Nonprofit of the Year
  Awards will take place. This special recognition highlights the outstanding nonprofit members of our Chamber and honors their invaluable contributions and philanthropy within our local community.
   
• Provide educational programs.
  o Host quarterly breakfasts and lunches covering topics relevant to small businesses.
  o Conduct the Small Business Roundtable, consisting of a structured monthly group discussion of a professional development topic.
  o Provide updates to committee members regarding other divisions of the Chamber
  including Women?s Network, EPIC, Ambassadors and Workforce Development on
  topics that are of shared interest across divisions..
  Provide opportunities for relationship building.
  o Membership Coordinator will report on new small businesses that join the Chamber for potential committee involvement. New members will be reached out to by a representative of the Small Business Committee and personally invited to Small Business Committee meetings, and Roundtables.
• Provide access to resources.
  o Provide access to other small business resource organizations, including the SBDC,
  SBA, REDI, Missouri Women?s Business Center and other local chambers.
  o Make sure all committee members receive the Chamber monthly newsletter communication.

Benefit

Members will receive support and access to resources that will encourage professional development and the growth of their small business within our community.