Small Business Committee Meeting

Co-Chairs

Trent Rash, The Missouri Symphony and Lara Pieper, Bloom Bookkeeping

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.
  • Plan and present the Small Business of the Year awards.
  • Plan and execute Small Business Week and all subsequent events in relation to it.
  • Advocate for issues and challenges facing small businesses in our community.
• Provide educational programs.
  • Host a two-part speaker series of events covering topics relevant to small businesses.
  • Conduct the Small Business Roundtable, consisting of a structured monthly group discussion of a professional development topic.
  • Provide updates to committee members regarding other divisions of the Chamber including Women?s Network, EPIC, Ambassadors and Workforce Development.
• Provide opportunities for relationship building.
  • Membership Coordinator will report on new small businesses that join the Chamber for potential committee involvement. New members that attend committee meetings will be allowed to present an elevator pitch for their business to the group.
  • Host the annual Small Business Fest, allowing opportunity for small businesses to connect with the community.
• Provide access to resources.
  • Provide connection to other small business resource organizations, including the SBDC, SBA, REDI, Missouri Women?s Business Center and other local chambers.
  • Committee members will receive the Chamber monthly newsletter.

Benefit

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