Those of you who know me, likely know my background. What makes me tick. Where I come from.
For those of you who aren’t yet on my “people Doug has met” list (how is that even possible?), I’m deeply passionate about two things. Abilene, Texas and the businesses who call it home.
I come from small business. I cut my teeth in the Chamber business in the small business department in what was then the nation’s third largest Chamber of Commerce. I learned early-on how tough it is to sweat payroll. To find answers to lingering questions. To escape the regulatory burden of government and how to juggle tax burden while still having the ability to operate. The ugly side of small business and entrepreneurship can break the best of them.
So it comes as no surprise that I get excited about one week in particular each year. National Small Business Week. And this year it’s May 6-10. And folks, that’s when we get our party on.
We get really busy working for our members and we don’t often take the time to say “thank you” for the daily heavy lift. We don’t always celebrate the contribution our small businesses - the men and women who drive our local and national economy.
But during Small Business Week, we set aside the time to do
exactly that. It’s our week to celebrate you.
And although we know it’s hard to step outside your
business, I hope you’ll peel yourself away for a short while and come celebrate
with us.
Here’s what’s in store:
Thursday, April 18 from 5:00 PM – 6:30 pm at AIM Bank: Business After Hours! Join us as we announce the finalists for this year’s Small Business Awards. To be nominated is a reward in itself and a nomination serves as a great tribute to a company’s leadership and employees. All small business nominees and recipients will be recognized at the Salute to Small Business Luncheon.
Monday, May 6 at 11:00 am – Star Dodge Jeep Ram Hyundai showroom: Come join us for the big kickoff! If you are a business without an official “storefront,” come let us cut a ribbon for you.
Tuesday, May 7 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm – 201 Mesquite Event Venue: The Chamber’s annual Small Business Celebration and Awards Luncheon, in partnership with Texas Tech SBDC. Join us as we present several awards to those individuals who, through their independent, entrepreneurial spirit, have risen to the top of the game. It’ll be a blast. The luncheon is made possible with generous support from America’s SBDC, First Financial Bank and Star Dodge Jeep Ram Hyundai.
Wednesday, May 8 at 8:00 am – Wake up Wednesday – Small Business Week Edition! You won’t want to miss it. This is our regularly scheduled Wake Up Wednesday sponsored by First Financial Bank and America’s SBDC with a focus toward small businesses and Small Business Week.
We’ll use Thursday, May 8 as a day to help you catch your breath, because on Friday, May 10 we’ll have our Tribute to Small Business Social Media Day! It’s your opportunity to engage with the Chamber on social media as we pay tribute to, honor, and share fun facts about why small businesses are so important to Abilene and our economy. Include #SmallBizWeek in your post so we can share!
And so, we all need to take a step back every now and then and say thank you to the risk takers, the job providers, heavy lifters. They make this community tick.
I hope you’ll engage with us. I bet you’ll be glad you
did.
Onward!