Those of you who know me, likely know my background. What makes me tick. Where I come from.
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 April 30 – May 6. 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 20 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm at Business After Hours sponsored by Tonya Harbin Real Estate we’ll 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 1 at 4:00 pm – we’ll officially declare the week Small Business Week with a kickoff event at Star Dodge Jeep Ram Hyundai showroom. We’ll pay tribute to those micro businesses without a “storefront” and celebrate the kickoff to a great week. Click here to participate in the Ribbon Cutting.
Tuesday, May 2 at 11:30 am - The Chamber’s annual Small Business Celebration and Awards Luncheon, in partnership with America’s SBDC at Texas Tech. 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 at Texas Tech, First Financial Bank and Star Dodge Jeep Ram Hyundai. Click here to buy a table.
Thursday, May 4 – is social media day! We’ll be paying tribute online to the small businesses. 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.
Friday, May 5 – we’ll wrap up what is sure to be an exceptional week with our Morning Edge with a twist. Together with the Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council, we’ll have a Cinco De Mayo twist on the morning event showing the impact that diverse businesses contribute to our local economy.
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.