Entrepreneurship is alive and well in Flint & Genesee. Small business owners are making a huge contribution to the reinvention of the region and providing a wonderful energetic spirit, which is so important to our economic well-being and our future.
All year-round, the Flint & Genesee Chamber offers support to small business members through various programs and services. During the month of February, we are putting a spotlight on two key services.
First, our staff recently launched a new, buy-local campaign called Made in Flint & Genesee. The initiative showcases registered member businesses that make, assemble and sell their own products in Flint and Genesee County. Buying local is not a new concept, but it’s an important one for the region. The campaign provides a way for consumers to identify products that are made here. We believe the campaign will help people and businesses support their neighbors, and in turn this will help our region prosper. While the initial focus is on consumer products the second phase will offer a similar opportunity for our members that do business with other businesses.
Second, this week Chamber staff along with our eTeam partners – a group of entrepreneurial service providers — will host the annual Jumpstart Conference on Feb. 25. The half-day conference offers workshops, resources and speakers, all of which aim to help a person who wants to start a business and help existing companies that are poised for growth. This year the keynote speaker is David Tarver, a Flint native with a great success story to share.
I hope that you, our members will take advantage of the opportunities provided by Made in Flint & Genesee and Jumpstart, and also reach forward to help someone turn a great idea into a business. I’m interested in hearing about your success stories. You can always reach me via email.
Tim