Ways to celebrate May 4 – 8, 2015.

It’s National Small Business Week! This supportive nationwide event, put on by the U.S. Small Business Administration (or SBA), recognizes the critical contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners in the United States. According to the SBA more than half of U.S. citizens either own or are employed by a small business, and small businesses create nearly 2/3 of all new jobs in America each year. Whether you’re already a small business owner, or if you have a desire and  entrepreneurial spirit yourself, these numbers are worth celebrating. Here are a few ideas of ways to show your appreciation for small businesses in America!

Attend a Live Event

The SBA is throwing several live National Small Business Week events across the nation. Live events will be held May 4 in Miami/Boca Raton, May 5 in L.A., May 6 in San Antonio, May 7 in New York, and May 8 in Washington D.C. These events will include networking opportunities, refreshments, keynote speakers on topics like “How to Obtain Funding for Your Small Business”, interviews, panel discussions, and Q & A sessions. Sign up for a live event near you by visiting the SBA’s website here.

Attend a Webinar.

Whether you’re a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, there’s much to be gained from the many valuable webinars offered by the SBA online. With topics like “The Secrets to Crafting a Digital Footprint”, “Voluntary Benefits: Not Just for the Big Guys”, and “Payments as a Trigger for Small Business Growth”, there’s something for everyone. Find out more about the SBA’s available webinars here.

Take the First Step

If you’ve been considering opening a small business of your own, the perfect way to celebrate National Small Business week is by taking the first step! Whether that means doing some soul searching about your goals, dreams and aspirations you have, gaining answers from  a trusted source like the SBA at their website, www.sba.gov, or even reaching out to a lender to begin financing your new business venture, this even could be the perfect catalyst to get your business ideas ignited.  If you’re not sure where to begin or if you want to protect your time and make sure you find the perfect match to your goals, reach out to Careyann Golliver. As a long-time small business owner and FranChoice consultant, Careyann is an expert in being an entrepreneur. Contact her at 303.359.4021 or visit her website at http://careyann-golliver.franchoice.com.