Quarterly Workshop: Think Big, Act Local: Your Role in Energizing Local Entrepreneurship
What does it take to go from an underutilized building to a Grand Opening? In many historic commercial districts and communities, it takes a lot of work. Individuals and groups from various sectors have the ability to take actionable steps towards cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in their historic commercial district that enables more Grand Openings with strategic work.
Discover the seven essentials for communities of all sizes to develop a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in their historic commercial district. Innovation and entrepreneurial champions, Kira Cheree’ Cobb and Michael Carmona, will share their expertise from decades working with small businesses and recent work in entrepreneurial ecosystem building.
A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is supported through holistic pathways of engagement by individuals and groups from various sectors. Along this pathway are conversations, resources, and initiatives that assist each entrepreneur where they are at to pursue their passion, which advances the vibrancy of the historic district. Hear from community representatives about the resources and initiatives they have in place to assist their business owners including pop-up shops, farmers’ markets, commercial kitchens, and shipping container incubators.
You will learn during this workshop:
- Your role in supporting your local entrepreneurial landscape;
- Seven essentials for strong entrepreneurial ecosystems;
- Hard conversations that are key to creating opportunities and removing barriers; and
- Innovative ideas to jumpstart your entrepreneurial ecosystem implementation.
Registration is $150 per person for Missouri Main Street Connection investors. $250 for non-investors. After October 24th add $50. All cancelations/refunds must be submitted in writing. Cancelations after October 24th are not refundable.
Speakers:
Kira Cheree’ Cobb – Kira is a business coach, consultant, and founder of Integrity Designs and Consulting, LLC and Entrepreneur Business Basics (EBB). Her work through Integrity Designs and Consulting, LLC and EBB has synergized together to equip more than 550+ minority business owners in the state of Kansas, Kansas City metro, and St. Louis regions with the ability to succeed and execute high-level branded communications. She offers a full suite of business services including business consulting, 12-week training session, fully accredited and board-certified signature entrepreneur training JUMP©, business plan development, marketing strategies, and marketing execution.
Recently, she founded Black Entrepreneurship Week to be the first week of August every year, following the Proclamations from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Missouri Governor Mike Parsons, and City of St. Louis Alderwoman Shameem Clark-Hubbard.
Michael Carmona – Michael is the Community Relations & Impact Manager at the UMKC Innovation Center (IC). In his role, Michael supports the work of KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink, programs of the UMKC IC. Michael and his team help further champion innovators and small business owners in the Kansas City region and state of Missouri; linking them to the right resources to start and grow – building collaborations to fill gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Michael is an experienced and passionate Community Developer with demonstrated success leading and supporting community and economic development initiatives in underserved areas of the community with specializations in finance, public policy, urban planning, and business development. He has more than a decade of experience working with marginalized communities, to find and build success as small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Hotel Recommendations:
Best Western Plus, Washington
2621 East 5th Street
Washington, MO 63090
Standard Double Queen or King Room rate is $117.
Call for 636-390-8877 reservations.
If you would like information about accommodations closer to Downtown Washington, please view our Downtown Washington Accommodation list.
This workshop is brought to you by:
The workshop is a private and public partnership with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the State of Missouri, USDA Rural Development, Commerce Bank, William T. Kemper Foundation, Greater St. Louis Inc., and MMSC.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
