Meet-Up a success; watch for more events
Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on February 4, 2016
In my last column I told you about Marquette Area’s Entrepreneur Eco-System Meet-Up. This was an opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs of all kinds with ideas and dreams to gain a better understanding of the business resources, connections and expertise available to them through our organization along with Accelerate UP, Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Invent@NMU, Marquette Chamber of Commerce and Northern Initiatives. Community members had the chance to network and spend one-on-one time with the sponsoring organizations.
We were extremely pleased that over 100 people attended. There were people representing all stages of the business process, from the very start of an idea, to the midst of planning, looking for financing as well as businesses already in operation curious as to what our network of support services has to offer them as they look to grow and enhance their businesses.
Did you miss this event? Never fear! All of the sponsoring organizations are available to speak with anyone that has an idea for a business or product. In fact, the Marquette Chamber of Commerce debuted a new resource map at the event that will help you figure out what organization would best fit your needs. The map lists over 20 organizations and the services they provide. Whether you’re looking for business plan assistance, financing, site location assistance, research or a variety of other services, there are organizations ready and willing to help. Look for this helpful document at all of the local resource providers in the coming weeks.
Why does the LSCP and so many other Marquette County organizations put time and effort into helping businesses grow? Because we know that some of the most successful economic development projects are home grown, businesses that come from the people who want to live and work in our community and see opportunity to invest for the long haul. Most new job growth comes from existing businesses, so that means that by helping local businesses succeed, we expand the employment base. All this translates to a stronger local economy, which contributes to a great quality of life.
With such a great turnout on this event, we hope to participate in another one soon. Please contact any of the organizations involved with feedback on the event and stay tuned for details on future events!
Keep an eye out for new 2016 LSCP workshops and webinars throughout the year focused on assisting businesses.
For example, on February 9, our Business Development Representative, Mary VanTilburg, will host a webinar on a helpful tool called “SizeUp.” This tool shows your business how to grow and stay competitive using groundbreaking and award winning technology. During this webinar you will learn the different features “SizeUp” offers to help your business make smarter decisions. Find out how your business measures up to your competition, where your customers, suppliers and competitors are, and where you should invest your advertising budget.
On March 22, the LSCP will be partnering with the City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center to put on a workshop called the “Art of Business.” Whether you’re an artist who owns a business or one who is interested in starting one, this workshop is for you. Turning your creative practice into a business may seem like a daunting task, but our VP of Economic Development, Caralee Swanberg, will walk you through setting up your business, finances, purchasing supplies and much more.
Both of these events are free to attend. Visit www.marquette.org to register.
Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.
