On the latest episode of the U.S. Chamber Small Business Update, host Shyann Malone is joined by Tom Sullivan, Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Jeanette Mulvey, Vice President and Editor in Chief at CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Now, Mulvey and Sullivan discuss all the exciting things the chamber has going on for National Small Business Week.
Key Takeaways
1. National Small Business Week is a significant occasion that allows for the celebration of entrepreneurs, recognizing their contributions to job creation, innovation, and community building across the country.
2. The CO-100 contest invites small businesses from various categories to apply for recognition. Winners will be publicly recognized at an awards gala, featured on CO, and have the chance to win cash prizes, including a grand prize of $25,000.
3. Both Tom and Jeanette encourage small businesses to apply for recognition, even if they don’t win, as it’s a chance to showcase their business and potentially be featured in stories, creating valuable exposure.
4. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is actively involved in legislative efforts, including updating the Regulatory Flexibility Act to better serve small businesses. They also promote initiatives like the Prop Pay Pledge to ensure prompt payments to small suppliers and vendors.
5. Joining a local chamber of commerce offers benefits such as increased credibility for products/services, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and collective influence on national policy through partnerships with over 1600 chambers.
"We've got data that shows that...if you're a member of your local chamber the validity and authenticity of your product or service actually goes up in other businesses' minds and in consumers' minds. So when it comes to selling more, it's really a good opportunity to join your local chamber of commerce." — Tom Sullivan | U.S. Chamber of Commerce
