Tennessee Small Business Development Center celebrates banner year at SBDC Day

More than 120 business and community leaders, area small business owners and elected officials assembled March 21 at the Whitehaven Center to celebrate National SBDC Day with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSDBC). The event also marked the return of Google's Get Your Business Online program to Memphis.

TSBDC Executive Director Rory Thomas says SBDC Day is a national celebration of the impact of small businesses.  “It’s also a celebration of the impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have on the success of our nation’s dreamers, innovators, and doers – America’s small businesses,“ he said.  America’s SBDC network is a partnership that includes the United States Congress, U.S. Small Business Administration, the private sector, and the colleges, universities and state governments that host SBDCs across the nation.  “We were honored to have public officials representing federal, state and local offices participate,” Thomas said. The offices of Congressman Steve Cohen and mayors Mark Luttrell and Jim Strickland presented proclamations to declare SBDC Day throughout Shelby County and to congratulate the efforts of TSBDC.

Google’s Get Your Business Online program returned to Memphis to help small businesses connect with more customers and achieve lasting success.  SBDC Day featured two Google interactive workshops: “Sharing Your Story through Video” "Intro to Online Marketing."

Thomas says last year was a banner one and SBDC Day was their chance to share the great news.  “We provided assistance to more than 2,500 small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals with a business idea in Shelby County,” he said.  “We wanted to use SBDC Day to highlight our successes and truly inform the community that free help is available to help you achieve your small business goal.”