Small Business, Big Deal

It’s hard to imagine Columbus without our local businesses. Between the coffee shops, breweries and other restaurants, book stores, hobby shops, and independent service providers, Columbus residents know that these are the things that make our city special. 

But few of us think about the impact that these local businesses have on the economy. When we spend money at local businesses, that money stays here in Columbus to support the individuals and families behind them. And considering the amount of small businesses we have here, it’s promising to think of how much of an opportunity we have to pour money right back into Columbus. 

In reality, we are actually growing small businesses slower than other areas in the Midwest, meaning that there is still room to improve when it comes to having a local economy that allows small businesses to flourish. This forum will address the contribution of small business to the Columbus economy, as well as steps needed to make the city a better place for them to flourish.

Featuring Henry Golatt, Small Business Ecosystem Builder and Chief Architect of the Columbus Small Business Agenda, Inna Kinney, CEO and Founder, Economic and Community Development Institute, and Letha Pugh, Co-Founder, Bake Me Happy. Special introduction by Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., Owner, Regionomics and hosted by Carrie Ghose, Journalist, Columbus Business First.