Jefferson Reporter

The City of Birmingham and the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO) is hosting Birmingham Small Business Week May 2-6, 2022. Attendees can participate in various workshops hosted by entrepreneurs, business experts, and ecosystem builders.

“Small businesses are the backbone to our city’s economy,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “This event is not only a celebration of our small businesses but also a way to empower them with the knowledge they need to thrive.”

Sessions include information about growing revenue, building a sustainable business, leveraging digital content to increase buyers, and more. Small Business Week is also a time for residents to support and patronize local small businesses. During this week, and beyond, Birminghamians are encouraged to shop local and then share photos of their products and goods on social media using the hashtag #bhamstrong.

“Ultimately, it is my hope that Birmingham will be a premier destination for small businesses, startups and businesses looking to expand,” Woodfin said. 

Small Business Week 2022 is free to the public, but space is limited. Attendees are encouraged to register for these virtual and in-person experiences at https://sbw2022.eventbrite.com. For more information, email smallbiz@birminghamal.gov.

Here is a schedule of events:

• Monday May 2 (Virtual)
  • Scale & Grow Revenue: Key financial and team building strategies for scaling & growing your business. 

Featuring panelists:

• • • Desiree Tyree, CEO and founder of Account for Data, LLC
    • Melva Tate, founder of consulting firm, Tate & Associates, LLC 

Learn to uncover key financial and team building strategies for growth.

• Tuesday, May 3 (Virtual)
  • Building Sustainable Business for the Future: How human-centered customer service and community building help you grow your company & revenue.

Panelists:

• • • Duquette Johnston, Musician-and-artist-husband-and-wife team Duquette and Morgan Johnston opened Club Duquette
    • Autumn Sanders, Founder and CEO of Quire Consulting

Get tools to establish a growing community of loyal customers. 

• Wednesday May 4 (Virtual) 
  • Going Digital: Exploring how to take your customer from browser to buyer
  • Panelists:
    • Leslie Pierce, founder of e-commerce brand Urban Glory
    • Rita Olds, founder of Rita Olds & Co.
    • Jordan Hovater, Founder of Embassy Social 

Learn how to craft the right message for your business online and leverage your content to take your customers from just browsing to buyers.  

• Thursday, May 5 (Virtual)
  • Confidence: How to effectively communicate your business for customers, capital, and connections.
  • Panelists:
    • Rashida Reese, founder of Rebirth Marketing 
    • Ronda Robinson- founder of Carmine Communications

Gain tangible techniques to confidently communicate and market your business.

• Thursday May 5 (In Person)
  • Wealth & Wine: Wealth building, abundance, and succession planning.

Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.

• • • Host Dr. Nicole Garner Scott, founder of The Money Plan with guest speaker Isaac Cooper, CEO and Managing Partner, IMC Financial Consulting

Join Birmingham Small Business Week and Dr. Nicole Garner Scott with Isaac Cooper for Wealth & Wine, a series on wealth building, mindset, and succession planning.

• Friday May 6 (In Person)
  • The future of Birmingham: Why Birmingham is the place to stay, start, and keep your small business.
  • Sloss Furnace, 20 32nd Street North