Get small business tips Saturday at Chamber event

Hope area business owners are invited to attend a free networking event hosted by the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at WiLLow LeaVes of Hope.

The event will feature guest speaker Jon Myers, owner of the Columbus Bar, who will speak about his work as a business advisor with the Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Center and offer tips for making a small business work.

Following a breakfast buffet offered by WILLow LeaVes of Hope from 8 to 9 a.m., Jake Miller, president of the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce, will make introductory comments before introducing Myers.

“Before Jon speaks at 9 a.m., we will go around the room and introduce everyone as far as what company or organization they’re with,” Miller says. “We are encouraging people to mingle and network after Jon speaks.”

The Chamber’s most recent networking event in the fall was well attended, however, Miller says he hopes even more attend Saturday’s event.

“We are shooting for 25 or 30 people,” he says. “We have had some good feedback from people expressing interest.”

Networking events offer multiple benefits for not only business owners, but the Hope business community and area residents, Miller says. Part of the drive for the event is to let people know what businesses are in the area, and not just those who are part of the Chamber.

Miller hopes those who attend are able to tap into the valuable resources networking offers.

“Another hope I have for the event is to connect people to resources, like Jon,” Miller says. “For me, personally, I’m excited to hear what Jon has to say as a small business owner myself. I’m always intrigued to hear and learn from other people who have done it and done it well. I’m hoping to get some fresh faces at the event and meet some people too."