Did you know that 42% of U.S. companies are owned by women? With nearly 13 million women-led businesses, they are making their mark on the entrepreneurial scene, claiming ownership of four out of every ten enterprises. Despite being the driving force behind numerous small businesses, there is still a need...
When it comes to supporting entrepreneurs at any stage in their business journey, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been a critical resource since 1980. Since its inception, the SBDC has grown to over 1,000 centers across the nation with its mission to offer “no-cost business consulting and low-cost...
On Thursday, April 21, SourceLink hosted Building Rural Communities Through Entrepreneurship, a webinar on strategies for growing rural communities through entrepreneurship-led economic development. The session was moderated by SourceLink’s director of strategic partnerships, Dara Macan, and panelists included: Nathan Ohle – President and CEO, International Economic Development Council Nicole LaChapelle...
All things SourceLink was the theme of our March 17 SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation. We announced new projects including: ChiBizHub website redesign, Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) – Evergreen BizLink, Ecosystem Building Leadership Project, SBA Community Navigators Pilot Project and welcomed new clients and affiliates: Monroe County – Launch 734,...
You don’t always appreciate what you have until it’s gone. After collectively witnessing many of our main street and small businesses across the country close in 2020, there arose a new sense of appreciation for the value entrepreneurs bring to our communities and our economy. In 2021, we saw new...
For the better part of the last decade, our field has greatly evolved. The concept of building networks of support, or what has sometimes been referred to as, forging “entrepreneurial ecosystems”, has been a key focus for many advancing the idea that innovation and entrepreneurship will be the future of...
Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in Nebraska now have access to a premier network of interconnected support resources that spans the 76,878 square mile state. It is with great pride and excitement that we welcome our newest SourceLink℠ affiliate, SourceLink Nebraska! Start where you are From inception to implementation, ecosystem building can...
Creating strong inclusive ecosystems of support for entrepreneurs is key to a community’s economic success, however sharing collective impact can be challenging. In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, SourceLink’s Dara Macan and Rob Williams recruited a panel of local ecosystem builders in Fort Worth, Texas, northern Louisiana, Iowa, and Puerto Rico...
Today marks the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an annual initiative that shines a light not only on the value entrepreneurs bring to our communities and global economy, but also the importance of building infrastructures that make it easier for them to start and scale their businesses. SourceLink℠ partners with...
Entrepreneurs are a hardy breed. They’re used to overcoming challenges and quickly pivoting, and at no time in recent history has the world needed those qualities more. While the circumstances of the last 20 months have been challenging, those with an entrepreneurial mindset have adapted to overcome each successive obstacle. Even...
