Snellville Entrepreneur Summit an Energizer for Local Business Leaders

(Editor's note: the following is a press release from the Office of Economic Development in Snellville.)

The energy in the room was palpable as keynote speaker Barbara Bender, owner of Hamilton Financial Services, discussed common mistakes entrepreneurs make. Many participants nodded their heads in agreement, laughed as they recognized mistakes they had made themselves and asked questions that kept the conversation and education flowing smoothly. 

Bender discussed the “entrepreneurial seizure” that serves as the catalyst for a person to start their own business, followed by the “fatal assumption” that if you know the necessary skills and have the technical know-how, you can run your own company. Most businesses, she said, are started by technicians rather than business-minded individuals.

These pitfalls are so common that eight out of 10 new businesses fail within three years. The purpose of events like the Entrepreneur Summit is to prevent that from happening to Snellville entrepreneurs. 

“Don’t think you will do this and not be overwhelmed or drowning in the chaos,” said Bender. “You’re going to make a few mistakes here and there, but it’s important that you keep at it in small, incremental steps. It’s not going to happen overnight.” 

Nor does it have to happen alone. City of Snellville staff and volunteers took time to discuss all the opportunities the city offers to entrepreneurs, which includes one-on-one mentoring, a business toolbox and a peer advisory board.  Economic Development Director Eric van Otteren is leading the charge in making Snellville the city that entrepreneurs come to in order to make their dreams come true. 

“Do you know how many jobs would be created in the Snellville economy if each of us hired three people?” Jamie Dempsey, president of the Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce asked the crowd of small business owners during the event. “That’s the type of foresight that the city has right now. That’s their goal.” 

Here’s what participants had to say:

• “This presentation has really shown me what I need to do to make my business grow.”
• This was an energizer and a help because when you get to a plateau, you can start to feel broken down. You’ve done a great job in showing us how to plan past that.”
• “This is much more information than I was expecting.”
• “I think this is a very informative session with great information and resources.”
• “I moved to Snellville in 2011 but had not found a venue for help. I really appreciate coming here today.” 

For more information, contact Eric Van Otteren at (770) 985-3502.