Santa Clarita Small Businesses: Fast, Personal and Growing – Congressman Steve Knight hosts small business expo

 Santa Clarita Valley is widely known for being a wonderful place to raise a family, and part of the draw is our small business community.  With a focus on personal service, Santa Clarita businesses don’t simply see you as “the consumer” but know your name and your family, and they strive to be a part of your life in a meaningful way.  At the 2nd Annual Small Business Conference and Expo, hosted by Congressman Steve Knight of the 25th District, many businesses demonstrated that – though they may be small – they are up to date on their industries, technologies and strategies to best serve their clients.
The event provided a platform to discuss the issues small businesses face, allowing the community to share tips and strategies.  Featuring multiple panels, guest speakers shared their knowledge, techniques, strategies and even their worries over the changing economic trends.  The Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Director Catherine Grooms stressed that all who are just starting out are always welcome, but “should be prepared to work on their business.”  Other local groups laid out their business models and discussed their tips on multiple areas, such as advertisement, the upswing in technology and how to take advantage of it.
Panels operating in the greater Los Angeles County discussed loans and advertising by spelling out loan advantages given specifically to small businesses, as well as applauding the speed at which small businesses can move and evolve.  The Small Business Administration went into great depth about the latest loan offers, application strategies and the specifics about the benefits offered by their offices.  The event’s final panel consisted mainly of defense contractors – such as Boeing, who laid out their support for small businesses and outlined the major roles they play through their ability to collaborate to meet demand.  The event itself, hosted in the Santa Clarita Activities Center, offered a complimentary appetizer-style breakfast and a generous lunch spread.  The many tables were filled with local owners and aspiring entrepreneurs sharing their stories and new connections.
Ultimately, the overwhelming acronyms and the dizzying language can at times seem overwhelming, and the Small Business Expo serves as another platform for local businesses to easily accessing new resources.  As Congressman Knight said: “Thrive and hire, create and innovate.”
To keep abreast of other events, please contact 661-255-5630.