SBA to Host Twitter Chat for Young Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON – Young aspiring business owners are invited to learn the basics on how to turn good ideas into profitable ventures at the live Twitter chat on Feb. 19, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. EST, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (@SBAgov). The event will be held during National Entrepreneurship Week, Feb. 15-22 (#sbaEweek)
SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone said, “According to a survey conducted by Young Invincibles.org, 54 percent of young people either want to start a business or have already started a business.”
Titone noted the survey cites that 85 percent approved of increasing access to loans and capital in order for young entrepreneurs to secure funding to start a business. Another 92 percent agreed that increasing access to education and training was vital to a young entrepreneur’s success.
“The message is loud and clear that young entrepreneurs need and want access to capital and more training,” said Titone. “This upcoming Twitter chat is a great way to share that information with young entrepreneurs who want to start a successful venture.”
Tameka Montgomery from SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development and Bridget Weston Pollack from SBA’s resource partner SCORE will share tips on developing a business plan, ways to get startup financing, and how to overcome those initial hurdles entrepreneurs face when starting out.
The Twitter chat will also feature Small business owners Dan Price, co-Founder and CEO of Gravity Payments (@DanPriceSeattle) and Genevieve F. Thiers, CEO and Founder of Sittercity.com (@genevievethiers) will share their stories of creating a successful company. Price and Thiers are former SBA National Young Entrepreneur award winners.
No registration is needed, but you must have a Twitter Account. Hashtag: #sbaEweek
Prior to the event, potential young entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting a business can check out the free SBA online course for young entrepreneurs at http://go.usa.gov/BKzk. The course gives a basic overview of the steps needed to get started on building a successful business.