Exploring Entrepreneurship Summit

Description

Kick off Small Business Week with us at Exploring Entrepreneurship Summit!

Exploring Entrepreneurship is an annual partnership between the City of Austin’s Small Business Program and the Austin Young Chamber. If you are considering starting a business but not sure what your next steps are or if you are ready, this is the event for you! Be a part of a hands-on workshop to assess your readiness, hear from experts, and meet with advisors in key industries and leave with the tools needed to take your next step in being a business owner. You will also have an opportunity to hear from City of Austin staff share free programming for Small Business Week. Registration is free. Lunch, refreshments, and networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs, will be provided.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

9:30 AM | Check-In and Networking

Coffee and light refreshments will be served

10:00 AM  | Welcome to Exploring Entrepreneurship Summit 

Austin Young Chamber - Overview of the day

UFCU - Banking Services for Small Businesses

City of Austin - Small Business Week

10:30 AM  | Self-Assessment Workshop with Katherine Sobel

Dream to Reality: Are You Ready for Business Ownership?

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ~20% of small businesses fail within their first year. This number increases to 30% year two, 50% year three, and by year ten, 70% of businesses are no longer in existence. Businesses fail for many reasons, though entrepreneurial readiness plays a factor in all. How do you know you’re ready for entrepreneurship? In this session, you’ll be guided through an entrepreneurial self-assessment. At the culmination of the session, you’ll leave with insights regarding your entrepreneurial aptitude.

About Katherine Sobel

Katherine Sobel currently serves as a Program Manager for the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department – Small Business Division. In her role, Katherine provides consultation, education, and training to Austin businesses through 1:1 business coaching and targeted programs. Prior to working for the City, Katherine spent over 6 years working in a small business lending non-profit doing largely the same. Katherine is a part-time faculty member at Texas State University and Austin Community College and also provides volunteer service to the Mayor’s Health and Fitness Council and A&R Foundation. As a Doctoral candidate at Texas Tech University, Katherine is committed to life-long learning and is passionate about using her knowledge to help others.

12:00 PM | Lunch

Lunch will be provided for attendees

12:30 PM | Panel Discussion: What's Next? Building Your Foundation

Moderated by Ashley Wainscott 

Ashley Wainscott is Founder and CEO of Simply Home. Formerly Simply Sold, Simply Home is a remodeling agency that eliminates surprises by pushing for accountability and demanding quality. Within three years, Simply Home exceeded six figures in sales. After ten years, her business has beautified more than 2,000 homes, garnering rave reviews and earning the trust of homeowners. In the coming years, Ashley plans to expand her business’ unique approach into new markets by launching Simply Home in other cities. Ashley was awarded the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year from St. Edward’s University, was nominated as a 2019 Nominee for Profiles in Power by Austin Business Journal, was named “Woman to Watch” by Austin Woman magazine, and received the Excellence in Opportunity Award from the Austin Young Chamber. Ashley has been a member of the Junior League for eight years, regularly works with Dress for Success Austin, and was a Woman of the Year candidate for her fundraising efforts with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Austin. Ashley has been an Austin Under 40 Finalist for 6 years in a row in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Category (that has to be a record!). Ashley serves on the Austin Young Chamber Board of Directors as Treasurer.

Panelists

1:15 PM  | Speed Dating with Mentors

Meet with panelists and additional mentors from Frost Bank, SCORE Austin, Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI), UFCU, the City of Austin's Small Business Division, Expansive, and more for advice about your business!

2 PM | Networking

3 PM | Event Ends

In partnership with