Virginia Small Business Council meeting

In celebration of the Virginia Small Business Council, the work the SBOs have done, policies advocated for, and the events the Council has participated in we wanted to gather everyone and reflect.

We were able to touch on the personal stories of everyone:

• LaJuanna and her initial pivot into her industry. Her figuring out her skill set and orientation to go into organizational transformation and figuring out helping other businesses understand their problems. She began to receive government contracting and there was an economic boom for her business, but the government shutdown (2013) put a huge damper on the business's revenue stream. She shared how SBM provided a platform for her to voice her story and how the support she got allowed her to build the confidence to carry on.
• Monica immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹. She found herself going to New York City and then on a bus to Montana. She was headed to a tiny town where she was going to be the only person that looked like her. It was quite a cultural and weather shock for her. She began working at a bank and began a comprehensive financial literacy study. Understanding wealth and financial management, as well as understanding tax knowledge and banking regulation. All this knowledge was immensely helpful when she became a business owner, opening her own childcare services.
• Shirley started in her garage with her husband. Figuring out machining principles and then getting involved in government contracting via the Department of Defense. Making technology to help with the detonation of explosives. 3Ddesign was particularly motivated after the Boston Marathon bombing.
• Aisha immigrated from Pakistan 🇵🇰 with her husband. Initial pivot into childcare after pursuing an advanced degree in psychology, and she already had a degree in education. Her comprehensive approach to childcare and innovative techniques, like visiting the family before the child is born and building a connection with the family.

We were also able to look forward to the future of the Virginia small business council and think about the policies that still affect small businesses in Virginia and the VA economy.