Roundtable Discussion: The Growing Freelance Economy and Your Ohio Small Business
Event to discuss growing freelance economy and policies to help entrepreneurs succeed; chance to hear from community about ways to help ensure this economy flourishes
Akron, Ohio—The small business advocacy organization, Small Business Majority, will host an interactive event on Thursday, October 1, 2015 on the rise of the digital nomad and freelance economy, and discuss policies that address the needs of this new workforce while bolstering Ohio's economy.
The new freelance economy is providing the self-employed with unprecedented freedom to work on their own terms, while also stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship in a way that has never been available before. Independent workers now represent more than one in three working Americans and are shaping the country's new employment landscape—one where brick-and-mortar storefronts are being replaced by online retailers, and freelancers and contractors are the new version of the 9-to-5 office worker.
"Freelance entrepreneurship is a potent force for positive change in every aspect of creating and sustaining a thriving society and economy," said Michaela Hahn Burriss, Ohio Outreach Manager with Small Business Majority. "This event will bring together small businesses, entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders to discuss this emerging economy and help develop a deeper understanding of what freelancers and microbusiness owners are experiencing and what Akron could do to help these businesses grow and become sustainable."
The free event, which is open to all entrepreneurs, will feature Burriss, who will moderate a discussion on the topics most relevant to entrepreneurs, including tax reform, healthcare, family medical leave, retirement benefits, and increasing affordable and reasonable broadband access to communities without internet access.
"A healthy microbusiness and freelance economy can inject vitality into the cities and neighborhoods where these entrepreneurs live and operate," said Burriss. "A strong freelance environment can provide an innovative pathway for women, minorities, youth, veterans, disabled people and immigrants to enter the mainstream American economy and build income and independence."
The event will take place on Thursday, October 1st from 10:00 — 11:00 a.m. (EDT) at the OSC Tech Lab, located at 12 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44308.
Small business owners can register for the event online at https://akron-freelance-economy.eventbrite.com.
For more information, please contact Michaela Hahn Burriss at [email protected].
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.