From cybersecurity to the advent of AI and digital payments, the first session will combine various topics that are on many business owners’ minds to ensure they remain competitive.
Virginia Small Business Owner Highlight

During almost a decade of service with the U.S. Military, Virginia-based lawyer Matt Banks witnessed several cases in which disabled veterans were denied disability compensation for injuries or conditions sustained during their military service because they did not have the medical evidence to show that their injuries or conditions were “service-connected.” This experience coupled with his desire to be an entrepreneur inspired Matt to start a small business devoted to helping his fellow veterans.
Virginia Events
Small Business Majority y el equipo de Verizon Small Business Digital Ready tendrá un evento virtual gratuito donde empoderarán a los propietarios de pequeñas empresas con recursos educativos que necesitan para crecer, expandir e invertir en s
At over $1.7 trillion, U.S. Latino purchasing power is growing 70% faster than non-Latinos. This means that becoming a bilingual business can open up new and profitable opportunities to gain customers while building an inclusive community.
Virginia Policy
Virginia is home to more than 795,000 small businesses, employing 1.6 million people and accounting for 99.5% of all businesses in Virginia.
Today, Government Affairs Coordinator Quintin Reed, testified before the House Commerce and Energy Subcommittee #4 in support of HB 2035, which would create a paid family and medical program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of accessing paid family and medical leave.
Today, Government Affairs Director Awesta Sarkash, submitted a letter of support to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee during the 2022 Virginia General Assembly in support of SB 1, which would create a paid family and medical program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of accessing paid family and medical leave.
Today, Awesta Sarkash, Government Affairs Director, submitted a letter in support of SB 376 which would create a prescription drug affordability review board in Virginia.
Virginia Research

Policymakers at all levels, from town councils to the halls of Capitol Hill, emphasize the challenges of small businesses as a key talking point during political debates. But new opinion polling in four states—Illinois, Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin—reveals small businesses feel their government officials don’t actually understand their challenges, and they support a wide array of policies to address their needs, some of which might come as a surprise to their elected officials.
Extreme weather events have been front-page news lately, especially with the U.S. experiencing record storms across much of the country and devastating droughts in the West. Research shows small businesses are especially susceptible to financial ruin after an extreme weather event.
It’s not surprising then that Small Business Majority's polling found nearly 1 in 5 Virginia small business owners had to lay off workers after they were negatively impacted by an extreme weather event.
Small businesses account for a significant share of Virginia’s economy. For every one large business in Virginia, there are 50 small businesses diligently working to reenergize the state’s economy. These entrepreneurs are doing everything they can to hire, grow and move their businesses forward. As part of these efforts, recent scientific opinion polling shows that Virginia’s entrepreneurs want pragmatic, innovative policies that help guide them into a competitive, modern clean energy economy.