The 2023 Small Business Expo - Las Vegas Key Takeaways

I attended the 2023 SmallBusinessExpo here in Las Vegas where I had the amazing opportunity to meet like-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and vendors with a true passion for seeing small businesses grow, thrive, prosper, and succeed.

The #smallbusinessexpolasvegas took place at the #plazaHotelcasino in a smaller yet personable space where small businesses from all over were able to network and make connections.

I personally enjoyed the workshops, the speed networking, the industry meet-up (topic specific) networking sessions, meeting new, upcoming entrepreneurs, and connecting with local small business owners here in Nevada.

I enjoyed being interviewed on Pineda Media Podcast and being interviewed by the #smallbusinessexpo social media team. Interviews provide great exposure and visibility for small businesses.

Loved the lead generation interactive activities with prizes that were conducted at the vendor booths. I won a sweatshirt, a sweat towel from AARP, a paper weight, and lots of candy. State Farm gave us personalized baggage tags that I am using as a keychain.

Workshops that made an impression for me and my business were the SBA Lending at Wells Fargo Workshop. Small businesses are the most vulnerable when it comes to funding. During this time of inflation small businesses have struggled to stay afloat and it is great to finally see a large national bank like 富国银行 willing to help small businesses succeed with new small business banking solutions. I was even more excited when I received a Wells Fargo plushy horse and a profile picture by an excellent photographer at the Wells Fargo booth.

Leveraging AI For Small Business Success: A Transformative Approach Workshop. AI is something that has always been around. With the use of modern technology and digital media tools AI is becoming more popular. Learning how to effectively incorporate AI technologies into your business's digital marketing pipeline and sales strategies can assist in the overall growth of your business. AI writes specifically to the algorithms that all search engines use to display content. AI also enables your marketing teams to take back time in their day as team members are able to create content with the assistance of AI. Understand that AI does not replace the team member. AI is a tool. Content that AI produces still has to be spell checked, fact checked, and positioned before being placed into production.

Maximizing Profit Through Effective Leadership Workshop. This is an area where leaders turn the mirror on themselves, self-reflect, take accountability, and begin to make changes in their leadership style. The leader has a direct role in the profitability of a business. Not everyone can be replaced and not everyone can be a leader. Maintaining a healthy work environment is essential to being a profitable and stable business.

Keynote Presentation: Unleash Your Inner Entrepreneurial Celebrity: Tarra Stubbins, Founder & CEO, Take It Easy Group, LLC

Self-employed individuals do not give themselves enough credit. We do not celebrate ourselves or our accomplishments as much as we should. We are doing the work of multiple people on a daily basis. Some of us are doing it all with no support, using our own resources, and making great sacrifices to push through and accomplish our goals. Understanding how to effectively use your time, talent, and resources will position you to meet the right connections that are going to take you and your business to the next/right level. You are the entrepreneur that is going to break generational curses/traumas, bring jobs to your community, leave a positive legacy, and leave generational wealth to your family.

How To Resolve a Business Dispute Workshop. How to respond to conflict, how to effectively present contracts, how to legally argue the language of contracts, and how to dispute wrongs against your business is essential. Many small businesses go at it alone. You should have a small business attorney, you should not be providing any services without a binding contract, and when you are owed money for services rendered you should have a collection process in place to ensure payment.

Small businesses and entrepreneur's that I particularly want to highlight and give a media shout out to are:

Nu Media Tech Solo - numediatech.net - African American or as he would say "Black" small business owner with an app that will enhance the way minority small businesses post content, interact with content, and buy products/services. Download the free app, go live, post content, and promote your products/services from a platform by us for us.

T.O.P aka The Odd Pro - theoddpro.com - a unique and essential employee experience that every small business should implement into their work culture. I walked through the Workforce Accelerator Program demo, and I am happy to support and partner with CEO Emery McClendon as this is a great platform for SMB's.

Finished the day off with the event sponsored Happy Hour and Pinkbox Doughnuts - truly a pleasant and great experience.

#smallbusinesses #shinedelight #shinedelightenterprises #digitalmarketing #shoplocal