Techtown To Host Small Business Workshop

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Techtown will host a workshop Thursday for entrepreneurs looking to start a small business, and those looking to build their existing business.

The event, which was organized by The Lee Group, features a keynote speaker and four panels with small business specialists discussing topics that may affect the growth of small business.

"The program is really focused on those individuals who might be aspiring to start a business, or they maybe in business and they are looking to grow it and get to the next level," said Mark Lee, of the workshop which runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The "Small Business Workshop: A Framework For Growth" event comes during National Small Business Month, and will be held in city, and a state, which is home a large number of small businesses.

According to 2010 the U.S. Census data, Detroit is the fourth largest city for minority-owned entrepreneurs with over 32,000 and approximately 75,000 across the State of Michigan. Michigan is also ninth in the country for women-owned businesses with 242,900 according to the American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report.

Round table discussions planned for the workshop Thursday include:

• Business financing and access to capital, focusing on traditional and non-traditional financing for business,
• Strategic planning,
• Marketing your business,
• Leveraging Social Media to grow and amplify your message.

This is the first year the Lee Group has hosted this type of workshop, but not the first event at TechTown.

"It a great facility. It is conducive to interaction, engagement and asking questions," Lee said.

Those looking to attend the workshop can still register online.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to win tickets to Thursday's Tiger game against the Twins.