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June 1, 2015 | Robert Puro

Starting up and funding a local food-focused small business – from launching a new farm to creating a value-added product (jam for example) using local products – is both exciting and challenging. To offer guidance, support and information on the steps that entrepreneurs can take to give their fledgling business endeavors the greatest chance to succeed and thrive, Paul Smith, Business Development Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration, along with a team of start up business experts will lead a breakout session at the upcoming GrowRIVERSIDE Conference entitled, “Launching and funding a local food enterprise.”

This session will provide prospective and existing entrepreneurs with insight into how to get their businesses off the ground via an explanation of core business creation steps – from business planning, accessing capital, marketing, sales, and more.

Paul Smith is an accomplished professional with twenty-five years experience in business development. His career encompasses both the private and public sectors. His experience includes sales management, direct marketing, export promotion, and matchmaking, for markets worldwide. As Business Development Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration Mr. Smith is responsible for outreach to the business community for the Santa Ana District office.

Paul’s session will be comprised of a group of accomplished entrepreneurs and business development specialists including:

Nicole Kinney, Director of the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC)

Vincent McCoy Director of the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center

Diana Cescolini Professor of Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Business, & Management and Chapter Chair for SCORE Inland Empire

Anthony Lattner Chief Instructor for Cal Poly Pomona’s Sustainable Agriculture Training (SAT) program at Archi’s Acres

There are only 10 days left until the conference and tickets are going fast, so register now to attend this session and learn how to give your local food-focused business the best chance for success!

Register Here: http://growriverside.eventbrite.com

If you’re looking for more information on the 2016 3rd Annual GrowRIVERSIDE Conference: Cultivating the Future, you can find out more about the program here and register here!