My First BizGrow & How Impactful It Was

Starting, running and maintaining a venture is - pardon the pun, a serious business. It not only takes the grit, sweat, commitment and resilient spirit of sacrifice so often spoken and written about by observers and practitioners alike - it also benefits greatly from being informed, well-equipped, and supported as much as possible. To go it alone into the proverbial frontier, lacking guides and resources, is a risk I definitely wouldn't advise anyone take no matter how high their confidence or thick their skin.

I learned about BizGrow 2019 from my mentor and friend Tom Maloney, and incidentally Tom's developed such a stellar reputation in our community precisely due to the fact that he puts himself out there to help those just starting out, struggling at, or otherwise requiring a helping hand in entrepreneurship. When he advised me to attend this conference I knew this recommendation came from a great source and I didn't hesitate. Imagine my surprise when, adding to the warm reception encountered upon entering Suffolk, I noticed Ivan Espinoza wearing those brilliant orange colours of LCR Boston.

Having first met Ivan at events presented by The Massachusetts Alliance Of Hispanic Attorneys, I'd benefited greatly from his wisdom and friendliness. He explained the format of the conference and directed me to the first panel. I'd end up attending all the panels and two workshops - one on Networking and the other presenting a deep dive into the complex yet crucial world of Intellectual Property.

The Workshops

The first workshop I attended was Networking 101, offered by Claudia Thompson who carries with her the distinction of being a high-level consummate connector and power networker. Some of the attendees were first-time networkers, while others such as myself were looking to gain further knowledge and see things from another point of view. Given Claudia's reputation, it was a no-brainer for me and there was a lot on offer.

• Forming authentic connections is essential. Have a conversation, and make sure to balance how much you listen with what you say. Present your best self and don't be nervous: networking takes practice!
• Utilize Meetup, which has so many customized groups where you're bound to find your tribe. It's also helpful however to go outside your comfort zone and it's perfectly reasonable to take a friend along. Make sure to talk to others besides them though!
• Be open, and make your exit strategy honest and courteous.

Claudia also showed the group how to use the Linkedin Feature "Find Nearby". All in all this concise workshop provided a lot of value for first-timers and seasoned networkers alike.

The second workshop I attended was all about Intellectual Property, presented by Professor Lolita Darden. This workshop covered all forms of IP and what entrepreneurs/business professionals can and should be doing to protect their valuable creations.

The Panels

Been There, Done That I attended towards the tail-end, but from what I could tell there was a high level of attendee satisfaction and the panel was rock-solid. How To Get A Bank Loan was next and provided a ton of actionable info on the how-to process as well as an overview of the services banks offer to small businesses. Lastly there was a panel on Alternative Lenders and how these sources can be of immense assistance to entrepreneurs for whom a traditional loan might not necessarily make sense.

I intend on publishing some additional, in-depth insights on the panel discussions eventually. There was simply so much enriching material that a separate treatment of this segment is definitely justified. Keep a look out for this Bizgrow 2.0 if you will!

Takeaways

This was a conference well-worth attending. Knowledge, accessibility, and an overarching emphasis on the ability for all entrepreneurs and business owners to succeed regardless of any barriers was both inspiring and empowering. Our ecosystem can only continue to benefit from increased investment and awareness applied towards being inclusive and leveling the playing field! I look forward to attending again next year.