Next week, I’ll help host the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 session of The Garage at the newly opened Rhode Island Nursing Education Center.
We call it “The Garage” as a nod to the humble beginnings of so many Rhode Island entrepreneurs who have sown the seeds of their business in their garage or their basement or at their dining room table. We hold this event annually to remind every Rhode Island company that it can be part of our state’s growth story and to tell them how they can be. And each year we tackle a new theme — this year it’s “What It Takes to Drive Business Success.”
To be held on Thursday, May 17, from 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., the event is free and open to the public, and is a great opportunity to meet people who are directly involved in helping Rhode Island’s startup community, including investors, advisors, potential partners, government officials and others.
Following opening remarks by me and Joseph A. Nagle, the president and CEO of Delta Dental of Rhode Island, we’ll launch into a roundtable conversation with local entrepreneurs and alumni from the Social Enterprise Greenhouse, the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition and other R.I.-based accelerators. Panelists will explore what they learned from starting and running a business in an innovation economy. Blaine Carroll, president of First Circle, will moderate the conversation between Dan Aziz, president and founder of Premama; Semia Dunne, owner of Flowers By Semia and The Floral Reserve; Nico Enriquez, CEO of Farmer Willie’s Craft Ginger Beer; Clemens Graves, founder and CEO of Finnest, and Elizabeth McDonnell, owner of Fortnight Wine Bar.
The Garage will conclude with the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition awards ceremony. Six finalists will present their plans to the audience, after which the winners of prizes valued at $265,000 will be announced.
Whether you started your Rhode Island business in your garage or have only started it in your mind, I want to invite you to join us at The Garage to learn more about the opportunities unique to entrepreneurs in our state.
Laurie White is president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
