Workshop series to offer support for small businesses in Boston

The winter and spring workshops will help entrepreneurs and small business owners of all types and development stages.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a series of small business support workshops that will be hosted in neighborhoods across Boston over the winter and spring to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners of all types and development stages. Hosted by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development in partnership with Boston Main Streets, this series of workshops will provide assistance and guidance for small businesses in Boston. The workshops will build on the Office of Economic Development's business support system and technical assistance program.

"Small businesses are the backbone of communities throughout Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "A vibrant small business ecosystem is important because it extends economic opportunities to all our residents. When we released our first Small Business Plan last year, our main goals were to support the small business economy, enhance neighborhood vibrancy, and foster economic and social inclusion and equity. This series will help us to make progress on each of these goals."

Released in 2016, the City's first ever Small Business Plan identified the top needs of Boston's small businesses, as well as opportunities to create strategies to meet those needs. This workshop series addresses several needs of the small business community, including increased contracting opportunities, strategic programs for immigrant business owners and entrepreneurs, and a focus for key growth business segments designed to support smaller restaurants and retailers.

"Small businesses are the economic engine of the City of Boston," said John Barros, Chief of Economic Development. "By streamlining small business resources through a single department, we are equipped to support the City's more than 40,000 small businesses on issues ranging from visual merchandising to developing a sustainable business plan. From the self-employed to entrepreneurs to brick and mortar storefronts, Mayor Walsh and the Office of Economic Development will continue to ensure a growing, thriving and equitable small business ecosystem."

The workshops will be conducted by the Office of Economic Development in partnership with consultants available through its On-Site Technical Assistance program. The consultants work with businesses for a six month period to address challenges and provide guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners on issues ranging from developing a sustainable business plan, to assistance with financial management.

Upcoming workshops include:

Date: Tuesday, January 31
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Topic: Instagram
Location: Boston Public Library, Copley Square
Register for the event

Date: Wednesday, February 22
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Topic: Leasing
Location: Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, Roxbury

Date: Tuesday, February 28
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Topic: Facebook
Location: Egleston Square YMCA, Roxbury
*Spanish interpreter available

Date: Tuesday, March 14
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Topic: Financial Management for Food Businesses
Location: East Boston (exact location TBD)
*Spanish interpreter available

Date: Tuesday, March 28
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Topic: Tactics for Scaling Your Business for Female Entrepreneurs
Location: Roxbury Innovation Center

Additional workshops and details will be announced for the spring. All workshop and registration information can be found at boston.gov/econdev, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

About the Mayor's Office of Economic Development

The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on the Economic Development website.