Featured: Presentation at the flagship EforAll accelerator in Massachusetts.

The Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce has been a financial and in-kind supporter of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for over a decade. One of the great joys I’ve had at the Chamber is meeting people that come to the Chamber for SBDC counseling. Often the new entrepreneur is not sure how to get started. They have questions and concerns, but overriding those is an excitement about a dream they have of starting or purchasing a business. I’ve met countless people this way and it never gets old – the excitement is infectious.

Sharon King and Suzi Bahnsen with the SBDC host a variety of classes, seminars and specialized one-on-one counseling for Boulder County area business owners. For a vibrant business environment, it’s important that we always have new entrepreneurs opening businesses or existing businesses expanding and SBDC helps with both.

Earlier this year, the Chamber, in partnership with Advance Longmont, was asked to work with a new organization coming to Longmont from the Boston, MA area. EforAll (Entrepreneurship for All) will begin this fall, working with aspiring business owners. After the fall debut, EforAll will offer their program in both English and Spanish. EforAll has achieved great success for its program in several Massachusetts communities. The Chamber board has decided to financially support EforAll. As a Chamber member, there is a role for you too! EforAll is searching for business mentors to work with their program participants. This is a unique and fun way for you to share your business knowledge with Longmont’s next business leaders.

I share this information with you because it is important for our membership to know where membership dollars are being spent. The Chamber board and I consider carefully which programs to support that will further the Chamber’s goal of creating the best business environment for Longmont. We believe that a great community must have a vibrant business community and that means making access to owning your own business available to everyone.

If your business, or a business you know, could use the SBDC and Eforall services, contact the Chamber. Any staff member can help you at 303-776-5295. To learn more about EforAll mentorship opportunities, contact Harris Rollinger at harris@eforall.org.