According to Chron.com, “Small businesses are important because they provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and create meaningful jobs with greater job satisfaction than positions with larger, traditional companies. They foster local economies, keeping money close to home, and supporting neighborhoods and communities.”
The businesses featured were Raleigh Dent Company, Smoke N Jerk food truck, NewKirk's Barber Shop, and Home 1144, a candle-making company.
Students asked insightful and pertinent questions, such as, “How did the guest get started in their business?”, “Do they share their knowledge with others?”, “When did they get their first job?”, “Do they give back to the community?”, and “Can kids start a business?”
Students enjoyed interacting with the guests and seeing the tools of each of the trades. They were able to see the barber shop tools, how dents are removed from cars, all sorts of cooking utensils, and what you need to make candles. In a year where field trips were not an option, this was a special time for the students to make real world connections.
“One of the most important take-aways for our students was that owning a small business is something anyone can do, if they have a passion for it and are willing to work hard to make it happen,” said Katie Waring, special education paraprofessional at PreEminent. “They were inspired by our speakers’ determination, grit, and love for what they do. The students were able to understand in a tangible way, the pride that comes with one's accomplishments.”
Students were even able to see these trades in action via video presentation!
For more than 50 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated NSBW, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. “More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create nearly two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year… Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st-century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness,” shared SBA.