Cost: $100
Built for small business owners ready to level up to build a growth plan that sticks.
This one-day, low-cost conference combines expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking to help you identify and fix the bottlenecks holding your business back.
This event includes:
- Real-world tips and materials to activate your business growth plan
- Snacks, coffee bar, and lunch
One lucky attendee will win a $500 travel voucher courtesy of Delta Air Lines!
What You Can Expect
Morning Keynote
- John Garrett, CEO and Founder of Community Impact News
Interactive workshops led by local business leaders and subject matter experts
- Beyond the Sale - Creating Unforgettable Customer Experiences & Turning Complaints into Connections with Skip Balch of Saleshandicapper
- Hiring and Managing for Success with Arann Barnett of Everson Solutions
- Digital Domination: Marketing Strategies That Work with Dr. Elaina Jackson of Concordia University
- Cash Flow Crash Course with Kristen Zinser Smith of Frost
Feature Session
- AI Is Already at Work. Are You? From Generative to Agentic: A Practical Guide to What's Next with Eyal Darmon, Managing Director, Americas Public Service Data, AI & Agentic AI Lead, Accenture
Small business growth conversation led by BBB and business leaders
- Speaker: Francois Marais, VP Sales, Better Business Bureau
- Speaker: Cary Novigrod, Owner, Sierra Fence
- Speaker: Justin Wadsworth, CEO, Policy Watch
Breakout roundtable sessions for intimate collaboration with industry experts
- Everybody Sells. When Done Right, It Is Easy! with Skip Balch, Sales Handicapper
- Mic Drop Marketing: Using Podcasting to Expand Reach and Authority with Sarah Dooley, AI-Empowered Mom
- Access to Capital: What Lenders Look for and How to Prepare with Audrey Perry, Comerica Bank
- Real Social Content: AI Strategies That Don't Kill Your Brand Voice with Jennifer Mangold, The Social Growth Group
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Scaling with Francois Marais, Better Business Bureau
- Entrepreneurship Can Be Lonely: Why Networking and Connecting Is Critical with Christine Kutnick, PCC, Mudita Coaching
- Teambuilding During Times of Uncertainty and Change with Sally Blue, Sally Blue Consulting
- Banking Relationships That Work: How to Leverage Your Banker for Growth with Andria Whalon and Shelly Cruz, Comerica Bank
- Know Before You Grow: Legal Foundations for Scaling Smart with Michael Ciccolone, Blackline GC
- Humans + Robots = Winning: How Fractional Talent is Solving Business Problems That AI Can’t with Zack Pennington, Trusty Oak
- Stop Overthinking AI: Simple Tools You Can Use Before Lunch with Llyas Salahud-din, GrantAppli
Power of Better Business panel powered by the Austin Business Journal
- Moderator: Bryan Mays, Anchor, KVUE
- Panelist: Joel Boehm, Vintage IT
- Panelist: Molly Cummings, WildGins Co.
- Panelist: Mike Reiner, Comerica Bank
- Panelist: Michael Whorton, Whorton Insurance Services
What People Are Saying About Our Programs
- “This was the best single-day event that I’ve attended — great programming, great people. I wasn’t aware of how much the Foundation does and so glad that I saw the post about it.”
- “Everyone was so kind and welcoming! I truly enjoyed myself. It was very engaging from beginning to end.”
- “You put together a really valuable and enjoyable event. I was impressed with the density of programming and the caliber of so many of the presenters. I hope you can expand your reach to more entrepreneurs so that more folks benefit.”
- “I think the event was fantastic. I asked most people I talked to if they planned to return for the next, and most said they did.”
Sponsorship Information
Contact: foundation@austin.bbb.org
Small Business Champion Sponsor $2,000
- Logo on event materials
- Social media promotion
- Recognition during Opening Session
- Designate your sponsorship:
- Coffee Bar
- Lunch
- Happy Hour
- and more!
Questions? Contact foundation@austin.bbb.org
Visit our website to learn more about Foundation for Better Business!
