The third annual North Miami Beach Small Business Summit & Expo is set to take place on Wednesday at North Miami Beach City Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Commissioner Daniela Jean, who initiated the event three years ago, has been a strong advocate for supporting small businesses in the community ever since.
The expo aims to provide local businesses with resources and opportunities to help them grow and expand their reach. This year, Jean expects around 500 businesses to attend, with the city having over 3,000 businesses registered. She has helped the city partner with organizations like Google and Florida International University to offer resources and grant information to business owners. The goal is to create generational wealth by providing equity in education, allowing business owners, especially those of color, to leverage their businesses.
Sponsors like Comcast, the Miami Foundation, and Wells Fargo will be present at the expo to provide information about grants or loans. Attendees can also benefit from an onsite business coach to assist entrepreneurs as well as 20 resource partners who will offer marketing and financial education. As North Miami Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency liaison, Jean works year-round on programs that help local business owners build networks and access resources such as sponsoring ordinances for food truck vendors to increase their opportunities.
The city also hosts series in partnership with Google and Florida International University’s Small Business Development Center to support entrepreneurs. Commissioner Jean hopes that the expo will empower more residents to start their own businesses leading to increased financial freedom and opportunities that enhance their quality of life. She believes that education and information are key for business owners to succeed and hopes that the expo will be a stepping stone for North Miami Beach entrepreneurs
