Since 2005 the Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC) has been assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners in the greater Newark area by connecting them with the resources important for their growth. On June 29th GNEC held its 2016 Opportunities and Awards Breakfast on the NJIT campus to celebrate the contributions and successes of those in the entrepreneurial and small business communities.
Having the theme of “Strong Businesses Build Strong Communities”, the event, moderated by GNEC Executive Director Steven M. Gomez, focused on the vital role that small businesses have in creating vibrant local communities for their residents and those who work there. The event featured speakers addressing the topic of community building and entrepreneurship, as well as presenting the GNEC 2015 Awards to four honorees.
“In the life of an entrepreneur, if there were 28 hours or 29 hours, they’d figure out a way to turn into 30,” stated Executive Director Gomez in his opening remarks that acknowledged the hard work and passion of entrepreneurs. Gomez took over the helm of GNEC in 2014 and has championed entrepreneurship through GNEC’s training programs and its services. In 2015 GNEC assisted over 630 individuals and connected 34 small businesses to $1.5million in capital.
Darrell W. Gunter, Chairman of GNEC’s Board of Trustees, in his remarks emphasized the positive role that networking can have on a small business that also strengthens the local community.
“If you do one thing today, please reach out to somebody you don’t know and think about their challenge and their opportunity and how you might know someone in your network that can help them. Be a connector because if we connect each other, we will grow this community together.” Gunter said.
The GNEC breakfast brought together a broad swath of the greater Newark small business community who heard from keynote speaker Arturo E. Osorio, Ph.D of the Rutgers Business School-Newark. Prof. Osorio is an international speaker and entrepreneurship consultant. As a Senior Fellow at the Joseph Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers, he researches complex issues facing urban areas.
Addressing the theme of “Strong Businesses Build Strong Communities, Professor Arturo defined the role and contribution that small business makes to the local community. He explained how the value proposition of a small business is tied to the local community it serves. The value proposition supports the community when the small business is attuned to the needs of the community. The products and services then sold to the community can be profitable to the business, while also contributing to the community’s growth and stability.
“If you solve a problem….you have a business,” stated Arturo, offering a fundamental axiom for a business to be successful. When that is thoughtfully integrated into the business’ value proposition, it will “improve the quality of life” of the community.
