In April 2006, after months of planning, Empowerment Group launched the
first week-long, city-wide campaign of its kind – Philadelphia Entrepreneurship Week.

In 2007 the campaign grew, attracting more than 750 attendees and
generating over $40,000 between in-kind and cash donations.

Back with a shortened name and a fresh new look, Entrepreneurship Week
attracted more than 1100 attendees at 9 events in 2008.

Click below for:

2008 Sponsors
2008 Events Recap
2008 Supporting Businesses

Presenting Sponsors

Gold

Silver

Bronze

InventIT Metals

J. Thomas & Associates

Additional Support

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2008 Events Recap

Monday, April 21
Opening Press Reception | Pennsylvania Convention Center
Members of the small business economy, government officials, non-profit leaders, and members of surrounding communities joined Empowerment Group to kick off the third annual Entrepreneurship Week. Opening comments thanked Presenting Sponsors, Univision 65, Impacto Latin Newspaper, and Philadelphia City Paper, as well as over 60 attendees for participating in this valuable campaign.

Duane Bumb, Senior Deputy Director of Commerce, spoke on behalf of the Nutter administration, presenting Empowerment Group with a Mayors Proclamation. He also stressed the importance of economic development in Philadelphia and commended the attending organizations for their efforts.

Varsovia Fernandez, President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the Hispanic business community, its recent boom, and the need for local patrons to purchase through Hispanic businesses.

Sixteen-year-old Ashirah Rollins, of Empowerment Group’s ELITE program, spoke of her experience creating a small business, including the difficulties of business ownership during the developmental stages. Likewise, a recent Empowerment Group adult graduate and owner of VisuallyKool.com, Russell Snow, accredited his business advancement to the knowledge gained while attending Empowerment Group Entrepreneurship Training courses.

Refreshments were provided by Philadelphia Brewing Company to a crowd eager to continue the week of entrepreneurial festivities.

Tuesday, April 22
Making it BIG in Small Business | Helium Comedy Club
Eager entrepreneurs attended the Making it BIG in Small Business Panel Discussion led by successful small business owners. Joe Matisoff, president of Hyperion Bank, Nicole Marcote, owner of Quince Fine Foods, and Ulysses McGhee owner of Organic Culture, shared their business wisdom with attendees answering a myriad of questions.

These business gurus shared the highs and lows they encountered while opening a small business. Matisoff provided insight not only as a small business owner, but as a banker. Marcote, an Empowerment Group graduate, just recently entered into her second business venture. After opening the highly acclaimed Quince Fine Foods only one year prior, Marcote has opened Reverie Vintage Goods, a consignment shop that is co-owned by five women. Her advice was helpful for anyone interested opening a store based business.

McGhee inspired attendees with his successes in a home-based business. After establishing his business in the past two years, he has already seen a considerable increase in business, and more importantly, in profits. He spoke of the benefits of running a business from home, most notably of the reduced price without the rental fees associated with storefronts.

The event wrapped up with some networking in the Helium Comedy Club lounge.

Wednesday, April 23
Business Start-up 101 | Community College of Philadelphia
Angel Rodriguez, Executive Director of Empowerment Group, and Dr. Michael Edmondson, President of MEAPA, gave a lecture to a crowd of 70 attendees on Wednesday afternoon. They both spoke of the current state of the economy, the difficulties average Americans face balancing debts, and programs available through Empowerment Group to ease these burdens by exploring business ownership. To learn more about the adult programs offered through Empowerment Group, please call 215.427.9245 x 203, or email tpyer-pereira@empowerment-group.org

Small Business Resource Fair | Bossone Center of Drexel University
More than 150 attendees and 30 organizations participated in this year Small Business Resource Fair. Government agencies, community development corporations, and small businesses gathered to provide information for the emerging entrepreneurial community. Vendors and attendees alike established business connections and gained valuable knowledge throughout the night. Vending organizations and business included:

Thursday, April 24
Circle of Entrepreneurs Business Breakfast | Montgomery McCracken
The Circle of Entrepreneurs Business Breakfast is a monthly meeting of peers to discuss difficulties within small business. Generally a small group, this meeting drew a slightly larger crowd. Two business owners presented difficulties they were having in their respective businesses to a panel of over 60 entrepreneurs. Panelists and speakers gained the information needed through a question and answer session and followed with conversation. This intimate gathering is perfect for any business owner eager to bounce ideas off of fellow entrepreneurs.

To learn more about future Circle of Entrepreneurs meetings, visit www.sbnphiladelphia.org or email nuri@sbnphiladelphia.org.

Party Like an Entrepreneur! | World Café Live
Over 150 entrepreneurs came together to Party Like an Entrepreneur. Business owners and patrons alike networked to the sounds of “DJ Zen Mystic,” “Good Night, States,” and “The Anthony Lattanze Band.” World Café Live isn’t new to Entrepreneurship Week, hosting the third party of its kind throughout the history of Entrepreneurship Week.

Friday, April 25
Youth Business Expo | Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School
After an intensive 2-week Youth Entrepreneurship Program, 90 students of Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School created a market place in their school basketball court. From 3 until 6 in the evening, students sold their goods to a crowd of community members, small business owners, fellow students and faculty. During these hours, over 100 patrons roamed through the space enjoying water ice, homemade treats, ethnic foods, and crafts. Attendees were impressed by the innovation and creativity of the students participating in the Youth Entrepreneurship Program. The market served as an early and impressive first step towards small business ownership.

Saturday, April 26
Spring Market Fair |Headhouse Square Shambles
The Spring Market Fair was a relaxing start to the last day of Entrepreneurship Week. More than 40 artisans participated in this event, offering a variety of crafts from photography to yarn, home goods to jewelry. All of the bases were covered at this event. By the time the sun came out, the “Bubbaque” was blazing, offered pulled pork sandwiched to a crowd exceeding 150 patrons. Participating businesses included:

Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle Cocktail Party | Pentimenti Gallery
Empowerment Group was thrilled to host our monthly Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle as the concluding event for Entrepreneurship Week 2008. Held at the beautiful Pentimenti Gallery, owner Christine Pfister spoke of her process in opening the gallery and some bumps she came across on her road towards entrepreneurship. An intimate gathering of women in business created the perfect atmosphere for networking. Fellow women business owner Nicole Marcote provided a delicious spread of Spanish cheeses and tapas from her store Quince Fine Foods.

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Supporting Businesses

GRADUATE HOSPITAL

NORTHERN LIBERTIES

FISHTOWN

KENSINGTON

CENTER CITY

OLD CITY

MANAYUNK

GERMANTOWN

BELLA VISTA

QUEEN VILLAGE & SOUTH STREET

UNIVERSITY CITY

WEST PHILADELPHIA

SHARON HILL

OTHER

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