Smart Strategies: Connect with Resources for Your Small Business - Cascade

West Central Mountains Economic Development Council

Learn how to make smart connections and access valuable resources to help grow your small business with our partners!

Hotel NoBo

Smart Strategies: Connect with Resources for Your Small BusinessAre you a small business owner looking to take your business to the next level? Then, join host, the West Central Mountains Economic Development Council, alongside regional chambers, and partners for Smart Strategies: Connect with Resources for Your Small Business, an event packed with valuable insights and connections! Learn from industry experts and network with fellow entrepreneurs. Discover new tools and resources to help your business thrive.Enjoy a panel luncheon with experts from the Small Business Administration, Idaho Small Business Development Center, Idaho Women's Business Center, Idaho Department of Commerce, and the Idaho Workforce Development Council, followed by small business breakouts offering two 20-minute presentations on small business strategies or programs you offer.Don't miss the chance to network with peers and access invaluable free resources for your business. Optional networking and opportunities to connect to follow!

<h3>Marie Baker – Idaho Small Business Development Center</h3>Marie Baker is passionate about entrepreneurs and their journey. Marie’s skill set is the ability to work collaboratively and assist clients with achieving their goals. Ms. Baker grew up in the Northern Central Valley of California on her family farm. Marie received her BS in Business from California State University, Fresno and Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from University of San Francisco. Marie spent five years in banking before starting her own business. Combining her education and experience, Marie went on to consult, coach, and educate small businesses in the Central Valley of California before moving to Idaho.Marie is the current Region 3 Director for the Idaho Small Business Development Center located at Boise State University. Region 3 serves 10 counties in SW Idaho and operates two business accelerator programs in the Region. In her spare time, you will find her hiking, volunteering on a local Rotary project, visiting family, or enjoying the great outdoors with her husband and dog.Marie’s Breakout Topic: Understanding your Financials to Run Your Business <h3>Paige Wiscombe – Idaho Women’s Business Center</h3>Paige Wiscombe is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in business ownership, event and marketing management, and program coordination. As the former Project Coordinator at the Idaho APEX Accelerator and the Events and Marketing Director at Idaho Connect, she built organizational brands and successfully managed grants and large-scale events.Now serving as the State Director of the Idaho Women’s Business Center, Paige specializes in helping startups and small businesses with strategic planning, financials, and navigating business transactions, while also advocating for community building and inclusivity through her nonprofit work with organizations like the Culture for Change Foundation and Gr8ter. Paige is an Idaho native and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boise State University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, staying active, and exploring the outdoors with her family and two dogs. Paige’s Breakout Topic: The Basics of Starting a Business <h3>Brent Haynes – Idaho Department of Commerce</h3>With over 20 years of experience in starting, buying, and selling businesses, Brent has built a wealth of expertise in navigating diverse industries and scaling operations. Together with his wife, he has successfully led numerous ventures, demonstrating a keen ability to identify opportunities and drive growth. Currently, Brent holds a position in Business Development, where he leverages his entrepreneurial background to oversee the Arms, Ammo, Defense, and Aerospace sectors. Having been in this role for a year, he focuses on forging key relationships, helping export operations with his customers, and advancing business strategies that align with the evolving landscape of these industries. Brent's unique blend of entrepreneurial experience and sector-specific knowledge enables him to approach challenges with an innovative mindset and a results-driven approach.Brent’s Breakout Topic: “What does Idaho Commerce do?” <h3>Shannon Madsen – U.S. Small Business Administration</h3>Shannon Madsen is the District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Boise office. Her extensive background in lending and business development compliments her responsibility to provide leadership and oversight of SBA’s programs and services. Shannon began her career as an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commerce Department in Dallas, TX where she assisted businesses in increasing their export activity and expansion into international arenas. She later transitioned to the private sector where she focused on international business development for small and emerging companies.In 2006 Shannon returned to her home state of Idaho and joined the USDA Rural Development team as a Business Program Specialist. She worked closely with the private sector and community organizations to facilitate investment in America’s small businesses and rural communities. She continues her passion of helping businesses at SBA by collaborating with local lending institutions and partners to improve the viability of startup businesses, growth of existing companies, and enhancement of the overall economic climate of Idaho.Shannon’s Breakout Topic: Prompting with Artificial Intelligence (AI)<h3>Matt Thomsen – Idaho Workforce Development Council</h3> Matthew began working with the Idaho Workforce Development Council as the Business Partnership Manager in 2018 bringing with him over 13 years of experience working with employers, job seekers, government and community partners. He currently project managers the Councils Workforce Development Training Funds, Apprenticeship and work-based learning initiatives, and the Idaho Talent Pipeline Management Initiative.Matt’s Breakout Topic: Workforce Development in Idaho – How to Keep Talent Local

Agenda

Arrival & Networking

Business Panel

Break

Break Out 1

Break Out 2

Optional Networking, Time with Panelists 

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Smart Strategies: Connect with Resources for Your Small Business - Cascade

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Smart Strategies: Connect with Resources for Your Small Business - Cascade

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