RESOURCES

Small Business Survey

Please take a few minutes to fill out our small business survey. This will help shape programming and resources to better serve our small business community.

5 Small Businesses Tasks That Can Be Done By Artificial Intelligence Tools

Artificial intelligence is unlikely to replace your employees anytime soon, but it can take on some of the repetitive tasks that eat into your team’s productivity.

A study by Harvard Business Review found that today’s AI tools can support businesses in three main areas: automating business processes, gaining insight through data analysis, and engaging with customers and employees.

Here are some examples of business tasks that fall under these categories — and how AI can help.

The Essential LinkedIn KPIs to Track Your sales & Marketing

Today, LinkedIn has evolved from a platform for job seekers to a valuable resource for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, recruiters, and, yes, job candidates. Business owners use LinkedIn to foster a more engaged workforce, improve recruiting, build an employer brand, and network with prospective sales leads.

These myriad business goals can make it tricky to understand which key performance indicators (KPIs) are the most relevant to your company. LinkedIn provides data points that can show you details about your page, visitors, content, followers, and even your talent brand analytics.

In addition, LinkedIn made some changes to its algorithm in 2023 that might make some KPIs more relevant than others. As a result, consider using these indicators to get a clear picture of how your business is performing on LinkedIn.

10 Funding Options for Hispanic- and Latino- Owned Businesses

Despite being the fastest-growing demographic among entrepreneurs, Hispanic and Latino business owners still face challenges accessing capital. Here are 10 agencies and organizations that can help.

The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States has grown 34% in the last 10 years, contributing more than $500 million to the economy. In fact, Hispanic-owned companies grew 8.2% from 2019 to 2020 — proving that, as the United States becomes more diverse, so does the landscape of business ownership.

Approximately 20% of businesses in the United States are owned by minorities, with Hispanic-owned businesses leading the way. Despite being the fastest-growing demographic among businesses, however, the funding to help support these entrepreneurs remains sparse.

In response to this lack of funding access, multiple organizations and government agencies have been set up to help Hispanic and minority business owners with loans, grants, and other financing options. Here are 10 that can help.

Small Business Council

The Small Business Council is a leadership group of area entrepreneurs dedicated to work with the support of GO Topeka to promote small business in Shawnee County and equip those businesses for success. GO Topeka empowers small business by relying on local business leaders to influence and shape the conversation about how best to support existing businesses, and assist those who wish to learn how they can grow.

Training & Events

IN THE NEWS

Leadership Greater Topeka 2024 Nominations Closing Soon

Nominations for the 2024 class of Leadership Greater Topeka close on Friday, Sept. 15. Know someone with exceptional leadership ability, who is driven to make a difference in their community?

Nominate them today before it's too late!

Greater Topeka Partnership, Forge Young Talent Moving Topeka Flag License Plate Initiative Forward, Collecting Signatures As Next Step in Process

The Greater Topeka Partnership and Forge Young Talent are excited to announce the next steps in their collaborative effort to offer Topeka-area residents a new opportunity to showcase their community pride. Starting in 2024, specially designed Topeka flag license plates approved by the State of Kansas will be available for purchase when people renew their vehicle registrations, allowing those with Topeka ties to display their capital city pride wherever they drive.

Area residents eager to secure their Topeka flag license plates can take the first step by expressing their interest via an online form available at TopekaFlagPlate.com. At least 250 signatures will need to be collected in the weeks ahead to reach the interest threshold required for the state to begin producing the new plates, which will be offered at a cost of $50 each.

Greater Topeka Partnership Office of Equity & Opportunity Launches New 'Fusion Network' Series to Diversify Community Programming and Networking

The Greater Topeka Partnership’s office of equity and opportunity is excited to announce the launch this week of a new programming series designed to highlight and grow the diversity of experiences in our area’s business community. Dubbed “The Fusion Network,” this new series will feature themed networking events that honor the success, contributions and innovations of diverse local businesses and business owners. The Fusion Network will also grow to include training sessions, pitch competitions, and other offerings that create opportunities to build equity in business.

“Fusion Network is all about fostering inclusivity through new networking opportunities and events that bring diverse members of the community closer together,” said Glenda Washington, chief equity and opportunity officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership. “As we thought about what Fusion Network could be, standing up timely, relevant themes for our networking nights seemed like a wonderful way to tie these events to important and timely issues. At our October Fusion Network, we’ll be looking to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month — and with plenty more programming to come, that’s just the beginning.”

Ribbon Cuttings Held in August

• H&H Designs
• FinelyLinked
• Mijo's Coffee & Eatery
• Little Russia Chili Parlor
• Norseman Lakeheim
• SLI Connect
• St. Croix Hospice
• Koch Home Collective
• The Topeka Rodeo
• Topeka BBQ Shop
• The Mud Room
• Azura Credit Union (Wanamaker)
• King Auto Glass