On October 4^th, 7:30 - 10:30 a.m., Washburn University and GO Topeka will be hosting their annual Economic Outlook Conference. David Sollars, Dean of the WU School of Business, states: "Topeka and Shawnee County have enjoyed significant economic progress over the past decade. Washburn University looks forward to hosting an important conversation about what to expect in the coming years. The economy is constantly shifting. The Economic Outlook Conference will help attendees to understand better what factors are driving change, and what opportunities exist to propel Topeka and our region forward."

Minority and Women Business Development (MWBD) will be hosting a pitch contest for minority and women-owned businesses. The goal is to identify new businesses concepts, uncover innovative ideas and help existing businesses bring new opportunities to market. If you are interested in participating in the Minority and Women Business Pitch Contest, click here https://bit.ly/MWBDPITCH. The Pitch contests will take place on November 3^rd. For more information, please contact Glenda Washington at 786-246-6205.

MWBD will begin taking applications for the New Athena Leadership Program for Women. At the foundational core of how we fulfill our mission to balance the voices in leadership worldwide, is our tested, our trusted ATHENA Leadership Model. The ATHENA Leadership Model was created out of a need for diversity, inclusion, representation—a need for more effective, cooperative stewardship based on the following Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership: Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Build Relationships, Foster Collaboration, Act Courageously, Advocate Fiercely, Give Back, and Celebrate. Stay tuned for more information on where and how you can register.

The US Chamber of Commerce and Met Life published their quarterly Small Business Report on September 21^st. According to the report, 90% of small businesses are concerned about the negative impacts of inflation on their businesses and think that addressing inflation needs to be a high legislative priority; but the good news is that 76% of small business have a plan for coping with inflation. These include strategies such as the following: raising prices, making adjustments to products or services, changing suppliers, getting loans, and reducing staff. One lesson that many small businesses learned during the COVID-19 pandemic is how to be adaptable and pivot to cope with stressful business cycles and these skills are still being put to good use today.

GO Topeka’s Innovation Team recently hosted the first public tour event of the buildings at … Kansas Ave. that are to become the Innovation Center. Around 50 people attended for a look at the 66,000 sq. ft. of space that will be home to modern co-working space, concierge services, conference space, offices and labs to support the growth of innovation in Topeka. For leasing information, contact stephanie.moran@topekapartnership.com

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. To learn more about the SBC or to get involved, contact sbc@topekapartnership.com or visit the website!

Save the dates – November 14^th to 18^th, so that you can participate in amazing Global Entrepreneurship Week activities that we have planned locally including Small Business Strategies for Success, Innovation Breakfast, Cultivating Entrepreneurial Mindset, Business Unwind Networking; Certifications and Government Contracting for Women-Owned Businesses, International Trade Opportunities, and Boots to Business Reboot (for active military, veterans and their spouses). For more information https://www.gotopeka.com/global-entrepreneurship-week/ plus watch for more information on each individual event. – If your organization is hosting events for GEW, please let us know so that we can put them on our calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!