Last week, our very own Bob Abbate had the opportunity to speak at the StartSmart Entrepreneurial Workshop & Business Expo, an event dedicated to supporting and educating the next generation of business owners. We’re incredibly grateful to the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce for the invitation and for creating a space where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, and grow.
The StartSmart program is committed to helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals and build successful businesses. To do that, the chamber connects entrepreneurs with accomplished business mentors who provide practical, targeted advice across the many aspects of starting and growing a business. Mentoring is offered in scheduled sessions tailored to your specific needs, and is free of charge.
Bob was one of the chamber members who imagined that there should be a service available to budding entrepreneurs to help them learn what they needed to know to get their businesses off the ground on the right foot. “We all know what we know” said Bob, “but we don’t know what we don’t know.” With the help of StartSmart, startups and newer businesses can launch with confidence and knowledge.
During his talk, Bob focused on what it really takes to build a successful business from the ground up. He shared insights on the importance of having a clear marketing strategy early on, to build out a marketing plan and understand your audience, and then how to use multiple channels like search, streaming, and digital to advertise and drive revenue. He emphasized that relying on just one platform, especially social media alone, can limit growth, and that smart, strategic marketing is what separates businesses that just survive from those that scale.
One of the most impactful parts of his presentation was when he spoke about what “excites and aggravates” him in the business world. What excites him most is seeing small businesses throw open their doors and proudly announce a grand opening with signs and banners. But what aggravates him is when those grand opening banners get covered up with “going out of business sale” banners. “It happens way too often” said Bob. Many of these businesses might have succeeded if given the right tools and guidance.
Bob also made it clear how passionate he is about helping new business owners navigate those early stages. “I’ve started three very different businesses” said Bob. Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but his message was simple: you don’t have to figure it out alone. There are resources, strategies, and experienced professionals ready to guide you. Programs like StartSmart provide new entrepreneurs with the information they need before launching, setting themselves up for smarter decisions and long-term success.
Thank you again to the Chamber for the opportunity to be part of such an impactful event. We’re always proud to support and empower the small business community! Find out more about the StartSmart program here: https://milfordct.com/startsmart-business-council/
photo credit: Erin Eberhardt
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