ST. George — For the first time, the Utah Small Business Administration District Office will support two separate groups in St. George and Kaysville.
THRIVE, which stands for Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate, is accepting applications from small businesses interested in participating in the Emerging Leaders Reimagined program. They want to serve the “entrepreneurial needs” of Utah as a whole.
St. George SBA Marketing and Outreach Director Jackie Hobson told St. George News that St. George is one of the fastest growing cities in America and a top destination for entrepreneurs. Told.
“The Small Business Administration recognizes this trend and is implementing targeted efforts to help Southern Utahns,” Hobson said. “The THRIVE program stands out for its unique focus on established businesses, offering a fresh perspective beyond traditional startup support.”
The program is a six-month executive-level education initiative that provides small business owners with the opportunity to hone the skills, tools, and insights they need to advance their operations.
Shawn Christensen, CEO of the St. George Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the benefits of combining the two organizations.
“Our partnership with the SBA and the THRIVE program has provided a valuable resource to the business community here in Southern Utah,” said Christensen. “I recommend this program to mid-sized businesses ready for growth. The time invested in the program will pay off in additional revenue for your business.”
Notably, this course is provided free of charge to businesses. The curriculum will be a combination of online and in-person workshops focused on leadership development, advanced financial strategies, market innovation, and fostering a positive organizational culture.
SBA Utah District Director Marla Trolan said in a press release that she is excited about the expansion to two cohorts. She and her team hope that “companies in the state will seize this great opportunity to accelerate their development and achieve greater success.”
Feedback from previous participants shows that 96% would recommend this curriculum to colleagues, and 92% agreed that it provided valuable knowledge for professional skills.
One of the local graduates Irene Katsias, who completed the program last year.
“As a small business owner for the past nine years, I’ve held a variety of roles from CFO to marketing director, accountant, contract negotiator, designer and wedding planner, and I thought I’d seen it all,” Katsias said. he said. “The SBA THRIVE program has helped us pinpoint areas of improvement and strengths.”
Business challenges are just one aspect of the program, which fosters networking among colleagues and connects participants with government and financial leaders to complete the curriculum. The THRIVE program aims to contribute to sustainable business growth and economic prosperity.
SBA Deputy Administrator Mark Madrid praised the program's dynamic and innovative format.
“The THRIVE Emerging Leaders Reimagined program has a proven track record of success, training nearly 9,000 entrepreneurs, creating more than 11,000 jobs, driving nearly $1 billion in new financing, and driving $4 billion in new capital. We have secured more than one government contract,” Madrid said.
The program will begin on June 18 and run until December 2024. Business owners interested in applying should Thrive website By the April 28th deadline.
The SBA Utah District Office will host an informational webinar on April 15 at 11 a.m.
Interested parties are encouraged to contact Jackie Hobson in the Utah District Office via email. [email protected].
Click here to register.
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