Agenda

Agenda

time icon12:30 PM ET

Welcome and Opening Plenary - Turning Ideas into Impact: The Story Behind My Business

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Thomas Foley
Executive Director, National Disability Institute

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Lorinda Gonzalez-Santana
Remy's Consulting

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Heather Lawver
Founder and CEO, Ceemo.ai and Perfectly Pitched

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Artura Taylor
President and CEO, TDG Scientific

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Dr. Samantha Scott
Founder and CEO, JuneBrain

Entrepreneurs with disabilities will share their personal stories and highlight key aspects of their business journeys, providing practical tips and valuable insights into the entrepreneurial process. 

time icon01:50 PM ET

Break

time icon02:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session - What Should My Prices Be?

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Manny Cosme
President & CEO, CFO Services Group

Incorrect pricing is the most common problem that small businesses face. Owners don’t understand how to set their prices properly, and they don’t increase their prices quickly enough when trouble is spotted. Properly pricing your products and/ or services can literally make or break your business. In this interactive presentation, learn how setting your prices is both an art and a science, how to determine the minimum price you should set, what to do if your prices are too low and how “price elasticity” plays a role with increasing your prices.

time icon02:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session - Unlocking Funding Opportunities with SBIR/STTR Programs

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Kimberly Mozingo
Vice President, Federal Programs, TEDCO

Accessing research and development funds to enable future growth and commercialization can be extremely challenging. One potential option can be obtaining funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This informative session will provide an overview of these federal programs, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and the benefits of securing SBIR/STTR funding. Learn how to leverage these programs to drive innovation and growth in your small business.

time icon02:50 PM ET

Break

time icon03:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session - Building a Website on a Budget

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Katie Auchenbach
Web Manager, National Disability Institute

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Thredd Tenenbaum
Owner and Founder, Pill Joy

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Yusef Battle
Co-Founder, Cookie YAY

Whether a service or product based small business, having a user-friendly website is crucial for success and creating one need not break the bank. In this practical session, learn how to build a functional website on a budget, including how to choose the right platform and domain and access free and low-cost tools, and hear from an entrepreneur who has created an affordable and effective online presence.  

time icon03:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session - Verizon Small Business Digital Ready: Mastering AI - Smart Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

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John Lawson
Founder, The Ecommerce Group and ColderIce Media

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Katie Davis
Senior Program Manager, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, Verizon

Embark on a journey to revolutionize your small business with a transformational experience led by John Lawson, a trailblazer in online commerce and best-selling author. Designed specifically for small business owners, this session unlocks the full potential of AI in your marketing efforts, offering invaluable insights and practical strategies. You’ll learn to identify your ideal customer through AI’s advanced analytics, create detailed customer avatars to personalize your marketing, craft compelling content across various formats, elevate your online presence with AI-optimized SEO strategies, and uncover innovative strategies that give you a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.

time icon03:50 PM ET

Break

time icon04:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session – Make Your Small Business More Accessible

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Enovia Bedford
Grow with Google Digital Coach, Founder VettDeck

When businesses build digital communications that allow people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with products and services, it expands their market. Implementing accessibility best practices can help businesses grow and improve the experience for all users. In this session you will learn about what online accessibility mean, how to be more inclusive, and how to design for accessibility, including web pages, email and physical spaces.

time icon04:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session - Navigating Funding Options for Startups

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Talibah Bayles
CEO, TMB Tax & Financial Services

Accessing capital can be crucial for business growth yet navigating the diverse array of potential funding sources can be daunting. This session will provide comprehensive insights into various funding options and how to choose the best funding strategy for your business. Learn the importance of managing debt and equity financing and how to  navigate the underwriting process and secure necessary funding. 

time icon12:30 PM ET

Plenary - Power Talks and Panel: Small Business Insights and Innovations

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Matthew Shapiro
Founder & CEO, 6 Wheels Consulting, LLC

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Tiffani Martin
CEO, JancynCo.

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Kristina Hurlburt
Realtor

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Brent Anderson
Founder, Pets Pizzazz

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Tiffany Ruffa
Founder, HRBloom Co. and Deaf HR Professionals (DHRP)

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Nikki Powis
Director of Small Business Programs, National Disability Institute

During this engaging and dynamic session, a diverse group of entrepreneurs will deliver short but insightful presentations on key small business topics. Then, the speakers will come together for a panel discussion to explore common themes, share their experiences, and answer your questions. This is a unique opportunity to gain a wealth of knowledge and discover new ideas to help your business thrive. 

time icon01:50 PM ET

Break

time icon02:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session - Safeguarding Your Business: Protecting Financials from Scams and Fraud

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Martin Guerrero
Global Policy Partnerships and Community Impact Specialist, Block, Inc.

In today’s digital age, small business owners face an increasing number of financial scams and fraud attempts. Protecting your financials is crucial to maintaining the integrity and success of your business. In this informative session, learn about the most prevalent scams targeting small businesses, including phishing, invoice fraud, and cyber-attacks, and the practical steps that can be undertaken to help detect and prevent fraudulent activities. 

time icon02:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session - Navigating the Path: Nonprofit or For-Profit? A Workshop for Social Impact Entrepreneurs

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Lorinda Gonzalez-Santana
Founder, Owner, Remy's Consulting

This workshop offers a comprehensive guide for aspiring social entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful impact. It covers the key differences between nonprofit and for-profit business structures, the process of establishing a nonprofit, and alternative legal entities focused on social missions. With case studies and practical advice, you will gain valuable insights into choosing the right path for your venture and the steps needed to succeed in both worlds.

time icon02:50 PM ET

Break

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Concurrent Session - Trademark Basics for Small Business

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Keith Toms
Partner, McCarter & English, LLP

Some of your company’s most valuable assets are its brands and the reputation they reflect. This session will provide an introduction into the legal aspects of branding, which is trademark law. This will help you identify key issues in protecting these valuable assets and will help you spot common pitfalls. The session will also provide insight into the legal considerations that go into adopting new brands, which will help you both advance your business goals and avoid controversy with existing brand owners in the marketplace.

time icon03:00 PM ET

Concurrent Session – Maximize Your Income and Impact: An Introduction to Hosting on Airbnb

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Suzanne Edwards
Accessibility Standards Lead, Airbnb

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Irene Grimes
Airbnb Host

Whether you’re looking to cover household expenses or save for a special occasion, offering short term rentals can provide a significant income stream as well as opportunities to meet people from across the world. By incorporating accessibility features, you not only broaden your potential guest base but also increase the travel opportunities for people with disabilities. In this insightful session hosted by Airbnb, Superhosts will share their personal experiences and provide valuable strategies to enhance the rental experience for both hosts and guests.

time icon03:50 PM ET

Break

time icon04:00 PM ET

Closing Plenary – Making the Leap: Insights into Starting and Growing a Small Business and Closing Remarks

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Marlon Moore Jr.
Founder, Con$cious Kid Brand

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Neena Massey
Founder and Artistic Director, Neena Expressions

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Nikki Powis
Director, Small Business Programs, National Disability Institute

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Abiola Haroun
Founder, Afrotika

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Ciara Ladroma
Senior Associate, Griffin-Hammis Associates

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Angad Sahgal
Founder, LetMeDoIt and Chai Ho Teas

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Amit Sahgal
Co-Founder, LetMeDoIt

Entrepreneurs with disabilities will share their experiences in starting and growing their businesses. They will describe the challenges they experienced, detail strategies they implemented and share practical advice on how to successfully launch a small business.