VtSBDC joins Vermont businesses in celebration of
Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 14-20, 2022 is Global Entrepreneurship Week. Why is that significant for Vermont’s business community? While small in square miles, our region has made big inroads on the international landscape. Vermont’s business environment has always encouraged forward thinking, new ideas, and ground breaking innovation.
At the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC), international trade has become a growing area of expertise for the organization’s statewide team of business advisors. Many clients who are starting or growing a business can benefit from guidance about entering or expanding into the global marketplace.
To keep up to date on imports, exports, and other areas of international business, VtSBDC advisors often participate in programs and events that involve business around the world.
For example, Vermont’s Department of Economic Development recently hosted a delegation of Montreal area businesses and entrepreneurs looking to expand into the U.S. market. This event brought together entities from both sides of the border to share best practices, encourage innovation, and increase bi-lateral trade.
Representing VtSBDC, business advisor Sarah Kearns attended the daylong event in Burlington. This strategically planned mission presented opportunities for potential partners, investors, economic development organizations, associations, regional institutions, sector representatives, government officials, financial investment and legal firms, and existing Vermont-based Canadian companies to establish or enhance relationships with Canadian- based businesses looking to establish roots in the Green Mountain State.
VtSBDC also joined in the Professional Fellows Program coordinated by Martha Monty, Director of External Engagement for the Vermont Council on World Affairs (VCWA). The Professional Fellows Program is a two-way global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. VCWA connects “fellows” with various leaders in business to speak on best practices and help them strengthen their skills as business leaders.
Business advisor Laurel Butler spent time in October with three fellows visiting Burlington.
Laurel provided the three fellows from Algeria, Egypt and Morocco with an overview of VtSBDC, and how VtSBDC operates and serves clients. Fellows were most interested in VtSBDC’s Starting Your Own Business workshops, youth programs, educator programs and how the organization networks throughout the state of Vermont and nationwide.
In other news related to international business, VtSBDC business advisors Nancy Shuttleworth and Scott Holson received the Export & Trade Counseling Certificates in recognition of passage of the Intermediate Level competency in Export and Trade counseling from the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“One of VtSBDC’s initiatives is to provide one-to-one, confidential no-fee advising to small businesses that have products and services with international market appeal,” said Linda Rossi, VtSBDC’s State Director. “We are qualified to guide clients toward country specific research, trade finance, trade related webinars taught by industry experts, and introductions to resources.”
Looking for more? Check out our resources page or request advising from a regional advisor!