FutureHeights Small Business Workshop Series kicks off with Social Media & Retail

Chris Smith

Politicians like to say “small businesses are the future.” In the Heights, this isn’t just a tagline. Our community welcomes many local entrepreneurs who are brave enough to blaze their own trail and meet the needs of their community.

Retail today is a more difficult venture than it was in the past. Large companies with armies of employees and stockpiles of goods seem to be everywhere, and their gravity is strong, pulling in even the most locally conscious and loyal people. Online retail enables consumers to shop without leaving the comfort of their homes. How can small businesses adapt?

In association with the Ohio Small Business Development Center, FutureHeights is hosting a series of six free workshops in 2018, intended to help small business owners increase their knowledge of current trends and give them new skills to thrive in today’s environment.

The first of these workshops, Social Media & Retail, will be held on Friday, Feb. 16, 9:30–11:30 a.m., at the Small Business Development Center, 2340 Lee Road.

Speaker Chris Smith is a social entrepreneur, small business development consultant and graphic designer. His entrepreneurial experiences began in college, when he competed in several business plan competitions across the nation. He currently works for JumpStart Inc., working with technology companies throughout Northeast Ohio. Smith’s talk will focus on using social media to assess community needs, market to a wider audience, and create lasting relationships with customers and neighbors.

Whether or not you are well-versed in the use of technology, this workshop will add critical information and provide new perspectives on social media’s use in the retail market. All are welcome, from well-established vendors to students and start-ups. For more information, and to RSVP, visit www.futureheights.org.