February is known for being Black History Month and also has a date reserved – Valentine’s Day – for celebrating the significant others in our lives. But February also celebrates another cause, one dear to our hearts here at FranNet – National Entrepreneur Week – which runs from Feb. 11-18 this year. Though this notification often flies under the radar, it’s been part of the cause calendar dating back to 2006 – an entire week to focus on the contributions of America’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to Zippia, there are currently some 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S. today, employing over 60 million people. And these entrepreneurial ventures are responsible for creating an average of a half a million jobs each year.
In this blog, we take a closer look at National Entrepreneurial Week, what it means to us, and how you can get involved on a local level in your own community.
History and Rebranding
Back in 2006, the Kauffman Foundation and the National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education lobbied Congress to designate the third week of February as “National Entrepreneur Week.” According to the proclamation, the week is set aside to uphold the entrepreneurial values as they pertain to diversity, inclusion, equity, education, and collaboration. Unfortunately, the initiative was slow to catch on and remain relevant each year. But a little over five years ago, several proponents working with the National Center for Resource Development revived the weeklong celebration and infused it with a rebranding as “NatlEshipWeek.” The new mission centered on the effort to democratize entrepreneurship through education, networking, and collaboration.
Daily Themes, Event Participation, and Social Media
Beginning Monday, Feb. 13 through Friday, Feb. 17, there are daily themes that focus on highlighting the different aspects of entrepreneurship. Education, Ecosystem, Federal Government, Everyday Participants, and a Small Business Roadmap are scheduled themes for the associated programming. If you’re interested in reviewing the events – or submitting one of your own – you can review the process for sharing resources and learning more about entrepreneurship. To plan or join an existing event, simply follow this link and join the online community. You can share details or experiences on the organization’s social media channels – or your own, be they corporate or individual. There’s also a comprehensive directory of resources, which you can access through filtered searches which display opportunities in your location radius.
What National Entrepreneurship Week Means to FranNet
February 11-18 of this year will be a special week for FranNet, as is every other week of the year that we get to deal with our core target market of entrepreneurs. These clients all have one thing in common – the relentless pursuit of establishing business ownership through franchising. As for what we provide these entrepreneurs, we like to think of our services as no different than real estate agents who help homebuyers find the right house. But in our case, we help prospective small business owners find the right franchise that matches up with their skills, experience, and lifestyle goals. And much like a real estate agent, our services are always no-cost and no-obligation for our entrepreneurial clients. As the industry’s franchise experts, our consultants can help you navigate our highly structured buying process – from the initial research all the way to your grand opening.
We invite you to check out the programming and resources available on the National Entrepreneurship Week website. Hopefully, you can find a relevant way to get involved in your area and energize your own inner entrepreneur. Then, when you’re ready to explore the possibilities of becoming your own boss, such as more freedom and flexibility, we’ll be standing by to assist in any way.
Let’s Chat!
FranNet is standing by to help you navigate your own personal entrepreneurial journey. Getting started is simple and involves setting up a no-cost, no-obligation appointment with one of our qualified FranNet representatives. Not yet sure what type of business you were meant to own? That’s fine, too – you simply need to reach out and speak with one of our qualified franchise experts today! Together, we can find a business opportunity that aligns with your lifestyle and income-oriented goals.