ENTREPRENEURS FORUM
ABOUT THE EVENT
Since 2011 the Entrepreneurs Forum has brought entrepreneurs, business owners and resource providers together to network, share ideas and discuss the issues that matter most to entrepreneurs. This event provides numerous opportunities for growth and connection. It takes place in May of each year and features quality networking, experienced speakers, panelists and exhibitors.
The 2021 Entrepreneurs Forum is set for May 21, 2021 from Noon to 3pm Eastern Time on Zoom.
Keynote Speaker Amy Cosper
Former Editor in Chief at Entrepreneur Magazine, Current Editor in Chief at Family Business Magazine and One of the Most Prominent Voices in Entrepreneurship
Topic: Becoming Your Best Entrepreneurial Self
One of the most prominent voices in the world on the topic of entrepreneurship, Amy Cosper is the former Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Media Inc. Named Fast Company’s “25 Smartest Women on Twitter”, Amy has not only been reporting and commenting on the world of entrepreneurship, she has been shaping it through the pages of a magazine that has seen meteoric growth, and become the most respected resource in its field.
Cosper has witnessed and gave voice to successes and failures in business, and in turn has a deep understanding of the psyche of an entrepreneur, and what it takes to succeed in a meaningful, long-term way. Cosper’s philosophy is that entrepreneurialism is about more than owning a business, it’s about creating something from nothing in any capacity, whether employed or employer. It’s about laying the foundation for the future, disrupting known thought and going forth to create lasting change.
An entrepreneur in her own right, Amy has become an evangelist for entrepreneurship around the globe as one of the most sought after speakers keynoting and judging at events around the world. She is regularly tapped for her commentary among her fellow journalists, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NPR and appearances on Fox Business, ABC News, CNN and Bloomberg Television.
Transform Your Mindset:
Kickoff Speaker Bernadette Johnson
Leadership Alchemist | Strategic Innovator | Author
Topic: The Pivot Mindset
Key Takeaways:
-
The value of pivoting when circumstances shift
-
Reframing your mindset can be your superpower
-
Five practices guaranteed to build your ‘pivot’ muscle
Our opening speaker will get you fired up and ready to crush your goals as she discusses the pivot mindset needed for entrepreneurs to increase breakthrough results. Bernadette is recognized nationally and internationally for transforming and leveraging the way leaders lead and how they learn.
In her practice, Inspired Action Motivates, she helps organizations to leverage their return on leadership. Bernadette successfully partners across numerous industries, (for profit, for purpose, chambers, and associations), guiding leaders to anchor transition, stimulate innovation and to be a catalyst for breakthrough and sustainable results.
Bernadette is the founder of the LinkedIn group LEADing from the MIDDLE, author of Waves of Influence: Your Expanded Guide and Insight to Your Highest Self, as well the upcoming book, Waves of Leadership: An Inspiration for Those Leading from the Middle.
Transform Your Finances:
Funding & Financial Management in Challenging Times
Financial literacy is a key component when it comes to the success of your business. A panel of financial experts will discuss strategic ways to prevent and overcome common financial challenges entrepreneurs and business owners face in difficult times. You will learn traditional and alternative funding options to sustain and grow your business as well as proven wealth building strategies.
.jpg)
Key Takeaways:
-
Strategies to avoid financial challenges
-
How to overcome a financial crisis
-
Funding options to grow your business
-
Six secrets to building wealth
Panel Moderator, Michael Cheatham, attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he received a B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Business. He later earned an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix. While at U of M, he served in the Army Reserve. After college, Michael entered Comerica Bank’s Branch Management Training program. He spent most of his 25+ year career in the banking center system, but also worked for several years in Corporate Contributions and the CRA/External Affairs department. He currently manages a Banking Center in metro-Detroit, where he serves as a trusted advisor, dedicated to helping customers be more successful. Michael is very active in the community. In addition to his extensive work in the area of financial empowerment, he serves on the board of directors for several non-profits and community development organizations.
Leslie Matukaitis, MBA, CEPA
Entrepreneur and Financial Professional
Lesli Matukaitis is the ultimate connector for those businesses that are worried about their cash flow, are anxious about the need for debt or overwhelmed by their companies’ financial situation (good or bad). She has been in commercial lending for over twenty years and now owns a loan brokering business, Funk Financial. She also has joined the franchise, FocusCFO, to place experienced Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) into small to medium sized businesses on a fractional part-time basis. Her clients get the value of having an experienced CFO on a shared schedule and price with other companies as well as Lesli’s commercial lending expertise. In January of 2021 Lesli received her Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation, allowing her to use the Value Acceleration Methodology to help businesses get ready for any type of business transition. Lesli went to Michigan State University for undergraduate school and Wayne State University for her MBA. She currently resides in Livonia with her husband and two boys.
Tina Williams, MBA
Former Small Business Banker and Grant Writer
Tina Williams BAA, MBA, is the Founder & COO of QT Business Solutions. She is a former Banker with Chase and Fifth Third Banks. She is also a Board Certified Master Financial Professional and Chartered Asset Manager. She started the business while working full time at Chase Bank. During her time at the bank she noticed that the majority of entrepreneurs and small business owners who applied for financing were unprepared. They had no business plans and many of them didn’t fully understand the banks’ approval criteria for business financing. This resulted in many of them being denied for business financing. This is how she came up with the idea to start QT Business Solutions. QT Business Solutions was created to help entrepreneurs and small business owners properly prepare themselves to apply for business financing. Over the past 17 years Tina and her team members have helped thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses owners start, grow and fund the business of their dreams. Her success rate stands at 100% for getting clients (who meet QT's minimum credit requirements) approved.
Marcus Jackson
Community Relationship Banker at CIBC
Marcus Jackson is Community Development Relationship Manager for Southeastern Michigan at CIBC Bank USA, a division that specializes in businesses with annual revenues up to $1,000,000. He is responsible for lending to small businesses. In addition to his lending responsibilities, he is also responsible for partnering with various community organizations in the Tri- County area. Marcus has over 7 years of experience in providing financial service expertise to small business owners. Marcus received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and is currently pursuing his MBA with a concentration in International Business and Finance at Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business. He is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Co-ed Professional Business Fraternity, as well as Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. In addition to working and serving the community, Marcus also serves as Treasurer for both the Wayne County CRA Association in Michigan and the National Entrepreneurs Association.
Warren S Galloway Jr., JD
Consultant at Warren Galloway and Associates, LLC
Warren S. Galloway, Jr. has more than 14 years of executive level banking and over 25 years of small business experience. He has worked in many capacities with nonprofit groups, individuals, and businesses. Mr. Galloway has served in key positions at some of the largest national and regional financial institutions in the United States—among them E*TRADE Bank, Charter One Bank (now known as Citizens Bank), Standard Federal Bank (now known as Bank of America), and NBD Bank (now known as Chase Bank)—holding a number of posts in Regulatory Affairs, Compliance, Community Reinvestment (CRA), Community Development, Personal and Mortgage Lending, Investments, Small Business Lending, and Retail Branch Operations. Mr. Galloway earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing/Business Administration from Central Michigan University, as well as a Juris Doctor Degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. He is the author of ten books including “10 Easy Steps to Starting a Business – Michigan Edition” and “Microloans and How to Apply for a Microloan”
Transform Your Networking:
Speed Networking for Professionals
Networking is an essential part of being an entrepreneur. At the 2021 Entrepreneurs Forum you'll have and opportunity to learn new networking strategies and participate in meaningful networking activities that lead to quality connections that impact your bottom line.
Key Takeaways:
-
Connect with like minded entrepreneurs
-
Meet resource providers
-
Obtain great new leads
-
Expand your network
Attend the 2021 Entrepreneurs Forum and you could win...
A NEW LAPTOP OR A NEW SAMSUNG TABLET GALAXY provided by Dell!
Sleek and powerful, the new Galaxy Tab A 8.0" lets you browse,watch your favorite shows and movies, play games, and get things done on a tablet that's light and comfortable in your hands. With a long-lasting battery and expandable memory, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0" is built to keep up with you.
Minimum bezel
-
Maximum view.The Galaxy Tab A 8.0" is designed with a minimized bezel, giving you more room to view your favorite content in a slim, comfortable form. The premium metallic finish and lightweight design make it easy to use around the house or on the go
Entertainment-ready
-
An 8.0" display immerses you in content, and dual speakers deliver spacious surround sound.
Binge-ready battery
-
Browse, watch or shop up to 13 hours1on a full charge. Even after playing your favorite games during the day, there?s still enough power to catch up on your must-see shows later.
Room for everything
-
Keep your favorite songs, photos, videos and games, thanks to 32GB of built-in memory. If you do ever need more, you can expand your storage space up to 512GB with a microSD card.2
Dell laptop model giveaway determined by Dell. All attendees will automatically be entered into the drawing. Must be present to win.
Entrepreneurs Forum Agenda
12pm to 12:15pm Opening Remarks/Icebreaker from Dr. ZaLonya Allen, NEA President
12:15pm to 12:30pm Kickoff Speaker Bernadette Johnson, Leadership Alchemist
12:30pm to 12:35pm Mona Besleaga of Dell Technologies
12:35pm to 1:25pm Financial Literacy Panel Discussion, Moderator Michael Cheatham
1:25pm to 1:30pm Five Minute Stretch Break
1:30pm to 1:45pm Activity: Transform Your Networking
1:45pm to 2:30pm Keynote Speaker Amy Cosper
2:30pm to 3pm Announcements/Raffle Drawing/Closing
Sponsored by
*For information on sponsorship and exhibiting call 248-416-7278 or email supportstaff@nationalentrepreneurs.org
