The inaugural Entrepreneurship and Small Business Summit (ESBS) was held during National Small Business Week 2014 in celebration and recognition of the immense success achieved by our nation's small businesses. Our vast entrepreneurial ecosystem relies on access to capital, strategic partnerships, and a myriad of resources to leverage for the long-term sustainable success of our nation's small businesses. This ecosystem consists of diverse enterprises and their unique business models, innovators, researchers, policy makers, thought leaders, change makers, financial and lending institutions, business resource agencies, consultants, academicians, and many others who are stakeholders in the system. 

Thompson Management Consulting, LLC recognizes the importance of our nation's 28 million small business owners and entrepreneurs, who create 66% of all net jobs which sustains a vibrant economy with the creation of jobs and discretionary income used to spend with other small businesses. When entrepreneurs establish businesses, and create jobs, we have an economy which grows successfully, while driving down unemployment. If we are to reduce the 80% failure rate of small businesses within 1-5 years of the start-up phase in the business lifecycle, we all must play a role in keeping businesses thriving, operating efficiently, and accessing the resources they need to grow successfully. Thompson Management Consulting, LLC is playing a leading role in providing strategy and business planning services to set small businesses on the path to achieving their desired goals. With the creation of the ESBS, we are bringing stakeholders in this entrepreneurial ecosystem together to discuss, teach, and bridge valuable connections to continue growing and strengthening our entrepreneurial endeavors. We are elevating business owners with value-added workshops and vetted speakers at each annual event, and we look forward to continuous growth of the ESBS BRAND each year.

We thank everyone for playing an integral role in making this event successful each year, and to the participants who understand that just being in business is not good enough. As entrepreneurs, you must participate in the growth of your success by actively getting involved in events that promote business achievement. We welcome you to join us, whether speaker, business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, exhibitor, or sponsor, and thank you for supporting an initiative which was designed to help you grow successfully.