Unlock the possibilities at Hillsborough's 11th Annual Open Doors Forum on April 29
Tenacity and vulnerability go hand in hand as a small business owner. Putting yourself and your story out there, making connections, and learning from rejection is part of the process. But those who figure it out can be on the road to success.
On Tuesday, April 29, Hillsborough County's Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Programs will host the 11th Annual Open Doors reverse trade show, a free networking event giving entrepreneurs space to make business opportunities happen. The event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Regent, 6437 Watson Rd., Ste 101, Riverview, FL 33578.
Small businesses should bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to mingle with 50 vendors who are ready to meet them. Vendors include prime contractors, government agencies, and firms ready to help with business financing, insurance, and bonding.
Victor Flecha, owner of Victor's Custom Cabinets & Tops, LLC, started his business in March 2020. With the help of the M/WBE team, Flecha became a certified minority-owned business with Hillsborough County's Minority-Owned Business Enterprise Program. Since then, he has attended many networking events and has a few tips for entrepreneurs to navigate them successfully.
Tips for networking success
- Bring plenty of business cards
- Have patience and understand that you might have just a few minutes at each table
- Be ready to sell yourself and your business in those few minutes - prepare a brief pitch
- After the event, check your email and phone messages regularly, and respond to vendor calls quickly
Flecha emphasized the importance of responding quickly when vendors follow up after an event. "If you don't respond, another small business owner will - and they'll get the opportunity to earn that vendor's business," he said.
Since becoming certified and attending networking events, doors have opened for Flecha. He has had the opportunity to bid on government contracts and has recently won two with Hillsborough County. In May, Flecha and his team will begin work on kitchens at two Hillsborough County fire stations, one in Armdale and the other in Palm River. And Flecha, who has built his business out of his garage, is on the move - to a 3,000-square-foot space for Victor's Custom Cabinets & Tops, LLC.
To attend the event, register at HCFL.gov/OpenDoorsForum, and for more information contact Diana Arroyo at ArroyoD@HCFL.gov.