Session Objective
       TO PROVIDE YOU, THE ENTREPRENEUR, 
      WITH INFORMATION ABOUT STARTING 
      YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND GIVING 
      RESOURCES THAT WILL ASSIST YOU IN 
      THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR BUSINESS!
                           
                        What is the RI SBDC?
                             •  A Private/Public 
                                Partnership
                             •  United States Small 
                                Business Administration
                             •  Rhode Island Economic 
                                Development Corporation
                             •  Johnson and Wales 
                                University
                                            
                                    Regional Office Locations
                         •    Providence Metro
                         Taco Center, Larry Friedman International 
                              Center for Entrepreneurship
                         Sixcia Devine, Regional Director
                         •    Central & Southern RI
                         Central RI Chamber of Commerce
                         Ardena Lee-Fleming, Regional Director
                         •    Newport/EastBay
                         Newport County Chamber of Commerce
                         Stacey Carter, Regional Director
                         •    Northern Rhode Island
                         Northern RI Chamber of Commerce
                         Douglas Jobling, Regional Director
                         •    Pawtucket & Central Falls
                         268 Main Street, Pawtucket
                         Adriana Dawson, Regional Director  
                          Small Business Facts
       •   Small Business is the                      •   Over 20 million small 
           backbone of the American                       businesses in the US
           Economy
                                                      •   RI businesses report 16.9% 
       •   Two of every three new jobs                    increase in sales compared to 
           result from the the small                      unassisted companies
           business sector nationwide
       •   39% of the US GNP is created 
           by small business
                                                     
                      The Partnership Structure; 
                      an Inclusive Approach
                                        Partnerships include:
       The RI Small Business            • CWE
       Development Center at            • RICMI
       Johnson & Wales 
       University is a public /         • SBA
       private partnership              • Secretary of States Office
       providing management and         • SCORE
       technical assistance to          • RI EDC
       small business owners and        • Every Company Counts
       aspiring entrepreneurs.  
                                        • Banks
                                        • Chambers of Commerce
                                        • Community Based 
                                           Organizations
       RISBDC connects you with the best fit resource for your business