Non-Profit Organization Empowers Business Owners

PITTSBURGH ? Building Bridges for Business ? a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering small business owners by providing one-stop access to resources, information and partnerships ? is achieving its organizational mission ? providing small business owners with unprecedented connections to

local agencies, contacts and other necessary business resources.

?Our team has certainly worked hard to push the organization forward and improve visibility among small business owners,? said Linda Handley, founder, Building Bridges for Business. ?But we have also been very fortunate to have the support from a host of pivotal partnerships, particularly the offices of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.? In addition, Building Bridges for Business has partnered with local universities, such as the Center for Women?s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University and the Small Business Development Center at Duquesne University.

Sue Malone, President of Strategies for Small Business, after a recent event helping Pittsburgh Small Businesses for free, said, ?Building Bridges does an outstanding job offering the small businesses of Pittsburgh an opportunity to soar.? ?I am in many cities working with Small Businesses and I have never

seen such dedication as I see in Building Bridges to offer such a unique opportunity for the small businesses of Pittsburgh.? ?The organization hosted its fourth sold-out event this summer, Small Business Works, at the Kingsley Association. At the event,over 200 local small business owners listened to a

message from Malone, and every business that asked received assistance with funding, free advice on a formal business plan and/or free?marketing collateral, such as logos and press kits.

?Thanks to the support of our sponsors, donors and partners, we are reaching our goals and achieving our

vision,? said Amanda Wodzenski President of Building Bridges for Business. ?The contributions and

support from so many organizations and individuals has made starting a business and sustaining success

in Pittsburgh simpler, and our local economy will continue to benefit as a result.? Other live events ? all of which have sold out ? include fall 2011?s Welcome to Oz, featuring guest

speakers Dr. Winslow Sargeant, chief council for advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration and Luke Ravenstahl, mayor, City of Pittsburgh at the Fairmont Hotel. Last summer, Google?s Pittsburgh headquarters opened its doors to local business owners and the organization held a Young Entrepreneursevent.

Aside from live events, Building Bridges for Business also launched Pittsburgh?s first-ever monthly TweetChat in September 2011, using the hashtag #SmallBizPgh and featuring small business experts, entrepreneurs and government officials from across the United States. At these events, local business owners can pose questions to the featured guests via Twitter.

This summer, the organization kicked off its Coffee With?^SM video series, available on YouTube and the organization?s website. Geared towards small business owners, the videos feature guests ? including Dr. Sargeant, city council members and successful small business owners ? discussing current issues facingsmall business and sharing tips to help business owners succeed.

For more information, visit Building Bridges for Business? homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing?info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

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Source: http://buildingbridgesforbusiness.org/building-bridges-for-business-and-partners-empower-pittsburgh-small-business-owners/

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