Radio host and author Jim Beach was the keynote speaker for the 2016 Small Business Summit, which took place 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Infinite Energy Forum.
As a result of his belief that anyone can be an entrepreneur when they forget about risk, creativity and passion, Beach founded the School for Startups, a web resource devoted to teaching his philosophy of low-risk entrepreneurship. He followed with the launch of two radio shows, one focused on restaurants, RestaurantOwnerRadio.com, and one extending the School for Startups brand, SchoolforStartupsRadio.com.
School for Startups Radio, which airs in 12 markets, won the 2014 Small Business Administration Media Award. His accompanying book, School for Startups, published in 2011, achieved a #9 position in Amazon’s business section. The book continues to be a best-seller and receives praise from readers everywhere. It was even excerpted by Entrepreneur magazine and the Wall Street Journal India.
At the age of 25, Beach launched the American Computer Experience and grew the company with no capital infusion to $12 million in annual revenue and to more than 700 employees. The company was the world’s largest technology training company for children, and enjoyed tie-ins with Microsoft, Intel, Lego, NASA and many others.
After selling his company, Beach took on the world of education as a professor at Georgia State University and was the top ranked Business School professor 12 consecutive semesters.
He was featured in a UPS commercial and has been labeled the Simon Cowell of venture capital by CNN. He was selected as one of the “Forty Under Forty” most influential citizens by Georgia Trend and has appeared on NPR, MBNBC, CNN and in the New York Times, Wired and Entrepreneur as an expert on technology and education. In addition, he has twice presented to White House officials and has appeared on shows like Hannity.
A world-renowned speaker, Beach has served on the selection committee for the Metro Atlanta Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year program, and in July 2013, was asked to join the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Induction Committee.
The 2016 Gwinnett Small Business Summit offers educational opportunities, resources, and inspiration for every industry, stage of business, title/position, or level of expertise there’s truly something for everyone. The day will feature 10 informative workshops presented by experts in their fields as well as table topics, including local, state and federal organizations that offer small business assistance, speed networking, small business fair and expo, and the much-anticipated Pinnacle Small Business Awards luncheon.
Of Georgia’s total businesses, 86% have an employee base of fewer than 50 employees, and these businesses comprise 73% of the overall salary pie for Georgia workers. Successful small business leaders have learned how to recognize an opportunity and go after it, as the incredibly varied Gwinnett economy demonstrates every day.
“The Gwinnett Chamber and local leaders are committed to creating a business climate in which to help these companies and their visionary leaders succeed,” said Dr. Dan Kaufman, President & CEO of the Chamber. “By offering small business owners access to the education and resources required to manage their businesses more effectively, their contributions to the local economy will be recognized across our community. Entrepreneurs and small businesses will be able to learn the keys to thriving in today’s global economy and in the future.”
For more information, or to register, visit GwinnettSmallBusinessSummit.com.
