STREET. JORGE – For the first time, the Utah Small Business Administration District Office will support two separate groups: one in St. George and the other in Kaysville.
THRIVE, which stands for Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate, is accepting applications for small businesses interested in joining its Emerging Leaders Reimagined program. They hope to address the “needs of entrepreneurs” throughout Utah.
St. George SBA Marketing and Outreach Director Jackie Hobson told St. George News that the city is one of the fastest growing in the United States and a major business destination.
“The Small Business Administration recognizes this trend and is implementing specific initiatives to support southern Utah,” Hobson said. “The THRIVE program stands out for its unique focus on established companies, offering a refreshing perspective beyond traditional startup assistance.”
The program, a six-month executive-level educational initiative, provides an opportunity for small business owners to hone the skills, tools and knowledge necessary to advance their operations.
Shawn Christensen, executive director of the St. George Chamber, highlighted the benefits of combining the two entities.
“Our partnership with the SBA and the THRIVE program has provided valuable resources to the business community here in Southern Utah,” Christensen said. “We recommend this program to mid-stage companies that are ready to grow. The time invested in the program will generate additional income for your business.”
In particular, the course will be offered at no cost to companies. The curriculum will be a combination of online and in-person workshops focusing on leadership development, advanced financial strategies, market innovation, and fostering a positive organizational culture.
Marla Trollan, SBA Utah district director, said in a news release that she is excited about the expansion to two cohorts. She and her team are interested in businesses “across the state taking advantage of this exceptional opportunity to further their development and achieve greater success.”
Feedback from previous participants shows that 96% are willing to recommend the curriculum to their peers and 92% agree that it offers valuable insights for professional skills.
One of those local graduates is Irene Katzias who completed the program last year.
“As a small business owner for the past nine years, with roles ranging from CFO to CMO to accountant to contract negotiator to designer to wedding planner, I thought I’d seen it all,” Katzias said. “The SBA THRIVE program allowed me to identify areas of improvement and strengths.”
Business challenges are just one facet of the program, which facilitates peer-to-peer networking and links participants with government and financial leaders to complete the curriculum. The THRIVE program aims to contribute to sustainable business growth and economic prosperity.
Mark Madrid, SBA associate administrator, praised the program’s dynamic and innovative formula.
“The THRIVE Emerging Leaders Reimagined program has a proven track record of success, having trained nearly 9,000 entrepreneurs, created more than 11,000 jobs, facilitated nearly $1 billion in new funding, and raised more than $4 billion. of dollars in government contracts,” Madrid said.
The program is scheduled to begin June 18 and run through December 2024. Business owners interested in applying can do so at the THRIVE website before the April 28 deadline.
The SBA Utah District Office will host an informational webinar on April 15 at 11 a.m.
Interested parties are encouraged to contact Jackie Hobson at the Utah District Office via email at [email protected].
Click here to register.
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