PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE | NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK National Small Business Week is an opportunity to celebrate our much-heralded Coral Gables business community – featuring the independently owned and operated companies that are the job creators, dedicated innovators, and prosperity makers. They are the types of businesses we visit each day in search of the perfect cup of coffee that get our juices flowing, the suit maker who ensures we look spiffy, the drycleaner who presses out our wrinkles, the little store that has the perfect gift for any occasion, and of course, the restaurant we duck into for lunch on the run for a great bite to eat.
MARK A. TROWBRIDGE
PRESIDENT & CEO CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MTROWBRIDGE@CORALGABLESCHAMBER.ORG
The last two years have put a tremendous strain on our small businesses, especially our restaurants. More than 90,000 closed across this great country due to the ravages of COVID the past two years due to the inability to open their doors and do what they do best – serve the hungry customer and offer a respite from the doldrums of brown baggin’ it. Those that did survive have struggled to get back on their feet with worker shortages, supply chain issues and lingering fears of dining indoors thanks to the surges of the Delta and Omicron strains.
Yet, through it all, these quintessentially small businesses have found ways to survive and thrive. And, with the generous support of the SBA and programs like PPP, EIDL and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, many remain on the rumbling road to recovery. In fact, Coral Gables has witnessed an incredible number of new restaurants opening in the past few months despite the challenges of the pandemic. From Calista Taverna to Opera on Miracle Mile to the soon to re-open Talavera on Giralda Plaza and the eagerly awaited Dickey’s BBQ Pit. There is something for everyone to savor and enjoy. As the leading small business champion, our Chamber has long hosted programs and events that synergize around our small businesses – whether it be Small Business Saturday every November or National Small Business Week in May. Coral Gables is small business strong, and we celebrate these incredible dreamers daily. Last year, we launched our inaugural Small Business Summit. This half-day conference focusing on the needs of our small businesses was a huge success. Not only was it timed out perfectly, it built upon the needs of our recovering businesses. This year will be no different and we hope you will join us. Slated to occur on Friday, May 6th, our second annual summit will focus on such top-of-mind topics as the recovering economy, cryptocurrency, human resources, leadership, small business opportunities and more. The program kicks-off with a networking breakfast on Friday morning at 7:30am at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables. Space is limited, but there is also a virtual option to join the event. Presented by Ser & Associates, we hope you will take the time out of your busy day to join us on Friday, feed your professional soul and take back tangible opportunities for your co-workers to implement. All of this is a prelude to our Diamond Awards, presented by South State Bank, that same day at 11:45am at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables. Over lunch, we will bestow 10 awards – recognizing 9 local businesses across myriad categories and one outstanding corporate citizen. This year, our Business Leader of the Year is Alirio Torrealba of MG Developers. Mr. Torrealba is not only a thoughtful business leader and dynamic developer; he is also a generous neighbor who has helped launch numerous public art investments and installations. We cannot wait to share this moment of joy and great honor with him. While National Small Business Week allows us the unique opportunity to gather, honor and celebrate – it is also the perfect time to pay homage to those businesses who serve you each day. So, use this week to get out there and make an impact. Visit a fave local business (or start a new trend) and put your arms around those amazing organizations who contribute so much to our lives. They make all the difference in the world.
