Worcester entrepreneurs, this one’s for you! The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center at Clark University is rolling out the red carpet for local business owners with their 2025 Small Business Leadership Summit happening this week, and it won’t cost you a dime.
What’s Going Down
The summit, themed “Succession Planning and Increasing the Value of Your Business,” is set for Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM in Tilton Hall on the 2nd floor of the Higgins University Center at Clark University (950 Main St.).
This isn’t just another boring business conference where you sit and listen to PowerPoints. We’re talking about real talk with real experts who understand what it takes to build, grow, and eventually transition a business in today’s economy.
Why This Matters for Worcester Business Owners
Let’s be real , running a small business in Worcester comes with its unique challenges. Whether you’re slinging coffee downtown, running a tech startup, or managing a family business that’s been around for decades, you’ve probably asked yourself, “What happens next? How do I make this thing worth something? And how do I eventually step back without everything falling apart?”
That’s exactly what this summit is designed to tackle. The Massachusetts SBDC at Clark University is bringing together small business owners, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and industry experts to help you develop succession plans that actually work and strategies that can bump up your business’s market value.
Heavy Hitters Taking the Stage
The lineup is solid. On Friday at 11:45 AM, Mike Covino, president and co-founder of Niche Hospitality, will drop some knowledge about leading with intentionality and building a business that actually thrives (not just survives). If you’ve been in Worcester’s business scene, you know hospitality is no joke, especially post-pandemic, so his insights should be golden.
Then at 3 PM, Mike Cassata, a business strategist at Rockland Trust Bank, will break down strategies for increasing your business value and preparing for successful transitions. Translation: how to make sure your years of grinding actually pay off when it’s time to move on.
More Than Just Speakers
This isn’t a one-person show. You’ll get panel discussions with experts from the SBA, MassDevelopment, and the Massachusetts SBDC covering succession planning, access to capital, and sustainable growth. These are the folks who’ve seen it all , the businesses that made it, the ones that didn’t, and everything in between.
But here’s what makes this summit different: it’s designed for networking. You’ll be connecting with other local business owners, bankers, service providers, and community leaders. Sometimes the best advice doesn’t come from the stage; it comes from the person sitting next to you who’s been through the same struggles.
Friday’s Full Agenda
The first day is packed. After registration and networking at 8:30 AM, you’ll hear welcome remarks from Tom Herald, Regional Director of the SBDC, and Ili Spahiu, State Director of the SBA. Rockland Trust Bank, the presenting sponsor, will also share some opening thoughts.
Marcos Marrero, Deputy Director of MassDevelopment, will give updates from MassDevelopment and MGCC at 9:30 AM. Then things get interactive with an entrepreneur panel moderated by Tom Herald, diving into the real challenges of operating a small business today.
The morning continues with a lender panel moderated by Tony Fiore, focusing on strategies for success and leading with intentionality , basically, how to think like a boss instead of just working like one.
After lunch and informal networking (plus a business expo), there’s a professional services panel moderated by Munir Khan, covering the professional support small businesses actually need. The day wraps up with Mike Cassata’s session on succession planning and increasing market value, followed by more expo and networking time.
Saturday’s Shorter But Sweet Schedule
Saturday’s a bit more condensed but equally valuable. After morning registration and networking, Tom Herald kicks things off again with welcome remarks. Kristi Haxhiaj, SBA Lender Relations Specialist, will provide updates from the Massachusetts District Office of the SBA.
David Fullerton, president of Acoustic Java, will talk about success and sustainability in 2025 , which is exactly what every business owner needs to hear right now.
The morning features hands-on workshops: “Building Your Brand” with Julie Cornoni in the Grace Conference Room and “Access to Capital” with Rockland Trust in the Lurie Conference Room. Choose your fighter based on what your business needs most right now.
The summit closes with a student pitch competition, complete with guest judges and awards. It’s always inspiring to see the next generation of entrepreneurs in action, plus you might spot some talent or get fresh perspectives on your own business challenges.
The Real Value Here
Look, Worcester’s business community is tight-knit, and that’s both a blessing and a challenge. Sometimes you need outside perspectives and fresh strategies to take your business to the next level. This summit brings together people who’ve been where you are and made it to where you want to be.
Succession planning isn’t just for big corporations. Whether you’re planning to sell, pass your business to family, or transition to new leadership, having a solid plan can mean the difference between leaving a legacy and leaving a mess.
And let’s talk about increasing business value , that’s not just about making more money (though that’s nice too). It’s about building something sustainable, something that can survive market changes, economic downturns, and yes, even global pandemics.
How to Get In
Here’s the best part: this entire summit is free, sponsored by Rockland Trust Bank. But space is limited, so you can’t sleep on this. Registration is encouraged ASAP.
You can register online or contact Sarah Doran directly at [email protected]. Don’t wait until Thursday night to try to squeeze in : these spots will fill up fast.
Bottom Line
If you’re serious about your business and its future, this summit is two days well spent. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies, new connections, and probably a clearer vision of where your business is headed.
Worcester’s small business scene is the backbone of this city. From Main Street to Shrewsbury Street, from the Canal District to Green Island, our entrepreneurs are what make this place special. This summit is an investment in that community and in your own future.
So mark your calendar, set those out-of-office replies, and show up ready to level up. Your business : and your future self : will thank you.
Have news, tips, or a story Worcester needs to hear? Reach Editor-in-Chief Jerry Filmore at [email protected] or [email protected] (because community news starts with you.)
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