In the new economy, U.S. small businesses continue to struggle with the most significant aspects of operations: Capital access and marketing. In fact, the Small Business Success Index grades America’s small businesses at a D- in finance and a C- in marketing (compared to an A- in customer service).

 
The Challenges:

• Finance: The single biggest competitive disadvantage of U.S. entrepreneurs is meeting capital needs to grow their businesses. To become more competitive, small business owners desperately need access to capital to invest for long-term growth, as well as the know-how to identify capital resources for funding day-to-day operations.

 

• Marketing: Entrepreneurs struggle to come up with new ideas and innovations to grow their businesses, which is surprising given that U.S. small businesses are known for their ingenuity. They also have problems getting and converting leads, positioning their companies as big players, and finding ways to get the word out about their businesses.

 
About the Event:
 
On Thursday, April 30 from 2-3pm ET, Network Solutions will host the GrowSmartBusiness Webinar to help small business owners learn from the success of others. Join our all-star line-up of entrepreneurs and experts for this free, live webcast. They’ll discuss tips for overcoming challenges to marketing strategy and capital access.


Roy Dunbar, CEO of Network Solutions, will host the conversation. Our speakers include:

• Kristina Bouweiri, CEO of Reston Limo, the largest independent limousine service in the U.S.
   
• Anita Campbell, Editor of Small Business Trends

 

• Tom Heath, Columnist, The Washington Post's Value Added
   
• Kelly Muccio, Founder of Lost Boys, a fashionable clothing store recently featured on Good Morning America
   
• Surfy Rahman, Co-owner of Indique, a popular DC-area restaurant chain.