Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit at America’s BIGGEST business-to-business trade show, conference & networking event of the year! Small Business Expo helps small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs like you take their business to the next level.
It’s no secret that New York City is booming with entrepreneurs, and Small Business Expo will be there to support their efforts! Small Businesses make up most of the NYC Business Ecosystem, and more are springing up every day.
In addition to being home to some of the best talent, tech and business resources in the world, the City itself is working hard on new initiatives and incentives to bring in more Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses. It’s a lively, high-energy environment where strategic thinking and a tenacious work-ethic can lead to something BIG, especially for Small Business.
WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS EXPO?
Small Business Expo is America’s BIGGEST & most anticipated business-to-business networking & educational event, trade show & conference for business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, decision-makers or anyone who works for a small business or is interested in starting a Small Business.
Small Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, attend great business-growth workshops, build new business relationships, exchange ideas, shop from new vendors and learn from leading industry experts. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a “MUST ATTEND” event for you. Hosted in major cities across the Country, Small Business Expo is the #1 Business to Business Networking Event dedicated to helping Small Business Owners take their business to the next level.
WHAT IS THE COST TO ATTEND?
- It’s FREE TO ATTEND.
- There are also upgraded premium badge options that include benefits and special access like Reserved Seating in Workshops, Priority Access to Speed Networking Sessions, access our Lead Scanner App to collect attendee contact info, Access to our Networking Happy Hour with Open Bar & other perks (see below Badge Chart).
- If you would like to be a Sponsor or Exhibit at Small Business Expo, please call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFO.
WHY ATTEND?
- Network with thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs & start-ups
- Attend 25+ Business workshops & seminars to help grow your business
- Fast-paced speed-networking sessions to build your network
- Learn about new cutting-edge products and services from our Exhibitors
- Establish hundreds of new & valuable contacts
- Interact with the movers and shakers of your industry.
- Leave the show with a wide array of qualified and targeted sales leads
- Get inspired & surround yourself with other passionate business owners
WHO CAN ATTEND?
- Any qualifying participant (i.e., not a minor) can attend Small Business Expo. We encourage anyone that currently operates/owns a small business or anyone that works for a small business to attend.
- If you don’t currently own a small business or work for a small business, that’s okay too! Small Business Expo is the perfect place for you to come learn how to start & grow your own business. We have FREE workshops & seminars about building your own business, an exhibitor hall with great products/services to help you, speed networking & more!
- Whether you are already an established business, a start-up, a Fortune 100 or anything in between, if you love small business, we want to see you at Small Business Expo.
PARKING INFORMATION
- Venue Parking is FREE!
WANT TO EXHIBIT YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE & GET SALES LEADS?
If your product/service targets business owners, exhibiting at this show is a must. Many business owners attend Small Business Expo to shop for innovative products & services that will help their business grow. Nowhere else can you reach thousands of business owners and potentially make on-the-spot sales in one day!
For more info, call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFORMATION.
Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Salt Lake Chamber, in partnership with Chase for Business, on June 16 as we welcome growth-focused business owners from across the state for a half-day program. Together, we’ll build ideas and share actionable insight to some of the most vexing challenges in business. Across the last three years, we’ve embarked on a national tour to listen to small businesses at every stage of their growth, and we are excited to bring those best practices, ideas, and inspirations to the CO— stage in Salt Lake City for the second year in a row.
Through mainstage presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and dedicated networking opportunities, you’ll collect tips and tangible learning to bring back to your own business.
THRIVE IN GOOD COMPANY
CO— Summit will welcome advancing business owners to gather together, hear from subject matter experts, and discuss topics that position companies for next-level growth. We help growing businesses connect, collaborate, and co-create.
START. RUN. GROW.
Grab your notebook. Listen in on dynamic presentations and workshops focusing on complex, topical business topics like marketing, recruiting, and scaling for growth.
Expand your Rolodex. Exchange business cards to grow your network in Washington, DC and beyond.
Raise your hand. Discuss your experiences and share ideas with like-minded business owners during topic-specific breakouts.
Bring it home. Learn tangible insights from local speakers to take back to your own company to take the next step.
About the WBENC National Conference & Business Fair
A signature event from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the WBENC National Conference & Business Fair is the largest event of its kind for women business owners, welcoming thousands of women entrepreneurs and corporate executives ready to make connections and do business. The 2020 National Conference & Business Fair will feature innovative educational programming, inspiring keynotes, a pitch competition, 1:1 MatchMaker meetings, plenty of networking opportunities, and the Business Fair, an unrivaled trade show of certified women-owned businesses and those who do business with them.
Expect to meet supplier diversity professionals, procurement and senior executive representatives from the Fortune 1000 and federal government; women business owners and their teams; and key representatives of strategic partner organizations.
The WBENC National Conference & Business Fair is open to WBENC-Certified WBE business owners and their teams; buyers, procurement representatives, supplier diversity professionals, and government officials from WBENC Corporate and Government Members; and representatives from WBENC’s 14 Regional Partner Organizations and other strategic partners.
We also invite non-certified small businesses, students, and representatives from non-member corporations and government entities to attend to learn about our organization and network of opportunity.
The easiest way to register for the 2020 WBENC National Conference & Business Fair is online. Registration will open on Monday, February 24, 2020.
Register before April 6, 2020, to lock-in early bird rates and to be eligible to participate in 1:1 MatchMaker meetings. View all registration options and pricing here.
Note: Online registration will close one week before the event on Monday, June 15, 2020. All online transactions are final and non-refundable.
Onsite Registration
You also have the option to register onsite during the event, starting on Monday, June 22, 2020. Onsite registrations are available throughout the week and must be paid by company check or credit card. All onsite transactions are final and non-refundable.
Onsite Registration Hours:
- Monday, June 22: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Tuesday, June 23: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Wednesday, June 24: 7 AM – 4 PM
- Thursday, June 25: 8 AM – 2 PM
Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit at America’s BIGGEST business-to-business trade show, conference & networking event of the year! Small Business Expo helps small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs like you take their business to the next level.
At Small Business Expo, we know that Chicago is packed with potential for Entrepreneurs in every industry. After all, it is 7th among America’s largest cities and home to a growing number of Small Businesses across every industry.
As a big city with a small-town feel and a culture based on discipline and hard work, Chicago is an incredible place for Business Owners to thrive. And, in the last two decades, this work-ethic has blended with an influx of capital, technology, and talent to create a perfect environment for Entrepreneurs to do big things.
Register Now to join thousands of Small Business Owners at the Chicago Small Business Expo!
WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS EXPO?
Small Business Expo is America’s BIGGEST & most anticipated business-to-business networking & educational event, trade show & conference for business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, decision-makers or anyone who works for a small business or is interested in starting a Small Business.
Small Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, attend great business-growth workshops, build new business relationships, exchange ideas, shop from new vendors and learn from leading industry experts. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a “MUST ATTEND” event for you. Hosted in major cities across the Country, Small Business Expo is the #1 Business to Business Networking Event dedicated to helping Small Business Owners take their business to the next level.
WHAT IS THE COST TO ATTEND?
- It’s FREE TO ATTEND.
- There are also upgraded premium badge options that include benefits and special access like Reserved Seating in Workshops, Priority Access to Speed Networking Sessions, access our Lead Scanner App to collect attendee contact info, Access to our Networking Happy Hour with Open Bar & other perks (see below Badge Chart).
- If you would like to be a Sponsor or Exhibit at Small Business Expo, please call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFO.
WHY ATTEND?
- Network with thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs & start-ups
- Attend 25+ Business workshops & seminars to help grow your business
- Fast-paced speed-networking sessions to build your network
- Learn about new cutting-edge products and services from our Exhibitors
- Establish hundreds of new & valuable contacts
- Interact with the movers and shakers of your industry.
- Leave the show with a wide array of qualified and targeted sales leads
- Get inspired & surround yourself with other passionate business owners
WHO CAN ATTEND?
- Any qualifying participant (i.e., not a minor) can attend Small Business Expo. We encourage anyone that currently operates/owns a small business or anyone that works for a small business to attend.
- If you don’t currently own a small business or work for a small business, that’s okay too! Small Business Expo is the perfect place for you to come learn how to start & grow your own business. We have FREE workshops & seminars about building your own business, an exhibitor hall with great products/services to help you, speed networking & more!
- Whether you are already an established business, a start-up, a Fortune 100 or anything in between, if you love small business, we want to see you at Small Business Expo.
PARKING INFORMATION
- Venue Parking is FREE!
WANT TO EXHIBIT YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE & GET SALES LEADS?
If your product/service targets business owners, exhibiting at this show is a must. Many business owners attend Small Business Expo to shop for innovative products & services that will help their business grow. Nowhere else can you reach thousands of business owners and potentially make on-the-spot sales in one day!
For more info, call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFORMATION.
Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit at America’s BIGGEST business-to-business trade show, conference & networking event of the year! Small Business Expo helps small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs like you take their business to the next level.
The next Small Business Expo in San Diego is going to be a hub of entrepreneurial activity and learning.
At Small Business Expo, we know that San Diego is the perfect place for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners to try new ideas. It’s a city with deep technology and venture capital sectors and a growing & thriving Small Business Community.
With an affordable cost of living, solid infrastructure, and a community of service and product vendors, San Diego has seen a spike in entrepreneurial activity. The diversity of its innovation might be San Diego’s best feature, which provides solid ground for Small Businesses to take root.
WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS EXPO?
Small Business Expo is America’s BIGGEST & most anticipated business-to-business networking & educational event, trade show & conference for business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, decision-makers or anyone who works for a small business or is interested in starting a Small Business.
Small Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, attend great business-growth workshops, build new business relationships, exchange ideas, shop from new vendors and learn from leading industry experts. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a “MUST ATTEND” event for you. Hosted in major cities across the Country, Small Business Expo is the #1 Business to Business Networking Event dedicated to helping Small Business Owners take their business to the next level.
WHAT IS THE COST TO ATTEND?
- It’s FREE TO ATTEND.
- There are also upgraded premium badge options that include benefits and special access like Reserved Seating in Workshops, Priority Access to Speed Networking Sessions, access our Lead Scanner App to collect attendee contact info, Access to our Networking Happy Hour with Open Bar & other perks (see below Badge Chart).
- If you would like to be a Sponsor or Exhibit at Small Business Expo, please call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFO.
WHY ATTEND?
- Network with thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs & start-ups
- Attend 25+ Business workshops & seminars to help grow your business
- Fast-paced speed-networking sessions to build your network
- Learn about new cutting-edge products and services from our Exhibitors
- Establish hundreds of new & valuable contacts
- Interact with the movers and shakers of your industry.
- Leave the show with a wide array of qualified and targeted sales leads
- Get inspired & surround yourself with other passionate business owners
WHO CAN ATTEND?
- Any qualifying participant (i.e., not a minor) can attend Small Business Expo. We encourage anyone that currently operates/owns a small business or anyone that works for a small business to attend.
- If you don’t currently own a small business or work for a small business, that’s okay too! Small Business Expo is the perfect place for you to come learn how to start & grow your own business. We have FREE workshops & seminars about building your own business, an exhibitor hall with great products/services to help you, speed networking & more!
- Whether you are already an established business, a start-up, a Fortune 100 or anything in between, if you love small business, we want to see you at Small Business Expo.
PARKING INFORMATION
- Venue Parking is FREE!
WANT TO EXHIBIT YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE & GET SALES LEADS?
If your product/service targets business owners, exhibiting at this show is a must. Many business owners attend Small Business Expo to shop for innovative products & services that will help their business grow. Nowhere else can you reach thousands of business owners and potentially make on-the-spot sales in one day!
For more info, call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFORMATION.
Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit at America’s BIGGEST business-to-business trade show, conference & networking event of the year! Small Business Expo helps small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs like you take their business to the next level.
The next Small Business Expo in Los Angeles is going to be a hub of entrepreneurial activity and learning. After all, Los Angeles is one of the hottest up-and-coming centers for Small Businesses in the world (and the second largest in the U.S.).
Los Angeles offers access to resources from talent to capital to industry connections, making it one of the best cities to start a business. The City itself is also a massive consumer-facing marketplace. But one of the most attractive aspects of Los Angeles is the access to game-changing technology.
Register Now, and join thousands of successful Small Business Owners at the Los Angeles Small Business Expo!
WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS EXPO?
Small Business Expo is America’s BIGGEST & most anticipated business-to-business networking & educational event, trade show & conference for business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, decision-makers or anyone who works for a small business or is interested in starting a Small Business.
Small Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, attend great business-growth workshops, build new business relationships, exchange ideas, shop from new vendors and learn from leading industry experts. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a “MUST ATTEND” event for you. Hosted in major cities across the Country, Small Business Expo is the #1 Business to Business Networking Event dedicated to helping Small Business Owners take their business to the next level.
WHAT IS THE COST TO ATTEND?
- It’s FREE TO ATTEND.
- There are also upgraded premium badge options that include benefits and special access like Reserved Seating in Workshops, Priority Access to Speed Networking Sessions, access our Lead Scanner App to collect attendee contact info, Access to our Networking Happy Hour with Open Bar & other perks (see below Badge Chart).
- If you would like to be a Sponsor or Exhibit at Small Business Expo, please call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFO.
WHY ATTEND?
- Network with thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs & start-ups
- Attend 25+ Business workshops & seminars to help grow your business
- Fast-paced speed-networking sessions to build your network
- Learn about new cutting-edge products and services from our Exhibitors
- Establish hundreds of new & valuable contacts
- Interact with the movers and shakers of your industry.
- Leave the show with a wide array of qualified and targeted sales leads
- Get inspired & surround yourself with other passionate business owners
WHO CAN ATTEND?
- Any qualifying participant (i.e., not a minor) can attend Small Business Expo. We encourage anyone that currently operates/owns a small business or anyone that works for a small business to attend.
- If you don’t currently own a small business or work for a small business, that’s okay too! Small Business Expo is the perfect place for you to come learn how to start & grow your own business. We have FREE workshops & seminars about building your own business, an exhibitor hall with great products/services to help you, speed networking & more!
- Whether you are already an established business, a start-up, a Fortune 100 or anything in between, if you love small business, we want to see you at Small Business Expo.
PARKING INFORMATION
- Venue Parking is FREE!
WANT TO EXHIBIT YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE & GET SALES LEADS?
If your product/service targets business owners, exhibiting at this show is a must. Many business owners attend Small Business Expo to shop for innovative products & services that will help their business grow. Nowhere else can you reach thousands of business owners and potentially make on-the-spot sales in one day!
For more info, call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFORMATION.
Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Regional Chamber, in partnership with Chase for Business, on September 17 as we welcome growth-focused business owners from across the state for a half-day program. Together, we’ll build ideas and share actionable insight to some of the most vexing challenges in business. Across the last three years, we’ve embarked on a national tour to listen to small businesses at every stage of their growth, and we are excited to bring those best practices, ideas, and inspirations to the CO— stage in Detroit for the first time.
Through mainstage presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and dedicated networking opportunities, you’ll collect tips and tangible learning to bring back to your own business.
THRIVE IN GOOD COMPANY
CO— Summit will welcome advancing business owners to gather together, hear from subject matter experts, and discuss topics that position companies for next-level growth. We help growing businesses connect, collaborate, and co-create.
START. RUN. GROW.
Grab your notebook. Listen in on dynamic presentations and workshops focusing on complex, topical business topics like marketing, recruiting, and scaling for growth.
Expand your Rolodex. Exchange business cards to grow your network in Washington, DC and beyond.
Raise your hand. Discuss your experiences and share ideas with like-minded business owners during topic-specific breakouts.
Bring it home. Learn tangible insights from local speakers to take back to your own company to take the next step.
Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit at America’s BIGGEST business-to-business trade show, conference & networking event of the year! Small Business Expo helps small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs like you take their business to the next level.
San Francisco is one of the biggest technology hubs and startup hotspots in the world, and Small Business Expo will be there to show its support. With close access to Silicon Valley and a huge Small Business Community, it’s the perfect place for ambitious Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners to find their place.
No matter where you are in the city, a diverse array of talent, technology, mentors, venture capital firms and innovative ideas are close by. Beyond the thriving business environment, the City’s culture and population create an attractive, community-centric vibe that blends perfectly with the spirit of business innovation and hard work.
Register Today, and join thousands of Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners at the San Francisco Small Business Expo!
WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS EXPO?
Small Business Expo is America’s BIGGEST & most anticipated business-to-business networking & educational event, trade show & conference for business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, decision-makers or anyone who works for a small business or is interested in starting a Small Business.
Small Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, attend great business-growth workshops, build new business relationships, exchange ideas, shop from new vendors and learn from leading industry experts. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a “MUST ATTEND” event for you. Hosted in major cities across the Country, Small Business Expo is the #1 Business to Business Networking Event dedicated to helping Small Business Owners take their business to the next level.
WHAT IS THE COST TO ATTEND?
- It’s FREE TO ATTEND.
- There are also upgraded premium badge options that include benefits and special access like Reserved Seating in Workshops, Priority Access to Speed Networking Sessions, access our Lead Scanner App to collect attendee contact info, Access to our Networking Happy Hour with Open Bar & other perks (see below Badge Chart).
- If you would like to be a Sponsor or Exhibit at Small Business Expo, please call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFO.
WHY ATTEND?
- Network with thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs & start-ups
- Attend 25+ Business workshops & seminars to help grow your business
- Fast-paced speed-networking sessions to build your network
- Learn about new cutting-edge products and services from our Exhibitors
- Establish hundreds of new & valuable contacts
- Interact with the movers and shakers of your industry.
- Leave the show with a wide array of qualified and targeted sales leads
- Get inspired & surround yourself with other passionate business owners
WHO CAN ATTEND?
- Any qualifying participant (i.e., not a minor) can attend Small Business Expo. We encourage anyone that currently operates/owns a small business or anyone that works for a small business to attend.
- If you don’t currently own a small business or work for a small business, that’s okay too! Small Business Expo is the perfect place for you to come learn how to start & grow your own business. We have FREE workshops & seminars about building your own business, an exhibitor hall with great products/services to help you, speed networking & more!
- Whether you are already an established business, a start-up, a Fortune 100 or anything in between, if you love small business, we want to see you at Small Business Expo.
PARKING INFORMATION
- Venue Parking is FREE!
WANT TO EXHIBIT YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE & GET SALES LEADS?
If your product/service targets business owners, exhibiting at this show is a must. Many business owners attend Small Business Expo to shop for innovative products & services that will help their business grow. Nowhere else can you reach thousands of business owners and potentially make on-the-spot sales in one day!
For more info, call us at 212.404.2345 or VISIT OUR EXHIBITOR INFO PAGE FOR PRICING & INFORMATION.
Content Marketing World 2020
Join us for the one event where you can learn from the best in the content marketing community and spend four days with our #CMWorld community.
Return back to your company with materials and knowledge you need to take a content marketing strategy back to your team and to implement a content marketing plan that will grow your business and inspire your audience.
You will experience:
Over 125 sessions and workshops presented by the leading brand marketers and experts from around the world are customized to you, our attendees. We have tracks covering every aspect of content marketing so your agenda can be built for YOU.
You will be inspired:
We’re expecting 4,000 marketers from over 60 countries to join us in Cleveland, Ohio. We have networking time, evening activities and more so we can spend time together learning and connecting with each other.
You will grow:
You want to create epic content marketing and network with some of the brightest in the business. You want to build your team, systems and processes, and focus on your personal skills.
Registration
Regular price is $1,399 for main conference access. Workshops are an additional $500 and available only to main conference attendees. Industry Forum price is $699 and can be purchased as a stand-alone item. We are also offering an All-Access Pass, which includes the conference, a workshop, an Industry Forum and the Post Show Video Access for $2,399. Last but not least we have a Post Show Video Access option, for those who can’t make the conference, for $599.
We offer discounted pricing for early registrations – if you are interested in attending, we recommend that you register as soon as possible!
For more information about pricing and the different passes available please visit our registration page.
Conference Location
Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
300 Lakeside Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
Schedule
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Registration/Check-in begins at 9:00 am and will be open through 7:00 pm. Please be sure to stop by before the opening reception as name badges are required for all events.
Workshops begin at 1:00 pm ET and end at 4:00 pm ET
Opening Reception begins at 7:30 pm ET
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Registration/Information desk open 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
General session begins at 8:00 am ET and ends at 5:45 pm ET
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Registration/Information desk open 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
General session begins at 8:30 am ET and ends at 5:00 pm ET
A free night to yourself to explore and experience Cleveland.
Friday, October 16, 2020
Registration/Information desk open 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Breakout sessions begin at 8:00 am ET and end by 9:45 am ET
Industry Forums begin at 10:00 am ET and end at 3:00 pm ET
MORE INFORMATION
Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Chase for Business, on October 13-15 as we welcome growth-focused business owners from across the country for a multi-day program. Together, we’ll build ideas and share actionable insight to some of the most vexing challenges in business. Across the last three years, we’ve embarked on a national tour to listen to small businesses at every stage of their growth, and we are excited to bring those best practices, ideas, and inspirations back to the national CO— stage in Washington, DC.
Through mainstage presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and dedicated networking opportunities, you’ll collect tips and tangible learning to bring back to your own business.
Washington, DC October 13-15, 2020
Our multi-day national summit brings together business leaders and industry experts from the across the country to inspire, educate, and make long-lasting connections.
THRIVE IN GOOD COMPANY
CO— Summit will welcome advancing business owners to gather together, hear from subject matter experts, and discuss topics that position companies for next-level growth. We help growing businesses connect, collaborate, and co-create.
START. RUN. GROW.
Grab your notebook. Listen in on dynamic presentations and workshops focusing on complex, topical business topics like marketing, recruiting, and scaling for growth.
Expand your Rolodex. Exchange business cards to grow your network in Washington, DC and beyond.
Raise your hand. Discuss your experiences and share ideas with like-minded business owners during topic-specific breakouts.
Bring it home. Learn tangible insights from local speakers to take back to your own company to take the next step.