FireStarter is a community effort to identify and engage local entrepreneurs and innovators in a conversation about what they are doing, how they are doing it, and what they need to do it better. There is a firm need to diversify our local economy and this program is meant to start with identifying the community members who can organically grow companies from our existing resources. Each month, there will be a formal meeting time so that the community can come together to network, trade ideas and lessons learned, as well as establish a list of programs that would be beneficial to their success.

It’s not about the product you represent but instead the business model that represents you!

Who is qualified to participate? You are qualified to participate if you are currently...

- A Small or Emerging Business

- Technology based/Web based retailers/Cottage Industries/Innovators and those that support them

- Considering starting or have started a small business that will need to be licensed in your local community.

- Manufacturing or creating products and you are looking for resources to scale‐up production

- Purchasing components to assemble and sale to the general public or other retail outlets.

- Working on or have completed innovative design solutions and want to pursue patenting or creating a business around the innovation.

- Eligible or trying to become eligible to sell your products on Amazon/eBay or other large scale online retail platforms.

- An owner or are looking to purchase a concept franchise.

- Importing or exporting products outside the United States or planning for import/export.

- Investing time and money on an innovative idea and are looking for a place to build it.

What this is not…. Although there are nationally‐known network marketing companies that sell beauty supplies, kitchen equipment, oils and other service, we will not be focused on this type of business model. We will strictly focus on the organic growth of original ideas and markets. If you are involved with one of the nationally known programs, you are more than welcome to participate because we know you have the entrepreneur’s spirit, but we will ask that you limit all promotion of those programs.

How to take advantage of the FireStarter program:

- Come, listen, and ask questions of State, Regional and Local governmental resources.

- Learn what funding sources and techniques are available to your business model.

- Be introduced to successful local entrepreneurs that are willing to share their experiences.

- Open up and discuss what has worked for you and your business, while others discuss their lessons learned.

- Find like‐business models that can act as a peer group in the support and implementation of best practices.

- Collaborate with other local small businesses that handle services that you need…. (contract sewing, shipping, logistics specialist, designing, artist and manufacturing)

Register to attend – (Online Registration Starts Feb 4th)

February 19th ‐ 6:30pm

Flint Energies Member Center

98 Carl Vinson Parkway

Warner Robins, GA 30188