Under the leadership of Flint Energies, nearly 100 entrepreneurs and small business owners gathered recently to consider the small business owner’s question:  “Where do I turn to get help for…?”

“In the camping world, it’s common to use small starters to kindle a fire easily,” said Jimmy Autry, Senior Vice President at Flint Energies. “FireStarter is an appropriate name for those who seek to build a fire under their ideas and generate business and satisfaction, especially for small businesses in middle Georgia.”

As part of the State of Georgia’s “Small Business Week,” the gathering featured attendees at every step of their innovation, celebrating the positive impact of small businesses on the economy.  Inventors, innovators, small business owners, or those just considering owning their own business will find local access to resources and advice to move forward.

Jay Flesher, Community Development Manager at Flint Energies, led the Feb. 19 discussion.

“We had men, women, even a youth or two, fill the room,” said Flesher. “We were really pleased with the turnout for this first of many gatherings.”

Adhering to a promise not to waste any attendee’s time, Flesher moved quickly with short informative speeches and a multi-media presentation.

Mary Ellen McClanahan, representing Georgia Small Business, explained that the Houston County Development Authority regularly woos larger industry.  Now there is a place for the small business to get professional guidance.  Other resource representatives who presented were April Bragg of the Robins Regional Chamber; Darlene McLendon of the

Perry Area Chamber; and Josh Walton, area director of the UGA Small Business Development Center.

As an example of the educational aspect of FireStarter, Michael Chalmers discussed the hiring and classification of employees.  Business owners who have, or anticipate having employees, need to know how to comply with tax regulations before hiring.  By knowing where to seek advice, an owner can the avoid headaches of a growing business.  Chalmers is the owner of staffing franchise Spherion Middle Georgia.

Videography, by local businessman Brian Ezeike, introduced mentoring possibilities.  Three local entrepreneurs offered their “testimonies” of lessons learned.

Flesher introduced attendees as examples of the broad-ranging membership that FireStarter would join together. A high school student shared the story of their unique recycling business. Another innovator was about to begin testing their prototype product. And another inventor had an idea still in the planning stages. A recent immigrant was looking for ways to grow his business. And an organic farmer had an expansion idea.

Flesher said there will be more FireStarter meetings in which to network, to exchange ideas and experiences, and to establish the future direction of programs, as expressed by attendees.

Flesher noted that after the one hour of presentation, dozens of attendees stayed around to compare notes and share their “wants.”

More info can be found at: www.FireStarterbiz.com