“We had no real expectations, but we were over the moon at the response we got,” Angela Brooks, the city of Tucker’s economic development business outreach specialist, said, recalling the city’s inaugural Small Business Resource Expo (SBRE) in 2023. This year, she said, it returns with more information and resources for area business owners and hopeful entrepreneurs.

Those attending last year’s expo represented a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, fitness facilities, and services, Brooks said.

This year’s SBRE has expanded its offerings to help local businesses thrive and grow. “This a larger venue than last year’s, when we had 13 resource partners. This year we have 18 resource partners and expect the event to be an even bigger success,” Brooks said.

“Last year being our first such expo here in Tucker, we didn’t know what to expect. We were thrilled to have more than 100 folks from across the metro come to check it out,” said Brooks, coordinator of the event. “Understanding that small business owners wear multiple hats, our main goal is to bring numerous resource offerings to them in one place.”

This year’s expo will kick-off with an address by Mayor Frank Auman—whom Brooks described as “an enthusiastic supporter of small business.”

“Small business is the lifeblood and the heartbeat of a community such as ours. It’s important to do everything we can to support them,” she said. “We must never forget that every large business was once a small business.”

Brooks further commented, “This event has proven to be an exponential lift to our outreach efforts. Not only do we get to interact with a myriad of business owners in one setting, but we also get an opportunity to court new entrepreneurs to come to Tucker. Some people who came to the first expo said that they hadn’t realized what a great place Tucker is. It’s a vibrant, flourishing city that’s near the assets of a major metro area such as one of the world’s largest airports without some of the issues that may come with a big city such as traffic and high rents.”

New this year is a financial services workshop sponsored by a major bank. “Space is limited for this so we’re hoping that those who want to attend will reserve a spot early. If it’s as popular as we expect it to be, we will try to schedule more such events at future expos,” Brooks said. To reserve a seat at the financial services workshop, visit TSBRE24Workshop.eventbrite.com.

The expo also will feature experts on marketing and branding; social media; loans and grants; writing a business plan; understanding credit; finding qualified staff; websites and search engine optimization (SEO) management; human resources services; and workforce training.

“Some attendees are just getting started in business and others are looking for the information they need to take them to the next level. We have experts who can offer the guidance businesses need,” Brooks said.

Noting that it has not yet been established whether the expo will be an annual event, Brooks said, “It wouldn’t surprise me if we bring it back year after year, but we would have to be careful to keep it updated following business trends as they emerge. It would be important to keep it fresh and vibrant. Our business community deserves something like this,” she added.

The Small Business Resource Expo is open to all business owners and those who hope to open a business in Tucker, according to an announcement from the city, which said that city staff will be in attendance to provide guidance and additional aid. The city asks that those planning on attending register at TuckerSBRE2024.eventbrite.com. The event is free, including parking.

The Tucker Small Business Resources Expo will be held at the Tucker City Hall Annex, 4228 1st Street, Tucker, on Aug. 15, 1:30-4 p.m. For more information, visit tuckerga.gov.