Advice from the President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark offered statistics and encouragement about women entrepreneurs at the DC Chamber’s annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Luncheon on May 21 at Clydes’ in Northwest Washington, DC.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in America,” Clark said during a “fireside chat” with D.C. Chamber of Commerce President Angela Franco. “We have 5.5 million applications for new businesses.”
Clarke said he shared the statistics with China’s premier in March, who immediately took note of the figures.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization, representing employers of all sizes and industries across the country and around the world. It is headquartered in Washington, and its lobbying arm on Capitol Hill is considered one of the most effective of its kind.
Clark praised the 60 people, including district government officials, for their desire to be business owners, saying, “I [think there’s] There is nothing more rewarding than being an entrepreneur.”
Clark said that while leading the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, he hopes to build bridges with government leaders and that government needs to act more effectively.
She said it’s important for women entrepreneurs to learn to partner and collaborate with others.
“Don’t do it alone,” Clark says. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Clarke said female entrepreneurs should not be shy about speaking up about their businesses whenever the opportunity arises.
“When women get together with other people, men talk about sports, whereas women talk about their families,” she says. “Women need to talk more about their business.”
Clark said she would like to see more small businesses lobbying government leaders for what they want. While it’s understood that larger companies have the money to lobby government agencies, she said small businesses “should be doing more lobbying and being more actively involved in public policy.”
“Our world, our country, our city needs your talent,” she said. “Keep up the good work. The world needs more of it.”
Franco said he was pleased with the networking opportunities and encouragement the event provided.
“We are excited to create a space where women business leaders in the Washington, D.C., area can connect with one another,” Franco said. “The goal of this luncheon is to create a forum to support and amplify the voices of women business owners in the District and advocate for their needs as a Chamber of Commerce.”
Alsobrooks at the State of the Economy event
Prince George’s County Mayor Angela Alsobrooks will be the speaker at the 2024 State of the Economy Address and Breakfast, hosted by the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable.
The event will take place at 7:30 a.m. on June 13th at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Hear over breakfast about Alsobrooks County’s economic outlook, including new development plans, employment opportunities for the county’s workforce and more. Owners, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the county’s business sector are sure to come away informed at this event.
Participants will have the opportunity to network with stakeholders, trade representatives and the business community at the state and local levels.
Maryland Disparity Study
Maryland is conducting a comprehensive utilization and availability study (disparity study) led by MGT Consulting Group.
The overall purpose of the Disparity Study is to determine whether there is business discrimination on the basis of race or sex in the markets (both public and private sectors) that the State operates in. As part of that process, the State will collect data regarding the availability of minority- and women-owned businesses and the utilization of these businesses as contractors and subcontractors in the Maryland market.
In addition to analysing quantitative data, the disparity study will also examine qualitative data on business discrimination (if any) provided by business owners, trade associations, business organisations and other stakeholders.
All business owners are welcome to participate.
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Protecting seniors from financial fraud
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) have reintroduced legislation to better protect seniors from financial securities fraud.
The bill, titled “Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act,” would create a new grant program implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and work closely with state securities regulators and insurance commissioners to protect senior investors.
According to a 2023 report, American seniors lose about $28 billion each year to financial exploitation. Related legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“As scammers continue to find ways to trick and deceive Americans, we need to take action to protect seniors’ financial security,” Van Hollen said. “This bipartisan bill will help ensure those who prey on seniors are held accountable while promoting vigilance against scammers’ evolving methods.”
“All Americans deserve to be protected from fraud, especially seniors who have spent a lifetime building savings and generating intergenerational wealth to pass on to their loved ones,” Warnock said.
“The Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act is common sense legislation that will protect our nation’s seniors from financial fraud and abuse and give them peace of mind in retirement.”
