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Fontana Business Summit was an Overwhelming Success!

Kim Anthony • September 21, 2024

(Fontana, Calif. - September 20, 2024) - Did you miss Fontana's Business Summit, don't worry - we've got a recap of all the valuable insights at the event! Held at Spaggi’s Event Center, the summit brought together business owners, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to explore strategies for scaling businesses, building creditworthiness, securing government contracts, and expanding into brick-and-mortar locations.

Mayor Acquanetta Warren opened the event with a warm welcome, sharing her excitement for Fontana’s business community. She reminded us of the city’s commitment to supporting growth, saying, "Fontana is more than a city – it’s a community where businesses come to thrive."

San Bernardino County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez echoed this sentiment, stating, "If you are an entrepreneur and are willing to invest in your business, Fontana is the place to be."

The summit featured industry experts like Dennis Yu, a pioneer in social media marketing and co-author of "The Definitive Guide to TikTok Advertising: How to Access 1 Billion People in 10 Minutes!", who shared actionable strategies for leveraging social media to grow networks and build meaningful community relationships. Catherine Smith Licari, Founder and CEO of Cashflow for Creatives, introduced her product, The Small Business Planner, a tool designed to help businesses build a solid financial foundation. She emphasized the value of brick-and-mortar stores, saying, "Opening a storefront creates an experience for your community."

Business Summit attendees had the opportunity to meet other business owners, receive on site assistance to apply for the Fontana Empowerment Loan Fund and enjoyed lunch from local Fontana restaurant, La Tapatia.

Business Summit attendee and business owner Taylor Gonzalez stated "I've never been to a business development event that was worth my time than the Fontana Business Summit. Speaker after speaker, panel after panel, everyone delivered invaluable information and offered solutions to real world problems we as business owners are facing. I left feeling empowered, inspired and motivated to implement the tools I learned from the summit, and I look forward to the next one!" 

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    • Several valuable resources were highlighted, offering grants, one-on-one consultations, webinars, and more. These organizations are available to help you take your business to the next level:

    Paul Nolta, Executive Director of the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, left attendees with one key takeaway: "You can only be as powerful as your network."

    If you weren’t able to join us, we hope you can still utilize these resources. Stay tuned for more upcoming events, where you can connect with industry experts and gain insights to elevate your business.

    Fontana is committed to your success, and we look forward to seeing your business grow!


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