Mar 26th Crush Party

[Peter (VanDog)]

It was another great Crush Party at the Bungalow for the last Thursday in March. The topic of this months gathering was Small Business Support, and organized by Crusher Aaron Vega.



Carlos Gonzalez Spoke for the Latino Chamber of Commerce. He also just opened their new office on High St earlier in the day.

Mari Gottdiener represented the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund, a lender specializing in getting loans for small businesses that can't access credit elsewhere.

And Daniel Finn spoke for Pioneer Valley Local First. A business alliance that promotes local businesses support in our local economy.

The type of support offered up by the speakers is something I would have killed for ten years ago when I ran my own business. What a difference a decade makes. Back then I had to learn everything the hard way. Every resource I checked in town was totally useless, if not harmful to the unsuspecting business person. It seemed like help for only those who could afford it, and navigate the maze of bureaucracy around it.

The Latino Chamber of Commerce was refreshing, and I had no idea the Western Mass Enterprise Fund had moved down from Greenfield. PV Local First is something I think will happen naturally in Holyoke as the city's business climate blossoms once again.

[livinlite]

sorry to miss the event - hope it was useful to the business community!

[Peter (VanDog)]

I got tired last night while posting this, and started writing some commentary, but it came out like a carbon copy of prior postings. With a clearer mind tonight I added a little bit to the post.

btw, great job Aaron, but Debra's party had a bigger crowd. What's with that? :)

[aaron vega]

thanks once again vandog. no comments on the event though?