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Business Conference In Ann Arbor Focuses On Inclusion, Capital And Connection

To help empower entrepreneurship through inclusion, capital, and connection, the 2019 Intermitten Conference took place Tuesday at The Ark in Ann Arbor.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan was there and has the story.

"We believe that small businesses are the backbone of the economy."

About 230 business leaders from Southeast Michigan gathered to hear speakers like April Boyle on how companies and organizations can survive in a tough market.  She's the founder and CEO of Build Institute, a group that provides entrepreneurs with tools to launch and maintain a business.  She says getting people to realize the importance of buying local is essential.

"If we spend our money and dollars with local small businesses, where the owner is from the community, the dollar is recycled.  One dollar is recycled into five, ten dollars and it stays in the community," said Boyle.

The conference also gave local entrepreneurs the oppportunity to meet other local business owners to form relationships.  Katie Oswald is the executive director of the"Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults"in Washtenaw County.  Her group helps autistic residents out of isolation and into employment.

"Before I even had a cup of coffee in my hand, I had met three people who were really interested in what I was doing.  Got cards, I'm going to sit down with them separetly for coffee and they can come to our workshops to see how important that is for inclusion," said Oswald.

Those who attended the conference were also informed about local resources available to them to keep their business or organization operating. 

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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu

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