By Tiffany Henry, Director of Entrepreneurial Communities, Conductor
To celebrate Congressional Startup Day, entrepreneurs with the Conductor in Conway, Arkansas, held a virtual discussion with Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) about the importance of supporting entrepreneurial communities. Tiffany shared some of her thoughts about the discussion with Rep. Hill, who is one of the co-chairs of this year’s Congressional Startup Day.
When the conversation with Representative Hill started, it dawned on me that I had no idea how much time we had to spend with him. I thought perhaps fifteen minutes, or twenty if we were lucky. Right out of the gate, I made sure to say my main talking points and share the work that we are doing at the Conductor to empower innovators, entrepreneurs, and makers in Central Arkansas. But I quickly discovered that the congressman was not there to simply hear an organizational update. He was there to learn, dialogue, and identify ways to take action on the issues that are impacting entrepreneurs and their ability to start a business.
Congressional Startup Day is an opportunity to visit with members of Congress and advocate for policies to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship. One of the main points we discussed with Rep. Hill was the need for a strong ecosystem to support entrepreneurs and connect them to the resources they need to be successful. Many entrepreneurs—especially those who live in rural areas, people of color, and women—lack access to startup assistance. The congressman shared his own experience as an entrepreneur, and the importance of fostering a culture that empowers young people to take risks and think innovatively.
As he described the impact that support organizations have on entrepreneurial development, I shared some concerns with how current federal programs are structured and the resulting gaps in services that are detrimental to startup activity in rural communities. Specifically, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are limited in their scope and outreach because of their connection to institutions of higher education, which impacts staffing and resource decisions. Because many universities prioritize attracting students over empowering entrepreneurs, SBDC funding could be allocated in ways that releases their dependence on university support and allows them to reach the most underserved entrepreneurs.
Rep. Hill was quiet for a moment as he pondered the points, and then he replied that was a good question for the House Entrepreneurship Caucus to explore. At that moment, I realized that one doesn’t need power or influence to create positive change. Entrepreneurs and advocates just need an open door like the one Congressional Startup Day provides to share the experiences of real people who are diligently working to fulfill their dream of starting a business.
When the conversation ended after a full sixty minutes, I wondered why I hadn’t reached out to policymakers earlier. Rep. Hill was truly interested in hearing how entrepreneurs are fairing in Arkansas, and he is actively looking for ways to reduce red tape and make owning a business possible for more people. For policymakers to know how to best serve entrepreneurs, they need to hear the stories, see the data, and understand what is happening in local communities. It is imperative that entrepreneurs and organizations that work to support them embrace opportunities like Congressional Startup Day to connect with governmental leaders and articulate the change that needs to happen for entrepreneurship to thrive. When lawmakers give fifteen, twenty, or even sixty minutes of their time, they are showing that they are open to hearing how to better equip entrepreneurs. They just need your voice to share the message.
