BiGAUSTIN recently celebrated some of Austin's finest entrepreneurs with keynote speaker Henry Cisneros, host Mayor Gus Garcia, and supporters from Austin's business community, financial institutions, local government and the non-profit sector at the Central Texas Micro Enterprise Awards Ceremony. The April 30th event was a tremendous success! We as a community had the opportunity to take a moment to celebrate the hard-won achievements of our entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The keynote speaker, Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the past Mayor of San Antonio, set the tone succinctly and insightfully. Stressing the importance of supporting and developing small businesses locally, he spoke of his first-hand experiences with micro enterprise development nationally and the challenges that entrepreneurs face. Cisneros also introduced the campaign currently underway in San Antonio, "Think BiG, Buy Small" in that city's effort to bring more attention to and generate business for the local small business community.
Mr. Cisneros concluded his remarks by outlining the four elements necessary for the success of micro enterprises:
- "THE most important thing that every survey of small business people tells us is that the number one issue is access to capital.
- It's very important to create networks that link the small businesses with the larger purchasers of goods and services in the economy…
- Education for entrepreneurs.
- Finally, it's important to tell the story--to remind people in the community, as we're doing today--of the importance of small business."
Former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, Mayor Gus Garcia, and BiG President Jeannette Peten
BiGAUSTIN received an outpouring of support from various sponsors in the Austin community without whose support this event could not have been such a BiG success. We'd like to extend a hearty thanks to our sponsors, and a special thanks to Wells Fargo Bank, 2002 Sponsor of the Year.
In addition, we would also like to thank all staff, volunteers, BiG Ambassadors and clients who contributed to the planning and organization of the event.
Planning for next year's awards event is well underway. For more information on how to participate as a sponsor or a nominee, please contact BiGAUSTIN at 928-8010 or e-mail us at info@bigaustin.org.