Southeast to host Small Business Week presentation

In celebration of National Small Business week hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Missouri Innovation Corp. at Southeast Missouri State University will host a presentation, "Dream Big, Start Small," on May 6.

The presentation is scheduled for noon in Glenn Auditorium of Dempster Hall and is open to students and the public.

Every year since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small-business owners, a Southeast news release said.

"Small businesses are particularly important to Missouri because they employ six out of 10 people," Brian Tapp, Missouri Innovation Corp. chief operating officer, said in the release. "Small businesses also create the majority of new jobs in the state. From 2008 to 2013, six out of every 10 new Missouri jobs were created by small businesses with less than 100 employees."

"Dream Big, Start Small" is designed to inform students of the effect of small businesses on the economy and to inspire them to consider working for or starting a small business, the release stated.

Those attending will hear from successful entrepreneurs as they share their small business stories, including RoverTown CTO and co-founder Michael Rzeznik.

RoverTown, an app-based student discount program founded in 2009, serves more than 2.1 million college students at 100 colleges and universities nationwide.

The Missouri Innovation Corporation will host several other free events open to students and the public during National Small Business Week on May 4-8.

For more information about the events and other entrepreneur support services, follow the corporation on Facebook at facebook.com/iriemic or visit semo.edu/irie.