Mississippi SBDC Network

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Ameka Coleman, owner of Strands of Faith, on being named Small Business Person of the Year!

Ameka was recognized during the SBA Awards Luncheon on Thursday and is pictured with Anthony (Tony) Cambas, Statewide Manager of International Trade with the Mississippi SBDC Network, and Robert Coffee, District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Mississippi District Office.

We are excited to celebrate Ameka’s hard work, leadership, and continued impact on Mississippi’s small business community.

U.S. Small Business Administration

06/01/2026

That’s a wrap on our "Digital Marketing Bootcamp: Put AI To Work For Your Business" in Hernando last week!

Thank you to the City of Hernando, MS – Government and the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce for partnering with the Mississippi SBDC Network to bring this hands-on training to local small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Participants explored practical ways to use AI tools to strengthen their marketing, improve content creation, support customer research, and save time in their day-to-day business operations.

More cities are being announced soon as we continue bringing this program to communities across Mississippi. Stay tuned for upcoming dates and locations here: mississippisbdc.org/dmb

05/30/2026

Congratulations to this year’s SBA award winners recognized at the U.S. Small Business Administration Awards Luncheon on Thursday!

From left to right:
1) Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Myriad Engineering Solutions, owner Stephanie Sago Vivians
2) Rural Business of the Year: Beaver Creek Botanicals, owner Greg Phillips
3) Small Business Person of the Year: Strands of Faith, owner Ameka Coleman
4) Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: The Meeting Place, owner Geneva Drummer
5) Veteran Small Business Champion: Dr. James Champion, Extension Professor and Director at Mississippi State University

Not pictured: Financial Champion of the Year: Chris Estrade with Hancock Whitney Bank

We are proud to celebrate these outstanding entrepreneurs, business leaders, and champions for the impact they continue to make across Mississippi’s small business community.

05/29/2026

During World Trade Month, we were especially proud to see Anthony (Tony) Cambas, our Statewide Manager of International Trade, present the Small Business Person of the Year award to Ameka Coleman, owner of Strands of Faith, at the SBA Awards Luncheon on Thursday.

This recognition celebrates Ameka’s hard work, leadership, and continued impact as a Mississippi small business owner. It also serves as a reminder of the many ways small businesses help strengthen our communities, grow our economy, and create opportunities that reach far beyond their local markets.

Congratulations, Ameka!

05/29/2026

Congratulations to the graduates of the Coastal Business Growth Accelerator!

The Mississippi SBDC Network recently celebrated local entrepreneurs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who completed this eight-week program designed to help aspiring and growing business owners turn ideas into successful ventures.

Graduates represented a wide range of industries, including retail, food service, professional services, and creative businesses, all united by a shared goal of growing opportunities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

We are proud to support these entrepreneurs as they take the next step in building, growing, and strengthening their businesses.

Read the WXXV News 25 feature here: https://loom.ly/67Wv-N8

BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV)- Local entrepreneurs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are getting the tools they need to turn big ideas into real businesses. Graduates are stepping into what’s next and helping shape the Coast’s future. From new startups to growing local companies, entrepreneurs across the Coa...

05/29/2026

We were honored to accept the Entrepreneurial Development Resources Partner of the Year award at the U.S. Small Business Administration Awards Luncheon yesterday.

Mitch McDowell, Assistant State Director of the Mississippi SBDC Network, accepted the award on behalf of our Network.

This recognition reflects the work of our statewide team and the partnerships that allow us to support Mississippi’s small businesses and entrepreneurs through no-cost, confidential business advising, training, and resources.

We are grateful for this recognition and proud to continue serving Mississippi’s small business community!

05/29/2026

🚨 ICYMI: Digital Marketing Bootcamp in Greenville, MS 🚨

Join the Mississippi SBDC Network for Year 3 of our Digital Marketing Bootcamp Program! This year’s theme is “Put AI To Work For Your Business” — a hands-on workshop designed to help small business owners strengthen their marketing strategy and start using AI tools in real time.

This session is offered in partnership with the Washington County Economic Alliance and the City of Greenville, Mississippi - Government (Mayor's Office).

Learn how to:
- Set clear marketing goals
- Reach the right customers
- Improve your online presence
- Use AI to streamline your marketing

💲 No-cost to attend
💻 Laptops highly encouraged

📅 Wednesday, June 10
⏰ 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
📍 Greenville, MS

Spots are limited! Register here: https://loom.ly/RpYk3HA

05/28/2026

🚨 SBA Webinar Announcement: How The SBA’s Commercial Marketing Representatives Assist Small Business Firms -- THIS TUESDAY 🚨

Join the conversation as the SBA Mississippi District Office welcomes Arnette Mayhew, Commercial Market Representative (CMR), SBA. Arnette will discuss How Commercial Marketing Representatives Assist Small Business Firms. CMRs work to ensure that small businesses are receiving maximum practicable opportunity to participate as federal subcontractors. CMRs perform reviews of “other than small” Federal contractors to ensure their compliance with the goals and objectives in their small business subcontracting plans. CMRs provide training to federal agencies and “other than small” contractors on subcontracting plans and their reporting requirements.

If you or someone you know is operating in the federal contracting sphere, be here for this unique opportunity to learn about the work of Commercial Market Representatives and how they assist and benefit small business firms.

To join via Microsoft Teams, click here at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 2nd: https://loom.ly/H_7Vsrc

05/28/2026

🚨 ICYMI: Digital Marketing Bootcamp in Jackson, MS 🚨

The Mississippi SBDC Network is bringing back our Digital Marketing Bootcamp Program for Year 3 — and this year’s theme is “Put AI To Work For Your Business.”

Join us in Jackson for a hands-on workshop designed to help small business owners strengthen their marketing strategy and start using AI tools in real time.

This session is offered in partnership with the Jackson Leadership Foundation and Cadence Bank, now part of Huntington Bank.

Learn how to:
- Set clear marketing goals
- Reach the right customers
- Improve your online presence
- Use AI to streamline your marketing

💲 No-cost to attend
☕ Coffee/light refreshments provided
💻 Laptops highly encouraged

Spots are limited! Register here: https://loom.ly/AtLw_nA

05/25/2026

Last chance to save your spot — this webinar is tomorrow!

Entrepreneurs have a lot of decisions to make early on, and choosing the right business structure is one that can affect everything from taxes and bookkeeping to banking and future growth.

Join Innovate Mississippi, the Mississippi SBDC Network, and GranthamPoole for a virtual session with Michael Langdon, Enrolled Agent and Certified Financial Planner, as he breaks down LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, common startup mistakes, and practical steps for setting your business up the right way.

📅 Tomorrow: Tuesday, May 26
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual Webinar

Don’t miss this opportunity to get clear, practical guidance for your business.

Register here: https://loom.ly/YmTl_Xo