2022 First Friday Breakfast Series: August 5th

Join us on Friday, August 5^th for First Friday Breakfast.  In the spirit of our “Shop Local" campaign during this back to school season, you will have an opportunity to hear from a few LOCAL business owners. They will share information on how they got started, challenges they had to overcome and advice for attaining success!  This will be a panel discussion moderated by Bill Sabo, Regional Director for the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Department at UAFS. 
 
In Arkansas, small businesses make up the majority of the business landscape. According to an article published by Arkansas House of Representatives, 99.3% of businesses in the state are small businesses this equates to approximately 260,000 businesses.  It is estimated that for every $100 spend at a local business, $68 recirculates and remains in the local economy.  Small businesses employ 47% of Arkansas employees or approximately 491,000 people.  When you show patronage to a small business, you are doing business with someone that took a chance on their dreams or are working hard to continue the dream of their families. 
 
We will be hearing from a few of the individuals that chose to “take a chance’ in Fort Smith today.   
Included on the panel are: 
 

Dr. Sandy Johnson
Owner/Provider
Johnson Dermatology
In business for over 16 years

Aaron Littlefield, III

Pres/CEO

Littlefield Companies

Family owned/operated business for over 75 years
 

Melissa Vitale

Owner/Operator

True Grit Running Co.

In business since 2016
 

Joe Caldarera

Owner/Operator

Taliano's Italian Restaurant

Family owned for 52 Years