Small Business Summit Takes Place Friday At Hard Rock Casino

Two of every three jobs in Tulsa come from small businesses, and Friday the Tulsa Regional Chamber is holding their first small business summit in Catoosa. They hope to get more small business owners - and more jobs - to Green Country.

The Regional Chamber's small business branch, called Small Business Connection, is putting the summit on because they say small business is huge in this area.

Chances are you probably work for one. The chamber says 85 percent of their membership are small business owners.

"You can learn a lot from each other," said Carey Baker, a member of the Small Business Connection. "A seasoned small business owner who's had their business for 25 years might get some great ideas from a budding entrepreneur - and vice versa."

One of the more successful Tulsa small businesses is the Marshall Brewing Company. Adam Marshall and his brother shipped out the first batch of Marshall's in 2008. Now he's distributing their brew to four states and hoping to double that in the next couple of years.

"The small business sector of the economy in Oklahoma, I think, has always been the back bone," Adam Marshall said.

The small business summit started at 7:30 a.m. at the Hard Rock in Catoosa. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin spoke at the summit and said it was her part to keep the state business friendly.

The Small Business Connection is hoping this event helps launch them - they're only about two months old.

Baker says small businesses in Tulsa create two of every three jobs in Tulsa. Their total annual payroll is $1.4 billion.

Adam Marshall will be at the small business summit, and recognizes the value of meeting people - with ambitions like his.

"There are a lot young entrepreneurs and even seasoned entrepreneurs who are excited about the momentum we have right now. And people are really capturing and maintaining this momentum."

The chamber hopes this is only the first Small Business Summit of many, and that it will give more owners a recipe for success.