Friends of Small Business

Chair

Joe Dean

Business Leaders

Betsey Bayless

Mary Lou Bessette

Armando Contreras

Donna Davis

Clara Engel

Yolanda Collazos Kizer

John Kowalski

Tracy Markie

Sally Odette

Richard Quiroz

Robert Stash

Joy Iris Staveley

Advocates

Robert J. Blaney

Maria Harper-Marinick

Friends of Small Business
(Arizona SBDC Network Advisory Board)

WHAT IS ARIZONA FRIENDS OF SMALL BUSINESS?
Arizona Friends of Small Business (FOSB or Friends) is the statewide group that advises the Small Business Development Center Network. Begun in June 1996, FOSB's mission is helping the Small Business Development Centers increase the scope and effectiveness of the assistance they provide to current or prospective owners of small companies.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE GROUP?

Friends has received significant recognition in its short history. The U.S. Small Business Administration honored Friends at the 1998 National Vision 2000 Conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. States as diverse as Arkansas, Wyoming, and New York have contacted us to emulate our work. For the first time in the AZSBDC Network's history, Arizona was invited to present a model of excellence at national SBDC meetings. The model was Friends.

 HOW ARE MEMBERS SELECTED? WHAT ARE THEIR ROLES?

FOSB is comprised of 25 (maximum) Arizona small business owners or senior executives of larger companies who champion small business. These "Business Leaders" represent the spectrum of Arizona business. Our "Advocates" are association executives, and governments and school representatives who support, train and educate small business. Members volunteer for two-year appointments with many who accept invitations to extend their tenure.

HOW DOES THE GROUP ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION?

The purpose of Friends of Small Business is to strengthen the Arizona Small Business Development Network by:

• Evaluating the Network's services and advising on effective ways to improve as it helps Arizona's small businesses start, grow, prosper and build legacies.  
• Increasing awareness of SBDCs by educating its private and public constituencies on the Network's economic impact on the communities it serves.
• Working to secure funding that provides resources to meet the needs of a growing, entrepreneurial state.
• Celebrating SBDC achievements and business success to reward and inspire excellence.

WHEN DOES FRIENDS OF SMALL BUSINESS MEET?

FOSB members attend quarterly meetings to measure successes and assess challenges.  Meeting locations rotate, so Friends meetings are combined with a visit to a small business. SBDC clients often host meetings at their businesses, so Friends sees firsthand the results of SBDC work. Legislative, municipal and private-sector leaders often attend FOSB meetings to be briefed on the concerns of small business.