The Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Conway's Conductor and a network of partners, successfully launched their new Blueprint: Small Business Series on Thursday, February 8.  

The Blueprint Initiative aims to empower Clark County's small business and entrepreneurial community through a variety of free resources, including workshops, training sessions, and personalized consultations with online options. The series is designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by local businesses and entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in today's competitive landscape. 

“Small businesses are not only vital to our nation’s economy, they are the lifeblood of our rural communities,” said Jeff Standridge, Conductor’s Managing Director.  “We are so happy to launch our Blueprint series, and we are honored to be working with the Alliance to serve entrepreneurs and small business owners in and around Clark County.” 

The kickoff event, held throughout the day, included Small Business Office Hours and a leadership workshop facilitated Standridge. From 9 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Conductor’s team of experts also provided complimentary one-on-one consultations to local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Topics covered ranged from marketing and branding strategies to financial and administrative guidance. The event accommodated multiple Small Business Office Hours appointments, facilitating personalized attention and tailored advice. 

“Meeting with Jeff was a great opportunity to recap our business and its strengths and weaknesses,” said Shelley Hughes, owner of JavaPrimo Coffee House, Cafe & More. “It was also a great opportunity to stop and think about where we've been and where we are going.  He has an understanding of the challenges of small business that only comes from owning a small business.  I would encourage anyone that owns a business to schedule an appointment with Jeff no matter where they are in their small business journey.” 

For Clark County entrepreneurs and small business owners unable to attend the February kickoff, the Blueprint: Small Business Series will resume on Thursday, March 7th, 2024. Each event in the series will feature Small Business Office Hours and a unique workshop, ensuring comprehensive support for participants.  

Those interested in scheduling a free small business office hours timeslot or virtual consultation are encouraged to reach out to Tara Rollins at tara@arkadelphiaalliance.com or call (870) 246 – 1460.  

"We are thrilled to launch the Blueprint: Small Business Series and provide valuable resources to support the growth and success of our local small business community," said Tara Rollins, Executive Vice President of the Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce. "Our kickoff event was just the beginning, and we look forward to hosting more events in the coming months." 

Blueprint Schedule: 

• • March 7 
  • April 4 
  • May 9 
  • September 5 
  • October 3 
  • November 7 

The Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce extends its gratitude to our partners in this endeavor: Arkansas Capital Corporation; the City of Arkadelphia; Clark County; Southern Bancorp, South Central Connect, and South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative.  

For further information about the Blueprint: Small Business Series and upcoming events, please visit arkadelphiaalliance.com/blueprint.