Good Entrepreneurship Conference set for November 17
Various small business logos featured at the entrepreneurship conference.
By JAMES HILL
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — On November 17 the Small Business Program is hosting the Good Entrepreneurship Conference at the Shoshone – Bannock Casino Hotel and Event Center.
The event is to educate small business owners or those wanting to start a business. At the conference they will have business owners from Fort Hall share their small business journeys, along with tribal departments they deal with such as TERO, Land Use, Tax & Business License Dept.
Activities will include a pow-wow Zumba, fashion show, fast pitch business competition, and a raffle. Registration is free and includes breakfast and lunch.
Some panelists answered questions about their businesses and their goals.
Small Business Program’s outreach coordinator T.J. Tso said his program is partnered with multiple groups to provide resources including training’s and workshop classes like this. Tso said “owning a business isn’t as hard as people think.” Some tips he shared was to use social media and get your name out there. Some businesses fail because they limit themselves by not taking their business outside of the reservation Tso said. Another reason they fail is because businesses do not separate their finances from business and personal.
Allison Evening, owner of Zahn Taco, said she was inspired to start her own business not wanting to work a regular job. Zahn Taco started back in 2020. Some advice Evening had to share about starting a new business was to “just go for it.” Everyone will fail at first, but eventually you will succeed after a while. Goals for the future include getting a bigger food trailer and eventually opening a restaurant.
Connie Davis owner of Davis Industries, recently started her own business and purchased new equipment. Davis says “when owning a business, it takes money to make money.” Her future plans for her business is to get certified.
Ann Jim owner of Morning Glory Creations said one day after being retired, saw her sewing machine sitting on her table and was inspired to design denim jackets. Jim said she’s had her business for 11 months. Going to workshops and conferences to learn is a great way to help start out a business.
Georgette Running Eagle owner of Shokota Pow-Wow Supply said owning her own business has always been a dream. Her business was officially established in 2019. Advice she shared was “don’t doubt yourself.” Fear is a big thing that holds people back. In the future she would like to hire employees and expand her business.
