JAX Bridges grad to lead new program in 2017

                   Ellen Sullivan, Entrepreneur In-Residence

The JAX Chamber Foundation will launch a new program in January (2017). The Venture Leadership program is constructed to develop leaders in various sized ventures. It is focused on teaching participants how to lead with an entrepreneurial spirit in a business venture. Participants will attend six three-hour sessions over a four month period. The program launches January 26 at the JAX Chamber.

Expectations: Hands-on exercises, case studies, speakers, & entrepreneurial tools.

Participants: Entrepreneurs, Employees of small & medium sized firms, and Non-Profit leaders. (Max 15)

Facilitators: Ellen Sullivan, Ashlea Justice, & Carlton Robinson.

Ashlea Justice creates exposure opportunity for local entrepreneur

The key value proposition for the JAX Bridges program is relationship access. At the JAX Chamber we are able to provide this value to entrepreneurs by giving them business-to-business access, business-to-customer access, and/or marketing exposure. Below is one example of the type of marketing exposure that Ashlea Justice is providing for our entrepreneurs.

The JAX Bridges exposure program is working for local entrepeneurs

The #OneWeekPitchChallenge led by Ashlea Justice is working for participants. Our value proposition is that we leverage "relationship access" at the JAX Chamber to create exposure opportunities for the small business community. Through our innovative pitch contest we were able to get exposure for our small business participants to the large viewership of WJXT-The Local Station. With two more chances to pitch at the JAX Chamber in 2016 we are looking forward to creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs throughout Northeast Florida. Contact Ashlea Justice for details: 904-366-6623.

Thank you to the following sponsors for investing time and resources to support our entrepreneurs: 121 Financial, 5/3rd Bank, Activo Strategy Group, BBVA Compass, Enterprise Holdings, JAX Chamber SBLY All Stars, Kennetic Productions, Predictive Results, StaffTime, Tire Diva, Vidal Market Insights

We started with 30 participants and 11 finalists emerged: Anita Comisky, Amy Hales, Eunice Mathis, Helga Langthon, Jeremy Crosier, Juaacklyn Stevenson, Jumora Cooper, Mark Moran, Shevonica Howell, Susan Appleton, and Theowana Jeffers.

The winners were:

• First Place: Anita Comisky
• Second Place: Eunice Mathis
• Third Place: Juaacklyn Stevenson

JAX Bridges entrepreneurs lead #OneWeekPitchChallenge

JAX Chamber entrepreneurs and volunteers rally to promote the entrepreneurial spirit in Northeast Florida with a new twist to preparation, pitching, and mentorship.

Thank you to the following sponsors for investing time and resources to support our entrepreneurs: 121 Financial, 5/3rd Bank, Activo Strategy Group, BBVA Compass, Enterprise Holdings, JAX Chamber SBLY All Stars, Kennetic Productions, Predictive Results, StaffTime, Tire Diva, Vidal Market Insights

Day 1 tip to entrepreneurs @JAXChamber in #OneWeekPitchChallenge make sure you evaluate the product/solution fit before you get started pic.twitter.com/q5LRXcqtAx

— Carlton L Robinson (@DocCLR) September 20, 2016

Day 2 tip to entrepreneurs @JAXChamber in #OneWeekPitchChallenge start with a clear value proposition and build everything else around it. pic.twitter.com/oIUIPaUU8g

— Carlton L Robinson (@DocCLR) September 21, 2016

Day 3 tip @JAXChamber in #OneWeekPitchChallenge remember "No business plan survives first contact with customers https://t.co/3w9TZVP1d6

— Carlton L Robinson (@DocCLR) September 22, 2016

Day 4 tip @JAXChamber in #OneWeekPitchChallenge consider designing products/services around price: https://t.co/UqTnRtZJWW

— Carlton L Robinson (@DocCLR) September 23, 2016

Day 5 tip @JAXChamber in #OneWeekPitchChallenge make sure you capture customer jobs, pains, & gains (BMC/VPC) pic.twitter.com/lvmIOxqys5

— Carlton L Robinson (@DocCLR) September 24, 2016

Day 6 tip @JAXChamber in #OneWeekPitchChallenge don't ever forget about your customers pic.twitter.com/xRcbXFj84c

— Carlton L Robinson (@DocCLR) September 25, 2016

Day 7 tip @JAXChamber in #OneWeekPitchChallenge an oldie but goodie for pitching by Steve Blank: https://t.co/ocDLrrNEaa pic.twitter.com/shitrmKE3e

— Carlton L Robinson (@DocCLR) September 26, 2016

JAX Chamber stays innovative through JAX Bridges spin-offs

Watch: Overview of JAX Bridges heading into 5th Cohort

Watch: JAX Chamber grads create spin-offs of JAX Bridges to stay innovative

JAX Bridges continues to create exposure opportunities for local enterepreneurs

Watch Denon Perry talk about his business venture and his JAX Bridges experience

Watch Chris Kennelly talk about his JAX Bridges experience  after winning a pitch contest at the May 18th Bridge2Business Event

Watch Rhonda Ryan and Sara Slettebo discuss their JAX Bridges experience as finalist at the May 18th Bridge2Business Event.

Bridge2Business participants leverage the opportunity to learn how to do business in London with London & Partners Pru Ashby.

JAX Bridges Community Outreach Success: B.E.E.M.

Community Partner: Bethel Empowering Entrepreneurs Ministry

Lead: Cliff Grant, JAX Chamber member

The JAX Chamber's Entrepreneurial Growth Division continues its push to promote and support small business & entrepreneurship throughout the Jacksonville region. 

Entrepreneurial development program at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church (Jacksonville, FL)

Florida Small Business Champions emerge from JAX Bridges

Congrats to JAX Bridges participants The Urban Sweet Spot Lounge (Michelle & Dabbs McInnis) and The Urban Folk Farm (Alina Gonzalez) . Each has been named a 2016 American Small Business Champion! Each Champion has been provided a press kit and assistance in pursuing PR for their business. And of course each Champion will receive a $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card.  Finally, from among the Champions one will be selected in six months for a $25,000 Grand Championship!

Over 500 initial entries were received.  102 Champions (2 from each state)  were selected, and many very worthy small businesses did not make the cut. The two from the state of Florida were both JAX Bridges participants.

JAX Bridges kicks off 4th Cohort

The JAX Chamber is excited to kick off the 4th cohort today. Here is what participants can expect:

Relationship access at JAX Chamber leads to marketing opportunity for entrepreneurs