Did you know there is a grassroots, fully volunteer organization in Gilbert for small businesses? I heard the name about 4 months ago, but just met some of the members Friday night. After talking to the members, I decided to go see the Gilbert Small Business Alliance Executive Director Lisa Rigler. I went to their office in the Spectrum Town Center and surprised Lisa with a request to interview her. She was very gracious enough to talk with me.
Man, that's a lot of business cards.
The Gilbert SBA has been involved in Gilbert for about 14 months. The non-profit organization began as a vision of Lisa’s and has grown into a reality that is here to stay. A few years ago Lisa owned her own small business in a shopping center. When the anchor of the center pulled out, as many do these days, she lost her business. Before calling it quits she spent many days and nights talking with the Gilbert Town officials, Chamber of Commerce members and the Town Council. It seemed that the dilemma of the small business was not getting the focus it needed.
Working hard for small business
Wanting to make a difference in the Town of Gilbert and the small business community, Lisa established the Gilbert Small Business Alliance. There are currently about 350 members. The GSBA is focused on empowering and advocating for the Alliance members by providing a voice and resources at the local level as well as building the success of small businesses in Gilbert. Advocacy is tops on the list of activities for the GSBA. If you’ve ever had a small business, you know about the red tape, compliances and hoops you have to go through. Business connection is also very important. The GSBA sponsors three networking (leads) groups, two have about 35 members each and the third just got started recently. The groups meet at member businesses and provide business opportunities to each other. Getting businesses known throughout the community is one more resource provided by the GSBA. It’s impossible to know about all the ways available to reach qualified customers. GSBA helps provide avenues many small businesses may not be aware of.
With a passion to ensure small businesses stay alive and well, the Gilbert Small Business Alliance is one of the best opportunities available to any business owner. You can reach Lisa at her office, 2530 S. Val Vista Dr. Ste 103, by phone at (480) 246-3681 or learn more about the GSBA on their website www.gilbertsba.com (you can even become a member on the website).
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We are a GSBA member and we love what GSBA has done to the Gilbert. We are all here to help our economy and help other businesses in Gilbert to grow beyond success.
We encourage every local businesses in Gilbert, AZ to join the effort to bring more wonderful services and products to Gilbert residents.
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