By Kenneth Mullinax
Alabama State University’s Small Business Development Center is partnering with GoDaddy’s global community and philanthropic program, “Empower by GoDaddy,” to provide support to local small businesses (microbusinesses) in the River Region, via programming, mentorships and networking opportunities. With no cost to selected participants, the next Empower by GoDaddy cohort is scheduled for Oct. 6 – Nov. 10. The program is free for interested small business owners but registration is required and may be obtained by clicking on the site at https://bit.ly/SBDC_MGM_
Andrea Rogers Mosley, director of ASU’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), explained that throughout 2022, the SBDC at the University has hosted six weekly learning cohorts with workshops focused on how local small businesses may develop websites and grow a digital marketing presence.
“Building an online presence isn’t just beneficial to growing a small business—it’s absolutely essential. Having a website makes the microbusiness accessible for customer engagement over the internet and allows small businesses to connect with potential customers,” Mosley said. “Participants will learn the advantages of having an online presence for their business and how to link to their social media sites for more exposure. This type of resource is a game changer for our local small businesses and could not be possible without the innovative program provided by our partner, Empower by GoDaddy. These six-week long cohort trainings provide a transformative experience that is relevant for small businesses surviving in this current economy and for the future. It will be time well spent.”
Empower Montgomery River Region program participants receive free GoDaddy domains and website products as well as access to GoDaddy experts for additional support and training.
GODADDY OFFERS OPTIONS
Officials stated that for those not admitted to the upcoming cohort, GoDaddy will offer self-guided courses to allow business owners to learn at their own pace using an online platform and virtual support. Empower by GoDaddy’s self-led participants and those attending half-day summits will receive discounted GoDaddy products to boost their online presence.
COBA DEAN EXALTS PARTNERSHIP
The SBDC at Alabama State is part of the Percy J. Vaughn, Jr. College of Business Administration (COBA). Dean Kamal Hingorani of COBA praised GoDaddy and ASU’s Small Business Development Center for reaching out to the community’s small businesses and helping them to succeed, which aligns with the CommUniversity anchor of the University’s Focus 2030 Strategic Plan.
“Through this collaboration with GoDaddy, our Small Business Development Center, under the leadership of its able director, Ms. Mosley, has empowered 344 small businesses to have an online presence, which is very important for their success and growth. The new GoDaddy cohort will allow the SBDC to meet the high demand from local small businesses for such training. We owe a debt of gratitude to GoDaddy for being such a good community mentor,” said Dean Hingorani.
HISTORY OF GODADDY’S LARGESSE TO ENTREPRENEURS
Empower by GoDaddy is the lead partner and sponsor of “Empower Montgomery River Region” in partnership with Alabama State University’s Small Business Development Center. For more than five years, GoDaddy has partnered with leading nonprofits to provide community-based programs and virtual learning experiences.
Since 2017, GoDaddy employees have volunteered across the globe to empower more than 5,000 entrepreneurs in 40-plus cities, with a goal of serving 10,000 entrepreneurs in 2022. Empower by GoDaddy programs focus on boosting the skills and knowledge of entrepreneurs through customized training, GoDaddy tech support and coaches so they can bolster their microbusiness’ digital presence and gain other critical business skills.
“Partnering locally with organizations like Alabama State University’s Small Business Development Center allows us to provide microbusiness owners with customizable programs that uniquely fit their journey to entrepreneurship,” said Ebony Janelle, Empower by GoDaddy spokesperson. “The most recent data from our Venture Forward research initiative identified there are more than 130,000 microbusinesses in the state of Alabama. It’s through partnerships like this that we are able to fulfill our commitment to empower the growing community of entrepreneurs everywhere and uplift the businesses that are shaping our local economies.”
LOCAL PARTNERS AID THE PROGRAM’S SUCCESS
Alabama State University’s SBDC works collaboratively with its stakeholder partners to help connect the local microbusiness community to resources such as the Empower by GoDaddy initiative. Local partners and stakeholders supporting this initiative include TruFund Financial Services, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery, Wetumpka, Prattville, and Elmore counties, Ignite Alabama, The Lab at Dexter, and TechMGM.
ABOUT ASU’S SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Alabama State University’s Small Business Development Center is part of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, which is a statewide, inter-institutional program to enhance economic growth in Alabama by providing management and technical assistance to small businesses. SBDC’s mission is to provide existing and aspiring entrepreneurs with the expert assistance, tools, training, and education they need to succeed. Its vision is to create a stronger Alabama economy by helping small businesses grow.
ABOUT GODADDY
GoDaddy is empowering everyday entrepreneurs around the world by providing all of the help and tools to succeed online and in-person. GoDaddy is the place people come to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and manage their work. Its mission is to give its customers the tools, insights and the people to transform their ideas and personal initiative into success.
