KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 1, 2022) — Kansas City’s small-business owners, aspiring and established entrepreneurs and champions of entrepreneurship are preparing to participate in the 15th annual Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City, Nov. 14-20, 2022.
GEWKC is the largest celebration of entrepreneurship that draws thousands to network, learn, collaborate and champion startups and small businesses. This year’s theme for the weeklong celebration is “You Belong Here”, an invitation to any entrepreneur, founder, small-business owner or supporter of entrepreneurship. This year’s schedule consists of more than 150 workshops, networking events, panels and courses – all free of charge – taking place Nov. 14-20, 2022.
“Our theme for GEWKC this year is ‘You Belong Here’ – it’s all about belonging,” said Michael Carmona, chief organizer for Global Entrepreneurship Week Kansas City and senior director of KCSourceLink. “We want to show established entrepreneurs and folks who may not identify as entrepreneurs that this is the time and place to dream big and make it happen. Whether your idea is in the beginning stages, you’re looking to take a business to the next level, or you want to find a way to advance innovation and entrepreneurship, You Belong at GEWKC.”
GEWKC was designed to help startups and small businesses get access to the skills and connections they need to reach their next milestone. Sessions span across five “tracks”: Inclusive Community Builders; Makers, Artists & Creators; Scalers; Startups; and Youth Entrepreneurship. Sessions are mostly in-person at GEWKC’s base camp location at iWerks collaborative coworking spaces in North Kansas City, with other sessions located around the metro and conducted online. All sessions have been crowdsourced and built by the entrepreneurship community to inspire, educate and celebrate Kansas City’s small-business community.
No matter what level of entrepreneur attendees may be or what industry experience they may have, there is something for everyone. Among the key sessions are:
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome — Monday, November 14, 9-10 a.m.
Learn how to overcome imposter syndrome and other self-limiting beliefs. In this session Cami Travis-Groves, owner of Camiimac, teaches attendees how to find out what they are made of and shed the feeling of self-doubt.
Community Creates Innovation — Monday, November 14, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Motivational speaker and DEI expert Micha Mims leads a session focused on the value of physical space, building your community and encouraging innovation together.
The Artist Chase: How to Build a Career in the Arts — Tuesday, November 15, 2-3 p.m.
For all aspiring artists, creating a sustainable career in that space has always been the chase. This session will be beneficial for those building a career in the arts, especially for those planning to make the jump.
Show Up for Yourself and Your Business — Wednesday, November 16, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
It’s time to stop hiding behind products and services and let the world see, hear and experience the business you’ve built. This session will explore how to show up in the most authentic way as a creator, maker, influencer and artist. This session culminates with a free professional headshot and branding photo for a portfolio, website or social media.
Evolution of the High Heels: Sis, We Should All Be Millionaires — Thursday, November 19, 7-8:30 p.m.
A forward-thinking conversation draws inspiration from the book “We Should Be Millionaires” to discuss the value of women of color in both the entrepreneurial and corporate workspace.
Registration for this year’s sessions is open at gewkc.org.
More About Global Entrepreneurship Week
During one week each November, thousands of events and competitions around the world inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and investors. Since it launched in 2008, Global Entrepreneurship Week has expanded to 170 countries – building and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world. Founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the initiative is supported by dozens of world leaders and a network of roughly 10,000 partner organizations. For more information, visit gewkc.org or www.gew.co.
About KCSourceLink
KCSourceLink, a program of the UMKC Innovation Center, is the connection to Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. With a network of 230+ business-building organizations in the 18-county Kansas City region, KCSourceLink helps aspiring and existing business owners find relevant resources. The mission is to help small businesses grow and prosper by providing easy access to needed services. KCSourceLink also looks at gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and works with its partners to address those needs. Entrepreneurs and business owners can access the entire network at www.kcsourcelink.com.
About the Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography. The Kansas City, Mo.-based foundation uses its grantmaking, research, programs, and initiatives to support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect with us at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn.