By Shawna Francis
October 7, 2002

For the ninth year, the city of Trenton, the County of Mercer and their public and private sector partners presented Trenton Small Business Week 2002. This year's theme "Trenton Wakes for Business and Entertainment" embodies the tremendous growth and development the city has experienced through its centers of commerce and entertainment. This weeklong event offered seminars and workshops focused on the development and growth of small businesses. It also concentrated on the numerous benefits of conducting business in the city of Trenton and Mercer County. Seminars and workshops on retirement planning for small business owners, 10 Steps to An Effective Web Site and building business value, just to name a few, were some of the topics offered to the small business person.

This year Mayor Douglas H. Palmer invited Partner America Chairman George Cloutier to be the keynote speaker for the opening breakfast. In addition to the official start with welcoming remarks by Mayor Palmer and County Executive, Robert D. Prunetti, the mayor presented the annual "Small Business of the Year" Award. The recipients were Trenton Joe & Son, a company, which designs and sells promotional items, trophies and other products. An award for most successful new business went to Utopia International Bistro, a Front Street Restaurant, and Troy Vincent Development and Construction Co., of Centre Street, got the award for most improved appearance. In Chairman Cloutier's remarks, he stated that he travels around the United States advising small to mid size businesses on increasing profits and he hasn-t seen a small business program as "comprehensively focused" as Trenton's.

Chairman Cloutier also shared with the Trenton small business community that in order to actualize a profit, better management is key rather than depending on financing. "Make the profit and then the next level of funding will come." The packed banquet room was very receptive to Mr. Cloutier's advice and many approached him after the breakfast to ask more detailed questions. Although, he stated some of his philosophies are viewed as controversial, he said that with his 35 years of experience in working with small businesses, he sees the same mistakes over and over again.

Nationally, 850,000 new businesses are created every year, and small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employers in the United States, Cloutier said in discussing the power of small business. It is important that small business receives the attention it deserves given the significant impact it has on the country's economic stability. Chairman Cloutier has helped more than 5,000 clients save more than $1 billion in their businesses over the past 14 years, recommended forecasting profits, sticking to priorities and paying yourself first. He also said to "eat your vegetables first," meaning take care of the essentials.

If you are interested in learning more about the Partner America program, please feel free to contact Shawna Francis, Managing Director at 877-778-6726 or sfrancis@usmayors.org.