Note: This registration page is for the Small Business Success Day located in La Grande, OR on Feb 11. To attend the Small Business Success Day event in Enterprise, OR on Feb 10 follow this link: https://neoedd.org/event/sbsd-enterprise/
Get Your Business Ready for Success in 2025!
Small Business Success Day Event (La Grande, OR on Feb 11, 2025)
Get help starting and growing your business by attending this FREE (RSVP required) event. Learn about marketing strategies to increase awareness and visibility, AI tools to help save time and manage your business, funding opportunities and how to access them, and other business development resources. Feel free to attend any or all of the sessions. Throughout the event, business advisors will be available for one-on-one support. Refreshments will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Register at the bottom of this page by February 7, 2025 so we can ensure there’s enough food and drink for everyone.
Event Schedule for Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 9 – 4 PM, at Cook Memorial Library (2006 Fourth St, La Grande, OR 97850)
8:30 to 9:00 AM – Networking and Sign in
9:00 to 10:00 – Business Startup with CO.STARTERS with Brad Attig
10:15 to 10:30 – Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub with Carter Gudell
10:30 to 11:30 – How AI Can Help You Manage Your Businesses with Justin Coats
11:30 to 12:00 PM – Break & Networking
12:00 to 12:45 – Access Funding Opportunities with Brad Attig and Lisa Dawson
1:00 to 2:00 – Marketing: Attracting Interest & Growing Your Visibility with Brad Attig
2:15 to 3:00 – Marketing Strategy: Google Business & Merchant Center with Brad Attig
3:00 to 4:00 – Networking & Closing
Meet Our Presenters
Brad Attig – Brad is dedicated to supporting startups and small businesses. He founded Foundry Collective (and Reinventing Rural initiative), a non-profit empowering small and rural communities through innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2024, Brad launched Kiva Oregon, the first rural-focused Kiva U.S. Hub. Foundry Collective also runs Corvallis Foundry, a 2,500 sq. ft. innovation hub. He is passionate about social missions, rural economic development, and sustainable food supplies. With 20+ years of senior business experience, Brad’s expertise includes developing business strategies and digital marketing for small and mid-sized enterprises alongside mentoring startup founders and teams at various accelerators/innovation hubs.
Carter Gudell – Carter, a graduate of Sustainable Community Development from UMass Amherst, is an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builder for the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center. After serving in the RARE AmeriCorps program with Visit Central Oregon, he now connects innovative entrepreneurs with business development resources across 10 counties in rural Eastern Oregon through the Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub. Committed to making a positive impact, Carter helps entrepreneurs stay focused on their goals by navigating the resources they need.
Justin Coats – From his time in the Marine Corps to his pioneering work in AI, Justin Coats has always been about pushing boundaries. Now, he’s helping leaders across industries understand how to use AI to work smarter, not harder. Justin’s talent lies in making complex technology simple and actionable, always emphasizing the need to keep humanity at the center of innovation. He’s driven by a passion for growth—both personal and technological. Justin is the co-owner of Neesh.ai.
Lisa Dawson – As the executive director of Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, Lisa is an accomplished economic and rural community development professional with over 30 years of experience. Passionate about empowering small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, she focuses on business planning concepts that prioritize customer needs and financial viability. Growing up on a farm in Wallowa County, she brings a deep appreciation for the region to her work. Lisa is recognized as an “Economic Development Finance Professional” by The National Development Council and “Leader in Entrepreneurialism” by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, she continues to facilitate decision-making processes and business planning education for aspiring entrepreneurs.
This event is brought to you by NEOEDD, Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub, La Grande Economic Development, Reinventing Rural, Foundry Collective, Oregon Community Foundation and US Bank.