Small Business Council

The mission of the Small Business Council (SBC) is to serve, represent and promote the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce’s small business members and to enhance the economic health of Durham's small business community. The Small Business Council provides educational, networking and promotional opportunities tailored to the needs of small business owners and managers.

This program is open to all Chamber member firms and their representatives as part of their membership investment. If you would like to be added to the SBC and receive notices of upcoming events and information of interest to the small business community, please contact Danielle Kaspar at  dkaspar@durhamchamber.org.

Dub Gulley, Chair
Durham Technical Community College Small Business Center

Lunch & Learn

The monthly “Lunch & Learn” series provides small business owners access to education and training, as well as networking. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 12:00-1:15 p.m. at the Chamber. Bring your own lunch and drinks will be provided.  At each monthly Lunch & Learn, all attendees will be given the chance to have their business profiled as the business of the month.  Check out this month's profile below.

Small Business Management Institute

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Durham Technical Community College Small Business Center, has created a program that not only fits your schedule, but connects you with necessary information you need to run your business.  The Small Business Management Institute is designed specifically with the busy business owners and managers in mind, providing you with key elements to business operations.  Sign up for all for sessions or pick and choose which ones best suit your interest or current business needs.  An SBMI certificate will be awarded to each participant who completes the full series. 

Each seminar will be held from 8:00a.m. - 10:00a.m. at the Museum of Life & Science.  Sign up for all 4 seminar by August 8 for $100 and this price includes the Membership Matters breakfast on Dec. 2 where individuals who have completed all four sessions will be recognized.

Special thanks to Cardinal State Bank for serving as the presenting sponsor of the 2008 Small Business Management Institute.

Fast Track Advisors

The Fast Track Advisors program provides Chamber business leaders the opportunity to meet, discuss ideas, offer suggestions and develop both personal and professional relationships. They serve as a confidential “board of advisors” to support owners and managers of small, mid-size and large businesses with the challenges, problems and opportunities encountered in leading and managing a business.

Groups include 8 to 10 professionals selected according to business type, number of employees, years of experience and annual sales volume. Groups establish their own meeting times and locations. Competitors are not placed in the same group, and all conversations are confidential.  Sessions start in February and September each year.  

Small Business Excellence Awards Breakfast

The Small Business Excellence Awards have proven to be one of the Chamber’s most prestigious events, attracting over 200 community and business leaders. These awards recognize small businesses and non profits in Durham for their hard work, creativity, innovation, financial success and community involvement. It also provides a wonderful opportunity for the small business owners in our community to hear an inspirational success story from a prominent business figure. 

The 2008 Small Business Excellence Awards were held on Thursday, June 5 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club.   Congratulations to our 2008 winners!

Small Business Administration Days

Together with the Small Business Center at Durham Technical Community College, the Chamber hosts a representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Ivan Hankins, SBA marketing and outreach specialist, will be available to meet one-on-one with interested individuals to discuss SBA loan programs and services that may benefit his/her business.

Business After Hours

Business After Hours is networking pure and simple. On a regular basis a Chamber member opens the doors of its business for an evening of networking - no long program, just refreshments and networking. These events allow Chamber members to meet in a relaxed environment to network and build relationships and new business contacts. They also give the sponsors the opportunity to promote their location, products and services. 

Non Profit Committee

The mission of the non profit committee is to serve, represent, and promote the Chamber nonprofit members and to advocate as a collective voice for the vital role non profit members play in the Durham community. They hold quarterly meetings and educational seminars of interest to the non profit sector. 

Information from previous committee meetings:

For more information on these Small Business Council programs, please contact Danielle Kaspar, IOM, Director of Programming & Events, at 919-682-2133 x233 or dkaspar@durhamchamber.org.