SBA, Wharton Small Business Development Center present White House YES Event to promote new generation of informed local young entrepreneurs

PHILADELPHIA, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On March 23, 2012, the U.S. Small Business Administration partnered with the White House and the Wharton Small Business Development Center to bring the Young Entrepreneur Series ("YES") to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The roundtable-style event featured SBA Region 3 Acting Regional Administrator Bridget Bean leading a lively discussion with a panel of local young entrepreneurs, SBA officials, and local business advisors about the business-related issues and challenges facing young entrepreneurs and the federal resources available.

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"SBA knows that young entrepreneurs are a dynamic resource for national recovery and growth and we recognize the need to promote and support the needs of young people looking to create jobs for themselves and others," said SBA Region 3 Acting Regional Administrator Bridget Bean. "The YES events are part of a larger effort to reach out to young people and let them know the federal government has tools to help them start, grow and succeed as small business owners."

The Young Entrepreneur Series (YES) is an initiative by the White House and the SBA to connect young and aspiring entrepreneurs with SBA officials, local business advisors and resources to help them start or grow their own small business.

"In Philadelphia we are fortunate to have many successful young entrepreneurs and a vibrant community that supports and encourages young entrepreneurs," said Therese Flaherty, director of the Wharton Small Business Development Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Panelists at the YES event in Philadelphia included: SBA federal government contracting expert John Banks, Lead Business Development Specialist and SBA financing expert John Fleming, Lead Business Development Specialist, both from the SBA Philadelphia District Office; veteran business advisor Therese Flaherty, Director, Wharton SBDC; Leslie Mitts, Managing Practice Leader, Wharton SBDC; and Rohan Mehta, Founding Partner, Bulwark Ventures, and Founder of Philly Tech Meetup. Christian Conroy, State Director, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, joined the panelists for the event.

To request an interview or photographs, please contact Jennifer Pilcher, the SBA's Public Information Officer in the Philadelphia District Office, at 610-382-3084 or jennifer.pilcher@sba.gov.

SBA's participation in this activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any other person or entity. All of SBA's programs and services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.

Contact: Jennifer Pilcher (610) 382-3084
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration