Empowering Small Businesses: Dawn Parks Leads NKU’s Innovative Center for Small Businesses. [Video]

We examine the ground-breaking opening of BizAccessHub at Northern Kentucky University in this informative episode of Side Hustle City with entrepreneur and small business advocate Adam Koehler. Our special guest, Dawn Parks, brings over two decades of experience in building businesses and a passion for teaching the best entrepreneurial practices. As the newly appointed director of BizAccessHub, Parks shares her insights into the center’s mission to serve as a premier resource and learning community for family enterprises and small businesses throughout the tri-state area.

The BizAccessHub stands as a beacon of hope and innovation for entrepreneurial families and small business owners at all stages of their business lifecycle. The center seeks to strengthen the robust regional economy that the recent events of 2020-2023 have significantly impacted, with a strategic focus on fostering business innovation and growth. We elaborate on the center’s role in supporting the local economy’s transition from recovery to growth, emphasizing sustainable growth strategies for families and small businesses, particularly in rural communities.

Parks’ rich background in entrepreneurship, including facilitating the Ignite product ideation course at Purdue Research Foundation and co-founding a women’s financial literacy company, positions her as an expert in guiding entrepreneurs through the complexities of bringing new concepts to life. The BizAccessHub, operating out of NKU’s Collaborative for Economic Engagement in Covington and the Haile College of Business, connects entrepreneurs with mentors, incubator facilities, business support services, and NKU’s resources. This integrated approach aims to create a one-stop experience for small businesses seeking quick and efficient access to necessary resources.

This episode delves into the importance of family enterprises and small businesses as the economy’s backbone, with Parks highlighting the challenges company owners face in finding resources and advice. We also discuss BizAccessHub’s role in filling gaps within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and its provision of a singular point of contact for family enterprise, rural, and disadvantaged businesses.

Join us as Dawn Parks shares her vision for the BizAccessHub, her journey in entrepreneurship, and how the center plans to impact the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati business community. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or simply interested in the intersection of business innovation and community growth, this episode of Side Hustle City offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to make a mark in the entrepreneurial world.

You can also check out our podcast version of this episode at http://sidehustle.money