AEO launches groundbreaking report on sustainability and inclusion in small business

Data to Dialogue webinar: Helping small businesses lead sustainability and inclusion

Washington, DC, Sept. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) released a groundbreaking report, Seizing opportunities: how small businesses can lead in sustainability and inclusion. This report sheds light on the critical role that small businesses, especially those with diverse ownership, play in promoting sustainable and inclusive practices. This new research comes at a crucial time as companies of all sizes face increasing pressure to adopt responsible practices aligned with the rapidly evolving demands of sustainability and inclusion in the marketplace.

As corporations emphasize sustainability and inclusion, the need to understand how these moves affect small businesses is more pressing than ever. AEO’s latest report highlights the unique challenges facing diverse entrepreneurs and emphasizes the enormous opportunities available. The report is a call to action for small business owners, corporate partners and policy makers to come together and drive solutions that ensure the future success of small businesses in a competitive and sustainable economy.

Based on robust research, including surveys of 505 small businesses and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, the report provides a blueprint for how small businesses can thrive in this changing landscape. It highlights the importance of supplier diversity, sustainability initiatives and how small businesses can align their operations with larger corporate sustainability goals to become suppliers and business partners of choice.

“AEO is committed to driving the dialogue on sustainability and inclusion within the small business community. This report provides essential information that will guide our efforts to support and empower small businesses with diverse ownership,” said Natalie Madeira Cofield, CEO of AEO. “Our findings highlight the urgent need for collaborative action to ensure these businesses can meet the needs of evolving market demands, and the insights provided will be invaluable to small businesses looking to align with larger corporate sustainability goals.”

“The report highlights the competitive advantage that small businesses can gain by implementing sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions,” said Laura Bryce, CEO of Hallstatt Holden. “These small businesses are increasingly becoming the preferred suppliers of large corporations and consumers.”

Cassie Carroll of the Green Business Engagement National Network added: “Small businesses have significant power to create change on a national scale, but to achieve this, more resources for both small businesses and support programmes, together with policy, can really take off sustainability and inclusion. national level efforts”.

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Join the conversation: AEO Webinar on Sustainability and Inclusion

To further amplify these findings, AEO will host a mandatory webinar on Wednesday, September 25 at 3:00 PM EDT. Designed for the small business ecosystem, this event will explore how small businesses can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the growing focus on sustainability and inclusion.

The webinar will bring together leading experts and thought leaders to discuss how corporate sustainability commitments impact small businesses and what can be done to empower entrepreneurs to lead in this space.

Featured speakers include:

• Natalie Madeira CofieldPresident and CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity

• Chelsea MaxwellSenior Research Associate, Association for Business Opportunities

• Tynesia Boyea-RobinsonPresident and CEO, CapEQ

• Laura BryceCEO, Hallstatt Holden

• Donna GambrellPresident and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital

• Pauline GebonVice President of Member Success, National Minority Provider Development Council

• Coles JenningsDirector of Corporate Sustainability, Climate Community Collaborative

About AEO

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is the voice of microenterprise and microfinance innovation in the United States. For more than 30 years, AEO and its members have helped millions of entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth while supporting themselves, their families and their communities. AEO’s membership includes a wide range of organizations that provide capital and services to help underserved entrepreneurs start, stabilize and expand their businesses.

Register today to join this critical conversation and learn how to position your business or organization at the forefront of the sustainability movement.

For more information and to register, visit https://aeoworks.org/events/.

Annex

CONTACT: AEO Communications Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) 202.650.5580 communications@aeoworks.org