November 9, 2017 ─ Every year the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recruits small businesses to participate in its Emerging Leaders Initiative to stimulate and support the expansion of these businesses. Blue Sky is excited to announce its graduation from this valuable program.
The SBA was established in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
Recognizing that small businesses in underserved cities added close to three times as many jobs to their local economies as large companies over the last decade, the SBA launched the Emerging Leaders Initiative to capitalize on this proven capacity for stimulating jobs and growth in America’s cities. The Emerging Leaders Program provides training to small businesses to help accelerate their growth. Blue Sky CEO Melissa Peterson speaks highly of the program. She states that “The Emerging Leaders Program provided CXOs with invaluable opportunities to network with and share ideas with other business leaders who face similar challenges. We built meaningful personal and professional relationships that we will lever for years to come.” Ms. Peterson took full advantage of the program working with experienced mentors, attending specialized workshops and developing connections with peers, city leaders, and the financial community.
Blue Sky is a proud graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program and looks forward to continued association with its leadership and graduates and to supporting future classes of leaders.