Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, this session will be held as a Zoom webinar. Join this webinar by registering here.

Join us for a special MED Week Edition of Equip Small Business Success Series: Access to Capital for Minority-Owned Businesses, presented by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. A panel of three industry experts will provide an overview for small- and minority-owned firms on how to better access and utilize capital to grow their businesses: Allen Engstrom, managing director at CFO Network; David Marks, business banking manager and vice president with Arvest Bank; and Kimberly Lee, financial inclusion officer for the Arkansas market at Hope Credit Union.

Covered topics will include what good financial statements look like and why they are important in accessing capital. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from our session experts who will review the different types of capital; when, how and why to use it; who to contact; and where to start the process. Business owners who are interested in utilizing the capital markets to help expand their business or who want to understand better how the system works will come away from this event with concrete information they can use.

MORE ABOUT OUR SESSION EXPERTS

Allen Engstrom, managing director at CFO Network- Engstrom has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and previously worked for Motorola Semiconductor, as well as Intel Corporation in a variety of roles within finance, strategy and business development. For years prior to joining CFO, Engstrom was involved in small business development and mentoring, serving on the planning committees of both the Arizona Venture Capital Conference and the Arkansas Venture Forum. He's also involved in working with universities such as Arizona State on developing technology into growing companies. Engstrom’s last role at Intel was an alliance manager where he worked directly with small companies to form partnerships with Intel. Prior to that, he spent 2.5 years working for Intel Capital executing mergers and acquisitions for Intel’s communications group.

David Marks, business banking manager and vice president with Arvest Bank- A Hot Springs native, Marks has worked in the Central Arkansas banking area for over 20 years in various commercial lending and retail management roles. He is a graduate of the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; American Bankers Association Commercial Lending School; American Institution of Banking; Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXVI and Dale Carnegie. Community and civic service include various past roles with Junior Achievement of Arkansas, North Little Rock and Bryant Rotary Clubs, North Little Rock Chamber, Risk Management Association, Arkansas Repertory Theater and Indian Hills Neighborhood Association. Marks is a longtime advocate and supporter of the UALR Small Business Technology and Development Center. He is married to his wife Angela, and they reside in North Little Rock.

Kimberly Lee, financial inclusion officer for the Arkansas market at H ope Credit Union- Kimberly M. Lee is a lifelong resident of Little Rock. She is a proud graduate of McClellan High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She went on to study at the University of Phoenix and earned a master’s degree in business administration and public administration. Kimberly has more than 15 years of banking experience. She has been fortunate to work in various areas and departments of banking, which has helped shape her expertise. In her current role, her primary focus is to build membership and partnerships with individuals and organizations while providing financial literacy and education to the constituents she serves. Kimberly is also very active in her community and enjoys networking. She and her husband Darryl, who is a small business owner, recently became grandparents to a beautiful baby girl.

The chamber’s Equip series is presented by Arkansas Blue and Cross Blue Shield at no cost to members, but registration is required. Tickets are available for $10 for non-members.

Session schedule:

10:00 a.m. – Welcome & Sponsor Remarks
10:10 a.m. - Part 1: Overview on Financial Statements
10:45 a.m. – Part 2: Navigating Banking Systems, Lender Relationships and Accessing Capital
11:15 a.m. – Q & A

Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, this session will be held as a Zoom webinar. Join this webinar by registering here.

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