As a Connecticut-based small business, we were pretty excited to attend the 3rd annual Connecticut Small Business Summit at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill. This event was a great opportunity to learn more about all the incredible things going on in the state.
The day kicked off with an impressive lineup of speakers, including Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Senator Matthew Lesser, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon and State Representative Kerry Wood, among others.
Connecticut Small Business Benefits You May Not Know About
Starting a new business isn’t easy, but Connecticut now offers a few key benefits to help small business owners and independent contractors with health benefits and retirement. At the Summit, Comptroller Scanlon discussed:
- The ArrayRx discount card that can help cut prescription costs by up to 80%
- The My CT Savings retirement plan, which is available to qualifying individuals and employers at no cost
“I’m idealistic about how we can make things better.”
State of CT Comptroller Sean Scanlon
Social Media and Small Business Financing
The event featured two very different panels: the first covered social media tips and the second helped small business owners understand their options for obtaining access to capital.
Social Media Tips
- Focus on quality posts over quantity
- Stay engaged with your community by responding to comments on your posts
- Remember that your account offers a direct like of communication with your customers and clients
- Make sure your brand is consistent from online through to in-person experiences
- Don’t feel obligated to post daily
- Keep it real! Don’t make your product look “better” for a social audience.
- Treat your social media feed like a landing page for new customers
- Currently trending: timelapse videos
If you still need help, Meta offers free one-on-one sessions with small business.
Connecticut’s Small Business Financing Options
Representatives from the Economic Development Fund, the Women’s Business Development Council, Community Investment Corporation and CT Department of Economic and Community Development discussed strategic ways to access funding without overextending your business. Many of these organizations offer free help, so contact them directly for personalized assistance.
Pink is Professional
On a topic near and dear to Reify Creative, Michelle Nicholson, owner of the Flour Girl and winner of the 2025 SBA Connecticut Small Business Person of the Year, discussed how the color pink became a catalyst for her success. After successfully securing a $150,000 sponsorship for a former employer, she was chastised for bringing a pink notebook to the sales meeting. This moment changed Michelle. She left the job to start her own business, and went on to grow one of the most successful bakeries in Connecticut.
Today, if you’re looking for Michelle, she’ll most likely be the one wearing a bright pink blazer.
Learn more about the Connecticut Small Business Summit and see highlights from the event on their website.
