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P.R.O.P.E.L. Small Business & Entrepreneur Summit
Bringing the Small Business Community Together to Share Opportunities and Challenges
PUBLISHED: November 24, 2025
On October 28th and 29th, I had the opportunity to attend and participate in the first-ever P.R.O.P.E.L. Small Business & Entrepreneur Summit in Huntsville, Alabama. The event was sponsored by the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce and Innovate Alabama, who provide economic development and support for small businesses in the state.
Over 300 people from around the state of Alabama and the Tennessee Valley attended the conference. The conference featured pitch competitions from small businesses, workshops and panel discussions, matchmaking for businesses seeking government contracting opportunities, and speeches from prominent business leaders.
It was an opportunity for small businesses to network with other small businesses, learn about the many state and federal resources to help small businesses, and be amazed at the creativity of small business owners, who showcased everything from a patch to help people with psoriasis to a drone that lands and takes off on water.
Events That Educate and Inspire
These kinds of events happen every day across America in communities nationwide, driven by local chambers and small business groups. They don’t often make national or even local news, but they should. Sometimes they are organized as roundtable or listening sessions by the state or federal government. They represent valuable opportunities for small businesses to learn, voice challenges, and renew their entrepreneurial spirit.
They reveal what is truly happening in America today—by everyday Americans who serve as both the nation’s economic engine and the heartbeat of our local communities.
Advocacy on Your Side
As the Office of Advocacy’s (Advocacy) Region 4 Advocate, I was fortunate to have the chance to speak on a panel alongside the Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Hudson Alpha Institute of Biotechnology, a non-profit research institute that serves as an incubator for small biotech firms in Huntsville, known as Rocket City.
Small business attendees learned for the first time what Advocacy does and how our office can amplify their voices. I informed state and local small business resource partners about how Advocacy is another valuable resource to help small businesses succeed.
Rules and regulations not only create red tape but also take time away from what small businesses do best: running their businesses. Every new rule from Washington means more time spent dealing with issues that don’t contribute to success.
These regulations can lead to increased outside costs, such as legal, accounting, or human resources expenses that small businesses haven’t planned for. Permits and licenses often lead to paperwork multiplication, forcing small businesses to re-enter the same information across different government agencies. Small details can significantly impact a small business’s success. Here at Advocacy, we’re committed to trimming that red tape.
Advocacy wants to hear more about your challenges. You can call Advocacy’s Hotline 24/7 at 800-827-5722 or email RedTape@sba.gov to discuss your concerns.