Last week I had the incredible honor of attending the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit in Washington, D.C. — an inspiring gathering of entrepreneurs from across the country who are driving growth, creating jobs, and shaping the future of small business in America.
Day 1: Wisdom and Inspiration from Business Icons
The first day was packed with powerful sessions featuring some of the most respected names in business and leadership. We heard from Ken Langone, co-founder of Home Depot; Kat Cole, CEO and investor; Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time; and entrepreneurs Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank, among others. Each shared lessons on perseverance, innovation, and the importance of grit — all qualities small business owners embody every day.
Day 2: Innovation, Advocacy, and Action
On the second day, we were inspired by Martha Stewart, who spoke about creativity and reinvention, and Ethan Mollick, an expert on artificial intelligence, who discussed how AI is transforming entrepreneurship and opportunity.
That morning, we took our energy and ideas to Capitol Hill, where small business owners met with their congressional representatives and senators to advocate for policies that support growth and sustainability. I was proud to serve as Advocacy Captain for the Miami delegation, where we met with Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar and Senator Rick Scott. Our discussion focused on workforce challenges, particularly immigration — an issue close to our hearts since our team is made up mostly of immigrant women from Latin America. It was an emotional and empowering experience to share our stories and emphasize how vital immigrant entrepreneurs and workers are to the U.S. economy.
A Sweet Finish at Union Station
The summit concluded with a beautiful closing celebration at Union Station, where — to my great delight — Garcia Nevett chocolates were served as part of the dessert offerings! It was such a proud moment to see our creations enjoyed among peers, leaders, and policymakers from across the nation.
Gratitude and an Invitation
We are deeply grateful to Goldman Sachs for their commitment to empowering small businesses through this transformative program and summit. The 10,000 Small Businesses community is truly special — a network of people who believe in resilience, innovation, and shared success.
If you’re a small business owner looking to grow, I can’t recommend the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program enough. Learn more and apply here: https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/
Together, we can continue to build thriving communities and create opportunity for all.
