FRESNO (KMJ) — The culmination of National Small Business Week sees the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration arrive in Fresno to finish off a tour of the United States.
“I’m here to celebrate our small businesses here in Fresno,” begins Linda McMahon. “I’ve been in five different cities; I’m very happy to wind up the tour here in Fresno.”
Her time in the Central Valley on Friday is to honor and recognize local entrepreneurs, and tour small businesses in Downtown Fresno.
“I was actually told that an administrator had not been to Fresno in over 16 years and I thought it was high time that we visited Fresno. There are a lot of good things that are happening in Fresno. Economies starting to come up a bit, there are a lot of new businesses starting.”
She describes her role as like being the CEO of a big organization.
“I’m part of the President’s cabinet. So this President absolutely so believes strongly in small businesses. He wants to get rid of regulations that aren’t necessary, he wants to have tax reforms so that small businesses have a chance to grow and flourish.”
Carolyn Ocheltree of @treeoflifefrsno shares the best advice she got when starting her small business @SBAgov #SmallBusinessWeek #mentorship pic.twitter.com/gtz44xemqy
— Linda McMahon (@SBALinda) May 5, 2017
McMahon spent her time in Fresno visiting small businesses and celebrating their owners.
“Entrepreneurs themselves rarely pat themselves on the back. Often entrepreneurs take risks, they have an idea, they start a business, but they’re often the CEO and can also be the janitor. So it’s 24/7 – you have to do something that you’re totally passionate and be willing to make those kind of sacrifices.
“So I really enjoy being able to say ‘well done’ and ‘thank you for that’, because not only are you opening a business but you are creating jobs because you’re hiring people.”
Her time in the area also includes helping firms to make the most of their expertise and encouraging expansion.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
