A new year is on the horizon, and with it comes both uncertainty and the potential for opportunity. With inflation continuing to be a top challenge, and a recession looking more and more likely, the CNBC Small Business Playbook virtual summit will provide actionable advice to assist entrepreneurs with strategic planning to navigate a rocky road ahead, while uncovering hidden opportunities to help businesses not just survive, but thrive in 2023.
For CNBC Small Business Playbook editorial coverage, stories and video, visit www.cnbc.com/small-business-playbook/.
Melissa L. Bradley is Founder of 1863 Ventures, a business development program that accelerates New Majority entrepreneurs from high potential to high growth. Melissa serves as General Partner of 1863 Venture Fund, Venture Partner at NextGen Ventures and serves an advisor to Reign Ventures, New Voices Foundation, as well as the Halcyon Fund. She is also a member of the Milken Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Asset Management Initiative, Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women Advisory Council, Launch with GS Advisory Council, Fast Company Executive Board, Square & Forbes Small Business Advisory Team, as well as the Target Accelerators Entrepreneurs Advisory Council. Melissa is the former Co-Chair, National Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and was named one of The Most Entrepreneurial Women Investors in 2018.
Melissa is a professor at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University where she teaches impact investing, social entrepreneurship, P2P economies, and innovation. In 2021 she was awarded Peter W. Gonzalez, Jr. Award for Excellence in Adjunct Faculty Teaching. In 2020, Melissa received The Ideas Worth Teaching Award which celebrates exceptional courses that are preparing future business leaders to tackle society’s largest challenges and create a more inclusive, just, and sustainable version of capitalism.
Melissa's educational background includes graduation from Georgetown University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the School of Business, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Marketing from American University in 1993.
Steve Case is one of America’s best-known and most accomplished entrepreneurs, and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life.
For the past 15 years, Steve’s focus has been on starting and scaling Revolution, the Washington DC-based investment firm that now backs entrepreneurs at every stage of their development. Revolution Growth has invested nearly $1 billion in growth-stage companies including Sweetgreen, Tempus, Tala, DraftKings, and Clear. Revolution Ventures has backed more than two dozen venture-stage companies, including Framebridge and PolicyGenius. The Rise of the Rest Seed Fund has invested in more than 200 startups in over 100 U.S. cities, in partnership with many of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors.
Steve’s entrepreneurial career began in 1985 when he co-founded America Online (AOL). Under Steve’s leadership, AOL became the world’s largest and most valuable Internet company, helping to drive the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society. AOL was the first Internet company to go public, and the best performing stocks of the 1990s, delivering a 11,616% return to shareholders. At its peak, nearly half of Internet users in the United States used AOL. In 2000, Steve negotiated the largest merger in business history, bringing together AOL and Time Warner in a transaction that gave AOL shareholders a majority stake in the combined company. To facilitate the merger, Steve agreed to step down as CEO when the merger closed.
Steve’s passion for helping entrepreneurs remains his driving force. Recently named co-chair of the National Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Council will advise on the development of a National Entrepreneurship Strategy and continue to support policies that will ensure America’s competitiveness globally. He was the founding chair of the Startup America Partnership— an effort launched at the White House in 2011 to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation. Steve also was a member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, where he chaired the subcommittee on entrepreneurship.
Steve has been a leading voice in shaping government policy on issues related to entrepreneurship, working across the aisle to advance public policies that expand access to capital and talent. He was instrumental in passing the JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act and the Investing in Opportunities Act, and is active in advocating on behalf of immigration reform and legislation that supports and accelerates the emergence of startup ecosystems in rising cities.
Steve also serves as the Chair of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. In this role, Steve leads the Board of Regents’ efforts to increase the Institution’s reach, impact and relevance.
Steve is also Chairman of the Case Foundation, which he established with his wife Jean in 1997. Together the Cases have invested in hundreds of organizations, initiatives and partnerships with a focus on leveraging the Internet and entrepreneurial approaches to strengthen the social sector.
In 2010, Steve and Jean joined The Giving Pledge, and publicly reaffirmed their commitment to give away the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
Steve is also the author of forthcoming book Rise of the Rest: How Entrepreneurs in Surprising Places are Building the New American Dream as well as New York Times bestselling book The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future. In The Third Wave, Case recounted many of the lessons he learned from building businesses, and outlined the growing importance of place, policy and partnerships.
Steve was born and raised in Hawaii and retains active ties to his home state, but has lived in the Washington D.C. area for more than 30 years.
Dr. Nela Richardson is ADP’s Chief Economist and the Co-Head of the ADP Research Institute (ADPRI), where she leads economic research and provides reliable and timely analysis for the public, global and local businesses, and policymakers. Her background and expertise cross many industries, including finance, technology, housing and labor.
In response to the accelerated pace of economic change, Dr. Richardson led the launch of a high-frequency revamp of the renowned ADP® National Employment Report in collaboration with Stanford Digital Economy Lab. Together with her team of researchers, data scientists and financial markets experts, Dr. Richardson drives the Institute’s mission to generate data-driven discoveries about the world of work through research initiatives, such as Pay Insights, Global Workforce View and Women at Work, among others.
In addition to ongoing labor market analysis, Dr. Richardson provides insights on the dynamic shifts of the economy. She is a highly sought speaker and has delivered remarks at global thought leadership events, including the World Economic Forum Annual Conference in Davos. Dr. Richardson is also a regular contributor to top-tier media outlets, including Marketplace from American Public Media. She frequently appears on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business CNN, Yahoo! Finance, The Wall Street Journal, FORTUNE magazine, The New York Times, among others. Dr. Richardson’s MainStreet Macro blog offers insights on how economic conditions affect small businesses, workers and households.
Prior to her work at ADP, Dr. Richardson was Principal and Investment Strategist at Edward Jones, a financial services firm, where she analyzed and interpreted economic trends and financial market conditions and recommended investment strategies. Dr. Richardson previously served as chief economist at Redfin Corp., a national real estate brokerage and technology company, where she led a team of data scientists, economists and writers to track trends in the housing market. She also worked as a senior economist for Bloomberg, L.P., covering housing and financial markets.
Dr. Richardson has held research positions at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies and Freddie Mac. She also worked as an adjunct finance professor at the Carey School of Business at John Hopkins University. She earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park with concentrations in financial economics, international finance and economic development. Dr. Richardson also attained a master’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, where she was a triple major in mathematics, economics and philosophy.
Dr. Richardson serves on the foundation boards for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Business Economists. She is a member of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Advisory Committee and the Conference of Business Economists. She also serves on the National Academies, Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Committee on National Statistics and the Committee on Automation and the U.S. Workforce.
Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat is a 6-time NBA All-Star and a 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist. Originally from Tomball, Texas, Butler is a 5-time All-Defensive Team selection, and a 4-time All-NBA Team honoree. He is widely regarded as one of the premier players in the NBA. Butler is also the Founder of BIGFACE Brand, a specialty coffee inspired lifestyle brand which originated from his hotel room during the 2020 NBA Bubble. BIGFACE Brand officially launched as a company in 2021, with the brand‘s mission of offering premium coffee products & experiences, while also building a new community around the shared love of specialty coffee.
Record high inflation continues to be the number one concern among small business owners, with persistent labor shortages coming in a close second. Is there any relief in sight? We’ll examine what the economy may look like in the year ahead, and why small businesses are still having a hard time finding workers, while larger companies are slowing the pace of hiring.
Nela Richardson, ADP Chief Economist
Interviewer: Kristina Partsinevelos, CNBC Nasdaq Reporter
As the economic landscape continues to act unpredictably, and a recession looking increasingly likely, we’ll discuss the steps you should take now to prepare your business to withstand the headwinds of 2023 and beyond.
Melissa Bradley, 1863 Ventures Managing Partner
Interviewer: Sharon Epperson, CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent
Just 5% of small business owners consider cybersecurity to be a priority. But the reality is, cyber-attacks pose a significant threat, and the impact can be devastating. We’ll learn how to take the necessary precautions and implement a cybersecurity plan to protect your business and yourself.
Michael Sohn, FBI Supervisory Special Agent
Interviewer: Frank Holland, CNBC General Assignment Reporter
What started as a simple hobby to pass the time in the 2020 NBA “Covid bubble” has brewed into a full-fledged business for one NBA all-star. He’ll share his story about his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, and his big ambitions for his brand.
Jimmy Butler, Professional Basketball Player, Miami Heat; Founder, BIGFACE Brand
Interviewer: Dom Chu, CNBC Senior Markets Correspondent
Invest in Your Future and Your Employees With a Retirement Plan
Sponsored & Programmed by Capital Group
If you aren’t offering a retirement plan to your employees, you should be. Despite the current bleak economic outlook, small business owners should take the opportunity to strengthen their own long-term financial security and that of their employees by setting up a plan. It may sound daunting, but it’s not. This session will address the benefits to both employer and employees as well as simple ways to get started.
Renee Grimm, Capital Group SVP Retirement Plan Division
Interviewer: Rhonda Schaffler, Business Journalist
The Most Important Tool You Don’t Think You Need
Sponsored & Programmed by Hiscox
An ever-shifting business climate and the shift to digital has increased the need for every small business, no matter its size, to get properly insured. You may not think your small business needs it, but you are likely wrong. The cost associated with a lawsuit can be business-ending. Add to that Cyber attacks are up 80%, crippling businesses whose online presence is their lifeline. This session will focus on ways to assess a company insurance needs, while addressing the latest risks they face and ways to protect against them.
Steven Wilkins, Hiscox Partner & SVP, Head of Casualty
Interviewer: Jen Rogers, Financial Reporter
Social media has become a necessity for any business to connect with current and future customers, and maintain a competitive advantage in today’s market. TODAY’S lifestyle and commerce contributor will provide tips and tricks that everyone can use to give their business a boost in 2023.
Jill Martin, TODAY Lifestyle & Commerce Contributor
Interviewer: Tyler Mathisen, CNBC “Power Lunch” Co-Anchor & Vice President, Events Strategy
After spending the last decade meeting with, and investing in, business owners from around the country, the entrepreneurial pioneer best known for co-founding AOL will discuss why now is the time to reimagine what’s possible.
Steve Case, Revolution Chairman & CEO
Interviewer: Carl Quintanilla, CNBC “Squawk on the Street” Co-Anchor & “TechCheck” Anchor
Our experts are here to answer your small business-related questions to help you navigate the challenges of today, and successfully plan for tomorrow.
Judy Treviño, SCORE Board Member
Interviewer: Sharon Epperson, CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent
REGISTRATION FOR CNBC SMALL BUSINESS PLAYBOOK IS NOW CLOSED. ALL SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
PLEASE EMAIL EVENTS@CNBC.COM TO CONNECT WITH OUR AUDIENCE TEAM.
Capital Group, home of American Funds, is committed to helping participants achieve better retirement outcomes. With our easy enrollment process, engaging educational resources and diverse investment options, you can enable your employees to invest with confidence.
https://www.capitalgroup.com/employer/retirement-plan-strategies-cnbc.html
As experts in risk, we give people and businesses the confidence to realize their ambitions. With roots dating back to 1901, we have the expertise to challenge convention and find a better way. We insure, support and inspire our customers by protecting the businesses they’ve worked so hard to build. We encourage courage in our customers, our brokers, and ourselves.
For more information, visit https://www.hiscox.com/.
Synchrony is a premier consumer financial services company. We deliver a wide range of specialized financing programs, as well as innovative consumer banking products, across key industries including digital, retail, home, auto, travel, health and pet. Synchrony enables our partners to grow sales and loyalty with consumers. We are one of the largest issuers of private label credit cards in the United States; we also offer co-branded products, installment loans and consumer financing products for small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as healthcare providers. Synchrony is changing what’s possible through our digital capabilities, deep industry expertise, actionable data insights, frictionless customer experience and customized financing solutions.
Stacey Abrams is the three-time New York Times bestselling author of While Justice Sleeps, Our Time is Now, and Lead from the Outside, an entrepreneur; and a political leader. A tax attorney by training, she served eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives and seven as Minority Leader. Abrams has launched multiple organizations devoted to voting rights, training and hiring young people of color, and tackling social issues at the state, national, and international levels. She is the founder of Fair Fight, Fair Count, and the Southern Economic Advancement Project. A small business owner, Abrams co-founded the financial services firm NOW Corp. and Sage Works Productions, Inc., a media company. She has received degrees from Spelman College, the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, and Yale Law School.
Seattle based Multi-platinum and GRAMMY award winning rapper Macklemore made history as an independent artist with a combination of commercial success, critical acclaim and international appeal. Collectively Macklemore’s music videos have been viewed over 3 billion times and he is one of only two rappers in history to have a Diamond-certified single (“Thrift Shop”). His newly released song, the single “Chant” premiered on July 22nd.
Macklemore, an avid golfer, is the Founder of Bogey Boys, a new golf and lifestyle brand. He has a 11 handicap and plays three rounds of golf per week. He plays both recreationally and competitively. He won the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Celebrity Shoot Out.
Bethenny Frankel is a self-made businesswoman, TV producer, multiple New York Times bestselling author, and mother. Bethenny recently made a multi-year deal with MGM Television and Mark Burnett to generate unscripted television projects that she will produce.
Coming to HBO Max, Bethenny is set to headline a new business competition series, The Big Shot with Bethenny, from MGM Television, Mark Burnett and her own B Real Productions. In the upcoming eight-episode series, the next generation of business moguls will compete for a chance to win a spot on her Skinnygirl executive team.
She is the Founder & CEO of Skinnygirl, a lifestyle brand offering practical solutions to women, including the launch of the Skinnygirl Jeanswear Collection, which sold out on HSN within its first few hours.
Bethenny has teamed up with Endeavor Content to create Just B, a podcast devoted to being a self-made mogul in business, lifestyle and beyond. Just B with Bethenny Frankel launched in September 2020, instantly topping the charts becoming ranked #4 on the Apple Podcast episodes chart and the #1 podcast in the society and culture category within the first week. Just B with Bethenny Frankel is available on Apple, Spotify and other listening platforms.
Gary Vaynerchuk is the chairman of VaynerX, a modern-day media and communications holding company and the active CEO of VaynerMedia, a full-service advertising agency servicing Fortune 100 clients across the company’s 4 locations.
In addition to VaynerMedia, VaynerX also includes Gallery Media Group, which houses women’s lifestyle brand PureWow and men’s lifestyle brand ONE37pm. In addition to running VaynerMedia, Gary also serves as a partner in the athlete representation agency VaynerSports, cannabis-focused branding and marketing agency Green Street and restaurant reservations app Resy.
Gary is a board/advisory member of Ad Council and Pencils of Promise, and is a longtime Well Member of Charity:Water.
Gary is a highly sought after public speaker, a 5-time New York Times bestselling author, as well as a prolific angel investor with early investments in companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, and Uber.
Gary is currently the subject of DailyVee, an online documentary series highlighting what it’s like to be a CEO and public figure in today’s digital world, as well the host of The GaryVee Audio Experience, a top 100 global podcast, and host of #AskGaryVee, a business and advice Q&A show which can be found on both YouTube and Facebook.
Gary also appeared as judge in Apple’s first original series “Planet of the Apps” alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Will.i.am.