It’s a summer of uncertainty for small businesses, as inflation continues to reach record highs. With a possible recession on the horizon, it is more important than ever for entrepreneurs to think strategically and bolster all facets of their business in order to withstand today’s turbulence, and emerge stronger for a better tomorrow.
The CNBC Small Business Playbook virtual summit will offer insight and advice from top experts on how businesses can hedge against inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor challenges and more.
For CNBC Small Business Playbook editorial coverage, stories and video, visit www.cnbc.com/small-business-playbook/.
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.
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.
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.
Ricardo Casas serves as Assistant District Director for Southeast Florida, Puerto Rico
and U.S. Virgin Islands for the SCORE Association - Counselors to America’s Small
Business and nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA). Ricardo is a member of SCORE’s National Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Advisory Council as well as SCORE’s Hispanic National Steering Committee.
In addition to his leadership roles at SCORE, Ricardo mentors and serves on Boards of
Advisors of several minority-owned small businesses in healthcare, manufacturing,
education, nonprofit and wholesale trade industries.
Prior to joining SCORE, Ricardo has over 20 years’ experience with the ExxonMobil
Corporation where he held leadership roles across its Global Retail Fuels, Industrial,
Aviation, Lubricants and Chemicals organizations. He worked on projects in 40
countries around the world. Ricardo also held the positions of Lead Country Manager
and President of Esso Standard Oil Company (Puerto Rico), Esso Jamaica and Esso
U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ricardo holds a Master’s in Management and a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering
from the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed the Advanced Management
Program at the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
1:00pm ET - 2:45pm ET
Multiple economic headwinds have converged to present the perfect storm for small businesses. We’ll break down the latest data to examine the state of small business in America, and the road ahead.
Holly Wade, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Research Center Executive Director
Interviewer: Kate Rogers, CNBC Restaurant and Small Business Correspondent
Watch the full interview
Inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions are the three biggest challenges small business owners are currently facing. We’ll discuss ideas to lessen the strain and alleviate the pain.
Nada Sanders, Northeastern University, Distinguished Professor, Supply Chain Management
Jeffrey Robinson, Rutgers Business School, Provost and Executive Vice-Chancellor
Moderator: Kristina Partsinevelos, CNBC Nasdaq Reporter
Watch the full interview
He’s a Grammy-award-winning rapper who recently added a new title to his resume: small business owner. Macklemore will share how a pandemic hobby led to his newest venture, and how he has applied many of the lessons learned in the music industry to his role as an entrepreneur.
Macklemore, Rapper & Entrepreneur
Interviewer: Dom Chu, CNBC Senior Markets Correspondent
Watch the full interview
SPONSORED AND PROGRAMMED BY ASTOUND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
Work from home has been great for companies and workers, though the concept has created a blurred line for the end-of-the-day, and workers often feel isolated. With the hybrid work environment and the fact that its benefits are likely here to stay, employers face the challenge of effectively communicating with remote or hybrid workers. This session will focus on ways small businesses can stay focused on clear communication to keep remote employees connected and engaged.
David Bryan, Poly Chief Technology Officer
Patrick Knorr, Astound Business Solutions EVP and Chief Commercial Officer
Moderator: Rhonda Schaffler, Business Anchor
Watch the full session
SPONSORED AND PROGRAMMED BY CAPITAL GROUP
If you aren’t offering a retirement plan to your employees, you may want to re-think that. Low jobless numbers combined with the great resignation mean small businesses need to stay competitive to attract new talent and retain it. Setting up a plan or reviewing one you’ve had in place for a long time might feel daunting. It doesn’t have to be. This session will address why offering a retirement plan is a true benefit to both employer and employees. We will also discuss perceived hurdles in setting up a plan for your business and how it may be easier than you think.
Renee Grimm, Capital Group SVP Retirement Plan Division
Interviewer: Caroline Woods, Financial Reporter
Watch the full session
SPONSORED AND PROGRAMMED BY STAPLES, INC.
An inflationary environment, supply chain disruptions, and the ever-present threat of an economic downturn are squeezing small businesses just as they work to recover from the pandemic. Now, more than ever, companies need to work to find ways to manage costs and save money through these uncertain financial times. This session will explore specific ways small businesses can navigate these increasingly expensive times and also take steps to avoid costly supply chain disruptions.
Amy Steel Vanden-Eykel, Staples, Inc. Chief Marketing Officer
Interviewer: Jen Rogers, Financial Reporter
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There are so many obstacles that can often feel insurmountable for small business owners. That’s why perseverance is key. We’ll talk to two inspiring entrepreneurs who will share their inspiring stories of how they beat the odds, overcame challenges, and “made it,” and how you can too.
Holly Thaggard, Supergoop! Founder & Chairman
Maxeme Tuchman, Caribu CEO & Co-Founder
Moderator: Jill Martin, TODAY Show Lifestyle & Commerce Contributor
Watch the full interview
It is possible for anyone to be successful, according to a reality star turned self-made businesswoman. She’ll reveal the secrets to her unconventional rise, why straight-talk and authenticity are key, and how to bounce back after being knocked down.
Bethenny Frankel, Entrepreneur & Author
Interviewer: Sharon Epperson, CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent
Watch the full interview
Here’s your chance to engage with fellow business owners and exchange insight and ideas. Plus, we’ll answer your questions, and offer up pro-active steps you should take to navigate the challenges of today, and successfully plan for tomorrow.
Melissa Bradley, 1863 Ventures, Founder & Managing Partner
Ricardo Casas, SCORE, Assistant District Director Southeast Florida
Moderator: Contessa Brewer, CNBC Correspondent
If you missed this event, you can watch all videos on demand now. Join us in December for our end of year CNBC Small Business Playbook — register here.
Astound Business Solutions provides businesses of all sizes with affordable high-capacity, secure connectivity to your mission-critical applications through award-winning service that increases overall agility and responsiveness to your customer needs. As a national telecommunications provider, we offer advanced communications solutions to eight of the top 10 metro markets that are delivered over a diverse, carrier-grade network that we own and maintain, providing the speed, bandwidth, and reliability you need to support your growing data demands. We maintain a local, customer-centric approach, with dedicated industry experts on-hand around the clock to help you stay on top of today’s evolving IT technology and remain competitive in their markets.
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/
Staples, Inc. Company Bio
With over 30 years in the game, Staples is here to help organizations feel confident navigating the ever-changing world of work. With a wide selection of quality products and services specifically designed for how you work, and a knowledgeable team dedicated to our customers, our mission is to ensure you can get the job done and done right wherever and however you work.
Staples.com
Get your favorite products through our effortless site, with most orders delivered next day to businesses and homes.
StaplesAdvantage.com (for business)
Purchasing programs tailored for business needs with customized pricing and member-only features and services.
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.
Barbara Corcoran’s credits include straight D’s in high school and college and 20 jobs by the time she turned 23. It was her next job that would make her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country: She borrowed $1,000 and quit her job as a waitress to start a tiny real estate company in New York City. Over the next 25 years Barbara would parlay that $1,000 loan into a $5 billion real estate business, building the largest and best-known brand in the business.
Corcoran is the author of the best seller “Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business!” and host of top podcasts “Business Unusual with Barbara Corcoran”.
Corcoran is a motivational and inspirational speaker. She is a frequent small business and real estate contributor on every major network. Corcoran has been an investor/Shark for the past twelve seasons on ABC’s four-time Emmy award winning show, Shark Tank, investing in over 80 businesses to date. Follow Barbara on Twitter and Instagram @BarbaraCorcoran.
Ravin Jesuthasan is a recognized futurist, global thought leader and author on the future of work and human capital. He has led multiple research efforts on the global workforce, the emerging digital economy, the rise of artificial intelligence and the transformation of work.
Ravin is the Global leader of Transformation at Mercer and a partner of the firm based in Chicago.
He has led numerous research projects for the World Economic Forum including its ground-breaking studies; Shaping the Future Implications of Digital Media for Society, Creating a Shared Vision for Talent in the 4th Industrial Revolution and HR 4.0: Shaping People Strategies in the 4th Industrial Revolution. He is a regular participant and presenter at the World Economic Forum’s annual meetings in Davos and Dalian/Tianjin and is a member of the forum’s Steering Committee on Work and Employment.
He has been recognized as one of the top 25 most influential consultants in the world by Consulting Magazine, one of the top 8 future of work influencers by Tech News, one of the top 100 HR influencers by HR Executive and was named to the Thinkers 50 Radar Class of 2020.
Ravin is the author of Transformative HR, Lead The Work: Navigating a World Beyond Employment and Reinventing Jobs: A 4-Step Approach to Applying Automation to Work. Transformative HR and Reinventing Jobs were winners of the Axiom silver and gold awards for business book of the year in 2012 and 2018 respectively. His latest book Work without Jobs came out by The MIT Press in spring 2022.
He has authored over 150 articles including 14 for the Harvard Business Review and his article in the HR People and Strategy Journal entitled Performance Management as a Business Discipline received the Walker Award for the most original and valuable contribution to the HR profession. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes Magazine.
Ravin is a frequent guest lecturer at universities around the world including Oxford University, Northwestern University, University of Southern California and New York University and an advisor to and featured prominently on PBS’s highly acclaimed documentary series “Future of Work”.
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.