Upper Arlington Public Library

Small Business Fair

Calling all aspiring and current small business owners! Join us for the Small Business Fair, where you can learn what you need to succeed, no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey.

Calling all aspiring and current small business owners! Join us for the Small Business Fair, where you can connect with mentors, consult with experts, network with other local entrepreneurs, explore essential tools and resources, and learn what you need to succeed, no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey.

Come and go as you please throughout this free 4-hour event! There will be kid-friendly activities in our Youth Department as well. 

Official event flyer can be found here: https://uapl.me/SBF24

Organizations exhibiting in the Atrium include:

Columbus Urban League Minority Assistance Business Center
ECDI and Women’s Business Center
Ohio Department of Development
Ohio Secretary of State’s office - Business Services Division
Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College
SCORE Columbus
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Tri-Village Chamber of Commerce
Upper Arlington Public Library

Schedule:

10:15-11:00

Meeting Room B - Network with other local entrepreneurs and enjoy treats from The Original Goodie Shop as well as coffee from Littleton's Market!

11:00-12:00 

Friends Theater - “Brand Building 101: Creating a Memorable Identity for Your Business”
Join Yasmine Robles as she dives into the fundamentals of building a strong brand identity, discusses the importance of cohesive branding across digital and offline channels, and shares insights on creating a brand that resonates with your target audience.

Yasmine Robles, the visionary Chief Sparkle Strategist behind Robles Designs—a local agency dedicated to empowering small businesses with marketing strategy, websites, and brand design, fueling the ambitions of entrepreneurs set on world domination.

12:00-1:00

Meeting Room B - Speed Mentoring Roundtable Sessions with SCORE volunteers

Meeting Room A - Tour of the library and its business-related resources at 12:00, 12:20, and 12:40.

1:00-2:00

Friends Theater - “Registering and Maintaining a Business in Ohio”
The Ohio Secretary of State’s office is where businesses start in Ohio! The presentation will provide an overview of the role of the Business Services Division of the Secretary of State’s office; business name registration requirements; how to submit subsequent business filings to maintain an active, good standing status, and an overview of the changes implemented with the LLC Modernization Act. In addition, the presentation will cover services offered by the Ohio Secretary of State to assist you once the business is active. Some of these services are to help prevent business identity theft, ensure compliance with a new federal law requiring many businesses to report beneficial ownership information, and helping you connect to additional resources with the Ohio Business Resource Connection.

Meeting Room B - Speed Mentoring Roundtable Sessions with SCORE volunteers

Youth Activities:

10:30 a.m. - Business-focused playtime — Play with a cash register, pretend money, and an ice cream stand.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.  - Stop by for other activities and displays.

Upcoming events