Synergy CEO Participates in Small Business Forum with President Obama and Cabinet Members
February 23, 2011
Dr. Rachel Talton, CEO of Synergy Marketing Strategy and Research, Inc. was one of a few entrepreneurs and leaders honored to participate in President Obama's “Winning the Future Forum on Small Business” held on February 22, 2011 at Cleveland State University. Talton notes she was impressed that several cabinet members attended, including Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Energy Steve Chu, as well as Mr. Austan Goolsbee, Chair of the Economic Council, and the Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling. Steve Case (formerly of AOL) was also in attendance.
The Entrepreneurism breakout session Talton participated in, “Generated several powerful ideas that the government can implement,” Talton stated. “Most importantly, President Obama was very engaged in a very intensive and substantive conversation with us.” She reports that entrepreneurs stated the administration could assist their growth and sustainability by providing the following: 1) Access to capital; 2) Formalized mentorship programs (particularly between small and large private sector firms); 3) Access to capacity-building services; and 4) Less onerous processes for doing business with the federal government. Startup America (to be led by Steve Case) will address many of these needs through a public-private partnership driven by President Obama's administration, in collaboration with private sector executives from around the country.
Dr. Talton is encouraged that Northeast Ohio has a tremendous opportunity to leverage its resources, including expertise and R&D in technology, manufacturing, services and (most importantly) our existing public-private partnerships and philanthropic community.
“We at Synergy Marketing Strategy & Research, Inc. are excited to commit our time and resources to be a part of the solution,” Talton says, “I shared that commitment with President Obama, Steve Case, and Ray Leach and Darrin Redus of JumpStart. All of us can play an important part by sharing our ideas and holding ourselves accountable for our own success while holding President Obama and leaders in the public and private sector accountable for moving America forward.”
Dr. Rachel Talton
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