Local small business owners and professionals gather for early morning event

By: Andrew Kusleika

OMAHA, Neb. – A myriad of local business owners and businesspeople gathered at Beacon Hills Bar and Grille in Aksarben Village for an early morning event. The Omaha Empowerment Breakfast is an event that is held once a month to serve the local business community.  

The small business owners that comprise the audience are part of a demographic that accounts for 99% of all private enterprises in the state, according to Lincoln Business Guides. Attendees are welcome to breakfast, door prizes, speeches and networking opportunities. 

“It’s a tradition that has been going on for 20 years,” Said Michael Mckee. “It’s a great place to meet people.” 

Networking opportunities are abundant at the Omaha Empowerment Breakfast at Aksarben Village located in Omaha, NE. (Photo/Andrew Kusleika)

The event is held on the first Friday of every month, and this iteration was headlined by keynote speaker Tina Bakehouse. Bakehouse presented her book and aimed to help the metro business community grow by making the members of said community into more engaging speakers and presenters. Bakehouse was introduced with the claim that it was her mission to put an end to boring speeches. 

“I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” said local small business owner DeAnna Busby-Rast. “ My contacts were small. My intention was just to connect with people so I could have more meaningful conversations with Omaha business owners or professionals.” 

A collection of speakers was at The Omaha Empowerment Breakfast. (Photo/Andrew Kusleika)

17.6 percent of Nebraska’s export revenue comes from small business, according to Boostsuite. The business owners that attended the Omaha Empowerment Breakfast are looking to grow that number.