Six Alabama small business owners were recently hosted by Meta, Facebook’s parent company, in Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) to discuss how social media helps their companies’ operations.
The women entrepreneurs discussed their experiences as small business owners and spoke about challenges that women and minorities face in their fields.
Among the topics were issues relating to obtaining access to capital and ways they utilize digital platforms to support their businesses, according to a release.
The meeting was made possible through Meta Boost Gather, a conference on Capitol Hill that allows small business owners to network and advocate for their interests to policymakers.
Tracey Kennedy, owner of California Country Organics Body Care in Birmingham, touched on how social media enabled her business to thrive.
“Facebook is my primary communication channel with my customers,” said Kennedy. “More than any other advertising method, social media gives me the opportunity to really connect with the people who use my products. It makes my business feel like a community.”
As social media is frequently used as a business development method, Meta Boost Gather actively brings business leaders together to learn best practices from each other about using platforms to drive metrics such as customer engagement and sales conversions.
Meta Boost Gather also served as an opportunity for the social media giant to learn from business owners about what features and functions they would like to see on Facebook and Instagram to make the platforms more efficient business development tools.
“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to travel to D.C. to speak on behalf of small business owners in Alabama,” Tracey added. “It was an empowering experience, and I will cherish the connections I made with other women business owners from across the state.”
Alabama small business owners who participated in Meta Boost Gather as follows:
- Crystal Buck, EVERLASTING (Northport)
- Beverly Johnson, Genesys Fitness (Huntsville)
- Tracey Kennedy, California Country Organics Body Care (Birmingham)
- Aisha Prewitt, Prewitt’s Flour Shop (Oneonta)
- Glenetta Russell, Her Moves Dance Fitness Studio (Montgomery)
- Ruth Simpson, Blue Water Vinyl and Gifts (Northport)
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
