At the State Forty Eight Foundation, we’ve made it our mission to fuel Arizona dreams and drive local prosperity through entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneur Speaker Series is a free four-week educational and community building event designed to serve as a resource for current or aspiring small business owners in Arizona. If you’ve been working on a business venture or looking for entrepreneurial guidance, then this series is for you!
Each week, the series will tackle a topic or theme central to the entrepreneurial journey. Joined by some of Arizona’s most remarkable C-Suite executives, founders, industry experts, and local community leaders, this series will connect through engaging storytelling, expert guidance, and community cultivation. There’s much knowledge and insight to be gained from individuals who have been through it before and from experts with valuable strategies to share! Our aim is that you walk away better equipped and inspired to pursue your venture - or get it to the next level.
To top it all off, this year, we will be awarding $50,000 through the Foundation’s Entrepreneur Grant Program to local business owners! Attendees can become eligible to apply for a State Forty Eight Foundation grant through their attendance and participation in at least three sessions.
Weekly Wednesday sessions:
8/7 | 8/14 | 8/21 | 8/28
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Event ends at 9:30 PM
One Arizona Center - 11th floor
400 E Van Buren St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
The foundation of any successful business starts with understanding your "Why" and building intention into every aspect of your operations. Why do you want to start this business? Why does it matter to you and to your potential customers?
In this kickoff session, we'll delve into these fundamental questions to help you gain clarity on where you want your business to go and what you need to do to get it there. Join us for an insightful session with local experts and seasoned business owners as they guide you through the critical steps to launch your business with purpose and intention.
With keynote speakers who are experts in business launch and strategy development, you'll gain valuable insights and practical guidance. Learn how to refine your vision, understand your target audience, and develop a strategic business plan that aligns with your core motivations and aspirations.
We'll conclude the session with a Q&A, ensuring you leave with the knowledge and tools needed to start strong, achieve your business goals, and stay true to your "Why".
Any experienced entrepreneur will tell you that understanding your financial and legal needs is the cornerstone of business success! In "Navigating Essentials: Finance & Legal Insights," our keynote speaker, Elisabeth Pickle, will break down essential legal considerations such as intellectual property, trademarks, and business registration, through real-world anecdotes that are easy to process.
Then, a dynamic panel of legal experts and Arizona business owners will delve into the importance of properly structuring your business and how to maintain its financial well being. Plus, answer all your burning questions!
Join us to gain actionable advice to manage your business finances effectively and ensure you have the knowledge to navigate both legal and financial landscapes with confidence.
Take your business to the next level by mastering the art of marketing! In this session, our speakers will help you do just that. Join industry experts who have successfully navigated the marketing landscape as they share their insights on branding, building a loyal community, and creating a trusted and memorable brand that stands out in a competitive landscape.
With so many topics to dive into, our marketing session is always one of the most loved sessions! Don’t miss out on an opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals who will share their stories in order to help you execute a killer marketing strategy.
We’ll end the session with a Q&A, allowing attendees to ask questions and engage in discussion with out panelists about marketing for your business.
As your business evolves, creating sustainable practices and prioritizing your well-being becomes crucial for long-term success. ”Where Do We Grow From Here?" is for entrepreneurs poised for growth and longevity (Psst: That’s ALL entrepreneurs). Our speakers, all experienced business owners who have successfully grown and sustained their businesses, will share firsthand insights into overcoming the struggles and sacrifices of entrepreneurship without running yourself into the ground.
Themes include scaling strategies tailored to your unique business needs, accessing entrepreneurial support, assessing when to outsource or hire, and the importance of mental wellness and resilience throughout it all. Together, we will also explore how mentorship, coaching, or strong community support can drive your business forward while ensuring you regularly check in with yourself.
We’ll end the session with a Q&A, allowing attendees to ask questions and engage in discussion with out panelists on sustainable scaling and growth.
Zachary Hall is an author, business development executive and community spark plug. A Phoenix, Arizona native, Zach is a graduate of Phoenix College, Arizona State University and University of Phoenix.
He is the Director of Business Development at AvAir, a global leader in the aviation aftermarket industry. Previously, Zach spent 12+ years working in the Phoenix area professional sports scene, having worked for the NBA/WNBA, NHL, MLB, having performed in our community as Baxter the Bobcat, Howler the Coyote, and many others.
Zach serves the role of President of the State Forty Eight foundation and sits on the Grand Canyon University Honors College Advisory Board. In 2022 he was named to the prestigious, Phoenix Business Journal 40 under 40 list.
He loves helping people connect and finding synergy in their work and personal interests.
These passions led him to writing his first book, “Don’t Sleep on Planes” which can be found on Amazon today.
New this year is The Vendor Village, a collection of Arizona-owned and operated businesses and organizations showcasing their products and services, including past recipients of the State Forty Eight Foundation grant!
State Forty Eight Foundation is committed to helping entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.
Because we stand by our mission to foster the entrepreneurial spirit, we’ve created a grant fund of $50,000 for business owners who join us live and fulfill the outlined requirements.
Eligible attendees will have the opportunity to apply and receive up to $10,000 from the grant pool.
Meet our 2023 grant winners
Attendees will be eligible to apply for a grant by fulfilling the following requirements:
In person or virtual livestream
Emailed to attendees after each session
Grant applications will open on Friday, August 30 and will be available online
Questions about the application process? Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about the grant application process and ask questions! Details on how to join will be sent to all attendees via email.
Wednesday, September 4 – 6:00-7:00 PM | Click Here to Register
Friday, September 13 – 12:00-1:00 PM | Click Here to Register
Monday, September 16 – 6:00-7:00 PM | Click Here to Register
Attendance is not required for grant eligibility.
Revisit the live recorded Entrepreneur Speaker Series sessions from previous years:
Hear from Carly Figman of the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation on their experience as the major sponsor for our 2021 Entrepreneur Speaker Series.