Jeffrey looked to find out several things from Karena in this conversation:

Summit Growth & Demand – What drove the strong demand after the first Immerse Summit, and how are you scaling this year’s event to meet the needs of more entrepreneurs?

Practical Business Value – With sessions ranging from accessing capital to mastering elevator pitches, how do you ensure the programming directly addresses the most urgent challenges small businesses face in Flint and Genesee County?

Networking & GEN Partners – The summit highlights the Genesee Entrepreneurial Network. How does GEN strengthen the business ecosystem, and what advantages do local businesses gain from those connections?

Recognizing Excellence – The Immerse Awards spotlight local businesses that have shown customer service and growth. What impact do you see that recognition having on the winners and the broader community?

Future Impact & Support – Beyond the summit, what upcoming programs or initiatives from the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance and Small Business Support Hub should entrepreneurs be watching for?

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Please join Flint & Genesee’s Small Business Support Hub for the 2025 Immerse Entrepreneurial & Small Business Summit.

Thursday, September 25, 2025
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Gateway Center Wyndham Hotel, 5353 Gateway Centre Blvd., Flint
Exhibitors
Breakout Sessions
Networking
Registration is closed, but walk-ins are welcomed.
Breakout Sessions include:

Second Act, First Business: Becoming Your Own Boss (Presented by the Small Business Development Center) – Learn to assess entrepreneurial readiness, develop and validate business ideas, plan finances, and create strategies for marketing and customer acquisition.
Opening Doors: Your Path to Brick and Mortar (Presented by the Uptown Reinvestment Corporation) – Learn how to navigate the risks and opportunities of opening a first retail location through informed, strategic decision-making.
Profit and Loss Code for Food Based Business (Presented by In the Business of Food) – Learn how to strip away the mystery behind two of the most important financial tools for your business: the profit & loss statement and the break-even analysis.
Retail Business and E-Commerce Essentials (Presented by Townsquare Media) – Learn how to dive into retail and e-commerce, master consumer insights and craft effective pricing, merchandising, and promotional strategies for traditional, online, and omnichannel markets.
Business Structure and Legal Compliance (Presented by Cline, Cline, and Griffin) – Learn how to choose the right legal structure for your business, understand LLC types, and navigate key legal requirements for offering products and services.
Also:
Marketing and Promotion (Presented by Professor Lorita Cummings, Eastern Michigan University)
Mastering Elevator Pitches (Presented by Beauty Image Inc.)
Accessing Capital (Presented by Genesee County Area Business Bankers)
Digital Marketing for Small Business (Presented by Spectrum)
Leveraging AI for Small Business (Presented by the Small Business Development Center)
Understand the Foundations of Small Business Insurance (Presented by Hartland Insurance)
Understanding Small Business Taxes (Presented by Yeo & Yeo CPA’s & Advisors)