PASCO COUNTY – SMARTstart is hosting the GROW Pasco event to help educate business owners throughout Pasco County and provide an environment to network with like-minded entrepreneurs as we explore healthy mindsets to build and thrive.
The event, sponsored by E-Assessment Inc., will take place March 20 at the Saint Leo University Wellness Center in San Antonio.
Grow Pasco will feature 15 breakout sessions led by more than 30 business professionals. The speakers will cover a variety of topics, such as digital trends and artificial intelligence, marketing and social media, and local resources for businesses.
The Pasco EDC entrepreneurship program, SMARTstart, is Penny for Pasco-supported and provides the tools for growing businesses. SMARTstart has helped create over 525 jobs and currently has 43 incubator members.
Members’ businesses vary from food start-ups cooking in the East Pasco Incubator Kitchen in Dade City to high-technology companies with offices at SMARTstart at the Grove in Wesley Chapel. Members have access to the three Entrepreneur Centers across Pasco County.
GROW Pasco is supported by a resource partners involved in SMARTstart that provide valuable guidance to entrepreneurs as they navigate the business landscape. The event’s Community Resources for Small Business panel discussion will highlight these available resources.
“GROW Pasco provides engaging opportunities for entrepreneurs that are looking to start or grow a business in Pasco County,” said Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC President/CEO. “The session topics are hand-picked from input previous attendees have shared to cover the wants and needs of local businesses.”
The lunch session will feature keynote speaker Johnny Crowder, founder and CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users in nearly 100 countries around the world. His presentation will highlight “Wellness and Community.”
Core Solutions Group LLC CEO Billie Welchman recommends attending GROW Pasco to entrepreneurs after attending last year’s event.
“From practical startup advice to innovative growth strategies, the presentations offered a wealth of insights,” Welchman said. “The networking facilitated meaningful connections and collaborations. Overall, GROW Pasco’s event provided a perfect platform for personal and professional growth.”
Visit https://smartstartpasco.com/events/details/grow-pasco-2025 to learn more about the GROW Pasco sessions and to register.
Registration costs $45 and includes a continental breakfast and seated lunch. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
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“Each year we hear great feedback from attendees who share how much new information they learned and how many connections they made to benefit their business throughout the event.” – Dan Mitchell, SMARTstart program director
