I was invited to the White House for a Small Business Summit during Small Business Week in May. This was to celebrate the contributions of small businesses to the U.S. economy. When we first entered the building the products from 2 of the small businesses were on display. There was also live music from a uniformed military quintet. I enjoyed the songs. This took place in the East Room and attended by businesses from across the country. I did not know that the President would actually be speaking. We had all been waiting for about an hour when he came in. President Trump made some keys points including “a small business is really a giant business” in that 46 percent of all economic activity in the U.S. is from small businesses — the lifeblood of the American economy. 98 percent of U.S. manufactures are small businesses.

President Trump went on to discuss achievements and concerns:
1) No tax on overtime and no tax on tips
2) Great Big Beautiful Bill
3) No more estate taxes on farms and small businesses
4) A tax cut average of over $7000
5) More people are working than ever
6) He talked about AI and how people worry about A1 taking over jobs
7) 100 percent of new jobs are in the private sector. This meant eliminating a lot of unnecessary government jobs. Some of the people terminated though ended up better off.
8) Tariffs have helped small businesses. A goal is to bring furniture production back to N. Carolina.
9) He’s saved money on redoing the reflection pool.
10) The President talked about Venezula and Iran and how U.S. actions there have helped these countries.

One businesses was given an award. The head of the SBA Loeffler, said a few words and we also heard from Rick,a supporter, and the owner of the business that produces the TV show Pawn Stars.

It was an honor as a small business founder to be invited and hear from the President directly.