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    Fort Stewart’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program Hosts Operation Startup at Club Stewart

    Operation Startup Business Exposition

    Photo By Sgt. Jonathon Downs | Josh Davis, project coordinator for Operation Startup; a business exposition dedicated...... read more read more

    FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

    02.01.2024

    Story by Cpl. Jonathon Downs 

    50th Public Affairs Detachment

    FORT STEWART, Ga. — Fort Stewart’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program (MWR) hosted Operation Startup, an entrepreneurial exposition at Club Stewart, Feb. 1, 2024. The exposition aimed to inform Fort Stewart spouses and entrepreneurs on how to start a home business and give them the resources they need to succeed in doing so.

    “This is where we are coming together as a community,” said Michelle Cowart, MWR Director of Public Affairs. “To provide information and resources to small and home-based businesses.”

    More than nine business owners spoke at the event, joined by additional resources for the event’s attendants. The idea for the exposition came from recognizing local startups’ need for resources and guidance in running their businesses.

    “A lot of people have their side gigs and not necessarily the guidance to know what to do next,” said Cowart. “This is a real need in this community, especially with our home-based businesses.”

    About 180 people attended event, highlighting the event’s importance. Three of the businesses present were specifically dedicated to ensuring entrepreneurial success.

    “The goal here tonight is to introduce you to resources that can help you,” said Josh Davis, an event coordinator for Operation Startup. “There’s a ton of organizations in the local area that can help support a small business from the ground up.”

    However, the life of a military member or spouse is rarely local, even if the event’s resources are. Starting a business can be a smart move for military spouses who want to keep one job instead of seeking new employment every time they move.

    “If they move from installation to installation, they’re not necessarily looking for a new job each place they go," said Davis. They’re kind of making their own way.”

    New families moving to Fort Stewart may still have a chance, even if this is the first instance of the exposition. Davis and Cowart both have high hopes for the future of the event, especially given its success. Cowart believes the event could easily become an annual affair.

    “We want to grow the program,” said Cowart. “We want to invite different partners and we want to get feedback from this event to make the next one better.”

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.01.2024
    Date Posted: 02.12.2024 12:00
    Story ID: 463435
    Location: FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US

    Web Views: 114
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN