UPDATE: This event has been postponed. Details will be coming soon about a new date with additional information! Thanks!
Small business ownership is not for everyone. There are plenty of ups and downs, sleepless nights and exhilarating achievements. A person needs to have the wherewithal to embrace the emotional rollercoaster that comes with small business ownership. In Ohio, there are few organizations that understand the plight of small business ownership as much as ECDI.
ECDI is a non-profit, small business lender that provides funding for small businesses and entrepreneurs across Ohio. The organization’s ability to make loans is primarily achieved by the financial support of Ohio’s well-respected banks and financial institutions. These funders want to aid small businesses, but often cannot due to the limitations these financial companies put upon themselves. So, ECDI becomes a sort of clearing house for traditional lenders that want to be helpful to Ohio’s economic growth.
ECDI’s Impact on Ohio’s Economy
The state has always recognized ECDI as an influential economic driver, as the organization has had a meaningful impact on job growth. Since 2004, ECDI has disbursed over $44 million through more than 2,050 loans, and created and retained approximately 7,200 jobs.
But what makes the organization particularly unique when compared to other alternative lenders is its wrap-around programs aimed at helping clients be better business people. It’s these wrap-around programs that attract both the entrepreneurs who are dedicated to growing their companies, and the financial institutions and other funders that have confidence in ECDI’s mission and ability to attract responsible small business clients.
Small Business Breakdown – A Comedy Fundraiser Event
ECDI’s clients include food trucks, restaurants, health & beauty businesses, fitness, logistics, IT services, retailers and more. Many of these businesses are well-known in Columbus, like Barcelona or Pitabillies. ECDI is proud of the brands they have helped grow.
So, it’s in the spirit of pride that EDCI will be celebrating its clients’ successes with a totally unique fundraising event scheduled for later this summer. The Small Business Breakdown is a comedy/variety show style entertainment experience. The show’s aim will be to spotlight – and poke a little fun – at small business ownership. Details of the event are as follows:
Date: July 26, 2018
Time: 7 – 10 p.m.
Location: TRISM (an ECDI client), 1636 N. High St.
Ticket Price: $50/person (21 and over only)
The event will include improv, standup comedy and a special silent auction featuring products and services donated by ECDI clients. Additionally, the event will feature a “Giving Tree,” providing event attendees the opportunity to make a $20 donation for a chance to pick a prize from the tree’s branches. Prizes include gift certificates to Easton, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Dine Originals, COSI and much more.
Comedy acts include Meowhatten Project – four-time champion of the Columbus Improv Wars – as well as local standup comedic talents Leslie Battle and Keith Bender.
Tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, one drink ticket, free parking, the silent auction and entertainment. A signature drink crafted by ECDI client Cleveland Whiskey will also be available.
Run of Show
7 p.m. – Networking & Silent Auction
8 p.m. – Improv
8:30 p.m. – Stand Up Comedy
8:45 p.m. – Improv Reprise
9 p.m. – Stand Up Comedy
9:15 p.m. – Comedic Musical
9:30 p.m. – Networking & Silent Auction
Sponsors & Silent Auction
ECDI’s Small Business Breakdown has been made possible by the following gracious sponsors:
- Headline: Ohio Capital Finance Corporation
- Opening Act: US Bank
- Open Mic: Turner Construction Company, Midwest Business Capital, Ohio State University
- In-Kind: TRISM, Meowhatten Project
Silent auction items have been provided by some of the following ECDI clients:
- IRevolve Fitness
- MMELO
- Hawthorne Park Bed & Breakfast
- Coco Cat Bakery & Chocolates
- Cravery Café
- DrinkO2
Impacting ECDI’s Operations
Most of the dollars ECDI raises through financial institutions and other funders are directed towards specific programs that are important to the donor. All of the proceeds from Small Business Breakdown are unrestricted dollars. Unrestricted dollars are an essential budgetary designation that provides ECDI the resources to support day-to-day operations, and improve overall operational efficiencies.
UPDATE: This event has been postponed. Details will be coming soon about a new date with additional information! Thanks!
Since 2004, ECDI has assisted Ohio’s entrepreneurs through its one-stop shop business services model, suited to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs, regardless of what business stage they’re in. From providing capital to entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses, to providing focused, business-specific educational opportunities to enhance entrepreneurial skill sets, ECDI works with their clients to meet their unique needs. Whether assisting a new client with a business concept or an acc
omplished entrepreneur opening a fifth location, ECDI’s “never say no” approach has allowed over twelve thousand entrepreneurs to take advantage of the services it provides. Visit ecdi.org today to learn more.
