Breakfast seems to be the most important meal of the day for neighborhood business leaders, especially for networking. Given that, the Greater Ashmont Main Streets (GAMS) and UMass Boston have combined forces to sponsor a series of Business Breakfasts for them, most recent one being held last Monday in the Fields Corner Business Lab.

So far, the breakfasts have been filled with people looking to connect and talk about successes and challenges of doing business in Dorchester.

“It has been so easy to revive Greater Ashmont Main Street’s monthly Business Breakfasts because the appetite for networking, collaboration, and information sharing is insatiable right now,” said Elle Marrone, executive director of GAMS.

“Each breakfast brings new faces into the room and with them, new resources, new ideas, new energy. And then there’s always the core group of attendees like Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation’s Small Business team and a handful of entrepreneurs who have found a home at these events.”

Each breakfast is sponsored by a business or organization – with catering done by a local company, she said.

UMass Boston sponsored last week’s event, and said it was happy to do so.

“UMass Boston is proud to support the Greater Ashmont Main Streets Business Breakfast, a monthly event that brings together local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community advocates to strengthen our neighborhoods,” said Phil Carver, director of city and community relations for UMass Boston.

“As Boston’s public research university, we believe in fostering economic development and community partnerships that drive inclusive growth. The Business Breakfast is a great opportunity to connect, collaborate, and champion local initiatives that help shape the future of our city.”
Look for more upcoming business breakfasts this spring.

Naldo Cardoso, Small Business Specialist from CSNDC, and Emmy Romero, owner of Esther’s Garden Family Childcare.

Jackey West Devine, executive director of Fields Corner Main Streets, and Valerie Abrigo Rivera, entrepreneur/LMHC. Courtesy photos