Pictured: This session, 'Sales Skills for People That Don’t Like to Sell' is part of the Hustle Bar program. Provided photo.

Economic development doesn’t just happen through large relocations or ribbon cuttings. It begins much earlier — often at a kitchen table, in a dorm room, or over coffee with a bold idea scribbled on a napkin.

If we want Sarasota’s economy to remain resilient and competitive, we must intentionally foster an ecosystem where businesses are started, supported, and sustained.

That is exactly why the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has collaborated with the State College of Florida to launch Hustle Bar — a program designed specifically for startups, side-hustlers, and early-stage entrepreneurs. Hustle Bar is not a lecture series. It is a practical, high-impact space where aspiring business owners gain access to real tools, real mentors, and real conversations about what it takes to move from concept to revenue.

Entrepreneurship can be isolating. Many microbusiness owners are navigating cash flow challenges, marketing decisions, regulatory requirements, and talent questions on their own. Hustle Bar helps eliminate that isolation by building community. Participants connect with experienced professionals, fellow founders, and resource partners who can help accelerate growth and avoid costly missteps.

Strong economies are built on strong small businesses. In Sarasota, microbusinesses make up a significant portion of our business community. When they thrive, our entire region benefits. That is why the Sarasota Chamber remains deeply committed to providing resources beyond networking events.

Through business mentoring, educational workshops, access to capital conversations, and strategic partnerships, we are creating pathways for entrepreneurs to gain clarity and confidence. Our Think Big initiatives further support early-stage companies, while our internship programs help connect young talent to emerging businesses that need fresh energy and new ideas. At every level, we are working to ensure that starting a business in Sarasota does not mean starting alone.

Economic development is not a single strategy — it is a system. It requires leadership development, workforce training, capital access, policy advocacy, and entrepreneurial support all working together. Hustle Bar is one important piece of that broader strategy.

Sarasota’s future will be shaped by those willing to take risks, solve problems, and create opportunity where others see obstacles. Our role as a Chamber is to build the conditions where that courage is supported and that innovation can flourish. Our team led by Dan Sidler, Vice President of CareerEdge and Economic Development are here to help.

The hustle is real. So is the opportunity. And we are just getting started.

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured: This session, 'Sales Skills for People That Don’t Like to Sell' is part of the Hustle Bar program. Provided photo.