Özyegin has created 75 companies in 12 countries. He's also the founder of Özyegin University in Istanbul. He founded Finansbank and then branched out his business activities to finance, retail, real estate, energy, health, and hotels.I'm biased, but honestly, the Inc. 5000 was one of the events that changed my trajectory as a small business leader.
I remember being a nervous twentysomething entrepreneur when I walked into my first one. One of the first people I ran into was Eric Schurenberg, the editor-in chief at the time, and I was greeted with kindness and support. Since then, a past company I led made the list four times; I'm shooting for my next one as well. Being a part of the community is not just about a ranking (which is cool); it's about being surrounded by a high-caliber group of people from different industries to share ideas, failures and successes with.
If the fact that the Small Business Expo is the country's largest business-to-business tradeshow isn't enough to pique your interest, perhaps its price tag will. The Small Business Expo is free for all to attend, ensuring that any development you undergo or contacts you receive there represent nothing but pure profit for your business. Held in cities around the country from Dallas to Boston, the Expo ensures you can attend regardless of your location, budget or interest -- guaranteeing a worthwhile experience in the process.
