Entrepreneurs' groups see growth in memberships

Confident the northern Nevada economy is beginning to rebound, entrepreneurs increasingly are joining organizations dedicated to helping them succeed.

Entrepreneurs want to invest in more effective networking, advice and support, say representatives of four organizations that serve entrepreneurs in the Reno area.

One group, Entrepreneurs' Organization, has added eight members since May. Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology has grown from 88 to 136 members since July. Membership in Young Professionals Network has increased from about 170 two years ago to 270 today. And the newly formed Under 30 CEO chapter in Reno has drawn dozens of potential members to its organizational meetings.

"We have hit bottom, and things are getting better," says Dave Archer, chief executive officer of NCET.

Rick Graver, owner of Medtech Services Inc. and membership chair for Entrepreneurs' Organization, agrees that business owners increasingly feel confident enough to invest in memberships to help their businesses grow.

"Entrepreneurs have identified our chapter as a place to learn and grow, so an entrepreneur who wants to grow his business will find the money to join," Graver says.

Archer says business owners turn to NCET for two time-honored reasons: They want to share ideas to improve revenue and control expenses.

Graver says members of Entrepreneurs' Organization seek assistance from fellow members in evaluating ideas such as potential projects, a new product line, rebranding or expansion decisions that are difficult to make independently.

As a member of EO, entrepreneurs can take these ideas to a Forum essentially, an informal board of directors to help them make a better business decision.

"We are risk takers, but we also want to calculate some of that risk," says Graver.

He says the group's members include a growing number who have created multiple companies, blending their experience with the cutting-edge knowledge of members who cut their teeth as Internet entrepreneurs.

Young Professionals Network Executive Director Nicole Shimabuku says "a lot of self-motivated people" account for the group's recent growth, coming up with the $50 annual dues.

"Especially in this economy the connections are valuable. You never know when something will come up," she says.

Under 30 CEO helps connect entrepreneurs who have great ideas with Nevada companies that produce the science and technology that entrepreneurs are seeking, says Jigar Patel, one of its founders.

He says that the question raised most often by members is, "Who do I get in contact with?"

The organization which doesn't levy any dues also assists members in matters outside of work, such as reducing stress, finding relaxation or dealing with family matters.

"People want to hear about personal experience, not just read about it," says Patel.

Young Professionals Network, meanwhile, is aiming to meet the needs of members who want more community involvement and professional development.

"Millennials (people born in the 1980s and 1990s) really want community involvement," says Shimabuku. A project with the Boys and Girls Club gives members experience in serving on a board of directors.

The EO chapter also is building community involvement of its members and established a wide-ranging partnership with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.