COLUMBUS – Central Ohio small business owners today welcomed Congresswoman Joyce Beatty for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing local entrepreneurs and how federal policy decisions can help small businesses grow.

The event marked the launch of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices’ (10KSBV) national “Seat at the Table” tour. It was held at Budd Dairy Food Hall in Italian Village, home to The Cheesecake Girl and Marlow’s Cheesesteaks, both members of the Goldman Sachs 10KSBV community. Local small business owners in attendance included Shanika Sheppard, Marlow’s Cheesesteaks; Samantha Strange, The Cheesecake Girl; Haleema Shafeek, GOFS Commercial Interiors; Daniel Cyphers, Skyward, Ltd; Emilee Coon, The Uniform Store; Letha Pugh, Bake Me Happy; Lisa Gutierrez, Dos Hermanos; Mark Tinus, Simple Times Mixers; Jennifer Frankart, Frankart Films.

The discussion underscored new survey data from 10KSBV that shows Ohio small business owners are growth-focused and optimistic, with 76% planning to grow their business in the next year and 76% optimistic about their businesses’ current trajectory. The survey also shows Ohio small business owners believe the top three actions the federal government can take to help them grow are: addressing rising costs (58%), providing incentives for offering competitive benefits (39%), and increasing access to affordable capital (35%).

“Small businesses are the backbone of Columbus’ economy and a driving force behind opportunity and innovation across Ohio,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “As a former small business owner, I know firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face – from rising costs to access to capital – and why it’s so important that the policies we develop in Washington reflect the realities of running a business today. I’m grateful to Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices and these local leaders for bringing us together and making sure small business owners have a seat at the table.”

“As small business owners, we are focused on growth and optimistic for the future, but real challenges remain,” said Lisa Gutierrez, Owner and CEO of Dos Hermanos and a member of 10,000 Small Businesses Voices. “We appreciate Congresswoman Beatty taking a seat at our table and listening to the experiences and challenges of local entrepreneurs.”

The “Seat at the Table” tour builds on the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit in Washington, D.C. last year. Thousands of small business owners from across the country participated in hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill to demonstrate the importance of having a “seat at the table” in developing policies that affect their ability to compete, grow, and create jobs in their communities.

The national survey of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses participants was conducted January 27- February 4, 2026, with 1,256 respondents, including 120 from Ohio – the most of any state. The survey included respondents from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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ABOUT 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES VOICES

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices is an advocacy initiative for graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Since 2012, 10,000 Small Businesses has provided access to education, capital, and support services to more than 1,000 small business owners in Ohio. Learn more at www.gs.com/10ksb-voices.