PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Tonight, Lt. Governor Dan McKee will be joined by local small business owners to highlight co-working and business incubator opportunities in Rhode Island on the fifth episode of McKee's monthly television show, "Advance RI." The show will air on Cox Channel 13, Verizon Channel 32 and Full Channel 49 at 7:00 p.m.
"Advance RI" is part of McKee's mission to highlight the efforts of Rhode Islanders in all 39 communities who are working to improve the small business climate, advance public education and strengthen cities and towns.
This month's episode will feature the stories of representatives from co-working spaces and business incubators across Rhode Island and small business owners anchored in those facilities. The pairs will discuss the benefits of co-working, how the partnership formed, and the services provided by each facility.
Guests representing co-working spaces and business incubators include: John Jarrell, President and Elizabeth Stone, Business Manager of the STEM Incubator in Coventry; Hillary Weinberger, Community Business Director of Sprout in Providence; Tuni Schartner, Co-founder of The Hive in North Kingstown; Kathy Gomez, Co-owner of Red DWG Library in Pawtucket; Kevin Murphy, Founder of Hatch in Providence and Luca Carnevale, Executive Director of Operations of Hope & Main in Warren.
Guests representing small businesses anchored in co-working spaces include: Stephen Sandler, CFO and Jim Wagner, CEO of BI Medical LLC located in the STEM Incubator; Shandi Hanna, Owner of LaunchCode located in Sprout; Janelle Blakely Photopoulos, Owner of Blakely Interior Design located in The Hive; Sarah Breen, Owner of Sarah L. Breen Coaching located in Red DWG Library; Dan Aziz, Founder of Premama located in Hatch and Mike Sandoval, Owner of OSO Canyon located in Hope & Main.
"As Lt. Governor, it's my mission to get the word out in all 39 cities and towns about what Rhode Island has to offer our small business community," said McKee. "Co-working spaces and business incubators are giving entrepreneurs across Rhode Island a reason to anchor in our state and an opportunity to create and innovate alongside their fellow small business people."
Episode 5 will air throughout the month of March on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Cox Channel 13, Verizon Channel 32 and Full Channel 49 and on Cox Channel 18 and Verizon Channel 31 on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m.
McKee invites Rhode Islanders to get involved in the conversation on Twitter and Facebook by using #AdvanceRI.
Media Contact: Andrea Palagi | andrea.palagi@ltgov.ri.gov | (401) 222-5383