Idaho SBDC Success Luncheon

In a modern world of social influencers, side hustles, and online courses that promise to make $$ in a few easy steps, it's easy to think that entrepreneurship is easy. While we’re not here to burst your bubble completely, it is time to get real on the tribulations and triumphs of owning your own business. Achieving business success takes passion and perseverance--it takes mental toughness.

Join us along with SBA's 2023 Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year, Janeale Dean (Desert Creative Group), as we discuss the journey of an entrepreneur and how it can be one of the hardest things you will ever do, but with perseverance, it will be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do.

• Network with other small business owners in South Central Idaho
• Discover the key role passion and perseverance play in business success
• Hear from our amazing event sponsor, Umpqua Bank
• Learn about APEX and government contracting opportunities
• Enjoy delicious food!

Don't miss out on your chance to start developing your mental toughness. Register for our success luncheon today. Seating is limited.

Featured Speaker

Janeale Dean

Janeale Dean has a Bachelors of Fine Art in Visual Communications. Starting her career as a designer, she understands the power that visually impactful designs have on effective marketing. While shifting her career focus to strategic marketing, she worked her way up to become the Chief Marketing Officer of a multi-million dollar geospatial technology company. Through her C-Suite experience, she understands the complex ecosystems of a business and the roles that sales, operations, logistics, customer support, and marketing take on to work together in harmony. She has internationally-recognized marketing campaigns that have been presented as successful marketing models for global corporate trainings and featured on Wharton School’s Sirius XM Business Radio. She founded Desert Creative Group in 2017 and continues her passion to help guide business leadership through processes that empower them to shift to methodical, proactive business practices that lead to sustainable growth. Janeale was awarded ‘2023 Woman-Owned Business Person of the Year’ by the SBA Boise District and made the Idaho Business Review’s list of 50 Women of the Year for 2023.

Guest Speakers

Cory Jakobson

Cory Jakobson is a Senior Vice President and serves as a Regional Commercial Banking Manager, leading commercial teams in Southern Idaho and Utah. Cory uses a consultative advisory approach toward growing the commercial sector for Umpqua Bank. Cory has successfully started and grown three regions for the bank and is an integral part of positive changes within the banking and lending community. He specializes in providing financial solutions to business leaders. A 22-year banking veteran, Cory is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and holds a BBA and MBA from Boise State University. He is active in in his community and has held several leadership and volunteer positions. In his spare time, you’ll find Cory supporting his three athletic children, kayaking down rapids, skiing, or riding his bike preferably in the mountains.

Gina Bessire

Gina Bessire is a VP/SBA Loan Officer with Umpqua Bank who serves the State of Washington east of Puget Sound, Idaho, and Northern Utah. Bessire was previously VP/Manager of Zions Bank’s Business Resource Center acting as the face of small business for the bank in Southern Idaho and assisting entrepreneurs with the startup, positioning, growth, and funding of their businesses.

She has 12 years of SBA and microlending experience and was named to the Idaho Business Review Money Makers: Idaho’s Financial Leaders Power List in 2023. Bessire also volunteers on the planning committee for Boise Entrepreneur Week.