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What does the
Local Business Institute do?
Part think tank, part school, part national leadership, part training ground for local leadership, the Institute is home to local leaders from across the country. Through online and on-demand programs, special projects, distance learning, virtual and live conferences, lectures and events, we work to foster local, national and even global conversations around entrepreneurship and local economies. We bring substantial resources to entrepreneurs of all ages and stages.
Get involved!
Take the Live Local Pledge
Join the LocalFirst Community
Take an essential Business Bundle on the LBI Virtual Campus
![LBI Virtual Campus](https://localbusinessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/VIRTUAL-CAMPUS-ART-2-510x382.jpg)
![Local Economic Policy Study](https://localbusinessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/POLICY-LEAD-3-510x382.jpg)
![Federal Policy Recommendations for Resilient Local Economies](https://localbusinessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/POLICY-REC-ART-510x382.jpg)
![Central Texas Post Pandemic Needs Assessment Study](https://localbusinessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/POST-PANDEMIC-STUDY-ART-2.jpg)
![Local Business Centers](https://localbusinessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/LOCAL-BUS-CENT-FEATURE.jpg)
![LocalFirst Community](https://localbusinessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/LOCAL-FIRST-FEATURED2.jpg)
![Shop Local Marketplace](https://localbusinessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/WOMAN-SCREEN-copy.jpg)
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Completed Projects
Programs
Independent We Stand and the Local Business Institute Unite!
I have long supported local business. First in Austin, Texas as co-founder of the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) and then nationally, as co-founder of the Local Business Institute (LBI). The success of local business is a goal I’ve devoted most of my...
It’s Shop Local Week!
At the Local Business Institute, we don’t refer to businesses as the classic B to B (Business to Business) or B to C (Business to Consumer). We refer to all business as H to H (Human to Human) because that’s what local business really is. It’s easy to lose sight of...
We Speak Local
I have always sought to live a life of meaning that delivered fulfillment for me and contributions to others. Most often this has been focused on the local business community—helping where I can through the tools and skills I have. In the past this has largely been...