Each year, Brown hires and purchases goods and services from more than 1,000 local companies, generating more than $200 million in economic activity for its registered suppliers. Among those entrepreneurs are Rik Kleinfeldt, founder of New Harvest Coffee Roasters, and Shirley Moore, founder of Be Moore Interpreting. Both participated in the summit's small business suppliers panel, sharing how their partnerships with Brown have fueled their operations' growth, empowered additional hires and broadened their offerings.

Moore said before the event that she launched her small business in 2016, with Brown quickly becoming one of her first clients. What started as providing interpreter services for a couple of events each year has grown significantly — today, her Pawtucket-based agency supports up to 40 events annually across a dozen campus departments and centers.

"In so many different ways, our business has been enriched by our relationship with Brown," Moore said. 

Moore said that Brown's global community and wide array of events present new interpreting challenges that have served as a catalyst for her business's growth. For example, when a Brown department needed Korean interpreters for a poet, Moore's team, leveraging their strong network, connected Brown with a capable partner, demonstrating how those collaborations expand their reach and capacity.

According to Moore, a Providence native, when anchor institutions like Brown prioritize local purchasing, it’s a direct investment in Rhode Island’s small business economy. 

"Money spent within our community goes further," Moore said. "Those dollars support real people. And when institutions choose to spend here in Rhode Island — by proactively identifying local businesses, getting to know their owners and hearing their stories — they empower us to keep fighting for our businesses, to keep employing people and to keep growing."

After the morning’s discussions and a lunch featuring North Providence-based Francesco’s Pizzeria among other local vendors, attendees explored the supplier showcase. Nearly three dozen local businesses lined the fourth floor of the Granoff Center, their tables displaying products, informational materials and interactive demos, all aimed at building new relationships and exploring contracting opportunities with Brown. 

The exhibitors represented a broad mix of industries — from specialty services like tree care, locksmithing and cleaning, to business-to-business solutions including marketing, laboratory equipment and industrial pump maintenance. Local companies also showcased offerings such as floral arrangements, catering and photography.

For Jessica Mularski, president and owner of Warwick, Rhode Island-based Renova Lighting Systems, the summit opened doors that would otherwise be hard to reach, she said. 

“It’s nearly impossible for a small business like ours to track down every facilities manager across campus,” Mularski said. “This summit brings the right people into one room and gives us a real chance to connect, show our products and explain what we offer. Being able to meet face-to-face and make those connections is invaluable.”

According to organizers, this year’s successful event marked the first of what will become an annual opportunity for Brown decision-makers and small businesses in the region to establish new partnerships. In addition, Brown’s Office of Strategic Procurement and Contracts aims to establish additional roadmaps and practical tools for doing business with the University with a focus on demystifying bid processes and equipping local businesses with the knowledge needed to successfully compete for contracts.

Friends-turned-business-partners Jesus Caro and George Yawo founded Rhody Cleaning Services in 2019. After securing a contract with Brown in 2023 to service River House, a 174-unit residential building on Point Street in Providence, they were eager to attend the summit’s showcase and expand their connections across campus.

“Adding Brown as a client was a big step in the right direction,” Yawo said. “Any chance we get to show what we do and meet new people is a win — your network is your net worth.”