Supporting small business owners as they confidently move into the new year was a central focus of the Unlocking Capital for Small Business in the Berkshires event, sponsored on Jan. 14th by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center.

Wearing two hats—as a small business owner and a Pittsfield Economic Development Corporation (PERC) board member—Dulye & Co. President Linda Dulye joined Brandon Gill, Pittsfield Community Development Specialist, at the PERC information booth at the Berkshire Innovation Center. The conversations were energizing, practical, and grounded in real-world challenges and opportunities.

“I especially enjoyed hearing from Jackie Goetze, Manager of Peace Train Tees, about the bold growth moves her family-owned custom printing and embroidery business is making after more than a decade of operation. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience, adaptability, and access to the right resources fuel sustainable growth,” Linda shared.

With more than 100 attendees, the event delivered exactly what small business owners need most—new connections, shared experiences, and actionable insights to help them move forward with confidence in 2026.