Across the country, U.S. Bank Business Access Advisors are meeting with entrepreneurs to help them think beyond the day to day and focus on issues such as strengthening their business for what’s next, protecting what they’ve built and creating something that lasts.

Through the Creating Pathways to Legacy event series, business owners are gaining practical tools, trusted guidance and meaningful connections designed to support growth, resilience and generational wealth.

At each of the events, U.S. Bank is connecting business owners to integrated expertise across banking, payments, lending and wealth.

U.S. Bank launched the Business Access Advisor program in 2021 as a way to provide small business owners with expert guidance and useful resources. Now the bank has placed advisors in more than a dozen markets nationwide and deployed digital tools like Business Resources Central to help business owners on their journey.

Preparing for opportunity in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles County, with global events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, many local businesses are preparing for new opportunities tied to procurement, contracts and expansion.

At a recent procurement readiness event hosted with local collaborators, business owners gathered to learn how to position their companies for what is coming. From understanding bidding processes to strengthening financial foundations, the focus was on helping businesses compete for future opportunities.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy,” said Delphine Pruitt, the U.S. Bank Business Access Advisor based in Los Angeles. “When owners prepare early, financially and strategically, they are better equipped to grow and sustain their businesses.”

Interactive pitch sessions and banker roundtables provided direct feedback and access to expertise, reinforcing a core belief of the Access Business program: relationships matter and guidance should be practical, Pruitt said.

Building resilience in Charlotte

That same focus on longevity took center stage in Charlotte, North Carolina, where entrepreneurs, community collaborators and industry leaders gathered around a shared vision of sustainable growth, said Kimberly Edwards, the Business Access Advisor in Charlotte.

The event explored how planning, resilience, and intentional decision-making help protect a business over time, she said. Speakers from manufacturing, healthcare and technology shared how access to capital and trusted advice can drive long-term success.

“Legacy is not just about succession,” Edwards said. “It’s about the decisions you make today that strengthen tomorrow.”

The conversations reflect a broader reality: lasting success is built on discipline, adaptability and strong support networks, she said.

Industry-specific pathways in the Inland Empire

In California’s Inland Empire, Creating Pathways to Legacy took on an industry specific focus, supporting dental entrepreneurs balancing ownership with patient care, said Heli Castaneda, the Business Access Advisor serving the Inland Empire.

At a dental enterprises event, attendees explored how technology, lending options and wealth planning intersect in a professional practice. Continuing education credits, peer networking and expert discussions helped bridge clinical excellence and business sustainability.

“Dental professionals are experts in their field, but many are navigating business ownership for the first time,” Castaneda said.

Strengthening foundations in San Diego

The San Diego event brought together partners, practitioners and community leaders around a shared goal: helping businesses build strong foundations while preparing for future growth, said Claudio Burgin, the Business Access Advisor serving San Diego.

The conversation centered on the core elements that drive long-term success, including disciplined financial management, strategic planning and operational consistency, Burgin said. Attendees explored how focusing on these fundamentals today can position businesses to scale more effectively tomorrow.

“Growth becomes more sustainable when businesses are intentional about their foundation,” Burgin said. “When strategy and structure align, businesses are better equipped to take advantage of new opportunities.”

The event also highlighted the importance of connection. Through collaborative discussions, participants identified ways to strengthen partnerships, deepen relationships and create more seamless, value-driven support for business clients across the region.

A shared commitment to small businesses

Upcoming events in Phoenix and Nashville are designed to continue the momentum, with programming tailored to local market needs and small business growth priorities.

The common thread is that small businesses thrive when they have access to information, capital and people who understand their journey.

U.S. Bank’s Access Business approach is rooted in that belief, said Cesar Hernandez who oversees the Business Access Advisor program nationwide. By collaborating with local organizations, hosting local events and meeting owners face to face, Business Access Advisors are helping entrepreneurs see what is possible beyond today’s challenges.

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