Grab your lunch and join us the  to learn more about the SBA 504 Loan program and network with other small business owners. The 504 Loan Program provides long-term, fixed rate financing for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation. 504 loans are available through Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA's community-based partners who regulate nonprofits and promote economic development within their communities. CDCs are certified and regulated by the SBA. To be eligible for a 504 loan,…

Topic: Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) Grab your lunch and join us the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners. This workshop will explain the process and advantages of utilizing the Women -Owned Small business contracting program for federal contracting. Learning Outcomes: • How to self-certify as a women-owned small business • The eligibility requirements to qualify for the WOSB program • How the WOSB program can help your…

Please join Senior Business Counselor, and Adjunct GMU Professor George Siragusa, on Wed, November 16th, 2022, as he guides you through a step-by-step process of building a business performance dashboard, complete with relevant metrics, that is invaluable to meet your strategic and tactical goals and objectives. This webinar is extremely useful for early stage companies, growth, or even mature businesses! During this NO-COST webinar you should be able to: : See what business dashboards look like Understand why a “scorecard”…

Subscribed to QuickBooks Online but not sure where to start? Or better yet, unsure if you’re ready to make the leap to using a paid accounting software? If so, join us for a highly interactive and hands-on program where we’ll go through all the basics of QuickBooks Online. By the end of our time together, you will be able to: Customize your chart of accounts Link bank feeds, Categorize transactions, Create automatic categorization rules, Reconcile accounts, and Customize reports! For…

Have questions on financing? Wondering on where to begin? Join us in conversation with Chandra Hurst, Economic Equity Loan Officer at Virginia Community Capital. In this webinar, we will discuss: How to prepare for a small business loan Overview of financing - debt vs. equity Analyzing credit requests Application package & information required Speaker(s): Chandra Hurst Register Here

Promotional Video HERE Overview of This Live Webinar During this live webinar (Zoom), attendees will learn: Financing Basics – Types of Financing Funding Sources & Financing Programs Common Misconceptions of Small Business Financing Bank Financing Basics Preparing for Financing Strategies for your Bank Presentation And Much More! Register Here

Subscribed to QuickBooks Online but not sure where to start? Or better yet, unsure if you’re ready to make the leap to using a paid accounting software? If so, join us for a highly interactive and hands-on program where we’ll go through all the basics of QuickBooks Online. By the end of our time together, you will be able to: Customize your chart of accounts Link bank feeds, Categorize transactions, Create automatic categorization rules, Reconcile accounts, and Customize reports! For…

Already feel like you have a handle on your monthly tasks within QuickBooks Online and now looking to get more out of your use? In this course, we’ll explore added functions of QuickBooks, such as - receipt management, recurring transactions, tags, classes and locations, advanced reporting, payroll, and much more! As this is a highly interactive and hands-on program, make sure you have your QuickBooks account pulled up, or QuickBooks Online Test Drive: https://qbo.intuit.com/redir/testdrive. Register Here

Get ready for opening day! Join this live webinar (Zoom) to learn the following startup essentials: Legal forms Tax registration and filing Naming your company Finance and Accounting Employees vs Contractors Foundations for your business plan Register Here

It is predicted that by the year 2025, one in five people will use vacation rentals at least once a year. Is this booming business right for you? We’ll discuss what is involved in operating a successful vacation rental business, what options are available, and what steps to take to get started. We’ll also provide a digital guidebook with key points from the webinar and helpful links to informational resources. Register Here

Join us if you’re interested in pivoting more of your efforts to ONLINE SALES This session will cover: The variety of websites available, the possibilities for upgrading yours to better accommodate online sales and the estimated costs to accomplish this! The various e-commerce platforms available and how to select the best based on your specific business needs. How to setup and manage your online storefront or service portal and how to use data and marketing to maximize returns. A confirmation…

Are you considering registering your business to be a government contractor? Do you think government contracting might be a good option to help grow your business? If so, then join us for GovCon 101. This session will be help you to understand: • Whether government contracting is a good option for your business • If your business is ready to enter the government arena • The process of registering to be a government contractor • Certifications that might benefit your…

The following will be covered during this live webinar: Power of SEO and social media for attracting customers, including local SEO to precisely target your market. Website optimization for lead generation. How personas, message maps, and content calendars help to make your website and social media footprint more attractive when integrated. Social selling as an amplifier of your existing sales and marketing strategy. Learn to build an omni channel presence and customer journey for faster wins. What your digital channel…

Heard of Canva but unsure of how to utilize it for your small business?? Join us for an interactive workshop that will walk you through setting up your brand standards, utilizing templates, and creating from scratch! You will need to register for a FREE Canva account to join us! Registration is limited. Register today! NOTE: this is a LIVE session. There will not be a recording due to the interactive and situation-based nature of the presentation.   Register Here for…

Promotional Video HERE Overview of this live webinar During this webinar you will learn about: The government customer Readiness to be a government contractor Marketing to the customer Government jargon Steps to get started Small business set-asides Targeting the government customer - what the buyer wants to know What should go into a capability statement Register Here

Grab your lunch and join us virtually for the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners. Finding funding for your business can be challenging if your credit score is weak. Join us as we discuss strategies to improve both your personal and business credit score. Key Takeaways: how your personal credit affects your business how to improve your personal credit to benefit your business how to improve your business…

Some of the most popular reasons to start a business include-having a unique business idea, designing a career that has the flexibility to grow with you, working toward financial independence, and investing in yourself. Prepare to start a successful business: Evaluate your entrepreneurial abilities Marketing strategies Financial resources Legal form of organization Tips to prepare & present your business plan Cybersecurity Tips Not every small business is positioned for success, so you may be in for a real challenge when…

Participants will learn free and low cost ways to market their business and increase sales. Topics will include: *Getting the most out of social media *Using email marketing effectively *Free resources to make your business look great *Participants will receive tips and ideas they can begin implementing right away Speaker(s): Hope Gayles, Associate Director, Communications & Outreach & Public Information Officer at Southern Virginia Higher Education Center Register Here

Do you have a business idea? Are you an early stage business and could use a boost? Entrepreneurs who start with a solid foundation of research, planning, and organization are up to 89% more likely to remain in business three years later. We’ll cover: Validating Your Idea • Business Plan Basics • Managing Your Money • Funding Options After Business 101, follow-up appointments are available with SBDC business advisors to focus on your concept development, funding and business plans including…

The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 5% of that spend is allocated for Small Disadvantaged(8(A) firms. This is a huge opportunity for small firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In this presentation you will learn: • Eligibility requirements for 8(a) certification • Understanding the Application Process • Understanding how to prepare before applying • Staying Certified Speaker(s): Lisa Powell…

Promotional Video HERE Overview of This Live Webinar Get ready for opening day! Join this live webinar (Zoom) to learn the following startup essentials: Legal forms Tax registration and filing Naming your company Finance and Accounting Employees vs Contractors Foundations for your business plan Register Here

Updated for 2023 Businesses need to understand the basics of digital marketing now more than ever, because digital marketing creates growth. Learn about the basics of digital marketing, including: Social Media Email Marketing Paid Ads SEO Affiliate Marketing How to use analytics to measure your success A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration - a day before before the event - please be on the lookout for it. Instructor: Cameron Nelson, Chief Digital Advisor, VA…

Learn the basics about setting up your business accounting systems, presented by Nadia Anderson, CPA, CGMA. Register Here

Subscribed to QuickBooks Online but not sure where to start? Or better yet, unsure if you’re ready to make the leap to using a paid accounting software? If so, join us for a highly interactive and hands-on program where we’ll go through all the basics of QuickBooks Online. By the end of our time together, you will be able to: Customize your chart of accounts Link bank feeds, Categorize transactions, Create automatic categorization rules, Reconcile accounts, and Customize reports! Register…

Promotional Video HERE Overview of This Live Webinar During this live webinar (Zoom), attendees will learn: Financing Basics – Types of Financing Funding Sources & Financing Programs Common Misconceptions of Small Business Financing Bank Financing Basics Preparing for Financing Strategies for your Bank Presentation And Much More! Register Here

Already feel like you have a handle on your monthly tasks within QuickBooks Online and now looking to get more out of your use? In this course, we’ll explore added functions of QuickBooks, such as - receipt management, recurring transactions, tags, classes and locations, advanced reporting, payroll, and much more! As this is a highly interactive and hands-on program, make sure you have your QuickBooks account pulled up, or QuickBooks Online Test Drive: https://qbo.intuit.com/redir/testdrive. Register Here

Eva Scott will review the different retirement plans available for entrepreneurs and explain the pros and cons of qualified versus non qualified plans. We will review the options of Saving for retirement with pre tax or after tax contributions and what it will mean in the future. A brief and basic explanation of the impending financial crisis brought on by the exponential growth of the US National Debt. How retirees can be impacted by the combination of bearish markets and…

Join us and learn how to create and/or better manage your WordPress website! Are you looking for a simple, yet effective website to use for your business? WordPress might be a good option! In this workshop, we’ll cover “the basics” on creating and updating a WordPress site, including: User management Page creation and editing Image and video uploads Plugin management Linking to social media Register Here

The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 23% of that spend is allocated for small business. This is a huge opportunity for small firms to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting. Before entering into this arena you must first know how to market yourself to government. This presentation will help you prepare your firm to get noticed by government and prime buyers by developing a proper marketing…

Refresh your knowledge to effectively market your goods and/or services! This live webinar (via Zoom) will cover the following marketing essentials: How to choose your target group(s) How to communicate with your target(s) Market Definition Market Segmentation Competitive Analysis Company Branding Online (SEO) and Offline Marketing Register Here

The Speaker Eva Scott will review the Automatic Retirement Plan Act (ARPA) that rolled out on June of 2023. She will discuss how this new regulation will affect small business owners in Virginia. The ARPA amends the IRS code requiring employers to maintain automatic contribution plans for employees. Key Takeaways: Who is affected by ARPA What choices do you have as a small business owner How the Department of Treasury can pay the credit as a contribution to the retirement…

Remote work is rapidly becoming the norm for small businesses across industries. With advantages like lower overhead, wider access to talent, improved employee satisfaction, and streamlined workflows, it's no surprise that remote SMBs are outperforming fully in-person or hybrid companies. But where do you start as a small business owner looking to take advantage of remote work? How can you build a successful remote team and maintain productivity and engagement? Join us for this webinar as we share expert insights…

This one-hour webinar is designed for small business owners to learn more about credit card optimization, including reducing fees on credit cards and gifts cards. Learning Outcomes: Choosing a Processor - What to look for when picking a company to process credit cards. Visa/MC Interchange - Find out how the processors get charged and how it affects you. Gift Card Programs - Will setting up a gift card program for your business help? If so, learn how to set one…

During this webinar you will learn about: The government customer Readiness to be a government contractor Marketing to the customer Government jargon Steps to get started Small business set-asides Targeting the government customer - what the buyer wants to know What should go into a capability statement Register Here

Please join Senior Business Counselor, and Adjunct GMU Professor George Siragusa, on Wed, November 16th, 2022, as he guides you through a step-by-step process of building a business performance dashboard, complete with relevant metrics, that is invaluable to meet your strategic and tactical goals and objectives. This webinar is extremely useful for early stage companies, growth, or even mature businesses! During this NO-COST webinar you should be able to: : See what business dashboards look like Understand why a “scorecard”…

Subscribed to QuickBooks Online but not sure where to start? Or better yet, unsure if you’re ready to make the leap to using a paid accounting software? If so, join us for a highly interactive and hands-on program where we’ll go through all the basics of QuickBooks Online. By the end of our time together, you will be able to: Customize your chart of accounts Link bank feeds, Categorize transactions, Create automatic categorization rules, Reconcile accounts, and Customize reports! Register…

Have questions on financing? Wondering on where to begin? Join us in conversation with Chandra Hurst, Economic Equity Loan Officer at Virginia Community Capital. In this webinar, we will discuss: How to prepare for a small business loan Overview of financing - debt vs. equity Analyzing credit requests Application package & information required Register Here

Join us for an informative virtual session hosted by the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Grants team! VTC offers several funding programs to assist the Virginia travel industry and recently opened a Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program grant for tourism-oriented small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time employees. Join Staci Martin, Grants Director, Noah Salaah ad-Deen, Grants Specialist, and Caleb Leech, Grants Coordinator for a deep dive into the current and future programs. You will leave with a better understanding of each program…

Gov 101: Are you Ready? The government contracting market is full of opportunity but is sometimes difficult to navigate. This presentation will help you understand the steps you need to take to enter into this exciting field. This presentation will cover: • Determining eligibility • How to get started • Marketing to the government • Proposal Writing Tips Join Lisa Wood, Director of the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), for this informative presentation - a "must" for those who are…

The following will be covered during this live webinar: Power of SEO and social media for attracting customers, including local SEO to precisely target your market. Website optimization for lead generation. How personas, message maps, and content calendars help to make your website and social media footprint more attractive when integrated. Social selling as an amplifier of your existing sales and marketing strategy. Learn to build an omni channel presence and customer journey for faster wins. What your digital channel…

Navigating the New SBA Veteran Owned Small Business/ Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB/SDVOSB) Certification The SBA has recently taken over the certification of Veteran Owned Small Business/ Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB/SDVOSB) for set-aside opportunities with the government. This class will walk you through the new application and give you advise on how to properly submit your application. In this class you will learn: • Where to access the portal for application submission • How to…

Updated for 2023 Does your business need a mobile app? In this bootcamp you will learn if your small business will benefit from having a mobile app, and the steps to successfully deploy and market your app on the app stores. Areas covered include: Market Research App Scoping Finding a Developer and Budget App Business Planning Marketing Approach Building a Prototype Launching an App Promoting App Register Here Presented by Cameron Nelson, Chief Digital Advisor, VA SBDC.

During this webinar you will learn about: The government customer Readiness to be a government contractor Marketing to the customer Government jargon Steps to get started Small business set-asides Targeting the government customer - what the buyer wants to know What should go into a capability statement Register Here

Before we know it, the holidays will be here! Have you already begun your black Friday & Small Business Saturday prep work? If not, join us as we discuss key topics related to holiday shopping. Topics: Advertisement & Marketing How to analyze your sales trends to prepare your inventory Email & social media campaigns Planning your holiday promotions Website traffic Register Here

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you're not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a…

This module will cover the basic facts about patents. We will explore the different types of patents, including utility, design, and plant. We will define the difference and use of both provisional patent applications and non-provisional patent applications. Further, we will discuss the process of patent prosecution, the role of the U.S. patent examiner and what to expect when working with the USPTO. Information regarding a number of patent prosecution programs and initiatives available to applicants will also be provided.…

Participants will learn free and low cost ways to market their business and increase sales. Topics will include: *Getting the most out of social media *Using email marketing effectively *Free resources to make your business look great *Participants will receive tips and ideas they can begin implementing right away Speaker(s): Hope Gayles, Associate Director, Communications & Outreach & Public Information Officer at Southern Virginia Higher Education Center Co-Sponsor(s): LSBDC, GMU, SBA, VSBDC, SVHEC, GoVA Register Here  

Are you considering registering your business to be a government contractor? Do you think government contracting might be a good option to help grow your business? If so, then join us for GovCon 101. This session will be help you to understand: Whether government contracting is a good option for your business If your business is ready to enter the government arena The process of registering to be a government contractor Certifications that might benefit your business as a government…

In this session, discover if you’re ready to sell in Amazon’s store and how to get started. Learn the fundamentals of selling with Amazon including what to sell and when, how to list and deliver your products, and how to grow and scale your brand online. We will also share information on the resources and programs Amazon has to help enable small business success. Key Takeaways: Learn if you’re ready to start selling in Amazon’s store, what to sell &…

During this live webinar (Zoom), attendees will learn: Financing Basics – Types of Financing Funding Sources & Financing Programs Common Misconceptions of Small Business Financing Bank Financing Basics Preparing for Financing Strategies for your Bank Presentation And Much More! Register Here

Some of the most popular reasons to start a business include-having a unique business idea, designing a career that has the flexibility to grow with you, working toward financial independence, and investing in yourself. Prepare to start a successful business: Evaluate your entrepreneurial abilities Marketing strategies Financial resources Legal form of organization Tips to prepare & present your business plan Cybersecurity Tips Not every small business is positioned for success, so you may be in for a real challenge when…

What’s all the fuss about AI and ChatGPT? What AI tools are available, and how can a small business use them to streamline customer service and marketing tasks? This session with the Virginia SBDC’s Chief Digital Advisor Cameron Nelson will help answer those questions and more. The first half of the session will give an overview, and the second half will be set aside for Q & A. Register Here A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be…

Refresh your knowledge to effectively market your goods and/or services! This live webinar (via Zoom) will cover the following marketing essentials: How to choose your target group(s) How to communicate with your target(s) Market Definition Market Segmentation Competitive Analysis Company Branding Online (SEO) and Offline Marketing Register Here

Grab your lunch and join us the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners. Topic: Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) The federal government aims to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) each year. Joining the SDVOSB program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside contracts. You can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic…

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you're not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business…

Join us for a discussion about what all entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-ups should know about trademarks. We’ll discuss what trademarks are, the benefits of federal trademark registration, and the basics of the registration process. We’ll also talk about why it’s so important for any new business to select a trademark that is both federally registrable and legally protectable. We’ll direct you to free resources from the USPTO and close out the discussion with a question-and-answer session. Speaker: Christina Calloway,…

The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 5% of that spend is allocated for Small Business. This is a huge opportunity for firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In order to get noticed by small business offices, you must first create a winning capability statement. This is the most importing marketing piece you will create for your business. A properly…

2023 is quickly coming to a close, are your financial records in order? Anxious about preparing for tax season? Join us on Thursday, November 16 at 10:00 AM as we learn from Tom Tanner, Regional Advising Director, IRS Registered Agent about preparing for Tax Season and tips to close out your books for 2023 and prepare for 2024. Attendees will learn about: Year-end tax planning 2024 Tax benefits Audit readiness Financial reporting Bookkeeping tips Who should attend: Current Small Business…

Participants will learn free and low cost ways to market their business and increase sales. Topics will include: *Getting the most out of social media *Using email marketing effectively *Free resources to make your business look great *Participants will receive tips and ideas they can begin implementing right away Register Here  

This session will cover: The variety of websites available, the possibilities for upgrading yours to better accommodate online sales and the estimated costs to accomplish this! The various e-commerce platforms available and how to select the best based on your specific business needs. How to setup and manage your online storefront or service portal and how to use data and marketing to maximize returns. A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration - a day…

SBA WOSB/EDWOSB Certification The Federal Government has a 5% contracting goal for Woman Owned and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned small businesses. These set asides are a great way to gain entry into the complex world of Federal contracting. This class will introduce you to this certification and help you determine if you qualify. We will cover these key areas: • Which WOSB/EDWOSB cert do you qualify for • What does it take to qualify for WOSB/EDWOSB small business set-aside certifications…

Please join as we guide you through a step-by-step process of building a business performance dashboard, complete with relevant metrics, that is invaluable to meet your strategic and tactical goals and objectives. This webinar is extremely useful for early stage companies, growth, or even mature businesses! During this NO-COST webinar you should be able to: : See what business dashboards look like Understand why a “scorecard” is important Become familiar with the principles that guide your 1st dashboard draft Know…

This one-hour webinar is designed for small business owners to learn more about credit card optimization, including reducing fees on credit cards and gifts cards. Learning Outcomes: Choosing a Processor - What to look for when picking a company to process credit cards. Visa/MC Interchange - Find out how the processors get charged and how it affects you. Gift Card Programs - Will setting up a gift card program for your business help? If so, learn how to set one…

It is predicted that by the year 2025, one in five people will use vacation rentals at least once a year. Is this booming business right for you? We’ll discuss what is involved in operating a successful vacation rental business, what options are available, and what steps to take to get started. We’ll also provide a digital guidebook with key points from the webinar and helpful links to informational resources. Register Here

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you're not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business…

Understanding the money side of the business is crucial for sustainability and growth. This workshop equips you with the essential knowledge you need to navigate financial avenues like: • Access to Capital • Business Loans and Grants • Investments and Bootstrapping • Building Business Credit • Crafting a Loan Package Whether you're still mapping out your business idea or looking to scale, gaining financial literacy through this workshop can make all the difference in ensuring your business’s long-term success. Register…

Got questions about hiring at your new business such as: How and when should I hire an employee? What's the difference between and employee and a "contractor"? Which is right for your business? This class in our Start-up Toolbox series will cover the basics and give you the tools you need to get the help you need at your small business. Register Here

Get ready for opening day! Join this live webinar (Zoom) to learn the following startup essentials: Legal forms Tax registration and filing Naming your company Finance and Accounting Employees vs Contractors Foundations for your business plan Register Here

Grab your lunch and join us the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners. Are traditional funding sources not a fit for your business? Consider crowdfunding. Join us as we discuss how crowdfunding works, why it may work for you, and tips and tricks on how to be a successful crowd funder. Finding revenue is one of the challenges for a project/idea/business. There are many options to help fund…

Businesses need to understand the basics of digital marketing now more than ever, because digital marketing creates growth. Learn about the basics of digital marketing, including: Social Media Email Marketing Paid Ads SEO Affiliate Marketing How to use analytics to measure your success A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration - a day before before the event - please be on the lookout for it. Register Here

The following will be covered during this live webinar: Power of SEO and social media for attracting customers, including local SEO to precisely target your market. Website optimization for lead generation. How personas, message maps, and content calendars help to make your website and social media footprint more attractive when integrated. Social selling as an amplifier of your existing sales and marketing strategy. Learn to build an omni channel presence and customer journey for faster wins. What your digital channel…

Be prepared. Find out what you need to do to protect your small business from cybersecurity threats in the coming year! Speaker: Quiana Gainey, Virginia SBDC Cyber Industry Expert A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration - a day before before the event - please be on the lookout for it. Register Here

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you’re not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you’re not sure if it will make a profitable company. We’ll cover the importance of creating a business…

Gain Insight into: • Market Research • Identifying Overall Market & Target Market • Analyzing Competition • Marketing, Sales, & Promotional Strategies • Pricing Dynamics This workshop will help you carve out a strong market presence, tailor your marketing strategies, and understand how to price your offerings competitively. This is the 3rd in a series of three workshops for the FAST Accelerator Program. The workshops can be taken in any order and will help lay the groundwork for your business…

The following essential steps for government contracting will be covered: The government customer Readiness to be a government contractor Marketing to the customer Government jargon Steps to get started Small business set-asides Targeting the government customer What the buyer wants to know What should go into a capability statement Register Here

During this live webinar (Zoom), attendees will learn: Financing Basics – Types of Financing Funding Sources & Financing Programs Common Misconceptions of Small Business Financing Bank Financing Basics Preparing for Financing Strategies for your Bank Presentation This live webinar will be presented via Zoom. Webinar access details (Zoom invitation) will be provided after registration Register Here

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you’re not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you’re not sure if it will make a profitable company. We’ll cover the importance of creating a business…

The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 5% of that spend is allocated for Woman Owned and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Businesses (WOSB/EDWOSB). This is a huge opportunity for small woman owned firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In this presentation you will learn: • Eligibility requirements for WOSB/EDWOSB • Understanding the application process • Understanding how to prepare before…

Refresh your knowledge to effectively market your goods and/or services! This live webinar (via Zoom) will cover the following marketing essentials: How to choose your target group(s) How to communicate with your target(s) Market Definition Market Segmentation Competitive Analysis Company Branding Online (SEO) and Offline Marketing Register Here

This webinar will cover the basic facts about patents. We will explore the different types of patents, including utility, design, and plant. We will define the difference and use of both provisional patent applications and non-provisional patent applications. Further, we will discuss the process of patent prosecution, the role of the U.S. patent examiner and what to expect when working with the USPTO. Information regarding a number of patent prosecution programs and initiatives available to applicants will also be provided.…

Please join Senior Business Counselor, and Adjunct GMU Professor George Siragusa, on Wed, November 16th, 2022, as he guides you through a step-by-step process of building a business performance dashboard, complete with relevant metrics, that is invaluable to meet your strategic and tactical goals and objectives. This webinar is extremely useful for early stage companies, growth, or even mature businesses! During this NO-COST webinar you should be able to: : See what business dashboards look like Understand why a “scorecard”…

Your plan drives critical decisions and actions that determine whether you succeed or fail. Identifying your core customers, important activities and key resources can make sure you’re focusing your business on profitability and growth Unfortunately, the business planning process can be confusing and complicated. The format of a traditional business plan can be long, lengthy and intimidating to write. Knowing what information is critical to include and knowing where to get that information can result in a plan that isn’t…

Grab your lunch and join us the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners. Market research is an integral step in creating your business plan, identifying your competition, and identifying your market. In this workshop we will cover free resources to find market research data using the following databases: Census Business Builder International Trade Data Trade Group Data ESRI Speaker(s): Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist & Public Information…

Join us and learn how to create and/or better manage your WordPress website! Are you looking for a simple, yet effective website to use for your business? WordPress might be a good option! In this workshop, we’ll cover “the basics” on creating and updating a WordPress site, including: User management Page creation and editing Image and video uploads Plugin management Linking to social media Register Here A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration -…

The Federal Government has contracting goals for Women, Minorities, Service Disabled Veterans and HUBZone located small businesses. These set asides are a great way to gain entry into the complex world of Federal contracting. This class will introduce you to the HUBZone certification. We will cover these key areas: • Eligibility requirements for HUBZone • Understanding the application process • Understanding how to prepare before applying • Staying Certified Don’t miss out on this informative presentation on how you can…

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you’re not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you’re not sure if it will make a profitable company. We’ll cover the importance of creating a business…

The following will be covered during this live webinar: Power of SEO and social media for attracting customers, including local SEO to precisely target your market. Website optimization for lead generation. How personas, message maps, and content calendars help to make your website and social media footprint more attractive when integrated. Social selling as an amplifier of your existing sales and marketing strategy. Learn to build an omni channel presence and customer journey for faster wins. What your digital channel…

Join us for a discussion about what all entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-ups should know about trademarks. We’ll discuss what trademarks are, the benefits of federal trademark registration, and the basics of the registration process. We’ll also talk about why it’s so important for any new business to select a trademark that is both federally registrable and legally protectable. We’ll direct you to free resources from the USPTO and close out the discussion with a question-and-answer session. Speaker: Mariessa Terrell, Attorney…

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you're not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business…

The following essential steps for government contracting will be covered: The government customer Readiness to be a government contractor Marketing to the customer Government jargon Steps to get started Small business set-asides Targeting the government customer What the buyer wants to know What should go into a capability statement Register Here

How do you generate the "right" price for your service-based business? We'll go over basics of budgeting for your small business first, since that's the foundation of making service-pricing decisions. Then we'll talk through the process of figuring out your prices for your services -- both hourly rate models and package models. Post-workshop, registrants will receive a free digital template for business budgeting, a one-pager with the process overview of service-pricing, a copy of the slides from the webinar, and…

The federal government aims to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) each year. Joining the SDVOSB program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside contracts. You can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs you qualify for. Key Takeaways: What is a SDVOSB? Who is eligible for the program? What to expect with the recent changes to the program? Register Here

Businesses need to understand the basics of digital marketing now more than ever, because digital marketing creates growth. Learn about the basics of digital marketing, including: Social Media Email Marketing Paid Ads SEO Affiliate Marketing How to use analytics to measure your success Register Here A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration - a day before before the event - please be on the lookout for it.

The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 5% of that spend is allocated for Small Disadvantaged(8(A) firms. This is a huge opportunity for small firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In this presentation you will learn: • Eligibility requirements for 8(a) certification • Understanding the Application Process • Understanding how to prepare before applying • Staying Certified Register Here