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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…

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…

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…

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…