2026 Start SMART Series Curriculum
Start SMART Small Business Series & Pitch Competition 2026
Dates: Every Tuesday, September 22 - December 15, 2026
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
*Exceptions: No classes will be held on Tuesday, November 24th in observance of Thanksgiving holiday week.
Location: Prince William Chamber of Commerce, 9733 Buchanan Loop, Manassas, VA 20110
Main Registration Page
Outline
Week 1: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Topic(s): Orientation / Planning for a Healthy Business (Enica Russell, Timm Johnson, Eva Gunia)
Guest Speaker: Noel Cherowbrier, ExCaliber Intact Forensic Capture (1st Place Winner, 2025)
Description: This introductory session will provide an overview of the entire Start SMART series and the Pitch Competition. Participants will learn how business, resource, funding, and action plans drive small business launch, management, and growth.
Week 2: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Topic(s): Business Structures (Chuck Botwright, Timm Johnson)
Description: Delve into the various business structures available for small businesses, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. This session will explain the implications of each type regarding liability, taxation, and administrative requirements, helping participants choose the best fit for their venture.
Week 3: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Topic(s): Building Your Value Proposition (George “Coach S” Siragusa, Timm Johnson)
Description: Discover how to articulate what makes your business unique and valuable to customers. This session will guide participants through defining their core offerings, identifying their competitive advantages, and crafting a compelling value proposition that resonates with their target audience.
Week 4: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Topic(s): Marketing 101 (Bernard Ferret)
Description: Learn the fundamental principles of effective marketing for small businesses. This session will cover identifying target markets, understanding customer needs, developing a brand message, and exploring various marketing channels, including digital and traditional strategies.
Week 5: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Topic(s): Customer Acquisition | Understanding Your Customer’s Needs (Timm Johnson)
Description: Learn how to identify, understand, and acquire ideal customers effectively. This session will focus on customer discovery, understanding the sales funnel, and retaining and growing with your customers.
Week 6: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Topic(s): Understanding Your Digital Footprint (Timm Johnson)
Description: Manage and leverage your business’ online presence effectively. This session will help you build a proactive digital strategy to manage and improve your digital footprint.
Week 7: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Topic(s): Pitch Competition Overview, Financial Management & Recordkeeping (Chuck Botwright, Timm Johnson)
Description: This crucial session will provide a detailed breakdown of the Pitch Competition rules, judging criteria, and timeline. Simultaneously, participants will learn essential financial management principles, including setting up proper recordkeeping systems, understanding basic financial statements, and tracking business performance.
Week 8: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Topic(s): Preparing Your Pitch (George “Coach S” Siragusa, Timm Johnson)
Description: This session will also dedicate significant time to refining pitch content, structuring compelling narratives, and practicing presentation skills in preparation for the competition.
Week 9: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Topic(s): Financing Your Small Business (Timm Johnson)
Description: Explore various funding options available to small businesses, including traditional loans, grants, angel investors, venture capital, and crowdfunding. This session will help participants understand the requirements and processes for securing capital to launch or expand their ventures.
Week 10: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Topic(s): Managing Cash Flows & Building Strong Business Credit (Enica Russell, Timm Johnson)
Description: Master the art of managing cash flow to ensure your business has the liquidity it needs to operate and grow. This session will cover forecasting cash inflows and outflows, optimizing working capital, and identifying strategies to improve cash flow cycles.
Week 11: Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Topic(s): Risk Management (Timm Johnson)
Description: Identify potential risks that small businesses face and develop strategies to mitigate them. This session will cover various types of risks (operational, financial, legal, reputational) and discuss insurance, contingency planning, and legal protections to safeguard business assets and continuity.
Week 12: Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Topic(s): Pitch Competition (All)
Description: The culmination of the Start SMART series! Participants will present their business pitches to a panel of judges and a live audience, competing for prizes and gaining valuable exposure and feedback. This final session will be held at a separate venue: the George Mason Manassas Campus, Life Science & Engineering Building.
Go back to Main Registration Page
Instructional Team & Speakers
Prince William County Team
Enica Russell - Financial Educator, Virginia Cooperative Extension – Prince William Unit
Eva Gunia - Small Business Development Manager, Prince William County
Chuck Botwright - Financial Educator, Virginia Cooperative Extension – Prince William Unit
TBA
Mason SBDC Team
Timm Johnson - Director, Mason SBDC
George Siragusa - Senior Business Counselor, Mason SBDC
Bernard Ferret - Senior Business Counselor, Mason SBDC
TBA
Guest Team
Noel Cherowbrier - ExCaliber Intact Forensic Capture (1st Place Winner, Start SMART Series, 2025!)
TBA
All programs of the Virginia SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis to all legal residents and citizens of the United States.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Full disclosures regarding federal funding are available at https://www.virginiasbdc.org/funding-sources/.
Site Content © 2026, Virginia SBDC