Events/Workshops

Buying A Business is a comprehensive course on how to buy the right business at the right price. Developed by entrepreneurs who buy businesses for a living, this course offers advice and wisdom in such areas as: the key questions to ask of any seller, the due diligence process, valuing a business and determining the offer, negotiation steps and tactics, and sample legal agreements. Topics covered by this course include: The pros and cons Finding businesses for sale The key questions to ask Valuing the business Negociating the offer Structuring the transaction Financing the purchase Perfoming the diligence Creating a business plan Post purchanse priorities

In this course you will to understand the different types of legal structures available when starting a business. The objective of this course is to help you understand the advantages and disadvantages between the different legal structures. This course will help you to choose what legal structure is most appropriate for your business. You will be provided the forms you need for the formation of your selected structure. This course will also inform you about employee issues and provide you with forms that every employer needs. Topics covered by this course: What is a legal strucure? Different types of legal structures Sole Proprietorship The general partnership ' C ' corporation ' S ' corporation Limited liability company Selecting you legal structure Forms you will need Employee issues and requirements

This course is about the craft of creating a plan for your business. The business plan is the essential document used to raise money for a business and communicate your business vision and strategy to your management team, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.This ten-part course walks you through the details and tactics of creating a comprehensive plan while helping you avoid the critical planning mistakes that plague most business plans. Topics covered by this course include: What is a business plan? Determining your audience Crafting your mission and vision Setting goals and objectives The company and industry Marketing analysis and strategy Management and operations The financial projections The executive summary Bringing the plan together

Este curso se basa en el arte de crear un plan para su negocio. El plan de negocio es un documento esencial utilizado para recaudar fondos. También comunica su misión y visión estratégica al equipo administrativo, proveedores, consumidores, y acreedores. Los 10 temas de este curso le enseña detalles y tácticas en la creación de un plan comprensivo mientras que le ayuda a evadir errores críticos de planificación que plagan la mayoría de planes de negocio. Como valor agregado, este curso incluye Activeplans, un software que le permite crear la parte narrativa y proyecciones financieras de su plan mediante la utilización de un enfoque simple que detalla paso a paso el proceso. Este software por si solo tiene un valor de $40.00. Los objectivos de este curso: Ayudarlo a entender que exactamente un plan de negocios Ayudarlo a decidir si usted necesita un plan formalmente escrito y como dirigirlo hacia diferentes audiencias Ayudarlo a comprender que inquietudes in plan de negocios debe responder Ayudarlo a ilustrar el contenido y la estructura de un plan de negocios correctamente desarrollado Ayudarlo a evitar cometer los errores comunes que la mayoria de planes de negocios posee Ayudarlo

Understanding Intellectual Property defines exactly what a copyright, trademark, and patent are and what kinds of protection they might afford your business. The process of establishing such protection is presented for each kind of property. Also discussed are international intellectual property protection issues, as well as, important legal documents such as non-disclosure agreements. A primer concludes this course which details the prior details to prepare before meeting with intellectual property attorney. Topics covered by this course include: Intro to intellectual property What is a trademark? What is a patent? What is a copyright? Understanding trade secrets Federal, state, and employees issues Internet intellectual property International intellectual property Creating & realizing the value of intellectual property Understanding confidentiality agreements

This course presents the fundamental devices used in crafting a strategy for a business venture. The course puts forth the innovative mechanisms of internal and external strategy which are based on the findings of a new body of research into the strategy-making processes of successful growing ventures. In addition to showing you how to craft a mission, visions, goals, and strategy for your business, this course also shows you how to best present and execute your strategy through strategic stories, the act of organizing genius, and tipping point leadership tactics. Topics covered by this course include: What is strategic planning? Knowing you purpose and mission Defining a vision Forming goals and objectives The two kinds of strategy Crafting internal strategy Crafting external strategy Presenting strategy as story The secrets of organizing genius Tipping point of execution

Financial projections are a collection of statements that present a numerical model of your business. Any good business plan must pass two separate tests: the story test and the number test. The story test asks, "Does the story make sense?" The number test asks, "Does the story add up?" A well-prepared set of financial projections helps to address that indeed the story does add up, but it also does much more than that. The projections reveal the entrepreneur’s basic assumptions which are usually synthesized together in their mind only. It doesn't matter whether you're applying for your first bank loan or your fifth, or whether you're seeking venture capital or debt financing. Sooner or later, you'll have to prepare a set of financial projections. Lenders will look for a strong likelihood of repayment using your projections. Investors will calculate what they think is the value of your company based upon these numbers. Constructing a set of projections allows you to play with your business model in a safe environment. Playing on paper is a valuable form of prototyping that can raise many questions before you make a decision. Under most conditions, fast learners are going to outperform even the most brilliant planners. The key is not to think of your numbers as a "plan" set in stone, but as a learning environment where you can test out different scenarios and decisions. Topics covered by this course include: What are your financial projections? Your assumptions Budgeting your fixed expenses Determining your variable costs Calculating your breakeven point Creating a sales forecast The income statement The cash flow statement The balance sheet The do's and don'ts

Finding Money To Start A Business offers a comprehensive ten-part course on the tactics of how money is really raised for small business formation. The course examines the sources of available capital and an overview concerning the difference between debt and equity. The course walks you through the maze of financial terms and tactics necessary to successfully identify and secure money for a new business venture. Topics covered by this course include: Where does start-up money come from? How much money do you need? The different types of money How to get money from a lender How to get money from an investor The available sources of capital A little help from the government Financing different kinds of things A few financing scenarios Overcoming your weaknesses

This course details the exact set of steps necessary in preparing a comprehensive loan package request. Each of the forms and requirements are explained and included. From initial readiness tests to help with advanced topics such as U.S. Small Business Administration loans, this course lays it on the line concerning what a lender is really looking for and how they evaluate loan requests. Simply understanding the way a lender thinks can more than double your effectiveness in raising money for your business. Topics covered by this course include: What is a loan packages? Are you ready for a loan? How much should you ask for? Offering collateral and securtiy Obtaining your Credit report The personal financial statement Creating a Business plan The Financial Projections SBA guarantees and applications Bringing the loan request together

This course provides the advice and strategies of the some of the leading entrepreneurs concerning what it really takes to start a new venture. Starting A New Business moves you through the important tasks of building a strong foundation for a business to the more tactical aspects concerning marketing, managing, and money. This course will also show you how to protect your ideas, how to hire employees, how to find out what licenses and regulations may apply, as well as, provide more than 50 resources of free information that are available to you in making your new business a reality. Topics covered by this course includes: Defining mission, vision, and goals Understanding management trinity Determining feasibility and risk Marketing products and services Handling money and finances Hiring and managing employees Getting licenses and permits Protecting your ideas Growing by adaptation and experimentation

This course describes the available entrepreneurial strategies and how they are applied in the marketplace. For anyone starting or growing a business venture, the knowledge and skills underlying the entrepreneurial strategies are an essential part of any entrepreneur's toolkit. Besides presenting the available strategies and their application, this course presents the sources of innovation and an overview of how decisions are made and how those decisions change over the course of a venture's life-cycle. Topics covered by this course include: What is entreprenuerial strategy? Begin first with the most Hitting them where they ain't Occupying a specialized niche Changing the economic characteristics Sources of innovation What makes an entreprenuer How entreprenuers craft strategy Strategic entreprenuerial decisions Social entreprenuership and innovation

An overview of the essential processes of managing employees. Includes best practice on the hiring process, employee forms you must file, wage and hour regulations, taxation and privacy issues, health and safety standards, benefit and retirement plans, discrimination and termination processes, and more. Topics covered by this course include: The hiring process Employees forms to file Wage and hour regulations Age laws & requirements Taxation issues Privacy issues Health and safety standards Benefits and retirement plans Discrimination and termination required posters and other workplace standards

Take command of a bookstore and coffee bar and see how money moves in and out of a business learning the fundamentals of accounting at the same time. This course provides an in-depth look at each of the primary accounting transactions used in a business demonstrating how "the language of business" works. Without using any accounting jargon to begin with, the course demonstrates how to keep score in a business through a simple scorecard approach. When you are finished, you are shown that each of your scorecards represents one of the three primary financial statements used in managing a business. Topics covered by this course include: The language of business Keeping score in business Money coming in Money going out Money owed to you Money you owe Handling cash and large costs The balance sheet The income statement The statement of cash flow

Take command of a bookstore and coffee bar and see how money moves in and out of a business learning the fundamentals of accounting at the same time. This course provides an in-depth look at each of the primary accounting transactions used in a business demonstrating how "the language of business" works. Without using any accounting jargon to begin with, the course demonstrates how to keep score in a business through a simple scorecard approach. When you are finished, you are shown that each of your scorecards represents one of the three primary financial statements used in managing a business. Topics covered by this course include: The language of business Keeping score in business Money coming in Money going out Money owed to you Money you owe Handling cash and large costs The balance sheet The income statement The statement of cash flow

The objective of this course is to help you understand how marketing activities are actually conducted in a small business. This course will convince you that buzz and word-of-mouth does not just happen, instead it must cultivated and strategically crafted with an underlying architecture. After going through this course you will become a master of self-organized customer networks by leveraging hubs and connectors. This course will help you to choose and maximize the right marketing weapons for your message. Overall this course will help you to achieve a high return on imagination as opposed to return on investment. Topics covered by this course include: What is buzz and how does it spread? Understanding networks Hubs and connectors Your positioning and message Choosing your marketing weapons Word of mouth tactics Return on imagination From message to action Public relations and publicity Creating a marketing plan

Market research is the systematic process entrepreneurs use to gain insight into market problems and opportunities. The term market includes not only customers, but all players who are responsible for bringing certain products and services to market including suppliers, competitors, producers, wholesale distributors, retailers, logistics, and so on. To conserve time and money, successful entrepreneurs minimize the resources they devote to researching their ideas. Unlike the corporate world, the entrepreneur only does as much research and analysis to justify the next action or investment. This course presents scores of best practice concerning how entrepreneurial research is actually implemented. Answers to questions about market segments, consumer and business markets, market size, and sales forecasts are all addressed through step-by-step processes. Topics covered by this course include: The market research process The market enviornment Researching your industry Researching business customers Estimating market size Creating a sales forecast Customer survey techniques Consumption chain analysis

This course describes the fundamentals of the most important aspect of any business: marketing. Learn the concepts taught in college-level courses in just a few hours including the "5Ps"--Product, Promotion, Price, Place, and Positioning. At the end of this course, you will be able to create a comprehensive marketing plan for business that encompasses a creative plan, a positioning plan, and a media marketing calendar--the essentials of any good marketing strategy. Topics covered by this course include: What is marketing? Conducting market research Analyzing the market enviornment Selecting your target markets Market positioning Designing products and services Pricing products & services Placing products & services Promoting products & services Creating a marketing plan

This course presents a media-by-media discussion of the tips and tricks used by marketing professionals when advertising a product or service. Learn how to set an advertising budget, learn why it's better to run two smaller ads than one larger one, learn how to correctly position your product and how to best design an effective marketing message, and learn what you need to know about selecting media for an ad campaign. This course also presents an overview of public relations tactics and internet marketing practices. At its conclusion, this course details specific measures how to assess the success of your results. Topics covered by this course include: What is advertising? The audience, objectives, and platform Determining the advertising budget The positioning and message Using print media Using radio and television Direct marketing options Promoting internet websites Public relations and publicity Evaluating you advertising plan

This course will explain what is value and why it is better to set prices on value rather than costs. This course will discuss the 3C's that influence costs: Costs, Customers, and Competition. You will learn generic pricing strategies and techniques for segmented and lifecycle pricing. In this course you will study the effects of pricing psychology and the elements of your marketing mix. This course will present specific industry pricing tactics from the best entreprenuers. From the fundamentals of pricing to advanced discussions on psychological theories focused on pricing formulation, this course is essential to anyone responsible for making the price decision. Topics covered by this course include: What is value? Costs Customers Competition Generic pricing strategies Segmented pricing The marketing mix Pricing psychology Life cycle pricing Specific pricing tactics

The objective of this course is to define what positioning is and how it works as a communications tool in marketing. This course will put forth and describe the available positioning strategies including the positioning of a leader, the positioning of a follower, and the tactics for repositioning the competition. This course will show you the easiest way of getting into the prospect's mind. This course will teach you how to prevent the most common positioning mistakes including the line extension trap. Topics covered by this course include: What is positioning? The assault on the mind The ladders in your head Getting into the mind Owning a word in the mind The positioning of a leader The positioning of a follower The repositioning of the competition The line extension trap A positioning case study

You don't need to fund your business with personal credit or by collateralizing your home or personal assets for a loan. You can use business credit if you know how to get it! • Learn the 20 foundational steps required to get approved for $50,000+ in business credit • Discover the inner workings of the business credit bureaus: D&B, Experian, Equifax • Understand how business credit scores are calculated and how to get an 85 D&B Paydex score • Study the "Anatomy of the FICO Score" and how to increase your personal credit scores sometimes up to 100 points. • Understand the risks to personal finances from credit-related scams and fraud and how to avoid • Find the practices/products, tool or services available to help proper credit reporting Your Speaker Robert Linkonis, President-Credit Restoration Experts (CRA). Robert is a FICO Certified Credit Expert. Credit Restoration Associates began in 2007 and is a legal and bonded credit improvement company. Before starting CRA, Robert spent 12 yrs in finance specializing in credit improvement. Robert's effective niche is "fixing credit for loan approval" and he has helped thousands of clients qualify for automotive and mortgage financing. Robert has taught credit courses for Virginia Union University; was a featured speaker at the City of Richmond's Financial Conference in 2014; has appeared on WTVR; is the "Credit Expert" on the Real Estate Radio Network Radio Program.

Speaker: Robert Linkonis, President-Credit Restoration Associates (CRA)

Thinking about starting a small business? Have you already started and realize you may have missed a few things? This workshop is for you! We review the steps to a successful start, the registrations and regulations, and the components of sound business planning, including financial projections. Follow-up appointments are then available with SBDC, SCORE, and/or CIC business advisors to focus on your concept development, business profile, and/or business plans, including financial projections.

Speaker: CIC

Agritourism in Virginia's New Economy

Speaker: Tommy Miller, Leanne Harrow, Josh Frederick, Andrew V. Sorrell, Ashley Nauta, Scott Denoon, Sandra Tanner, Martha Walker

You don't need to fund your business with personal credit or by collateralizing your home or personal assets for a loan. You can use business credit if you know how to get it! • Learn the 20 foundational steps required to get approved for $50,000+ in business credit • Discover the inner workings of the business credit bureaus: D&B, Experian, Equifax • Understand how business credit scores are calculated and how to get an 85 D&B Paydex score • Study the "Anatomy of the FICO Score" and how to increase your personal credit scores sometimes up to 100 points. • Understand the risks to personal finances from credit-related scams and fraud and how to avoid • Find the practices/products, tool or services available to help proper credit reporting Your Speaker Robert Linkonis, President-Credit Restoration Experts (CRA). Robert is a FICO Certified Credit Expert. Credit Restoration Associates began in 2007 and is a legal and bonded credit improvement company. Before starting CRA, Robert spent 12 yrs in finance specializing in credit improvement. Robert's effective niche is "fixing credit for loan approval" and he has helped thousands of clients qualify for automotive and mortgage financing. Robert has taught credit courses for Virginia Union University; was a featured speaker at the City of Richmond's Financial Conference in 2014; has appeared on WTVR; is the "Credit Expert" on the Real Estate Radio Network Radio Program.

Speaker: Robert Linkonis, President-Credit Restoration Associates (CRA)

Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be lack of planning. If you are considering the possibility of starting a business, this free seminar will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.

Speaker: Kelvin Perry, Longwood SBDC Regional Consultant

To register for this workshop, please go to the following website: http://www.centralvirginia.org/events/louisa-business-bursts-legal-topic-to-be-announced-2

Speaker: Betty Hoge

Are you thinking about starting a new business? Do you have lots of questions about how - or whether - to move forward? Are you considering moving your hobby into a more structured business form? Have you already started your small business and now realize you may have missed a few things? Your SV SBDC has answers, information, and resources to help. In our Start Smart Workshops, we discuss the path to good decisions and a successful start. You'll learn to take a thorough 360° approach to your business and all its components, from product development to target markets to financial projections. We'll also cover the regulations and registrations you need to know. Follow-up appointments are then available with SBDC business advisors to focus on your individual business needs. Start Smart workshops are held in various locations and at various times; if this session doesn't suit, check the Web Calendar for more options.

Speaker: Joyce Krech, SV SBDC Director

This session will provide a high level overview of the Commonwealth’s purchasing process, including purchasing policies that affect how buyers use the eVA eVAsystem to “shop.” You’ll also learn more about the valuable eVA tools available-like creating a catalog and a high level look at eVA’s FREE Public Reports (who’s buying what you sell, prices being paid & more!). If you’re not already an eVA registered Vendor, you’ll learn how to get signed-up, as well as where to go for help.

Speaker: Kimberly Madison

This one-day conference is designed for small and mid-sized businesses. It's purpose is to build awareness of the critical cyber issues and learn practical solutions to prevent and respond to cyber threats and attacks Conference topics include: -Psychology of Hackers - Threat Prevention for Small Businesses - Mobile Security - Handling and Responding to a Data Breach - Cyber Plan for Businesses - Managing Employee Behavior

The first-ever Quad-County Business Summit is a collaborative effort of the Economic Development Offices in Orange, Greene, Louisa and Fluvanna Counties and is intended to bring together businesses from the four county region for a half-day of networking and educational programs, with various speakers covering a vast range of topics including; business start-up, marketing strategy, customer service and employee engagement. The event is FREE to attend and breakfast and lunch will be provided. TENTATIVE AGENDA: 7:30 am– Opening Session & Breakfast Meeting Room 1 8:40 am-9:25 am – Financing 9:35 am -10:20 am – Social Media Marketing 10:30 – 11:15 am – Human Resources Meeting Room 2 8:40 am-9:25 am – Ramping up for Holiday Sales 9:35 am -10:20 am – Procurement and Eva/Selling to the Government 10:30 – 11:15 am – Customer Service 11:25 am – Closing Remarks & Lunch **Breakfast and Lunch are included.

Speaker: tba

The University of Mary Washignton Center for Economic Development will host "The New SBA Mentor Protégé Program" 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. James Williams, Lead Economic Development Specialist with the SBA will join the UMWSBDC each month to present a featured topic followed by specific or general questions and discussion.

Speaker: James Williams

Thinking about starting a small business? Have you already started and realize you may have missed a few things? This workshop is for you! We review the steps to a successful start, the registrations and regulations, and the components of sound business planning, including financial projections.

Speaker: CIC

To register for this workshop, please go to the following website: http://www.centralvirginia.org/events/growth-wheel-training-program/

Speaker: Betty Hoge

Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be lack of planning. If you are considering the possibility of starting a business, this free seminar will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.

Speaker: Kelvin Perry, Longwood SBDC Consultant

Seminar hosted by University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development. It will provide the basic of self evaluation, the idea, defining the need, determining the feasibility, and what actions are necessary. Topics within these areas will include analytical methods; research sources; the legal forms of businesses; record keeping; laws, regulations, and policies; and a discussion on the value and importance of business plans and financial analyses.

Speaker: Susan Ball - Business Counselor at UMW CED

The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center present Human Resource Law 101 Randy Sparks, Jr. is a member of the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group at Kaufman & Canoles. He concentrates his practice in employment litigation, representing employers in employment discrimination, sexual harassment, breach of employment contract, non-compete, and wage and hour claims before various state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Randy also advises and trains clients on lawful employment practices and other workplace issues.

Speaker: Randy Sparks

- Steps to Opening a Business - Lending Options - Legal Respondibilities

Are you considering starting a new business? Not sure what you need to do and what steps to take? Then this is the class for you! Business Basics is an introduction to owning your own business. Topics covered include deciding on a legal entity structure, basic accounting and tax issues, steps you need to take for permits and licensing, steps to writing a business plan and basics of marketing and market research. We cover the nine steps to market research to determine if your business idea makes sense. Class is for individuals in business, thinking of starting a business even if it might be years in the future. The class is 3.0 hours long so these topics will only be briefly covered. Upon completing the class you will have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of the professional business counselors in our office. We do not charge anything for our one-on-one sessions. CLASS IS LOCATED AT THE ROANOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LOCATED DOWNTOWN AT 210 S. Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke. Please make payment by credit card at the end of registration, sending in a check prior to class, or stopping by our office and paying by check. Credit card payments cannot be accepted over the phone. We do not give refunds;, however, if you miss class, you can attend another class. Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center to 210 S. Jefferson Street, Roanoke VA 24011. For questions please call Tom Tanner at 983-0717 ext 103.

Speaker: Tom Tanner

Are you considering starting a new business? Not sure what you need to do and what steps to take? Then this is the class for you! Business Basics is an introduction to owning your own business. Topics covered include deciding on a legal entity structure, basic accounting and tax issues, steps you need to take for permits and licensing, steps to writing a business plan and basics of marketing and market research. We cover the nine steps to market research to determine if your business idea makes sense. Class is for individuals in business, thinking of starting a business even if it might be years in the future. The class is 3.0 hours long so these topics will only be briefly covered. Upon completing the class you will have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of the professional business counselors in our office. We do not charge anything for our one-on-one sessions. CLASS IS LOCATED AT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE located at 1520 N Franklin St, Christiansburg, VA 24073 Please make payment by credit card at the end of registration, sending in a check prior to class, or stopping by our office and paying by check. Credit card payments cannot be accepted over the phone. We do not give refunds;, however, if you miss class, you can attend another class. Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center to 210 S. Jefferson Street, Roanoke VA 24011. For questions please call Bart Smith at 983-0717 ext 102.

Speaker: Bart Smith

Join us for a seminar on Holiday Sales strategies that will ensure you will have a profitable holiday season. Topics will include How to Educate Your Community, How to Create an Overall Strategy, How to Dress Up Your Windows, Merchandising for the Holiday, How to Personalize the Shopping Experience, Customer Service Tips and How to Market Your Brand. This seminar is free to all businesses in the region. Light refreshments will be served.

Speaker: Bart Smith

Entrepreneurs and business owners, are you challenged to keep up with the daily routines in your business, knowing you need to do more to focus on growth, but uncertain what to do? GrowthWheel® is a hands-on, action-oriented program designed to help entrepreneurs at all stages overcome their barriers to growth. Join Michael Duncan, a serial entrepreneur and SBDC Advisor, for a three hour introduction to the GrowthWheel toolbox designed to help early stage and growth companies get focus, set an agenda, make decisions and take action. All businesses, from pre-venture start-ups to established enterprises, must address four key challenges. They need: an attractive business concept, lasting customer relations, profitable operations, and a strong organization. Attendees will participate in a hands-on workshop introducing the GrowthWheel toolkit, identify your priorities, and will get a sense of how empowering it can be to work with a Certified GrowthWheel® Advisor. How will GrowthWheel help your business? Supports the decision making that we do every day. Supplies a visual toolkit for dialogue, focus, agenda setting, decision-making and action taking. Provides a simple action oriented process to help you grow. Stays true to the way most entrepreneurs think and work. Helps companies determine which areas to focus on to strengthen and grow their business. Gives an alternative to the conventional business plan. 

Speaker: Michael Duncan, Lead Regional Consultant

Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be lack of planning. If you are considering the possibility of starting a business, this free seminar will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.

Speaker: Kim Ray, Business Analyst & Training Coordinator, Longwood SBDC

Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be lack of planning. If you are considering the possibility of starting a business, this free seminar will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.,Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be lack of planning. If you are considering the possibility of starting a business, this free seminar will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.

Speaker: Lin Hite, Director, South Boston

Celebrating National Cyber Security Awareness Month, join the SBDC & the Greater Springfield Chamber for this informative Cyber Security Lunch & Learn. The featured speaker is Quiana Gainey, CEO, SecureTech360, LLC and the guest speaker is Tom Deornellas, CPCU, ARM, Lindsey Business Group, LLC presenting the Threats From Within... Educating yourself and employees on how Cyber Security can protect your company. Lunch will be provided: Subs & Salad. SPEAKER BIOS: -Featured Speaker: Quiana Gainey, is an internationally recognized cybersecurity expert with over 15+ years in the industry working in the area of emerging technology, education and Cybersecurity. After serving in the US Military, she transitioned as a trusted cybersecurity advisor to several government agencies within the National Capital Region. Based on that experience, she started SecureTech360 in 2010 to bridge the gap between cybersecurity and emerging technologies. Ms. Gainey has an MBA, BS in Information Technology Management and is currently pursuing a PHD in Business and Information Technology. SecureTech365 is currently an incubator client at the Community Business Partnership, Business Incubation Center. -Guest Speaker: Tom DeOrnellas, CPCU, ARM is the Director of Commercial Insurance & Risk Management Services for Lindsey Business Group, in Centreville, VA. Tom has over 25 years of commercial insurance underwriting and agency experience with a focus on government contractors, associations, non-profits, professional services and construction industry firms. Tom was formerly an Insurance Advisor to the American Institute of Architects Contract Documents Committee. He has been an industry speaker for National and State Chapter Associations on insurance and risk management issues. Tom is a native of Northern Virginia, and is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a Bachelors in Business Administration. ~~~This very popular seminar fills up quickly. Please arrive on time. If you arrive 15 minutes late you will not be able to attend the seminar. ** This workshop is made possible by the generous contribution of time and expertise by a CBP volunteer. Please respect our volunteer's time by arriving on time. If you are unable to attend the class, please notify us promptly. Refunds will be made in accordance with our published cancellation policy. ** CANCELLATION POLICY: If you are unable to attend the workshop, please notify us 48 HOURS in advance so that we may contact those on the waiting list. No refunds or transfers. This event is held at our center in Springfield - unless noted otherwise. If you need directions, please visit our Website http://www.cbponline.org

Speaker: Quiana Gainey, CEO, SecureTech360, LLC & Tom Deornellas, CPCU, ARM, Lindsey Business Group, LLC

Are you thinking about starting a new business? Do you have lots of questions about how - or whether - to move forward? Are you considering moving your hobby into a more structured business form? Have you already started your small business and now realize you may have missed a few things? Your SV SBDC has answers, information, and resources to help. In our Start Smart Workshops, we discuss the path to good decisions and a successful start. You'll learn to take a thorough 360° approach to your business and all its components, from product development to target markets to financial projections. We'll also cover the regulations and registrations you need to know. Follow-up appointments are then available with SBDC business advisors to focus on your individual business needs. Start Smart workshops are held in various locations and at various times; if this session doesn't suit, check the Web Calendar for more options.

Speaker: Joyce Krech, SV SBDC Director

Entrepreneurs and business owners, are you challenged to keep up with the daily routines in your business, knowing you need to do more to focus on growth, but uncertain what to do? GrowthWheel® is a hands-on, action-oriented program designed to help entrepreneurs at all stages overcome their barriers to growth. Join Michael Duncan, a serial entrepreneur and SBDC Advisor, for a three hour introduction to the GrowthWheel toolbox designed to help early stage and growth companies get focus, set an agenda, make decisions and take action. All businesses, from pre-venture start-ups to established enterprises, must address four key challenges. They need: an attractive business concept, lasting customer relations, profitable operations, and a strong organization. Attendees will participate in a hands-on workshop introducing the GrowthWheel toolkit, identify your priorities, and will get a sense of how empowering it can be to work with a Certified GrowthWheel® Advisor. How will GrowthWheel help your business? Supports the decision making that we do every day. Supplies a visual toolkit for dialogue, focus, agenda setting, decision-making and action taking. Provides a simple action oriented process to help you grow. Stays true to the way most entrepreneurs think and work. Helps companies determine which areas to focus on to strengthen and grow their business. Gives an alternative to the conventional business plan. 

Speaker: Michael Duncan, Lead Regional Consultant

Join us at TeqCorner! Whether you plan to sell your business in 6 months or 6 years, the time to start preparing is now. In this interactive workshop, Matt Whitaker of Clear Rock M&A Advisors will walk you through many of the key elements of preparing and executing the sale. As time allows, Matt will cover the following subjects: • Valuation – What’s your business worth today? • Value Drivers and Sellability – What are the key factors that can make my business worth more? • When do I sell and what are my options? How business owners know when it’s time…. • The mechanics of the sales process • What kind of offer will I get? You will leave the workshop with a solid overview of the process that will guide your future moves as a business owner. This class is at TeqCorner. SPEAKER BIO: Matt Whitaker is a Director at Clear Rock M&A Advisors, where he works with business owners in the lower middle market and assists them with selling, buying, and valuations. Matt is also currently the owner of Intelligent Office of Alexandria. Prior to that, Matt, founded, grew, and sold Smart Payment Solutions, a payment processing company. Matt has an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and has chaired the Booth DC Entrepreneur’s Advisory Group since 2002. Please arrive on time. If you arrive 15 minutes late you will not be able to attend the class. ** This workshop is made possible by the generous contribution of time and expertise by a CBP volunteer. Please respect our volunteer's time by arriving on time. If you are unable to attend the class, please notify us promptly. Refunds will be made in accordance with our published cancellation policy. ** CANCELLATION POLICY: *Please review carefully for our cancellation policy has changed as of January 1, 2016. -Participants whose checks are returned for insufficient funds will be charged a $35 fee. -Participants who have paid for a class and do not cancel at least 24 hours in advance, will forfeit their entire payment. -Participants wishing to receive a refund and have cancelled in a timely manner will be charged a 10% administrative fee. ****LOCATION: This event is held at Teqcorner LLC, 1616 Anderson Rd, McLean, VA 22102**** Plenty of parking. Arrive early to get your parking pass.

Speaker: Matt Whitaker , M&A Advisory Firm

This course describes the fundamentals of the most important aspect of any small business: marketing. At the end of this course, you will be able to create a comprehensive marketing plan for your small business that encompasses a creative plan, a positioning plan, and a media marketing calendar--the essentials of any good marketing strategy. Topics covered by this course include: What is marketing? Conducting market research. Analyzing the market environment. Selecting your target markets. Placing products & services. Website Do's and Don'ts. Social Media Marketing. Creating a marketing plan and calendar. Determining ROI. Pre-Registration is required.

Speaker: Bart Smith

The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center will offer a seminar for Business owners face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning, as they have to make decisions regarding the future of their business. Many business owners have a desire to pass their businesses on to their children and leave behind a legacy that will continue. They need guidance in how to do that in a manner which will preserve the wealth they have worked so hard to create. A business owner also has to decide what happens to the business when the children don't want it and make succession plans in the event he or she dies suddenly or is incapacitated. The seminar will discuss the most common reasons or myths on why people don't prepare estate planning and help owners to understand how important estate planning is to the future of their business. Topics covered will include.

Speaker: Attorney Gabriela Coronado

This workshop guides participants through a simple and innovative process for developing a 3-dimensional marketing plan for ANY small business. The marketing plan development process taught in this workshop alternates between group discussion and independent thinking to create a plan that represents collective thought while minimizing social influence biases. Implement this 3 dimensional marketing plan to generate more revenue for your small business. Gain new customers Entice existing customers to purchase more frequently Encourage existing customers to spend more money during each transaction

Speaker: Dr Vincent Magnini

So you want to open your own business. You have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring it to market. You have people ready to be customers but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You have your concept but you're not sure if it will make a profit. Maybe you need to understand how to fund opening your doors. Maybe you're just confused which licenses and permits you really need to have to launch your new venture. Come learn the answer to these and other questions at the "How to Start Your Business in Loudoun County" workshop. We'll spend 2 hours answering your questions and making sure you know what to do to make that business dream a reality.

Speaker: Eric Byrd

The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center offers the First Steps to Starting a Business Seminar. It will provide the basic of self evaluation, the idea, defining the need, determining the feasibility, and what actions are necessary. Topics within these areas will include analytical methods; research sources; the legal forms of businesses; record keeping; laws, regulations, and policies; and a discussion on the value and importance of business plans and financial analyses.

Speaker: Susan Ball

To register for this workshop, please go to the following website: http://www.centralvirginia.org/events/growth-wheel-training-program/

Speaker: Betty Hoge

This course is designed to teach and help small business develop successful teaming and subcontract relationships with large businesses, other small business, and individuals. We will examine the purpose of these agreements, examine the meaning of various provisions contained in these agreements, and discuss strategies for negotiations.

Speaker: Ken Brody

You know your ideal clients are on FACEBOOK. With over 1.5 billion users, how do you find them? Learn how to optimize your business with FACEBOOK marketing at this “hands on” workshop. This ADVANCED workshop will cover: The basics of using FACEBOOK for business Creating posts that build your brand and turn your followers into buyers Tips, tricks and ways to optimize events, groups and direct messaging How to get the most bang for your buck using Facebook advertising  YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP AND YOU MUST HAVE AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS FACEBOOK PAGE.

Speaker: Ilsa Loeser, Letterpress Communications

Entrepreneurs and business owners, are you challenged to keep up with the daily routines in your business, knowing you need to do more to focus on growth, but uncertain what to do? GrowthWheel® is a hands-on, action-oriented program designed to help entrepreneurs at all stages overcome their barriers to growth. Join Michael Duncan, a serial entrepreneur and SBDC Advisor, for a three hour introduction to the GrowthWheel toolbox designed to help early stage and growth companies get focus, set an agenda, make decisions and take action. All businesses, from pre-venture start-ups to established enterprises, must address four key challenges. They need: an attractive business concept, lasting customer relations, profitable operations, and a strong organization. Attendees will participate in a hands-on workshop introducing the GrowthWheel toolkit, identify your priorities, and will get a sense of how empowering it can be to work with a Certified GrowthWheel® Advisor. How will GrowthWheel help your business? Supports the decision making that we do every day. Supplies a visual toolkit for dialogue, focus, agenda setting, decision-making and action taking. Provides a simple action oriented process to help you grow. Stays true to the way most entrepreneurs think and work. Helps companies determine which areas to focus on to strengthen and grow their business. Gives an alternative to the conventional business plan. 

Speaker: Michael Duncan, Lead Regional Consultant

Understanding the difference between patents, trademarks and trade secrets: Do you have a product that you need to protect and safeguard as yours? How about a company name or logo that forms the basis of your branding? Do you have a website, a blog, or do you create presentations and workbooks for yourself or clients? A very informative Business and Intellectual Property Attorney will help you understand the difference between patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Learn how to use intellectual property to compete in the market, build value in your company, and protect your ideas. SPEAKER BIO: Dr. Mort has been an Engineer, Entrepreneur, Novelist, and Attorney. He earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University. He turned that research into a product idea and started a software company, grew it during the 1990s, then negotiated the company's sale, and stayed on to preside over the merged organization for several more years before moving on. Throughout the lifecycle of his own company Dr. Mort used several advisers, some valuable, some not so much. He realized that advisers help the most when they can bring outside industry experiences to bear on issues the entrepreneur faces. So he became a business attorney and now serves as Legal Business Counsel to a number of small to medium sized businesses in Northern Virginia. He loves to use his education and experience to guide other entrepreneurs along the path from ideas to wealth through the planned monetization of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. ** This workshop is made possible by the generous contribution of time and expertise by a CBP volunteer. Please respect our volunteer's time by arriving on time. If you are unable to attend the class, please notify us promptly. Refunds will be made in accordance with our published cancellation policy. ** Cancellation Policy: Participants whose checks are returned for insufficient funds will be charged a $35 fee. Participants who have paid for a class and do not cancel at least 24 hours in advance, will forfeit their entire payment. Participants who have paid for a class, and cancel in a timely manner, may apply their funds to a future class within 90 days of the original class date. After ninety days, all funds are forfeited. Participants wishing to receive a refund will be charged a 10% administrative fee. All events are held at our center at our Springfield location - unless noted otherwise. If you need directions, please visit our Website http://www.cbponline.org. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Speaker: Dr. Micheal Mort

- Steps to Opening a Business - Lending Options - Legal Respondibilities