Free Small Business Center Seminars
Start-up Assistance
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Ever think of starting a restaurant, food truck, or catering business? Come to this informative seminar and learn such items as: industry analysis, food service choices, business planning, marketing tools, and funding!
Monday, October 19, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Question: “Can we get 501(c)(3) status without hiring an attorney or accountant?” The benefits of 501(c)(3) status and the ability to apply for government and foundation grants, can be vital to the success of your non-profit organization. IRS receives tens of thousands of them each year! In 2008, one IRS official estimated that organizations not represented by attorneys, accountants or other tax professionals account for 70% of the exemption applications submitted. (This is down from a similar estimate of 85% in 2002.) This seminar will carefully guide individuals through the 1023 form and provide vital information concerning how to respond to statements and questions needed to satisfy IRS reviewers. Required Materials: Participants should download form 1023 from www.irs.gov and bring it to the seminar. The Answer: “Yes, you CAN get 501(c)(3) status on your own.”
Speaker: Sam Gore
Thursday, October 22, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 AM
This 3-hour workshop will give you an overall understanding of the steps you need to take to make your dream of owning your own business a reality.
Speaker: Mike Collins
Business Basics
Thursday, October 29, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The business plan is a roadmap for your business whether you’re determining the feasibility for start-up, tracking your progress, planning for expansion, or applying for a loan. This workshop will discuss the narrative and financial aspects of the plan as well as give the student an opportunity to work with actual plans that have been prepared by others.
Speaker: Ruben Gonzales
Financing
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How would you like to pay off all your consumer debt, credit cards, car payments, and loans? Learn a simple yet effective method to start the process of making you debt free! Bring a calculator and a list of your debts with balances and monthly payments, and learn how to develop your own debt elimination plan that can be implemented immediately into your lifestyle.
Thursday, November 05, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
An entrepreneur goes into business to make money. In order to accomplish this goal, it is often necessary to borrow funds. This 3-hour seminar will cover determining how much you need, where the money will come from, the 5 C’s of Credit, and preparing your loan package.
Speaker: Ruben Gonzales
Tax Planning
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Do you know your product or service upside down and backwards, but the numbers just drive you up a wall? This seminar will help you understand the difference between cash basis and accrual basis of accounting and single versus double entry bookkeeping. We’ll talk about calculating and recording payroll taxes and sales tax and you’ll get hands-on experience in preparing financial statements, including cash flow, income and expense statements, and balance sheets.
Speaker: Jess McLamb
Marketing and Sales
Monday, November 02, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Hootsuite is a program that can be utilized to manage your social media accounts in one place. In Hootsuite Part 1 you will gain a foundation with a basic overview of the program and receive instruction on how to create a social media marketing plan for your business. You will also learn different ways that a company can cultivate an online image such as How to Articles, Industry Updates, Promoting Specials and Sales, Providing Coupons and Deals, Celebrating Company Anniversary’s, Community Activities, Showcasing Company Culture etc. In Hootsuite Part II will execute your plan.
Tuesday, November 03, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Google’s Hummingbird algorithm update to its search engine is one of the most profound changes in years. It is a transition from a keyword driven search engine to a mobile natural voice recognition answer engine. You need to know how to optimize your website, reviews, video and social media to maximize your business success with these changes
Speaker: Martin Brossman
Monday, November 09, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Hootsuite Part 2 builds on Part I and is a hands on seminar that allows participants to setup their accounts in the classroom. (You CAN attend this seminar without attending Part I, however Part I is highly recommended) There will be a brief review of Part I followed by setting up your account using Hootsuite. This includes: how to add social media accounts to Hootsuite, introducing participants to the dashboard, and to Tabs, Streams, and Applications that can be added to Hootsuite, walk through composing a message, assigning the message to different social media and attaching pictures, links, and tags, as well as using Hootlet, Hootsuite Mobile, Keyword and Hash tag searches. NOTE: participants may need to bring their laptops or tablets to the seminar.
Thursday, November 12, 2015 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
This seminar covers tips for prospective and existing business owners on how to learn more about customers, competitors, and overall market opportunities. In addition to defining a target market, you will learn the 4 components of the marketing mix and inexpensive and effective market research design.
Speaker: Mike Collins