Monday, April 22
Resources Available To Start And Grow A Business (U.S. Small Business Administration and AARP – Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, 3288 Post Road in Warwick from 9:00 – 11:00am and is free of charge. Attendees DO NOT need to be over the age of 50. To register, please email matthew.spoehr@sba.gov or call 401-528-4561):
With one in four individuals ages 44 to 70 interested in becoming entrepreneurs, and 63 percent of Americans planning to work during retirement, small business ownership has never been a more viable option. SBA and AARP will offer training and mentoring services older entrepreneurs need to successfully start and grow businesses in order to create jobs. Join us for this information packed seminar that will cover the numerous resources available throughout the state available to assist “Encore Entrepreneurs” start and grow a small business.
______________________________
Tuesday, April 23
“A Beacon For Small Business” Expo (Beacon Mutual Insurance – Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms Street in Providence from 8:30am – 3:00pm and is free of charge. To register please call 401-825-2731 or visit http://www.beaconmutual.com/
We invite you to attend this daylong event, which is free of charge to both policyholders and the general public. The Expo will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Providence and includes a complimentary breakfast and lunch. Expo attendees can browse and meet with exhibitors/vendors providing products and services to help their business grow, attend small business seminars and network with other small business owners & entrepreneurs.
The Expo is for new businesses, established businesses and anyone contemplating a small business venture. New businesses or anyone contemplating a business start-up can learn from experts in the areas of developing business plans, business insurance products, and legal issues affecting small business. Experienced small business attendees will learn more about social media marketing, public relations, protecting their copyrights and trademarks, and workplace safety. All attendees will have an opportunity to learn from and meet with representatives from the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA will be conducting several workshops on how to access the SBA's programs and services including HubZone and the Business Development Program.
______________________________
Wednesday, April 24
Writing A Business Plan (U.S. Small Business Administration, City of Providence, Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, and the Center for Women & Enterprise - Providence Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conference Room, 444 Westminster Street in Providence from 9:00 - 11:00am and is free of charge. To register, please call 401-528-4561 or email providence.ri@sba.gov ):
A solid business plan is key to operating and opening a successful business, especially when you need financing. Join us for this FREE WORKSHOP as our experts guide you through the process of creating a solid business plan that will lay the foundation for your small business.
HOW TO: Explore The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development And Government Contracting Program (Center for Women & Enterprise – 132 George M. Cohan Boulevard in Providence from 10:00am – 12:00pm and is free of charge. To register please call 401-277-0800 or email ngirard@cweonline.org ):
The federal government spends over $2 billion on goods and services each year. Are you getting your share? A SBA small business certification may make the difference for your company. Named for Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, this program was created to help small and disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. It also helps these companies gain access to federal and private procurement markets.
Customer Service: Simple Solutions With Immediate Impact (Rhode Island Small Business Development Center – Salve Regina Satellite Campus, 144 Metro Center Boulevard in Warwick from 8:00 – 10:00am. Fee for workshop is $25. To register please visit www.risbdc.org or call 401-598-2702):
We all know the value of good customer service experience. Mastering the art of providing a great customer service experience requires the proper planning, training, and systems. Are you meeting your customers’ expectations? Are your employees meeting your expectations? The role that customer service plays toward your ability to having a successful and growing business is invaluable. A customer service experience is often the only perception a customer may have of your company. This will be an interactive session helping you identify areas to improve your customer service to both internal and external customers. You will leave with simple tasks and skills that will help you along the path to exceed expectations.
______________________________
Thursday, April 25
Financial Forecasting: An Essential Part Of Your Business Plan (U.S. Small Business Administration – Cumberland Public Library, 1464 Diamond Hill Road in Cumberland from 2:00 – 4:00pm and is free of charge. To register please emailmatthew.spoehr@sba.gov or call 401-528-4561):
Often, the most critical part of a business plan is the cash flow projections. But how can you guess what your sales and expenses are going to be every month for the next year? Participants will learn the simple tricks-of-the-trade to create reasonable, effective cash flow projections.
How To Sell Yours Goods And Services To The Federal Government (U.S. Small Business Administration – WEBINAR. 9:00 – 10:00am and is free of charge. To register and receives login information, please email matthew.spoehr@sba.gov or call 401-528-4561):
The world’s largest buyer of goods and services is the Federal Government, with purchases totaling more than $500 billion per year. The government especially encourages small businesses to bid on contracts for some of these needs. In fact, Federal agencies are required to establish contracting goals, with at least 23 percent of all government buying targeted to small firms.
SBA administers and promotes several programs and services that assist small businesses in meeting the requirements to receive government contracts, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. These include the 8(a) Business Development Program, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program, Woman-Owned Small Business Programs and Programs designed to assist Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small businesses. This workshop will provide you with an overview these programs.
In Transition: Know The Technology That Could Land You A Job (Center for Women & Enterprise – 132 George M. Cohan Boulevard in Providence from 10:00am – 12:00pm and is free of charge. To register please call 401-277-0800 or emailngirard@cweonline.org ):
Where do you need to be to get noticed? Marketing yourself online can be an effective tool during the job search. Come learn more about social media outlets to increase your chance of obtaining employment. This workshop will discuss social media sites such as:
* LinkedIn
* Facebook
* Twitter
* And educating you on how to use them effectively and productively in your job search.
* And educating you on how to use them effectively and productively in your job search.
______________________________
Friday, April 26
Accounting For Non-Accountants (Center for Women & Enterprise – 132 George M. Cohan Boulevard in Providence from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Fee for workshop is $40. Partial scholarships may be available. To register please call 401-277-0800 or emailngirard@cweonline.org ):
Many entrepreneurs detest the financial piece of their business. But, they don’t discount its importance. In this workshop, participants will learn:
* How to read and understand basic financial statements
* How to use the numbers to make well informed operational decisions
The numbers tell a story; do you know how to read it?
* How to read and understand basic financial statements
* How to use the numbers to make well informed operational decisions
The numbers tell a story; do you know how to read it?
______________________________
Thursday, May 2
It’s Who You Know That Counts: 6 Keys To Power Networking (U.S. Small Business Administration, Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, the Center for Women & Enterprise, and SCORE – Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Building 4, Suite 402 in Lincoln from 11:00am – 1:00pm and is free of charge. For more information or to register, call 401-528-4561 or emailmatthew.spoehr@sba.gov ):
Networking has been recognized in recent years as a key to overall business success, but does it work really? Don’t some people just show up at events and hand out business cards and then get no business for their time spent? The answer to both questions is YES. It really does work and some people do show up and just hand out business cards (the wrong approach, by the way). Bob Salvas, a local director in BNI (Business Networking International) has been successfully networking for years. Come to this seminar and learn the real benefits of networking, how to go about it and where you should look to invest your networking time.
HVAC Energy Conservation Methods (Rhode Island Small Business Development Center – Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 402 in Lincoln from 7:30 – 10:00am. Fee for workshop is $25. To register for this event, visit www.risbdc.org or call 401-598-2702):
The first of four sessions will focus on cost effective energy conservation steps that you can implement to lower your heating and cooling bill. A panel of experts will present the facts and answer your questions about equipment resources and investment returns.
Start Up Clinic (Rhode Island Small Business Development Center – East Bay Chamber of Commerce, 16 Cutler Street, Suite 102 in Warren. Fee for workshop is $25. To register, visit www.risbdc.org or call 401-598-2702):
Have you been over your checklists multiple times, and everything seems to be in place? Then it is time to take that big step and open your doors for business. Entrepreneurs can often overlook critical steps in the startup process, so to ensure they position their businesses efficiently, legally, and soundly, the RISBDC is offering this comprehensive clinic.
______________________________
Friday, May 3
HOW TO: Explore Entrepreneurship (Center for Women & Enterprise – 132 George M. Cohan Boulevard in Providence from 9:00am – 10:30am, and is free of charge. For more information or to register please visit www.cweboston.org or email ngirard@cweonline.org):
Attend this workshop and decide whether starting your own business is right for you. As part of this workshop, you will:
* Explore the process and learn about the risks and rewards of starting up your own business
* Discuss your specific business ideas and needs with a program manager
* Get an overview of various resources at CWE and elsewhere to help you succeed
* Hear success stories of women who have worked with CWE and are now thriving in the business world
* Explore the process and learn about the risks and rewards of starting up your own business
* Discuss your specific business ideas and needs with a program manager
* Get an overview of various resources at CWE and elsewhere to help you succeed
* Hear success stories of women who have worked with CWE and are now thriving in the business world
HOW TO: Obtain Bank Financing (Center for Women & Enterprise – 132 George M. Cohan Boulevard in Providence from 10:45 – 11:45am, and is free of charge. For more information or to register please visit www.cweboston.org or email ngirard@cweonline.org):
If you are considering loan financing as a way to start or grow your business, then join a banking expert for this free session that will help you:
* Understand how loan financing can be a way to start or grow your business
* Find out more about lenders’ primary considerations when reviewing a loan request
* Master key loan lingo of the financing world and discover a range of loan types, and their respective terms and conditions
* Feel confident and secure in your financing decisions
* Understand how loan financing can be a way to start or grow your business
* Find out more about lenders’ primary considerations when reviewing a loan request
* Master key loan lingo of the financing world and discover a range of loan types, and their respective terms and conditions
* Feel confident and secure in your financing decisions
HOW TO Choose Your Legal Entity (Center for Women & Enterprise – 132 George M. Cohan Boulevard in Providence from 12:00 – 1:00pm, and is free of charge. For more information or to register please visit www.cweboston.org or email ngirard@cweonline.org):
Make it legal! A legal designation can significantly impact the future of your business, so come to:
* Learn the advantages and disadvantages of various business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporate, non-profit)
* Better understand your business in the legal sense
* Be able to ask questions to our legal advisors in order to make this important business decision regarding legal entity
* Learn the advantages and disadvantages of various business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporate, non-profit)
* Better understand your business in the legal sense
* Be able to ask questions to our legal advisors in order to make this important business decision regarding legal entity
