| Greetings Entrepreneurs! Each month we highlight a few seminars and conferences being held around the state. Below is a list of a few of the upcoming seminars to help you start, manage and grow your business.
Check the class listings for your local Community College Small Business Centers. Also, your local Chamber of Commerce has additional events. Other events can be found at www.score.org; www.sbtdc.org; www.fsuvboc.com; www.ncceed.org/help/womens-business-center; www.ncimed.org/index.php/client-services/women-business-development. More can be found at www.sba.gov/nc and click on "calendar". If you'd like to be removed from future emails, follow unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of this email. Please call the contact number listed to ensure that the event has not been cancelled. Upcoming Events
August 5 Becoming an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur Winston-Salem Raising equity capital is challenging at best. Becoming an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur is designed to educate and prepare growth-oriented entrepreneurs to successfully engage private equity investors. Getting ready includes a wide range of activities and decisions that will help the entrepreneur with their business in a number of ways. Learn about the equity funding "food chain"; Find out what investors look for and expect from the companies they fund; Learn how to make your company "investor-ready" (and improve your business while you're at it); Assess your own "readiness" at each step of the way; Hear from those who've "done it". Panelist will include serial entrepreneurs and angel investors who've "been there". Wake Forest University, 200 N College St, Winston-Salem. $75. www.sbtdc.org/investorready August 5 Start Building Your Disaster Recovery Plan TODAY Webinar 2 PM – 3 PM. You've gone online to get the checklists, read the articles, joined the webinars, and gathered some really good disaster preparedness tools for your business. But what should you tackle first? Is it the financial protection that comes with good insurance coverage? Should your priority be protecting your employees? And how do you find the time to work on a disaster recovery plan? The action you take to protect your business can make the difference between surviving a crisis, or losing your hard-earned assets. Space is limited. Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/445589536 August 5 Business Entity Overview Fayetteville Sponsored by the Women's Business Center of Fayetteville, a local attorney will cover: • How to choose your business structure. •What steps will help you decide. •What are your choices? •What should you consider before entering into an agreement with someone else? 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CEED 230 Hay Street. Register: www.ncceed.org/registration-page/?regevent_action=register&event_id=743 August 5 13th Annual NC Defense & Economic Development Trade Show Fayetteville The NC Military Business Center, Senator Richard Burr, and Senator Kay Hagan are pleased to announce the 13th Annual North Carolina Defense and Economic Development Trade Show in Fayetteville. This event includes a one-day trade show, extensive networking opportunities and government procurement workshops (three tracks) for both prospective and current federal contractors. At the trade show, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with senior representatives from the Congressional delegation, the Department of Defense, other federal agencies and numerous defense contracting firms, including North Carolina small businesses. The event will include a traditional trade show, static displays and demonstrations of military equipment, informal networking opportunities, structured teaming sessions and government procurement workshops for both prospective and current federal contractors. This is a FREE event; however registration is requested. for more information, visit: www.ncmbc.us/2014DTS.php August 7 How to Start a Better Business Candler (Asheville) Come and join the A-B Tech Small Business Center, SBTDC and the SBA for this collaborative event aimed at preparing small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creative minded individuals for business planning. Find out how to assess your business ownership skills and the feasibility of your idea. Participants will also learn what type of information is needed in order to produce a viable and successful business plan. Session handouts will include the SBTDC Business Startup and Resource Guide, a business plan outline, additional planning documents, and helpful resources to guide the planning process. There will be an opportunity for discussion and to ask questions about specific aspects of business. Speakers: Duane Adams (A-B tech SBC), Noah Raper (SBTDC) and Mike Arriola (SBA). This session is FREE and open to anyone interested in starting a business, but registration is required in order to secure seating: https://www.ncsbc.net/center.aspx?center=75020 August 19 ChallengeHER – Introduction to the SBA WOSB Contracting Program Raleigh Are you a woman-owned business that would like to expand into Federal procurement? Did you know that there are 83 specific industries for women owned companies that receive a special consideration for contracts? SBA, WIPP, and American Express are hosting ChallengeHER from 8 a.m. to noon at the McKimmon Center, 1101 Gorman St. Raleigh, NC. Free. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/challengeher-raleigh-nc-tickets-11510623585 For more information, contact Eileen Joyce, 704-344-6787 August 20 ChallengeHER – Introduction to the SBA WOSB Contracting Program Charlotte Are you a woman-owned business that would like to expand into Federal procurement? Did you know that there are 83 specific industries for women owned companies that receive a special consideration for contracts? SBA, WIPP, and American Express are hosting ChallengeHER from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank, 530 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC. Free. Registration starts at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Eileen Joyce, 704-344-6787 Registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/challengeher-charlotte-nc-tickets-11510545351 August 20 Brownbag Session: SBA Resources for Your Small Business Hickory This session takes place at the Catawba Valley Community College Small Business Center, 2664 Highway 70, Hickory NC 28602, on Wed., Aug. 20 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Discover the many SBA Web-based resources to help you plan, start or expand a small business. Local SBA representative shares the many in-person counseling and training resources available to help with your startup or existing small business. Session covers what it takes to produce a bankable loan proposal. including the Five Cs of Credit, and how a lender views a business credit application. Find out what financial assistance is available through the U.S. Small Business Administration and its lending partners and learn how to tap into federal government contracting opportunities with the agency's certification programs. Discover how to get bonding for contracts through the SBA's surety bond guaranty program. Attendees are invited to bring their own lunch and beverage to this session. To register, contact the Small Business Center at 828-327-7000, ext. 4117, or visit http://sbc.cvcc.edu . August 21 SBA Programs and Services for Your Small Business Morganton This workshop is hosted by Western Piedmont Community College/Foothills Education Center at 2128 S. Sterling St., Morganton. Discover the many programs and services offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration for startup as well as existing small businesses. Find out the available SBA-sponsored and SBA-funded resources to counsel and train small business owners in all areas of small business management (including business planning). Find out what it takes to obtain a small business loan and to access SBA financing sources in particular. Discover the SBA's government contracting, minority and other certification programs which can enable your small business to obtain federal government contract work. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch and beverages. This session is free, but registration is required via https://www.ncsbc.net/center.aspx?center=75560 . Bring your lunch for this brown bag session: noon- 1 pm. August 26 Doing Business with the Government Sylva Workshop attendees will discover how to identify sales opportunities; evaluate federal and state solicitations for jobs; register a business; find assistance resources; understand the bid process; match a firm with the various SBA and other federal contracting preference programs to maximize a firm's marketability; and tap into the SBA surety bond guaranty program. Featured speakers include George Jones, Procurement Technical Assistance Counselor with the SBTDC and Mike Arriola, Senior Area Manager with the SBA. Takes place Tues., Aug. 26, from 10 to 11:30 am., at Southwestern Community College, 447 College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779. Free of charge. To register: https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=490340035 August 26 Introduction to the 8(a) Program for Native American Companies Raleigh Are you interested in applying for the 8(a) program? The SBA Office of Native American Affairs works to ensure that Native American owned firms have access to the business development tools available through the SBA's various programs. This program will assist you, as an applicant to the 8(a) Business Development Program, with decision-making and timing of application submissions; Enhance your understanding of eligibility requirements and the application process, specific to tribal or native-owned firms; Clarify requirements for success and defining your expectations as an applicant; Improve the quality of your submission and enhance your understanding of the program rules. Free. Registration required: http://native8atraining.com/Pages/registration.aspx August 27 8(a) Webinar: How to Prepare and Submit Your 8(a) BD Application – Tips for Success | webinar: 2:00-3:00 pm EST This webinar will focus on how the 8(a) BD Program works, its eligibility requirements, and its benefits. It will also provide helpful tips on completing an 8(a) application. Registration is free, but required. Register: http://emsp.intellor.com/login/414423 August 27 2014 Multicultural Business Owners Conference Charlotte Growing a multicultural business community is paramount to the competitiveness and long-term success of the Charlotte region. This is a unique opportunity to engage and learn from top local leaders through educational sessions about wealth building, government contracting certifications taught by SBA, City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, and Alternative Financing including Self Help Credit Union, City of Charlotte and the Support Center moderated by SBA. The lunch program includes a panel discussion with senior multicultural business leaders to understand the mindset, challenges and opportunities for multicultural businesses, consumers and employees in the Charlotte region - Astrid Chirinos, President, Latin American Chamber of Commerce; Padam Dhakad, President, Dhakad Associates, Inc.; Tom Duncan, President & CEO, Positec Tool Corporation; Nicholas Perkins, President, Perkins Management Services; Amy Williams, Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Belk Inc. http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/special/2014/Multicultural/tickets $55. Wednesday, August 27 9:00am-1:30pm; Harris Conference Center; 3216 CPCC Harris Campus Dr. September 10 ABCs of Starting a Business Durham Hosted by the NCIMED Women's Business Center of NC, this session will be held from 11:30am - 1:30pm. Discussions include What does it take to be an entrepreneur?, How do I choose the right legal entity?, Do I need a business plan?, Where can I get money?, Who are grants for?, and much more. For more information, please contact: Melissa Terrell 919-956-8889 mterrell@ncimed.org Free. September 11 Boots to Suits Conference Raleigh Is your small business hiring? Consider hiring a veteran! More than 7,000 veterans will be transitioning from Ft Bragg this year. The mission of Boots to Suits Conference is to train and educate human resources professionals and hiring managers on why veterans and spouses are an asset to any company or organization. The conference workshops are designed to encourage businesses and organizations to adopt military friendly hiring practices. Fayetteville State University is hosting a conference for HR professionals and hiring managers at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh from 8 to 4:30. $199/$249. For more information, contact 919-515-2261 or go to Go.ncsu.edu/opd September 9, 16, 23 Brownbag Session: SBA Programs and Services for Your Small Business Candler (Asheville) Grab your lunch and head to an A-B Tech site to discover what the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has in store for your small business, whether you are just starting or already in business. Find out the available SBA-sponsored and SBA-funded resources to counsel and train small business owners in all areas of small business management (including business planning). Find out what it takes to obtain a small business loan and to access SBA financing sources in particular. Discover the SBA's minority and other certification programs which can enable your small business to tap into federal government contracting opportunities. Time: 12 to 1 p.m. Choose from one the following dates and locations: 1) Tuesday, Sept. 9, at A-B Tech Enka; 2) Tuesday, Sept. 16, at A-B Tech South location; or 3) Tuesday, Sept. 23, at A-B Tech Madison County campus. Free of charge, but registration is required: https://www.ncsbc.net/center.aspx?center=75020 October 29-31 GLOBAL MARKETS Charlotte Compete, Win, and Grow Your Business through Exporting. Looking to penetrate new overseas markets and boost your bottom line through exports? Then reserve your place now at a DISCOVER GLOBAL MARKETS event in 2014. Several events will be held around the country. At Each DISCOVER GLOBAL MARKETS Conference you will: • Meet one-on-one with U.S. Commercial Diplomats visiting from abroad • Participate in panel discussions on the latest industry trends • Identify new and emerging markets of opportunity ahead of your competition • Learn about U.S. export programs designed to cut your time to market • Network with U.S. trade officials, leading private sector experts and like-minded U.S. businesses active in overseas markets. Breakout Session will cover questions on: • Export finance • Protecting your intellectual property broad • Complying with U.S. Export Controls • Mitigating your risk • Market entry strategies. Charlotte will host "The Americas". $295. Register at: https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1468383 For more information, http://export.gov/discoverglobalmarkets/ December 8 – Charlotte Advanced Proposal Preparation and Development Workshops December 11 - Wilmington The North Carolina Military Business Center is hosting six Advanced Proposal Preparation and Development Workshops throughout North Carolina. Each workshop session will consist of two days of lecture, discussion, extensive hands-on class exercises and homework. Participants will build on prior experience to: Make informed bid/no-bid decisions, Develop a technical proposal response to a sample solicitation, Develop a pricing estimate for a sample solicitation, Present an oral presentation of their proposal, and more. Attendees must have working knowledge and experience with basic acquisition processes, federal government solicitations, basics of technical and price proposal preparation, federal source selection processes and applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). $425. Register today online at: http://www.ncmbc.us/14AdvancedProposalWriting.php | 
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