Starting, managing, and growing a successful small business requires a well-rounded understanding of so many areas of expertise. Planning. Funding. Laws & Regulations. Sales. Marketing. Accounting. Customer Service. Employee Management.
How Do Entrepreneurs Do It All?
With the professional guidance, experienced insights, and practical solutions that are available through the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center, that’s how. Headquartered in Harrisonburg at James Madison University, the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center serves the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia region.
Business Advising
Business Training
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Start Smart
- What legal entity is right for your business?
- What permits & licenses will you need?
- Who is your customer?
- What’s your value proposition?
Workshops & Events
Diane McCarthy from the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center will be at the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce office from 9am until 4pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. This drop-in event will provide business owners and entrepreneurs and opportunity to learn more about the SBDC resources available to them. To make an appointment, contact Diane via email or call 540.568.3227.
Each year, the State buys goods and services totaling more than $7 billion – learn how your company can be a part of that!
This webinar is designed to educate small, woman and/or minority business owners about opportunities to sell their goods and services to the Commonwealth of Virginia and many local governments.
The workshop will provide information about the Virginia procurement process (the eVA system) and the benefits of SWaM certification.
Speaker: Angela Barber, Business Services Manager, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Eastern VA Region
A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration – a day before before the event – please be on the lookout for it.
- GovCon Sales Process
- Data, Processes, & Tools
- Your Technology Stack: What is that?
- BD – Tools across the sales process:
- Business Management
- Market Intelligence
- CRM
- Pipeline Management
- Proposal Support/Management (including the rise of large language models and assistive AI)
- BD – Tools across the sales process:
- Bringing it all together
- GovCon Basic Knowledge
- Business Strategy
- Process Improvement
- Cost Effective Low-to-No-Code Platform Integration
- Tracking and Visualizing Performance
Instructor Tasha Jones is a U.S. Navy Veteran and the Founder of Twenty39, an operations enablement firm that provides transformation services and low to no code solutions for businesses and government clients. She has over twenty years’ experience in the U.S. Federal, Defense, and Intelligence market space; and is a recognized problem solver and data champion, adept at translating complex business and technical concepts into simple, mission focused messages and implementations. Ms. Jones is an industry-recognized leader in developing data informed solutions, turning around “off the rail” projects and “just getting the job done right”!
Outside of business hours, Tasha supports entrepreneurs and social impact organizations and serves on the board for Citrine Angels; a membership group providing early-stage investment opportunities and education to female investors in the Washington DC Metro area.
Webinar information will be sent to registrants prior to the class and will be conducted via GoToWebinar. After registration is complete, your email confirmation will contain the link. You MUST register your name and email and receive the login information and calendar invite before you can join the webinar. You may attend without downloading the software, but please understand your webinar functions may be limited.
By registering for this training event, you consent to having your name and contact information, along with your registration and attendance status shared with the instructor. Instructors do not have access to other confidential client information and often simply use it to send follow-up class materials. As in-kind donors, each instructor has agreed not to use information in any way contrary to the interests of Virginia APEX Accelerator, its sponsors, grantors, or clients (you), including but not limited to unauthorized marketing and sales. If you have questions or concerns, please email apex@gmu.edu to discuss with the host of this training or do not register for this session.
Visit the Financial Wellness Center
In partnership with Atlantic Union Bank, SBDC clients are invited to take advantage of interactive, easy, and free resources from Banzai! This comprehensive online platform teaches financial literacy at every phase of life and can be utilized at your own pace.
Latest News
SV SBDC Advisory Council
The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center is excited to announce the formation of the SV SBDC Advisory Council. The purpose of the Advisory Council is to network and collaborate with a variety of business resources from the community. This enhanced connectivity is intended to improve the delivery of services to SBDC clients, expand the types of tools available to the SBDC Team, and assist Council members in more effectively serving the business community.
We would like to welcome the founding investors of the Advisory Council! Visit our Advisory Council page to learn more.
Our Partners
We are a member of The Virginia SBDC Network, the most extensive business development program in the Commonwealth. The VSBDC is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), George Mason University-Mason Enterprise Center, and premier local host organizations throughout Virginia including James Madison University.