Mar
2
Thu
First Thursdays with the SBA @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 2 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Topic: Market Research w/ Census data and other free tools

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.

Market research is an integral step in creating your business plan, identifying your competition, and identifying your market. In this workshop we will cover free resources to find market research data using the following databases:

  • Census Business Builder
  • International Trade Data
  • Trade Group Data
  • ESRI

Speaker(s): Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist & Public Information Officer

If you need further assistance or have a question, please contact us at (540) 654-1383

Mar
9
Thu
Cybersecurity Risks and Trends for 2023 @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 9 @ 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Small business leaders can expect more incidents of attack surface expansion, data security breaches, identity theft, and remote code execution attacks than in the previous year if they don’t take proactive cybersecurity measures.

Learn how to avoid the TOP 5 mistakes that could let hackers in!

A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration, please be on the lookout for it.
Mar
15
Wed
Earned Media as a Craft Beverage Marketing Strategy @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 15 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Most craft beverage companies, no matter their size or model, recognize the importance of marketing, but too many ignore a high impact strategy: earned media.  In this webinar, Virginia SBDC Craft Beverage Assistance program manager Chris Van Orden will ask Lisa Archer, Editor and Publisher of Edible Blue Ridge, about her experience working with the craft beverage sector, the media’s process for sourcing stories on local producers, and what makes a good subject.

SPEAKER: Lisa Archer is the editor and publisher of Edible Blue Ridge, a quarterly magazine dedicated to celebrating Central & Southwestern Virginia’s unique regional food scene, with a focus on our many farms, orchards, wineries, farmers markets, specialty shops, eateries, food artisans and home cooks. Edible Blue Ridge distributes 10,000 copies of each issue through more than 200 select grocers, restaurants and retailers across their territory.

Lisa holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Hollins University, and has worked in the food and beverage industry for over 18 years. In addition to working for a three-Michelin-star restaurant, and as a master sommelier’s assistant, Lisa has also managed a specialty grocery store, started her own ice cream sandwich business and even spent time as an affineur and sales rep for a cheese cave in Brooklyn. She co-hosts Outside the Box, a monthly informational meetup group for small business owners in the greater Roanoke area. When she’s not at work, you can find her hiking one of the local trails or pulling weeds in her ever-expanding garden.

A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration, please be on the lookout for it.

Learn to Trade: Exporting 101 @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 15 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Have you thought about selling your products in a foreign market? Or maybe you have received an order from a customer in another country but don’t know where to begin? Join SBA’s Office of International Trade for our next Learn to Trade: Exporting 101. This 45-minute session will provide an overview of the major steps to exporting, learn about some mistakes other companies have made and how to avoid them, and receive information about tools and resources to help small businesses.

We will be joined by experts from Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center at Bradley University and the U.S. Commercial Service in Illinois. They will share advice from their combined more than 50 years of experience helping small businesses export.

Como Obtener sus Licencias de Contratistas en MD, DC, VA (How to Get Your Contractor’s Licenses) @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Este taller le proveera información sobre los diferentes tipos de licencias para trabajos comerciales y residenciales en la construcción. Es una introduccion a los diferentes requerimientos en cada estado/ciudad en el area metropolitana.

Todas las capacitaciones se entregarán en Español a través de zoom. (All trainings will be delivered in Spanish via Zoom.)

Por favor regístrese para el seminario y recibirá su confirmación para acceder a la sesión por medio de Zoom.

Para más información enviar un texto a Cely Argueta, Consultora de Negocios al 301-401-7317.

Mar
23
Thu
Introduction to Schedule C and Business Recordkeeping @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 23 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Good recordkeeping plays a pivotal part in the success of your business, and it also plays a huge role in the preparation of your income tax return. During this presentation we will do a brief overview of Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, and discuss recordkeeping for your Schedule C.

During the presentation we will address:

  • the uses of recordkeeping
  • how to calculate gross profit and gross income
  • how to calculate net profit or loss
  • how to identify and deduct expenses
  • how to document income and expenses
  • recordkeeping timeframes

A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration, please be on the lookout for it.


Presenter: Anika Pompey, Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

How to Manage your WordPress Website @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 23 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Updated for 2023

Join us and learn how to create and/or better manage your WordPress website!

Are you looking for a simple, yet effective website to use for your business? WordPress might be a good option! In this workshop, we’ll cover “the basics” on creating and updating a WordPress site, including:

  • User management
  • Page creation and editing
  • Image and video uploads
  • Plugin management
  • Linking to social media
A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration, please be on the lookout for it.

Instructor: Cameron Nelson, Chief Digital Advisor, Virginia SBDC

Mr. Nelson has over 18 years experience in technology, and as a senior tech consultant in Silicon Valley helping Fortune 500 companies improve their digital marketing and eCommerce. At the same time he founded several tech companies, including a SaaS website for tree preservation and a blockchain platform for nonprofits. Cameron is accomplished in language, culture, has an MBA and MA and believes new technology products have the ability to help shape our world for the better.

 

Fee: No Cost

Mar
28
Tue
Start Smart Workshop @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 28 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Start Smart Workshop @ Virtual Webinar
  • Do you reside in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia and are thinking about starting a new business?
  • Do you have questions about how 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 Shenandoah Valley 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 marketing to financial projections and bookkeeping. We 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 growth needs.

Please find the Zoom link and review PDF Workbook attached in the reminder email 48 hours in advance. Please let me know if you are unable to attend or have questions via email to duganaj@jmu.edu

Thank You! Allison Dugan, Shenandoah Valley SBDC

Mar
30
Thu
Office Hours: Intro to America’s Seed Fund at NSF @ Virtual Webinar
Mar 30 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join this question-and-answer session to learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by the National Science Foundation. A Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program director will answer questions about how to get started, the basics of eligibility and what they look for when they review project pitches.

Details will be shared at the beginning of each webinar to view real-time captions. To request other reasonable accommodations for the webinar, please email RArequests@nsf.gov 14 days in advance of the webinar the following information:

1. Event name
2. Event date and time
3. Your contact information (email address preferred)
4. Brief description of the requested accommodation.

Upon joining the webinar, attendees will be in listen-only mode with the ability to type questions in the Zoom Chat panel. For help during the webinar, contact Zoom Technical support at +1-833-966-6468 or email support@zoom.us.

Apr
6
Thu
First Thursdays with the SBA: HUBZone @ Virtual Webinar
Apr 6 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Topic: Government Contracting

Topic: HUBZone

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.

Do you own a small business and are interested in contracting with the federal government? Did you know that government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses in historically underutilized business zones (HUBZones)? It also gives preferential consideration to those businesses in full and open competition. Joining the HUBZone program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside contracts.

Key Takeaways:

  • HUBZone program eligibility
  • Requirements for HUBZone certification
  • How being HUBZone certified can help your business

Speaker(s): Carl Knoblock, SBA District Director Carl Knoblock currently works for the Small Business Administration and prior to becoming District Director, Knoblock owned a couple of small businesses from manufacturing to service industries. He served as C-Level executive for several innovative startups. Carl started as the district director for Virginia in June 2014. Before arriving in Virginia, he served as the District Director for the Western Pennsylvania District Office for 8 years. Under his leadership, his team helped a wide variety of businesses. Carl is very active in mentoring businesses and volunteering in his spare time. He has been an adjunct instructor for several colleges and has served as an advisor to several nonprofit organizations. Carl also served in the U.S. Navy.

If you need further assistance or have a question, please contact us at (540)654-1383.

Office Hours: Intro to America’s Seed Fund at NSF @ Virtual Webinar
Apr 6 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join this question-and-answer session to learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by the National Science Foundation. A Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program director will answer questions about how to get started, the basics of eligibility and what they look for when they review project pitches.

Details will be shared at the beginning of each webinar to view real-time captions. To request other reasonable accommodations for the webinar, please email RArequests@nsf.gov 14 days in advance of the webinar the following information:

1. Event name
2. Event date and time
3. Your contact information (email address preferred)
4. Brief description of the requested accommodation.

Upon joining the webinar, attendees will be in listen-only mode with the ability to type questions in the Zoom Chat panel. For help during the webinar, contact Zoom Technical support at +1-833-966-6468 or email support@zoom.us.

Apr
11
Tue
Start Smart Workshop @ Virtual Webinar
Apr 11 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Start Smart Workshop @ Virtual Webinar
  • Do you reside in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia and are thinking about starting a new business?
  • Do you have questions about how 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 Shenandoah Valley 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 marketing to financial projections and bookkeeping. We 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 growth needs.

Please find the Zoom link and review PDF Workbook attached in the reminder email 48 hours in advance. Please let me know if you are unable to attend or have questions via email to duganaj@jmu.edu

Thank You! Allison Dugan, Shenandoah Valley SBDC

Apr
13
Thu
5 Cybersecurity Strategies for Small Business in 2023 @ Virtual Webinar
Apr 13 @ 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Even Small Businesses can be targeted!

Learn how to protect yours from Cyber Threats.

A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration, please be on the lookout for it.
Office Hours: Intro to America’s Seed Fund at NSF @ Virtual Webinar
Apr 13 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join this question-and-answer session to learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by the National Science Foundation. A Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program director will answer questions about how to get started, the basics of eligibility and what they look for when they review project pitches.

Details will be shared at the beginning of each webinar to view real-time captions. To request other reasonable accommodations for the webinar, please email RArequests@nsf.gov 14 days in advance of the webinar the following information:

1. Event name
2. Event date and time
3. Your contact information (email address preferred)
4. Brief description of the requested accommodation.

Upon joining the webinar, attendees will be in listen-only mode with the ability to type questions in the Zoom Chat panel. For help during the webinar, contact Zoom Technical support at +1-833-966-6468 or email support@zoom.us.

Apr
18
Tue
6 Simple ways to get Cybersecurity for your Small Business @ Virtual Webinar
Apr 18 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Todd Mitchell owner of Cybersecurity4biz, LLC will walk you through 6 things you can do from your desk, right now, for FREE, to improve your cybersecurity posture for your business, office/home, and self!

Key Takeaways:
– Improving Network Cybersecurity by configuring your router properly
– Improving Computer Cybersecurity by making sure security patches are updated, firewalls and detection software are configured properly, user accounts are unique, passwords are strong, and attachments open in protected mode.
– Learning Cybersecurity Awareness Tips

Speaker(s): Todd Mitchell, Owner of Cybersecurity4biz LLC

As a Disabled Veteran-owned small business owner, Todd Mitchell understands the value of your data. He is retired from the US Navy with over 30 years of experience protecting confidential and secret information using cybersecurity best practices. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Cyber Security Policy, he was helping friends who owned their own businesses and realized there are no cybersecurity resources available unless you have over 100 employees. Todd decided to make it his mission to help all small businesses and families by designing affordable Cybersecurity solutions customized specifically for Solopreneurs, Entrepreneurs, Micro Small Businesses, and Families.

Co-Sponsor(s):

If you need further assistance or have a question, please contact us at (540) 654-1383