During this webinar you will learn about:
- The government customer
- Readiness to be a government contractor
- Marketing to the customer
- Government jargon
- Steps to get started
- Small business set-asides
- Targeting the government customer – what the buyer wants to know
- What should go into a capability statement
Speakers: Timm Johnson – Director, Mason SBDC
Co-sponsor(s) & Partner(s): Prince William County Department of Economic Development & Prince William Chamber of Commerce
Cancellation Policy: Contact the Center regarding cancellation earlier than 24 business hours prior to event. Kindly email – help@masonsbdc.org (preferred) or call 703-261-4105 to notify the team.
Special Instruction: This live webinar will be presented via Zoom. Webinar access details (Zoom invitation) will be provided after registration.
Cancellation Policy: Kindly contact us (email – help@masonsbdc.org (preferred) or call 703-261-4105) at least 24-business hours prior to the event for cancellations Special Instructions: This live webinar will conducted on the Zoom platform. Please watch your email for the webinar access link – which will be sent only after registration.
Grab your lunch and join us virtually for the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners.
Finding funding for your business can be challenging if your credit score is weak. Join us as we discuss strategies to improve both your personal and business credit score.
Key Takeaways:
how your personal credit affects your business
how to improve your personal credit to benefit your business
how to improve your business credit over time
Speaker(s): Joey Pocan, Richmond SBA
Once a brewery has confirmed that it’s equipped to pursue international markets, the next question is where to sell its products. It can be daunting to assess the potential of the many markets and partners looking for American craft beer, and there’s no one size fits all approach for market selection.
In this webinar, breweries will learn about available tools and strategies to help weigh different opportunities and develop an export strategy that suits their specific goals.
- 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.
Thank you for your registration to Start Smart Workshop. Please let Rosie know if you are unable to attend or have questions via email to rigglerc@jmu.edu
Thank You! Barry Henderson, Shenandoah Valley SBDC
Participants will learn free and low cost ways to market their business and increase sales.
Topics will include:
*Getting the most out of social media
*Using email marketing effectively
*Free resources to make your business look great
*Participants will receive tips and ideas they can begin implementing right away
Speaker(s): Hope Gayles, Associate Director, Communications & Outreach & Public Information Officer at Southern Virginia Higher Education Center
Co-Sponsor(s): LSBDC, GMU, SBA, VSBDC, SVHEC, GoVA
The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 23% of that spend is allocated for Small Business. This is a huge opportunity for firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In order to get noticed by small business offices, you must first create a winning capability statement. This is the most importing marketing piece you will create for your business. A properly formatted capability statement will help you get noticed and differentiate you from your competition. In this presentation you will learn:
• Proper formatting of the statement
• Information to include and not include
• Differentiators, Core competencies and past performance content
• You will be provided an editable template to use for your own capability statement
• How to use the statement
Join Lisa Wood, Director of the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), for this informative presentation – a “must” for those who are considering the Federal Government contracting market and want to learn how to prepare for/navigate this huge potential market. This “beginners” class offers tips and tricks on how to win Federal business.
This is an Live Virtual Workshop. We recommend joining from your computer/laptop for the best experience.
Workshop Description
Join us for a live interactive workshop where will delve into the world of ChatGPT and learn how to leverage its capabilities to build dynamic and engaging conversational experiences.
Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical exercises, you will gain a deep understanding of the:
- underlying concepts
- techniques
- best practices for effectively training and fine-tuning ChatGPT models
- and more!
Fine Print:
Our workshops, events, and programs are designed with a small business owner in mind. Actionable, sharing of ideas, and takeaways to keep things straight.
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is our fiscal host. The cost of this workshop is directly allocated to Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center (RRSBDC) programming.
The SBDC reserves the right to cancel a workshop/event/program for insufficient enrollment, weather emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances. Should a cancellation occur we will use the email you provided to contact you. Pre-registration is highly recommended. If an event is canceled or postponed and you have not pre-registered we will not be able to contact you.
Speaker(s): Jeff Robertson, RRSBDC Team
The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 5% of that spend is allocated for Small Disadvantaged(8(A) firms. This is a huge opportunity for small firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In this presentation you will learn:
• Eligibility requirements for 8(a) certification
• Understanding the Application Process
• Understanding how to prepare before applying
• Staying Certified
Speaker(s): Lisa Powell worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration at the Connecticut District Office from 1998 to 2019 as an Economic Development Specialist monitoring the HUBZone and 8(a) portfolios for the local office before joining the Virginia PTAC as a Procurement Counselor in January 2021. During her time at the SBA, Lisa worked closely with all of SBA’s resource partners to facilitate procurement workshops held at local Community Colleges, Chambers of Commerce and libraries. As a Business Opportunity Specialist, she was involved with the Government Contracting programs that the SBA provides and worked very closely with the purchasing agents for the Federal and State Agencies as well as the larger prime contractors while organizing SBA Matchmakers and assisting small business.
Join us as we discuss tips and tricks on how to address insider threats and social engineering!
Speaker: Quiana Gainey, Virginia SBDC Cyber Industry Expert
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.
In this final episode, the hosts will discuss financing and logistics considerations that come into play when exporting craft beer. Attendees will learn the necessary steps to successfully execute and international order, as well as strategies for leveraging their relationships with freight forwarders, importers, and small business lenders in support of a sustained and profitable export program.
Co-sponsorship Authorization# 23-22-C. The SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 2 weeks in advance of this event; please send an email with the subject header ACCOMMODATION REQUEST to reasonableaccommodation@sba.gov.
Join local business professionals and local and state legislators for the 10th Valley Business Summit, a time to come together to discuss the workforce opportunities and challenges in our area.
This event will feature special guest speaker Virginia Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater, as well as a panel with local delegates.
10:30 – Resource Fair/Networking
The SWaM Vendor Fair will offer a wealth of contacts for marketing your goods and services and provide an opportunity to make personal contact with some of the 600+ JMU departmental buyers. The event is scheduled to take place at the James Madison University Festival Center on Tuesday, August 1st 2023. The morning will begin with a networking luncheon to meet with other SWaM vendors and the JMU Procurement Services buyers. As the fair gets underway in the afternoon, you’ll meet with many JMU departmental buyers and faculty as well as numerous buyers from other state, local, and private organizations.
Event Theme:“Back to the Future”
SWaM Vendor Fair Table Registration: $75
Event Website:https://www.jmu.edu/procurement/vendor-fair.shtml
Topic: Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)
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. This workshop will explain the process and advantages of utilizing the Women -Owned Small business contracting program for federal contracting.
Learning Outcomes:
• How to self-certify as a women-owned small business
• The eligibility requirements to qualify for the WOSB program
• How the WOSB program can help your business compete for federal contract set-asides
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.