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.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Have you made it easy for strangers to hijack your brand?
It’s often said that branding is storytelling, and it’s a dead-on statement. You wouldn’t ask a stranger with bad intentions to tell the story of your business. But that may be what you’re doing if you don’t take steps to protect your brand identity. Your trademark – the embodiment of your brand – is the place in the mind of a consumer that links your brand to your business. If the brand is not protected, this connection can be lost or needlessly muddled. High stakes indeed.
In this fast-paced session, we’ll discuss –
- what a trademark is (and isn’t),
- how to start out a business on a solid trademark footing,
- what it means to register a trademark – and how to do it,
- steps to take to be vigilant about infringement,
- ways in which brand value can be corroded from within,
- how domain names fit into the brand equation,
- what brand protection means in a post-pandemic world that’s driven by e-commerce and affected by social media influences,
- five brand protect takeaways to start your Friday.
About the Presenter: Jared Burden, a Harrisonburg-based Partner in the Virginia law firm GreeneHurlocker PLC, is a hands-on transactional business attorney whose practice over several decades has always been focused (whether directly or indirectly) on assuring that business owners maintain the value of their brand. Jared has served as inside and outside general counsel to mature middle-market companies with tens of millions of revenue as well as individual entrepreneurs taking their first steps to actualize their big idea. Jared is a graduate of Duke University and the University of Virginia School of Law, and has lived with his wife Jenny Burden and family in Harrisonburg for 20 years.
Sell, don’t sell, engage, add value, sell – it makes our heads spin! If you’re in the same boat, join us for this workshop were we’ll dive into how to create engaging content that adds value while also selling. Yeah, it’s a mouthful! We’ve got you covered.
Date: Monday, July 11
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Who should attend: Current small business owners in all industries
Speaker(s): Nicole Cooper
A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration
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.
Note that this is a live, on-line Webinar.
Thank you for your registration to Start Smart Workshop via Zoom Time: July 13, 10:00 AM Eastern Time Zoom Link will be sent via email in advance.
Looking forward to seeing you there! Please let me know in advance if you are unable to attend via email to krechjh@jmu.edu. Thank You. Joyce Krech, Shenandoah Valley SBDC Event Information: Start Smart
Presented by Virginia SBDC Inclusivity Ambassador, Dr. Hope Murphy. This 45-minute informal information session will help you to get the most out of SBDC RESOURCES, programs, and networks in support of your small business.
As the largest small business support program in the country, the SBDC offers the services that small business owners need to succeed such as:
- Small Business counseling (free)
- Specialty programs (free)
- Access to business data and information (free)
- Cybersecurity training
- Small business loan process
- Training
After this session, you will know what is available, how to access it, and how to make the most of your free counseling sessions with the SBDC.
About the Presenter
Dr. Hope Murphy specializes in connecting business owners with the resources needed to build their businesses. Her experience includes providing business counseling to veterans through the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center and counseling/training entrepreneurs at the Women’s Business Center.
While Dr. Murphy counsels all small business owners, her passion is to provide business counseling that supports the unique needs of minority business owners.
Dr. Murphy is a small business owner and she provides diversity and inclusion training to organizational leaders and their teams. She and her family live in Stafford, Virginia. hmurph3@gmu.edu
A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration, please be on the lookout for it.
Growing a business means making sure each part plays in sync with each other.
Join us for this Small Business Growth interactive webinar series in partnership with Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce. Held on the 3rd Weds. of each month, these discussions will challenge your way of thinking and help you avoid common pitfalls as you grow your business whether you are just starting out or have years of experience!
RSVP to events@luraypage.com or 540-743-3915 by the Tuesday prior to receive the Zoom link plus session materials.
Updated for 2022
Businesses need to understand the basics of digital marketing now more than ever, because digital marketing creates growth.
Learn about the basics of digital marketing, including:
- Social Media
- Email Marketing
- Paid Ads
- SEO
- Affiliate Marketing
- How to use analytics to measure your success
Your registration is not complete until you register in Zoom. The Zoom registration will appear on the last screen.
Instructor: Cameron Nelson, Chief Digital Advisor, Virginia SBDC and CV 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.
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.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
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 via Zoom Time: July 28th at 10:00am. 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
Updated for 2022
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 and CV 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.
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 small firms to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting. Before entering into this arena you must first know how to market yourself to government. This presentation will help you prepare your firm to get noticed by government and prime buyers by developing a proper marketing plan and strategy. In this session you will learn: • Steps to take to be where you can be found by buyers • Preparing a winning capability statement • Organize your website, business cards and marketing materials • Prepare a marketing plan to attract buyers
Speaker(s): Lisa Wood is the Statewide Director of the Virginia PTAC, hosted by George Mason University where she is also an Adjunct Professor of Management. Prior to that, she served as the Statewide Director with the Connecticut and Ohio PTAC programs and was also Director for the Northwest Commission PTAC in Pennsylvania. Before joining the PTAC community, Lisa was a Procurement Specialist for Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. In this role, Wood performed contract administration and negotiation duties. She also recommended bidders, handled issue inquiries, negotiated bids, performed cost and price analysis, and prepared comprehensive letters to justify recommended contract actions. Ms. Wood holds an MBA from the University of New Haven and a BSBA through Robert Morris University of Pittsburgh where she is also pursuing her PhD in Instructional Management and Leadership.
If you need further assistance or have a question, please contact us at (540) 654-1383
Presented by Virginia SBDC Inclusivity Ambassador, Dr. Hope Murphy. This 45-minute informal information session will help you to get the most out of SBDC RESOURCES, programs, and networks in support of your small business.
As the largest small business support program in the country, the SBDC offers the services that small business owners need to succeed such as:
- Small Business counseling (free)
- Specialty programs (free)
- Access to business data and information (free)
- Cybersecurity training
- Small business loan process
- Training
After this session, you will know what is available, how to access it, and how to make the most of your free counseling sessions with the SBDC.
About the Presenter
Dr. Hope Murphy specializes in connecting business owners with the resources needed to build their businesses. Her experience includes providing business counseling to veterans through the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center and counseling/training entrepreneurs at the Women’s Business Center.
While Dr. Murphy counsels all small business owners, her passion is to provide business counseling that supports the unique needs of minority business owners.
Dr. Murphy is a small business owner and she provides diversity and inclusion training to organizational leaders and their teams. She and her family live in Stafford, Virginia. hmurph3@gmu.edu
A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration, please be on the lookout for it.
In 2021, retail e-commerce sales amounted to approximately 4.9 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide. While ecommerce is expected to grow at a slower pace over the next few years, ecommerce share of retail sales is expected to increase to 23.6 % by 2025. However, as competition explodes, customer expectations evolve at a rapid pace, and questions revolve around DTC profitability, eCommerce companies must evolve.
Sponsored by Microsoft, Monday, August 29th, at 12 pm ET, The Center for Retail Transformation at George Mason University will host a virtual panel that examines the drivers for eCommerce success in the modern, post-pandemic retail era.
Topics covered will include
- What are the evolving customer expectations of eCommerce companies?
- Relatedly, what are the key challenges to delivering a superior shopper experience?
- How can eCommerce companies lower acquisition costs, increase conversion rates, and better retain customers?
- As competition proliferates and customer data becomes more dispersed, how can companies create a unified view of the customer to deliver value, increase loyalty, prevent switching behavior, and stand out in the sea of competition
- How can data, analytics, and technology allow companies to delight customers and unlock the next level of eCommerce growth?
The panelists are:
- Chris Jones –Chief Product Officer @Amperity
- Gihad Jawhar-Chief Technology Officer @CustomInk
- Lisa Bigelow-Director of Retail and Consumer Goods @Microsoft
- Tal Rotman-VP Global Partnerships and Business Development @Namogoo
Does your business need a mobile app?
In this bootcamp you will learn if your small business will benefit from having a mobile app, and the steps to successfully deploy and market your app on the app stores. Areas covered include:
- Market Research
- App Scoping
- Finding a Developer and Budget
- App Business Planning
- Marketing Approach
- Building a Prototype
- Launching an App
- Promoting App
Presented by Cameron Nelson, CV SBDC and Virginia SBDC Chief Digital Advisor
Please be on the lookout for a Zoom registration link a few days prior to the event.
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.
Note that this is a live, on-line Webinar.
Thank you for your registration to Start Smart Workshop via Zoom Time: August 31, 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Zoom Link will be sent via email in advance.