Events/Workshops

HP Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) is a global program that offers aspiring entrepreneurs and small business-owners valuable business skills. HP LIFE offers participants a path to realizing their business dreams. The NC Small Business Center Network, in partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), is pleased to offer this innovative program to NC entrepreneurs and small business owners free of charge! This program is self-paced, making it possible for more aspiring entrepreneurs to participate. All you have to do is register to start.

Speaker: Various

Understand the basics of starting a business in this seminar that takes you from idea to opportunity. Learn key strategies for start-up, financing and marketing as well as important information about legal issues, licensing, zoning, operations and more. Realize the importance of a self-assessment and how to evaluate the feasibility of your business idea. Discover the resources available to help you start and successfully operate your business.

Speaker: Alicia Herrin - Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurial Development at Stanly Community College

A business plan can be the most important tool a small business owner has. Learn how to turn your ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. This seminar teaches you the important components of a business plan and helps you lay the foundation for a winning plan. Find out how marketing, operations, and finance are interrelated. Discover how a business plan is used by potential lenders, the dos and don'ts of writing a plan and steps for making the process easy. This seminar is designed for new and established business owners.

Speaker: Alicia Herrin - Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurial Development at Stanly Community College

Etsy.com is the world’s most popular e-commerce site for all things handmade and vintage. Our class will help establish your own successful shop. Etsy is a great way for crafters and vintage pickers to sell goods online without having to navigate the complexities of building their own e-commerce site. You’ll learn how to navigate the Etsy interface and set up your shop. Learn insights on important Etsy policies and protocol so you don’t unwittingly violate Etsy’s rules.

Speaker: Alicia Herrin - Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development at Stanly Community College

Financing continues to be a challenge for many small business owners. Questions range from, Who will give me money for my business idea and what do they need from me? to, How will this business make money and will it be enough to pay back a loan or attract an investor? Get to the heart of business financing in this seminar that answers your questions. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of funding sources and how to choose the right one for your needs. Discover the keys to financing success.

Speaker: Alicia Herrin - Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development at Stanly Community College

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Understand the credit reporting system, your credit worthiness, your business needs, just to name a few. Understand your FICO score. Get answers to some of these questions: • What is your track record? • How much is too much? • What is your credit history and how is it established? • What is a healthy mix? • Consumer Reporting • How to increase your personal credit score?

Gain a solid understanding of taxes required for small business owners and develop the best tax strategy for your business. Become familiar with the latest tax forms and procedures for both state and federal taxes. Discover how everyday business decisions can have tax implications that can affect your bottom line. This seminar is important for both new and experienced business owners.

Speaker: Julie W. Moxley, CPA - Beane Swaringen & Company, PLLC

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Gain a workable knowledge of how to properly record financial transactions for your business. Discover the three most important financial reports and how to use them to make the best-informed business decisions. If you’re a new business owner or need a refresher on the basics of accounting, this seminar is designed for you.

Speaker: Julie W. Moxley, CPA - Beane Swaringen & Company, PLLC

This seminar will cover the basics of QuickBooks! It will be an interactive session allowing attendees to navigate through the QuickBooks Software, gain knowledge, and evaluate the use of QuickBooks for their business. Consider joining us for the following sessions as well: October 12th QuickBooks - Intermediate October 19th QuickBooks - Advanced

Speaker: Amanda Paige

Are you wondering what your next step in life will be? Have you considered your entrepreneurial potential? This seminar is for prospective small business owners that need a bit of guidance. Entrepreneurship is a mindset. It focuses not only on your career but success and creativity. This energetic session will not only illuminate your entrepreneurial potential but will also feature fun and giveaways! From 8:30am-9:15am attendees with meet in the Stanly Community College Webb Student Center before transitioning to the Dennis Auditorium in the college's Kelley Building. Festivities will conclude at 12:00pm.

Speaker: Sam Massa, Serial Entrepreneur

Let's talk about copyright trolls . . . does your business website or blog have digital images on it? Learn how to make sure those are in compliance with the law, sleep easier, and avoid copyright infringement.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

This seminar will cover the basics of QuickBooks! It will be an interactive session allowing attendees to navigate through the QuickBooks Software, gain knowledge, and evaluate the use of QuickBooks for their business. Consider joining us for the following sessions as well: October 5th QuickBooks - Basic October 19th QuickBooks - Advanced

Speaker: Amanda Paige

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

This seminar will cover the basics of QuickBooks! It will be an interactive session allowing attendees to navigate through the QuickBooks Software, gain knowledge, and evaluate the use of QuickBooks for their business. Consider joining us for the following sessions as well: October 5th QuickBooks - Basic October 12th QuickBooks - Intermediate

Speaker: Amanda Paige

The real poverty of typical families is found neither in their low income nor in costly essential expenses but rather in not understanding their own cash flow. What is a cash flow statement and why is it so important? A cash flow statement is part of your business’s financial statements, which include these: An income statement A balance sheet A cash flow statement However, a cash flow statement isn’t just something you prepare and put in a drawer to never look at again. Used correctly, it can be a vital tool for managing your business and planning ahead for financing needs. Ideally, you want to maintain a positive cash flow at all times. This ensures you have the funds available that you need to pay your bills, pay employees, and purchase inventory or assets in a timely fashion. In reality, of course, many businesses find that from time to time, their cash flow is negative. Or perhaps it’s an ongoing problem: You are doing fine on paper in terms of profitability, but somehow find that you frequently run short of cash. Reviewing your cash flow statement regularly can help you spot this type of cyclical pattern in your business and prevent a cash flow emergency.

Gain a solid understanding of taxes required for small business owners and develop the best tax strategy for your business. Become familiar with the latest tax forms and procedures for both state and federal taxes. Discover how everyday business decisions can have tax implications that can affect your bottom line. This seminar is important for both new and experienced business owners.

Speaker: Julie W. Moxley, CPA - Beane Swaringen & Company, PLLC

This seminar is for current and prospective small business owners who wish to offer real estate photography through their business. During this session you will learn how to operate within this industry by identifying the right gear, your market, and how to plan your results. Consider attending “Real Estate Photography: The Production” on November 9th and “Real Estate Photography: The Process” on November 13th.

Speaker: Chris Lentz

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

If something were to happen unexpectedly, what would happen to your business and its assets? This seminar for current and prospective small business owners will help you plan for the future of your business estate. From preliminary preparations to knowing your business assets and developing a strategy, you will gain an understanding of the importance for planning for the future for yourself and your business.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

This seminar is for current and prospective small business owners who wish to offer real estate photography through their business. Being a successful business owner requires knowing how to properly meet industry demand. During this session you will learn how to effectively capture your product on location by finding your light and knowing how to use it. Consider attending “Real Estate Photography: The Preparation” on November 6th and “Real Estate Photography: The Process” on November 13th.

Speaker: Chris Lentz

This seminar is for current and prospective small business owners who wish to offer real estate photography through their business. During this session you will learn that post production is king! Consider attending “Real Estate Photography: The Preparation” on November 6th and “Real Estate Photography: The Production” on November 9th.

Speaker: Chris Lentz

Gain a workable knowledge of how to properly record financial transactions for your business. Discover the three most important financial reports and how to use them to make the best-informed business decisions. If you’re a new business owner or need a refresher on the basics of accounting, this seminar is designed for you.

Speaker: Julie W. Moxley, CPA - Beane Swaringen & Company, PLLC

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Today’s small businesses exist in a new economic landscape that forces creativity and out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to financing. Small businesses have traditionally been the key driver for economic recovery when it comes to hiring, but hiring requires capital, and capital can be hard to come by. During the life of most any business, the owner will need to seek out cash to help with its growth or to keep it going through a rough patch. So, planning how to fund a business is hardly a trivial or brief topic. However, we can provide an overview we hope will help start you thinking about your business’ options.

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a patent is a form of protection that provides exclusive rights for making, selling or using a concept or invention. As an entrepreneur or aspiring small business owner, protecting your work may be one of the most significant considerations that come to mind. This seminar will help current and prospective small business owners understand the rules and regulations involving patents and how they can protect their intellectual property.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Learn best practices for recognizing and managing professional stressors while also managing your business.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

When operating a business it is important to know that you are in legal compliance. Join us for this informative session that will cover common legal mistakes for small business.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Understand the credit reporting system, your credit worthiness, your business needs, just to name a few. Understand your FICO score. Get answers to some of these questions: • What is your track record? • How much is too much? • What is your credit history and how is it established? • What is a healthy mix? • Consumer Reporting • How to increase your personal credit score?

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

This seminar, for current and prospective business owners, covers aspects of Constitutional Law as it applies to small businesses. Topics will include the branches of government, Individual Rights as they relate to the First Amendment, and key points of the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments in the context of small business application.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

The real poverty of typical families is found neither in their low income nor in costly essential expenses but rather in not understanding their own cash flow. What is a cash flow statement and why is it so important? A cash flow statement is part of your business’s financial statements, which include these: An income statement A balance sheet A cash flow statement However, a cash flow statement isn’t just something you prepare and put in a drawer to never look at again. Used correctly, it can be a vital tool for managing your business and planning ahead for financing needs. Ideally, you want to maintain a positive cash flow at all times. This ensures you have the funds available that you need to pay your bills, pay employees, and purchase inventory or assets in a timely fashion. In reality, of course, many businesses find that from time to time, their cash flow is negative. Or perhaps it’s an ongoing problem: You are doing fine on paper in terms of profitability, but somehow find that you frequently run short of cash. Reviewing your cash flow statement regularly can help you spot this type of cyclical pattern in your business and prevent a cash flow emergency.

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Trademark protection, filed through the Patent and Trademark Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is a form of protection that prevents another person from using a brand name to sell the same goods or services. Applied to a manufacturer’s or seller’s products and services to differentiate them in the marketplace, they can be a valuable marketing tool. This seminar will help current and prospective small business owners understand the rules and regulations involving trademarks and how they can protect their intellectual property.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Today’s small businesses exist in a new economic landscape that forces creativity and out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to financing. Small businesses have traditionally been the key driver for economic recovery when it comes to hiring, but hiring requires capital, and capital can be hard to come by. During the life of most any business, the owner will need to seek out cash to help with its growth or to keep it going through a rough patch. So, planning how to fund a business is hardly a trivial or brief topic. However, we can provide an overview we hope will help start you thinking about your business’ options.

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

In addition to a number of other benefits, incorporating a nonprofit organization is a way to serve whatever cause or mission is close to your heart in a way that protects the funds from taxation. This seminar will help you learn about the process of nonprofit formation both with the state of North Carolina and the IRS.

Speaker: Attorney Paula Yost - owner of The Country Law Shack

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Grounds for Business Roundtable Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.

Grounds for Business Roundtable (Locust) Join us for Free Coffee, Sweets, and an open Roundtable Discussion. Meeting the FIRST TUESDAY of each month in Albemarle and the THIRD TUESDAY in Locust this coalition desires to foster economic growth by uniting local small business owners and entrepreneurs. A keynote speaker will also be featured.