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

In this seminar, attendees will become aware of what is needed to start a Family Child Care business in their home. This session is loaded with information to assist participants in making better-informed decisions before becoming an Entrepreneur. It is highly recommended to attend “How to Start a Home–Based Daycare Part II.

Speaker: Trudy Lynn

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: Jess McLamb

This seminar is a continuation of How to Start a Homebased Child Care business in their home. Content includes the various NC Child Care Requirements. It is highly recommended that you attend the “How to Start a Home–Based Daycare Part I.

Speaker: Trudy Lynn

Do you stumble trying to figure out where to choose graphics for your marketing designs? This seminar will help you to learn to select the right graphics and how to use the best photos to market your business.

Speaker: Martin Brossman

Learn essentials for revenue generation including 8 ways to raise up to $2500 or more in 10 days or less. Learn what an online donor looks like and how to write a donation letter that seals the deal, ongoing vs episodic funding, and more tips for better fundraising to put the funds into your fundraising efforts. Join us after this seminar for two additional seminars: How to Develop Bylaws for Your non-Profit from 12:15-2:15 pm and How to Develop a Non-Profit Board from 2:30-4:30 pm.

Speaker: Sam Gore

Bylaws are essential to your operation as a Nonprofit. Come learn what should be included in your bylaws to be properly set up and avoid common pitfalls that could undermine your business longevity. Roles and duties of directors and officers, distribution of grant monies, meeting procedures, electing directors, and more will be covered. Join us prior to this seminar from 9:30 am until 11:30 am for Fundraising Fundamentals for Your Non-Profit.

Speaker: Sam Gore

Board meetings are not just about information, but also “transformation.” Organizations will rise or fall as a direct result of a functional or dysfunctional Board. This seminar is focuses primarily on some practical tips and tools, rather than the latest research that can bring about “transformational change,” in Boards. Government agencies, Foundations, and individual donors and other potential supporters and funders want information concerning Boards. What they discover might make the difference between receiving their support and or funds, or not. Join us for two seminars prior to this seminar: Fundraising Fundamental for Your Non-Profit from 9:30-11:30 am and How to Develop Bylaws for your Non-Profit from 12:15 - 2:15 pm at the same location.

Speaker: Sam Gore

After completing this training, the participants will be able to: Describe the purpose of cash flow management in a start-up small business. Assess a cash flow cycle and make some cash flow projections. Describe how a cash flow statement can help assess and improve the financial health of a start-up. Identify some ways to manage cash flow in terms of managing costs and potential income. Identify ways to seek out expert technical assistance to improve cash flow management.

Speaker: Woodforest National Bank

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: Jess McLamb

Don't let the process of writing a grant scare you away from potential funding. This two-part seminar series is designed to encourage and build confidence of current and potential nonprofit leaders concerning the process of grant writing. If you're looking for a place to begin, or you want to investigate what is involved in the grant writing process, this seminar is for you. Bring your board members, or potential board members, directors and volunteers.

Speaker: Yolanda Thigpen

A good credit score is now considered to be 740 points or higher. This seminar will include information about the history of credit scoring, credit reports and how they are calculated, the importance of maintaining good credit, and more. Proven methods to increase your credit score by 50-100+ within 60 days will also be discussed.

Speaker: Bob Moore

Use the skills and information that you learned in Grant Writing 101 to apply to your grant. This workshop will allow you to ask questions and to get one-on-one assistance.

Speaker: Yolanda Thigpen

This course teaches you and your team how to be more comfortable in front of the camera for selling your product or service. People identify with people naturally and with brands only after great expense and a lot of people promoting them. It is cheaper for a small business to brand themselves by bringing their most passionate people out front and the owners if possible.

Speaker: Martin Brossman

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: Ruben Gonzales

Is now the golden age of volunteerism? More people than ever want to give back to their communities and volunteer work is encouraged, from the halls of congress to the words and images in the media. Now could be the very best time to look at your volunteer program and spiff it up so that your volunteers will want to come and stay. However, volunteerism has changed and volunteer expectations have evolved. Join us for two additional non-profit seminars following this one at this same location: How to Develop a Strategic Plan for a Nonprofit from 12:15-2:15 pm and Nonprofit Guide to Budgeting from 2:30-4:30 pm.

Speaker: Sam Gore

Developing a strategic plan is like planning a journey and all experts agree that this is the primary function of the board of directors. While this is true and necessary, very few organizations and boards take the time to plan their journeys. All board members, directors, employees and officers of nonprofits are encouraged to attend this seminar and start right away with a plan and in doing so keep the organization energized and motivated. This will also inspire contributors and potential grant providers to contribute to the cause. Join us for two additional non-profit seminars at this same location: How to Get the Most out of Your Non-Profit Volunteers and Make Them Happy from 9:30-11:30 am and Nonprofit guide to Budgeting from 2:30-4:30 pm.

Speaker: Sam Gore

Nonprofit organizations have limited resources and represent funds entrusted to their organization; officers have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that every dime of this money is spent wisely. Spending money and spending it wisely is not the same. No matter who or what the organizations, all have one thing in common: the need to achieve their goals and objectives with limited resources. This 2 hour seminar is designed to assist nonprofit directors and officers to develop budgeting skills necessary to reach their full potential. Join us for two additional seminars at the dame location: How to Get the Most out of your Nonprofit Volunteers and Keep Them Happy from 9:30-11:30 am and How to Develop a Strategic Plan for a Nonprofit from 12:15-2:15 pm.

Speaker: Sam Gore

SnapChat is capturing the attention of millennials with it’s disappearing photos and messages, filters and lenses, and private messaging. Businesses have an opportunity to reach millennials not only with their engaging stories but by encouraging your customers to include your business in their special moment.

Speaker: Martin Brossman

After completing this seminar, the participants will be able to: Explain how an evolving planning process can help them make key decisions as business owners. Describe how to convert a vague idea into a resource plan. Explain the importance of a healthy personal credit score and healthy relationships with lenders. Describe how a business plan helps motivate stakeholders to understand and support their business ideas. Explain the benefits of creating a day-to-day action plan for running a small business.

Speaker: Woodforest National Bank

As a small business owner learn how and when to send in the payroll taxes you collected to both the IRS and the State of North Carolina.

Speaker: Jen Deal

Using Twitter to build your brand, and generate valuable content to attract Google and your prospects. Business applications of Twitter, Micro-blogging & Blogs will be discussed on how to attract & keep customers.

Speaker: Martin Brossman

Women under 30 are predominantly on Instagram and over 30 on Pinterest with greater overlap occurring daily and a greater number of men joining rapidly. By using both of these social media platforms, you maximize your exposure. Martin shows the effective and correct integration of both of these platforms. Understanding which is the right one to use and in what combination is key to maximizing your profitability.

Speaker: Martin Brossman

After completing this seminar, you will be able to: Identify the common risks associated with a small business. Identify the external and internal factors that affect risk for a small business. Identify situations that may cause risk for a small business. Identify the common warning signs of risk for a small business. Implement, monitor, and evaluate a risk management plan for a small business.

Speaker: Woodforest National Bank

Perplexed by which forms apply to your small business? Learn what forms to use and when they should be filed. Learn the purpose of the forms, how to fill them out, and how to send them to the right place.

Speaker: Jen Deal