Mitchell Community College, Small Business Center

Statesville

Marketing for the 21st Century small business is more dynamic and challenging than ever. Discover how to most effectively and efficiently use the many marketing tools available and gain insights to understand and reach your customer. Learn to differentiate between branding, advertising, and grassroots marketing techniques.

Speaker: Matt Rudisill

Is your company name important to you? Did you spend time and money developing a logo or a slogan? Small business owners that answer yes should consider registering for a trademark as a way to protect the business brand. North Carolina’s trademarks registry is administered by the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office, while federal trademarks are overseen by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This seminar focuses on various aspects of trademarks – from choosing between a federal or a state trademark or both to filing for one. Attendees can expect to get an overview of the costs, benefits and pitfalls of trademarks.

Speaker: Leo John, Agency Legal Specialist, N.C. Department of the Secretary of State, Raleigh

Get to the heart of business financing in this seminar that answers your questions from, who will give me money for my business idea? to how will this business make money? Explore the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of funding sources and how to choose the right one for your business needs.

Speaker: Ruben Gonzales

In this seminar you will learn the following: (1) the dramatic impact of increasing prices on the bottom line profits of the business, (2) ideas on how to increase prices without losing your customers, (3) 52 ways to cut costs in a business, (4) see in black and white how discounting KILLS your profit margin, and (5) much MORE!

Speaker: This seminar is in partnership with ActionCOACH David Dowdy.

This seminar will answer basic bookkeeping questions for new and prospective business owners. Topics that will be covered include: accrual and cash basis accounting, what are expenses and revenues, manual and software bookkeeping options, outsourcing, and what your business actually needs when it comes to bookkeeping.

Speaker: Semone Brisson

Statistics show that most new businesses fail due to the lack of business planning. This event will feature Denise Mathern, Owner of Elevate Rock School, Lake Norman and how she started her business by writing a business plan. In addition, this event will share information about the business plan competition that will provide training opportunities over the next 6 months to attendees at no cost. The winner of the competition will win prize money that will be used to assist them with their startup business or expansion of an existing business. Entertainment will be provided at this event by Elevate Rock School. Come out and be a part of this special event!

Speaker: Denise Mathern

A great seminar for the “beginner” or the entrepreneur wanting to make eBay a primary business tool. You will learn best practices to use when setting up an account, listing items for sale, taking payments and shipping. Other topics include: eBay appraisals and research and how to register on eBay and start a seller’s account.

Speaker: Nick Hawks