Events/Workshops

An encore entrepreneurship panel and networking workshop. The panel discussion will feature successful small business owners who will share their experiences starting and successing in business. This will be followed with a special "speed-coaching: session where existing and future small business owners can rotate from table to table in small groups and take advantage of expertise in a variety of subject areas.

Speaker: AARP

Three dimensional (3D) printing is a new innovation that can be of great use to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The process has become an intergral part of business development from idea generation to technical advancement. There are many in the business world that could reap great benefits from 3-D printing but are yet to understand how. Those who attend this seminar will have an opportunity to study the landscape of this innovative form of technology and develop an understanding of how to apply it in a real-life setting.

Speaker: Steven Schain of Spectralight Images

How many people visited your website this week? What parts of the world are they visiting from? How lond did they stay? Whate page keeps people's attention the longest? Google Analytics offer the free tool to track and improve business. We will start with setting up an account followed by adding the tracking code to the website. The majority of the class will cover navigating and understanding the basic reports. The main focus of this class will be an introduction to the short and long term benefits of utilizing Google Analytics to help grow website traffic. Mobile activity, social media, and live tracking will also be discussed.

Speaker: Boomer Sassmann

This course will help to educate business owners on web-based resources and tools that can help streamline day-to-day operations for their business and alleviate stress from the digital world. The goal is to help raise the level of comfort and understanding when it comes to the internet as it continues to embed itself into more and more areas of one's business. Topics covered include website tracking using Google Analytics, search engine optimization, blogging platforms, WordPress, social media basics, and many web-based applications that are free to use online (Evernote, Dropbox, AnyMeeting, Mint, etc.).

Speaker: Boomer Sassmann

Starting a nonprofit organization can be rewarding and fulfilling. Review the basics on how to start such an organization, how to manage it and what resources are available.

Speaker: Mike Sowinski

This business planning seminar that will cover a number of specifics that must be considered in your journey to starting a business. Come and learn how to assess your business ownership skills; how to assess the feasibility of your business idea; the parts of a business plan; the different types of business formations; the licenses that are required; and the financing options that are available. The goal of this seminar is to give those who attend the information that they need to make better decisions which should also give their business ideas a better chance of success.

Speaker: Noah Raper and Duane Adams

Join the A-B Tech Small Business Center and The Support Center to learn more about the many resources available to assist start-ups and existing small businesses. In addition to free counseling provided by the Small Business Center, The Support Center offers loan programs for all types of small companies, particularly women, minority, contractors and other underserved businesses in North Carolina. They also offer a “no equity” requirement loan for Veteran and Service-Disabled-Veteran-owned businesses across the state. Lunch provided by The Support Center. Preregistration required.

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