|
Small Business Development Center wants to be the first resource partner that small business goes to for guidance in the areas of money, management, and marketing.
Our goal is to help small businesses be successful enough to create economic impact and a better quality of life for themselves, their families and our communities.
We are very fortunate in Southern Maryland to have various education institutions that are offering wonderful affordable classroom instruction for entrepreneurs.
We are equally fortunate to be served by several active and engaging economic development organizations.
Whether you are just starting out or you have been in business for awhile, I have listed our upcoming classroom instruction and many wonderful FREE opportunities throughout our region that will engage, entertain, and educate entrepreneurs, as they begin, grow and prosper.
To get daily updates on local and national entrepreneur opportunities - follow us on Facebook or Twitter (links at the bottom)
|
|
|
"Most marketing is boring and does nothing to get the attention of the target and give them a call to action." says Chris Ripley, owner of the Strategic Marketing Group. "Marketing strategy is almost always overlooked in advertising, before you say it you need to know what you are going to say, how you are going to say it, and to whom you are saying it."
Two Tuesdays | May 2 & 9 |
5:30-8:00 PM | La Plata
Chris Ripley facilitating
|
|
|
Effective Sales Strategies
|
|
New Class enter Subject Matter Expert: Kiyaa Hider, Founder & Chief Strategist at KLH Consulting, LLC - bringing over 21 years of industry experience in business development, marketing, and finance to aid small businesses in solving problems, gaining fresh perspectives and insight, and optimizing their solutions.
Two Thursdays | Apr 27 & May 4 |
5:30-8:00 PM | Prince Frederick
|
|
|
Avoid Costly Legal and Financial Mistakes
|
|
Legal and Records Management Issues, is an excellent 2-Part workshop, This is a SUPERB workshop for ALL entrepreneurs - regardless of whether you are in business or not! Insights and tips about starting businesses, businesses with multiple owners, ongoing business legalities, etc. Cost is just $80 - which covers BOTH sessions.
Tue May 23 | 6 PM-8:30 PM | La Plata and
Wed May 31 | 6 PM-8:30 PM | La Plata
|
|
|
Work with SBDC Business Consultant and other entrepreneurs from the region. Evaluate your business concept, determine the market's potential, Learn about LLC, Sole Proprietor, S-Corp how they work, what the financial pros and cons are. Determine important record keeping needs, and begin a financial plan and a business plan.
Wed Apr 26 | 5:30 PM-7:30 PM | Leonardtown
|
|
|
Launch Accelerator
April 29, 2017 and May 6, 2017
|
|
|
Develop Strategically a Profitable Business that Can Work Without the Owner.
- 18 Total Hours Designed for Pre & Early Owners
- 2 Full Saturdays (8:30am-5:30pm): Apr 29 & May 6 at College of Southern Maryland, LaPlata
Two Saturdays | Apr 29 & May 6 | 8
:30AM-5:30 PM | La Plata
|
|
Charles County Economic Development Quarterly Business Roundtable
April 26, 2017
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 26, 2017, 8:00AM - 9:30AM at the Waldorf West Library.
Continental breakfast will be provided. The event is FREE but space is limited so reserve your seat today!
|
|
12th Annual Business Appreciation Week Salutes Agriculture and Aquaculture Industries
Several Events May 1st thru May 5th
|
|
|
Make the most of email marketing plus social media for your business
!
|
|
|
Women's Business Roundtable
Grow Your Business
with Email & Social Media
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
|
|
Wednesday, May 3rd from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Conference Rooms 104 &105 in the B Building at
CSM Prince Frederick Campus
When the session is done you’ll have a greater understanding of marketing basics like goals and objectives. You’ll be given opportunities to capture your own ideas and build out the framework of your own “next great campaign” through interactive activities and a handout. Free catered lunch included.
|
|
St. Mary's County
Chamber of Commerce
Annual Business Showcase
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
1:30 pm - 6:00 pm
|
|
|
The Showcase is open to the public and will feature up to 60 exhibitors. There will be four free seminars, door prize drawings, and a free reception at 5:00 p.m.
More information . . .
|
|
Friday, May 12, 2017 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
College of Southern Maryland
La Plata Campus
Business and Industry (BI) Building
|
|
|
IGNITE Charles County will bring together the region’s business resource partners under one roof so that local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can quickly and easily learn more about what is available and connect with the right resources. Resource partners will be on site throughout the day.
|
|
Balancelogic, a Veteran owned company, donates technology equipment to help create a new Veterans Training Center in St. Mary’s County
|
|
|
Balancelogic and The Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living (SMCIL) are elated to announce a partnership to create a local Veterans Training Center which will be located on premise at the SMCIL office in Mechanicsville, MD. This training center is intended to provide local Veterans with the technology tools, training, and resources, like access to job training, that can help enhance and shape their lives and futures.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living Office located at 38588 Brett Way, Suite 1, Mechanicsville, MD on May 12th at 5:00 pm and is open to all who would like to visit this new local resource.
For Immediate Release . . . read more
|
|
|
Business Resource Event: "Prepare to Meet Your Lender"
Thursday, May 18, 2017
10:00AM-12:00PM
|
|
|
Thursday, May 18, 2017, 10:00AM-12:00PM
College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick
This free event is geared to help you present your business idea when looking for financing. While there are many things lenders are interested in, there are a couple of key areas that you need to be prepared to share/discuss when you sit across from a lender or investor.
|
|
Maryland Small Business Development Center
University of Maryland
June 24, 2017
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
|
|
|
Sat, June 24, 2017, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM EDT
Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
7801 Alumni Drive
College Park, MD 20742
|
|
|
|
JULY 13, 2017, ERIC FRANKLIN ENTREPRENEURIAL ACCELERATOR (EFEA)
3RD ANNUAL
INVESTMENT MARKETPLACE & FUNDER’S LOUNGE
Existing business owers, entrepreneurs, lenders, investors and investment resource partners are invited to join us. Businesses in need of working capital, equipment, a line of credit or other financial assistance should attend. Lenders and investors who are interested in meeting with local and regional business owners to discuss their investment needs should attend.
The EFEA Investment Marketplace is a unique simulated speed dating model bringing together lenders, business owners and entrepreneurs to interact, engage and explore financial investment opportunities.
Read Success Stories from 2016 Investment Marketplace July 14, 2016
|
|
TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO STARTING A BUSINESS
AFTER YOUR
MILITARY SERVICE
|
|
|
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
The Two-day Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Self- Employment Intensive Training Workshop is offered in collaboration among the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF), the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You will learn if starting a business is right for you, if your business idea is feasible and much more!
|
|
|
Does SBDC Offer free training for Businesses?
Yes, there are many training events (3 are listed above) offered by SBDC that are free in addition to our free online training.
|
|
|
Starting Your Business
- Developing a Business Plan
- Conducting a Marketing Analysis
- Analyze your Competition
- Targeting Your Market
- Maintaining an Agile Company
- Creating a Competitive Advantage
- Creating a Strategic Plan
- Determining Your Business Legal Structure
- Protecting Your Business with Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks
Foundations of Marketing
- Pricing Products and Services
- Building Your Brand
- Promoting Your Business
- Advertising Your Business
- Building a Web Site
- Personalization Strategies to Attract and Retain Customers
- Identifying Your Sales Strategy
Spanish Now Available!
|
|
|
Managing Your Finances
- Preparing a Cash Budget
- Preparing a Balance Sheet
- Managing Your Cash Flow
- Running a Profitable Company
- Creating a Profit and Loss Statement
- Analyzing Your Financial Ratios
- Protecting Your Business with Contracts
- Assessing Your Company's Financial Needs
- Partners and Investors
- Valuing a Business
|
|
|
The Free Resource Your Business Is Overlooking
|
article written
March 22, 2017
by Gerri Detweiler
“We knew how to sell travel but we didn’t know how to run a business,” says Cantin, echoing a common dilemma many would-be entrepreneurs face. “It was scary,”
read more . . .
|
|
|
Ellen Flowers-Fields | Regional Director |
Email
Lisa Creason | Program Assistant for Region |
Email
Bill Hitte | Business Consultant Charles County |
Email
Kathy MacAdams
| Business Consultant
Calvert County |
Email
Wynne Briscoe | Business Consultant St. Mary's County |
Email
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
