Welcome to Business Buzz, we hope you enjoy and continue using this content to build your business! As always, we are here for you and others you may know who are branching out with a new business. Call or email us anytime and be sure and share this newsletter with co-workers and friends. | |
The BCC Small Business Center offers FREE learning resources monthly. Some are in person but most are offered online making them available to you wherever you are. Take a look at our February lineup and let us know what you think. | |
February Seminars/Webinars from the BCC Small Business Center | |
| Topic | Date/Time/Format | Sign Up | | How to Increase your Credit Score to Over 740 Points; Prepare for a Bank Business Loan | Wednesday, Feb. 7th; 5-7 PM; Online | REGISTER | | Legal Considerations for Business Startups | Thursday, Feb. 8th; 12-1 PM; Online | REGISTER | | All About Instagram | Tuesday, Feb.13th; 12:00-1:30 | REGISTER | | Learn to Love LinkedIn | Tuesday, Feb. 20th; 12;00-1:30; Online | REGISTER | | Creating An Operations Plan to Build & Grow Your Business (Online) | Wednesday, Feb.21st; 5-7; Online | REGISTER | | The Power of Pinterest | Tuesday, Feb. 27th; 12:00-1:30; Online | REGISTER | | QuickBooks Basics | Wednesday, Feb. 28th; 5-7; Online | REGISTER | | |
Webinars from NC Department of Revenue | |
Tech Talk: Be an AI Pioneer in Your Industry | |
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Join us for TECH TALK on February 22, from 9 AM-12 PM at the BCC Leland Center and become an AI Pioneer! In this FREE workshop presented by the BCC Small Business Center, you'll explore how to improve brand visibility, operational efficiency, and profitability with innovation and automations. No AI experience necessary. Speakers and Co-Sponsors include Brad Gardner, Sun West Mortgage; Lisa & Chad Ragland, Ragland Real Estate; and Charles Boyett, Epique Realty.
A limited amount of laptops will be available, please bring your own so you can follow along. Registration is mandatory to ensure there is adequate seating and refreshments.
Registration is mandatory to ensure everyone has a seat. Refreshments will be provided.
Event sponsored by Sun West Mortgage and Epique Realty.
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Friends would say Katrina has been a therapist her entire life; however, she became an "official" therapist in 2016. Personal life experience led her to the field of social work and she cannot imagine doing anything else. She loves walking alongside people, hearing their stories, nudging them to explore how those stories can contribute to them experiencing life to the fullest, and bearing witness to the positive changes that therapy can provide for them.
Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions, her expertise is focused on helping you find your path to resilience and well-being. Katrina believes in collaborative and open communication, empowering you to actively participate in your healing process. This approach fosters a sense of control and ownership over your mental health journey. She understands the demands of a busy life and offers flexible scheduling to include early mornings, evenings, and weekends through telehealth ensuring that you can access support when it suits you best.
Katrina Creech offers a compassionate and personalized therapy experience crafted to guide individuals on their unique journey towards mental and emotional well-being. Katrina provides a safe and empathetic space for individuals seeking personal growth and healing. Katrina understands that each person’s journey is unique and as a licensed and experienced therapist, she utilizes evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) to personalize your treatment and address your specific needs and goals.
In the collaborative journey with clients, she has witnessed transformative changes. Clients report increased self-awareness, enhanced coping skills and an overall improvement in their well-being. These success stories illustrate the positive impact that personalized therapeutic support can have on individual lives.
Katrina is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and volunteers in several capacities in her community. She aims to contribute positively to the community’s mental health landscape.
She looks forward to expanding her services to reach more individuals, making mental health support accessible and tailored to the unique needs of each person. She currently accepts Aetna, Cigna, Optimum, Oscar Health, Oxford, United Healthcare, and self-pay. She can be reached at:
Katrina Creech, MSW LCSW
(910) 225-4466
kmb@creechcounseling.com
Katrina Creech, LCSW LICSW - Alma (helloalma.com)
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Chamber of Commerce Corner | |
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Applications Now Available for Coastal Consumer Showcase
Southport, NC – The Coastal Consumer Showcase is once again coming to the St. James Community Center Thursday, February 8th from 4-7 p.m. Admission is free to the public. This popular event provides Brunswick County residents a one-stop-shop to see products and services that local businesses in the community offer. Over 50 businesses from retail, service, professional, healthcare and home improvements will be on hand to answer questions and provide free samples, giveaways and demonstrations. Applications for space are now available. Any businesses Interested in being in the showcase should contact the chamber soon as this showcase sells out very quickly.
The Coastal Consumer Showcase is an event of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Dosher Memorial Hospital, The State Port Pilot, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, Fulford Heating & Cooling, Southport Magazine, Grey Outdoor, LLC, and SPT-OKI Magazine.
For more information about the Coastal Consumer Showcase please contact the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce at 910.457-6964, email at Info@southport-oakisland.com or visit the website at www.coastalconsumershow.com.
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Join Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce for the Ozzy's Oyster Roast & Low Country Boil
Saturday, February 17, 2024
3:00pm - 7:00pm
Calabash Marina
1207 Riverview Drive
Calabash, NC 28467
Tickets: $75 each
each ticket includes: entertainment, oysters, low country boil, smore experience and 2 drink tickets
Limited tickets available to this event!
To get tickets: Ozzy’s Oyster Roast - Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
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Understanding the Corporate Transparency
Act, Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Join SBTDC to learn about the new federal reporting requirement that went into effect on January 1 that will impact the vast majority of NC businesses. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is designed to provide law enforcement agencies with the beneficial ownership information of each corporate entity in an attempt to detect money laundering, terrorism, and other crimes.
Applicability
The law applies to most business structures including Corporations, LLCs, LLPs, LPs, and Community Associations. Larger companies with over 20 employees and over $5M in sales are exempt, as are most 501(c) nonprofits, Sole Proprietorships, and other structures not registered with the state.
Requirements
A representative of each corporate entity is required to register with the US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and provide the company’s legal name, any trade names, Tax ID, and street address. “Beneficial owners” (those owning more than 25% or exercising substantial control) must provide their name, and DOB, and upload a valid ID.
Timeline
Existing companies, formed before January 1, 2024, have 1 year to register. New companies, formed after January 1, 2024, must register within 90 days. The registration process is straightforward and takes less than 30 minutes
To learn more about the new federal requirements and how to register your business, register today. sign up for either of these no cost, online sessions held on
Thursday, February 15th; 10:00-11:30 AM; Online
Tuesday, February 20th; 6:00-7:30 PM; Online
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Application Now Open
NCIDEA MICRO Grant
You launched a startup? NCIDEA MICRO grant provides small amounts of funding to entrepreneurs who are testing a big, new business idea.
Through small, project-based grants, NC IDEA MICRO awards $10K in funding to young companies looking to validate and advance their idea. We have found that funding, paired with mentorship and guidance, early in a company’s lifecycle, can make a significant impact on future success.
NCIDEA SEED Grant
The $50K SEED grant may be just what entrepreneurs need to advance their startup, gain customers or attract future investment.
NC IDEA SEED offers early stage companies the critical funding they need to scale faster. Our $50K grants are awarded to innovative startups with a proven concept — even if they are not yet profitable. The funds, along with mentorship and guidance, push companies forward and reduce risk associated with growing startups. Apply today, application deadline is February 26, 2024.
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Conversations to Contracts is just weeks away! Genesis Block is actively recruiting Diverse Owned Businesses to showcase their talents at this fantastic event.
If you'd like to reserve a table to showcase your business, click on the registration link below. Your participation will undoubtedly contribute to the success of this event.
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2024 Coastal Entrepreneur Awards Nominations/Applications Are Now Open | |
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If you are an entrepreneur with innovative and interesting ideas, have developed a unique product or service, or if you're a fast growing company or job-creating organization, then you should consider applying for these awards.
Award Categories
Biotechnology
Emerging Company
(A firm in any industry with three or less employees and less than two years old.)
Film
Health Care
Internet-Related Business
Manufacturing & Distribution
Minority-Owned Business
(A company that is an MBE, minority business enterprise. Click here to see the requirements.)
Nonprofit
Professional Services
Retail & Hospitality
Technology
Companies and nonprofits in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties are eligible for the awards.
The winners will be featured in a special issue of Greater Wilmington Business Journal and honored at an awards ceremony on May 22nd at UNCW's Warwick Center. Click here to see the Business Journal issue featuring the 2023 award winners.
Application deadline is March 5, 2024
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Town of Leland Life Science and Medical Technology Summit Registration is Now Open. | |
Looking for a Location to Start Your New Business? | |
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Are you working from home but desire a dedicated space to work every day? Brunswick Community College’s co-working space may be the answer to your problem at $40 a month, you can work with likeminded entrepreneurs.
For a tour or questions on how you can become a member, contact April Scott Small Business Center Director at (910) 755-7306. You can find the application here to become a member today.
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Thinking about Starting a Business? | |
View this video to meet April and learn more about what the BCC Small Business Center offers! | |
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Are you considering starting a business but not sure where to start, unsure what permits are required or how to qualify for lending?
Let us help you through the process. For more information or questions on how you can schedule your free one-on-one counseling session contact Admin Support Specialist, Christine Chiarizia at (910) 755-7498 or Director April Scott at (910) 755-7306.
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Brunswick Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, age, political affiliation, genetic information, sexual orientation, or disability. | | | | |
