Do an online search for "how to start a business" and you'll find plenty of articles, ebooks, seminars, workshops, and websites with advice.
There are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States, making up a whopping 99.7 percent of all U.S. businesses, according to the  Small Business Administration .
September 10, 2018
SBDC - Business How To's for All Types of Businesses at All Stages
SBDC Assessment - Evaluate
SBDC Startup Classes -
Research, Research, Research
Evaluate Idea, Get Feedback / Guidance, Choose Biz Structure, Making it Official
Ready, Set, Go! How to Begin
No Cost: 
 ▪  Sep 11, 2018   | 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
La Plata CSM | or Live Streaming
Start Right For Success
Cost: tuition: $13 / fees: $42 
 ▪  Sep 20, 2018   | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
La Plata CSM
▪  Oct 26, 2018    | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Hughesville CSM
Plan Your Business
Plan Your Finances
 Building a Successful Business Plan
   Cost: tuition: $13 / fees: $70
▪  Oct 27, 2018   | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Hughesville CSM
 Financing Your Small Business
Cost: tuition: $13 / fees: $42 |
▪  Oct 27, 2018   | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Hughesville CSM
SBDC Classes - Promote and Market Your Business
Retail Success Strategies
Cost: tuition: $13 / fees: $70 
▪  Sep 15, 2018   | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Hughesville CSM CTET
Effective Sales Strategies
Cost: tuition: $13 / fees: $70
▪  Sep 22, 2018   | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Hughesville CSM CTET
Expand your marketplace
No Cost
Sep 25, 2018 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Prince Frederick CSM
Advertising and Promotion
Cost: tuition: $13 / fees: $70 
▪  Sep 29, 2018  | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Hughesville CSM CTET

QuickBooks Advanced Class | Cost: tuition: $13 / fees: $112 
▪  Sep 29, 2018   | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM | La Plata CSM
CEO Coaching in October! Located Centrally in Maryland!
CEO Accelerator
Cost: $500 | normally $1,580 subsidized by Chesapeake Employers Insurance
12 Wednesdays | 9:00 AM to12:00 PM
Bowie City Hall
Growth Accelerator
Cost: $250 | normally $790 subsidized by
Capital One Bank
6 Wednesdays | 9:00 AM to12:00 PM
Bowie City Hall
Centrally Located! October Weekender! Strategic Growth Plans!
Strategic Business Management
Cost:   tuition: $13 / fees: $135 /
includes Series of 3 Classes
Oct 19, 2018   | 6 to 9 PM
Oct 20, 2018 | 9 AM to 12 PM | 1 to 4 PM | Hughesville CSM
Developing Your Business Mindset
Cost:   tuition: $13 / fees: $67 |
included in Strategic Business Management
▪  Oct 19, 2018   | 6:00 to 9:00 PM |
Hughesville CSM
 Presenting Your Business Value
Cost:   tuition: $13 / $67 |
included in Strategic Business Management
▪  Oct 20, 2018   | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
Hughesville CSM
Obtaining and Retaining Talent
Cost:   tuition: $13 / fees: $67 |
included in Strategic Business Management
▪  Oct 20, 2018   | 1:00 to 4:00 PM |
Hughesville CSM
More Business Events Throughout So MD!
Tax Law Changes for 2018
Cost:  $25 | Three Counties - Three Sessions - One Link to Access
▪  Sep 13, 2018   | 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | La Plata CSM
▪  Sep 26, 2018   | 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Leonardtown CSM
▪  Oct 9, 2018   | 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Prince Frederick CSM
Women in Business Conference: Paths to Success
Cost:  $75 | includes continental breakfast, lunch, Melinda Emerson's book.
▪  Sep 15, 2018   | 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM | Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold
TPP Cyber Summit
Cost:  $75 TPP Members | $125 Non-members
| Government employees & active duty military - Free
▪  Sep 18, 2018   | 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM | So MD Higher Ed Cntr, California, MD
13th Annual Free Grant Writing Seminar
Organizer of Logic Models - A Tool to Establish Grant Goals/Objectives/Outcomes
College of Southern Maryland, Governors Grants Office, Nonprofit Institute of the College of Southern Maryland, Charles County Charitable Trust, and the Charles County Public Library.
▪  Sep 21, 2018   | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM | La Plata CSM
Meet the Labs
Cost:  $20 General Admission (refreshments & lunch included) | $50 Exhibitor
| Federal Government employees - Free
Panel discussions on Technology Transfer and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program by subject matter experts from NASA, USDA, DOE, NAWCAD, NIST, NSWC IHEODTD, and ARL. Network during lunch. 
▪  Sep 25, 2018   | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM | So MD Higher Ed Cntr, California, MD
  • The inclusion of advertisements or web site links does not constitute an endorsement. The SBDC does not endorse or evaluate the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. The SBDC reserves the right to refuse, reject, or cancel any ad for any reason at any time without liability.
Resources and Information . . .
Need employees for the upcoming holidays or to fill college exodus vacancies? Welcome to the CCN Services for College of Southern Maryland Approved employers may post jobs and search résumés.

Would you like to be a (SBDC) Success Story?
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters
Veterans: VA pays for programs offered by SBDC  
As a Service member or Veteran you now have an opportunity to use your education benefits to learn how to start or enhance a small business.  Individual courses must be specifically approved for VA purposes to use your benefits.  Note that this benefit is not available under the Dependents Educational Assistance program.  Get the VA Entrepreneurship Training FAQ
IRS issues proposed regulations on new 20 percent deduction for pass through businesses IR-2018-162, Aug. 8, 2018 — The Internal Revenue Service issued proposed
IRS issues guidance on small business accounting method changes under Tax Cuts and Jobs Act IR-2018-160, Aug. 3, 2018 — The IRS issued guidance today on new tax law
Free Online Courses
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Ellen Flowers-Fields | Regional Director |    Email
Lisa Creason | Program Assistant for Region |    Email     
Bill Hitte | Business Consultant Charles County |    Email
David Jenkins | Business Consultant Calvert County | Email  
Wynne Briscoe | Business Consultant St. Mary's County |    Email
  • Classroom materials are based upon work supported by the U.S. SBA and is partially funded and supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Maryland, the University of Maryland, the College of Southern Maryland, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties. This funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBDC funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.