Business Planning & Structure Seminar

Wednesday, November 28, 6:00-8:00 pm

Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center

366 Main Street, Sturbridge

Are you thinking about starting a new business?

Do you already have a business that is growing?

Is your business structure best positioned to protect your assets and interests?

These questions and more will be answered at this informative seminar.

Key take-aways include:

Fundamentals of starting a business in MA
The importance of a business plan
Why businesses fail
Access to capital and lines of credit
Business structure options, including sole proprietorship, LLC, Limited Partnership, corporation as well as liability and tax risks for each one
Separating business from personal
Specifying ownership of assets
Filing with the state and corporate dissolutions
Handling payroll and retirement plans
New tax law
Filing requirements, vehicles, home office, sales tax and withholdings
Business and general liability
Cyber security
Contractual exposure
Employee handbooks and benefits such as IRAs, Roths, SEPs and solo 401ks

Moderated by Rita Schiano with our Expert panelists including:

Padgett D. Berthiaume , Attorney at Law

Brenda M. Bianculli , CPA

Richard S. Cheney , Regional Director Massachusetts Small Business Development Ctr.

Dennis A. McCurdy , CIC, CFP®

Cost and RSVP:

$20 per person for members and affiliates, $25 per person for non-members.

Light refreshments and cash bar included.

Please RSVP by noon on Monday, November 26.

Call 508-347-2761 or email info@cmschamber.org .

Moderated by Rita Schiano

Rita Schiano is a resilience strategist and coach, speaker, author and founder of Rita Schiano ~ Live A Flourishing Life. A former corporate vice-president and small business owner, Rita's leadership knowledge, strategies, and insights draw from both sides of the aisle. Organizations use Rita to help staff build resilient leadership skills, manage stress, and improve morale. As a personal strategic coach, Rita helps clients focus specifically on their most important goals, interests, challenges, and needs. She received her Strategic Intervention Coaching Certificate from Robbins-Madanes. Rita is an adjunct professor at The American Women’s College and Bay Path University and a past Professional Member of the National Speakers Association.

Padgett D. Berthiaume

Padgett D. Berthiaume was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2006 and joined the North Brookfield firm of Berthiaume & Berthiaume to practice beside his father and brother. He then became a Worcester County Bar Advocate, serving in the East Brookfield District Court and gaining in-depth experience in a wide variety of District Court criminal cases. While the focus of his practice is criminal defense, he also handles matters in the probate court as well as representing buyers, sellers, and lenders in the purchase and sale of real estate, refinance transactions, and second mortgages or lines of credit and commercial law.

Brenda M. Bianculli

Brenda M. Bianculli is the owner of Brenda M. Bianculli, CPA, LLC, in Charlton, Mass. and has worked in the tax and accounting industry for more than 25 years. Her firm handles complex tax and business issues for a variety of clients and specializes in the real estate and service industries and also specializes in tax matters relating to individuals, trusts, and estates. She is currently on the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) and Board of Advisors for Nichols College. She is also a Corporator for Cornerstone Bank and recently retired as Treasurer of Woman in Business after 10 years of service. And, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Brenda holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Nichols College, Dudley, MA and a Master of Science Degree in Taxation (M.S.T.) from Bentley College, Waltham, MA.

Richard S. Cheney

Richard S. Cheney is the Regional Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) at Clark University. The MSBDC at Clark provides business development advice to clients in the Central Massachusetts region. Since 1980, the MSBDC at Clark has worked with over 25,000 entrepreneurs. During that time, the SBDC has assisted entrepreneurs in raising over $325 million in financing. Richard completed his undergraduate studies at Hobart College in Geneva, New York and earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Dennis A. McCurdy

Dennis has been providing insurance to small to mid-sized businesses, and families since 1975. In addition to his wealth of product knowledge, Dennis’ vast experience as a business owner makes him a valuable resource for his clients. Whether it is Worker’s Compensation, Malpractice, Business Auto, Property Coverage, or Risk Management, Dennis understands the fine points of business and asset protection. He holds an Insurance Broker license in the State of Massachusetts. Dennis is a Vietnam Veteran, author of, Find A Way: A Guide to Getting The Most From Life and 52 Ways To Find A Way and conducts motivational seminars throughout the Northeast.