Contact Us At  (727) 443-0217
NEWSLETTER                                                  February/March 2020
Greetings!

With February now upon us, we are well on our way to working on our 2020 business goals. The Clearwater Business SPARK network partners are committed to helping you achieve your goals. We have many exciting plans for the upcoming quarter. Make sure to check out all the details in this newsletter.

In March, the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) with Pinellas County Economic Development will host Bank Tank- formerly known as the Finance Fair. This event will give attendees the opportunity to connect directly with local lenders and compare options that work best for your business.

Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation will host its third Clearwater CATCH Entrepreneurship Training program for small business owners. The program kicks off on March 3rd at the North Greenwood Library, located at 905 N. Martin Luther King Jr., Avenue. Applications are now being accepted through Feb. 10th.

See the Upcoming Events section below for a full list of educational opportunities for your business.


Clearwater Business SPARK - Where Success Begins.
About Us
Launched in 2016, Clearwater Business SPARK is a network of partners that support local small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses.

Clearwater Business SPARK provides business programs and services including business coaching and mentorship, networking opportunities, educational programs, bilingual business resources, and guidance for doing business with the federal government and international markets. Clearwater Business SPARK also offers access to databases and market research tools, and hands-on tools and activities through the Maker Studios, a unique makerspace located at the Clearwater Main Library and Countryside Library. 

Current network partners include St. Petersburg College, Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation, Pinellas County SCORE, Amplify Clearwater (formerly known as Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce), Clearwater Public Library System, Prospera, the city of Clearwater’s Economic Development and Housing Department, and Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development and Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council.
BUSINESS NEWS & UPDATES
Marketing Mondays @The Ring
Start your week with a new idea!

Struggling to get in front of the right audience? Tired of spending your time and money on marketing tactics that do not work?

Clearwater Business SPARK and  SCORE mentors  have the solution for you—Marketing Mondays @ The Ring!

Visit  ClearwaterBusinessSPARK.com  or call 727-443-0217 to schedule your FREE one-hour marketing consultation to put your business on the right track.








Workforce Institute Certificate Programs Available in 2020

St. Petersburg College Workforce Institute is committed to providing individuals and corporations with the skills and certifications that today’s fast-paced and ever changing workplace demands. Our basic skills, continuing education, lifelong learning, certification, and industry-recognized exam prep courses will help professionals stay current and develop new skills.
 
In addition, St. Petersburg College Workforce Institute is an approved training provider for CareerSource Pinellas.


Personal Branding vs Business Branding    
Prospera Workshop - En Espanol  
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M arch 12, 2020
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

 Centro Hispano
612 Franklin St 
Clearwater, FL 33756


Prospera presents free marketing support services to the Hispanic business community.

Learn the main elements to build your business brand and its relationship with personal brand, and how to apply this to your marketing and sales strategies.


The Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce have merged to form  Amplify Clearwater . A new website will be launching soon. In the meantime, stay current with events by clicking the website link below.
Facebook for Business

 Learn how to leverage Facebook for your small business in this FREE class by local entrepreneur Byron Brazzel.

Sunday, Feb. 23rd - 1 PM to 3 PM
Clearwater Main Library
100 N Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755

Pinellas County SCORE Hosts FREE Goal Setting Workshop For 2020!
Everyone starts the New Year with lofty goals and ambitions (turning over a new leaf, make more sales calls, losing weight, more networking events, more follow-up - yada - yada). But by Feb. 12th most of those goals are out the window!

What if you learned that it's not WILLpower that will give you the motivation and momentum (and keep you motivated) but WE'LLpower? This workshop will give you the tools to set meaningful goals, along with the life-and-business hacks to bridge the GAP (Goal Accountability Project) between where you are and where you want to be!
Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corp.
 The Wait is Over! The Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corp. is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for the upcoming Clearwater CATCH Entrepreneurship Training program for small business owners. Classes are offered on Tuesday evenings beginning March 3, 2020 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, and continues for 15 consecutive weeks. 

The program provides entrepreneurs with valuable training that prepares business owners for success. Ideal candidates are those who have developed their business concept, been in business for at least a year and are passionate about advancing their business to the next level. 

Students who successfully complete all 15 weeks of the program will be eligible to apply for a $5,000 line of credit or direct loan via an expedited application process.

Applications for the Clearwater class will be accepted through Monday, Feb. 10 th .   Class size is limited so apply today at www.tampabaybbic.com. Click on the CATCH Link to access the application. Those selected will be notified by February 21, 2020. 
TAMPA BAY BANK TANK
FREE TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS!

Tampa Bay Bank Tank
Thursday, March 5, 9 AM to 11 AM
St. Petersburg College EpiCenter
13805 58th Street N, Suite 1-200
Clearwater, FL 33760

Meet dozens of different lenders from across the region who are ready to help finance your business!

Bank Tank’s mission is to fuel businesses growth and expansion throughout Tampa Bay by providing business owners and entrepreneurs one stop to compare lending options in a no-pressure environment.

Upcoming Events
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Five Ways to Connect with Clearwater Business SPARK
(727) 443-0217

info@ClearwaterBusinessSPARK.com