Business Workshops From the Pinellas County FSBDC

Upcoming Workshops See what's happening this month. Contact Information Request Counseling Appointment  (727) 453-7200 13805 58th Street N. Suite 1-200 Clearwater, FL 33760 Join Our Mailing List The Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County offers business training, counseling, referrals and resources. Workshops held at the Center fill quickly and advanced registration is requested. Classes are cancelled on holidays or any day county offices are closed. www.PCED.org/sbdc ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Due to COVID-19, the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development has suspended face-to-face meetings. The following workshops will be held online in a virtual format.

Pinellas County Virtual Finance Fair March 29, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. How can I prepare my business for changing interest rates? The Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development is pleased to host a panel of Tampa Bay area lenders that are ready to provide answers and access to a variety of business financing products. This Zoom meeting will provide a one-stop opportunity to compare lending options available to Tampa Bay area companies in a no-pressure environment. Guest speaker Dennis Drolet from Bank United will lead a conversation about the future of interest rates and review ways that business owners can prepare for growth and expansion. Attend this timely zoom event to learn your options for future borrowing and meet active lenders and learn about their products and services. Learn more and register at www.PCED.org/FinanceFair.

Starting a Business March 1, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. The best way to get started! Receive information on the necessary licenses, permits, legal documents and requirements to do business in the State of Florida. Learn to refine your ideas into a plan for success.  Free | Virtual Workshop Click here to register

Gaining Access to Pinellas County Government Contracting March 1, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Learn what it takes to contract or subcontract with Pinellas County. Gain insights to Pinellas County’s sourcing methods, online resources, and tips for doing business with Pinellas County. Find out what it takes to become a Pinellas County Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and the benefits the program offers, as well as the new Contract Compliance Management System-B2Gnow software system being used to assist companies. Free | Virtual Workshop Click here to register

Digital Marketing March 8, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Learn a coordinated approach to marketing your business to create a presence with customers via email, social media, and your website.  Free | Virtual Workshop Click here to register

Responding to RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs March 15, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Each bid proposal is unique. In order to stand out in the sea of competing firms and to get an insider’s look into writing a business proposal that will generate more successful results; Gain real insight into the bid writing process and discover proven tools for responding to proposals. In this seminar you will learn the do’s and don’ts in writing and submitting a proposal. Facilitated by Yolanda Goodloe, the Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center.  Free | Virtual Workshop Click here to register

Creating a Winning Capability Statement & 30-Second Business Pitch March 15, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Prime contractors and procurement agencies are interested in your company’s capabilities. Learn the 5 key pieces of an effective capability statement and the skills needed to present a memorable 30 second business pitch to propel your business to the next level. Free | Virtual Workshop Click here to register

How Much Is Your Business Worth? March 22, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. How much do you want your company to be worth when it becomes time to exit the industry? A business valuation will tell you the current fair market value and it also provides the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that drive your successful growth. How do you measure your Key Performance Indicators? If you are not sure, then this seminar is for you.  Free | Virtual Workshop Click here to register

SBA Loans & Resources That Work March 22, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Are you looking for funding to start or grow your business? This workshop will explain the role of the SBA, as they do not lend money directly to small business owners, instead they reduce the risk for lenders which makes it easier for small business to get loans. Lean about 7 (a) loans, 504 Loans, and Microloans, lender and SBA loan program eligibility requirements, as well as how to plan your financing request to lenders. Free | Virtual Workshop Click here to register

The FSBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action Institution. For disability accommodations please contact St. Petersburg College Security at (727) 791-2560 a minimum of five days in advance.   The FSBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.