SMALL BUSINESS COURSES & SEMINARS

SMALL BUSINESS COURSES & SEMINARS SPRING 2016 GUANAH & JEHAN DAVIS Owners, Bounce City SMALL BUSINESS COURSES & SEMINARS SPRING 2016 SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

How to Start a Business Understand the basics of starting a business in this seminar that takes you from idea to opportunity. Learn key strategies for start-up, financing and marketing as well as important information about legal issues, licensing, zoning, operations and more. Realize the importance of a self-assessment and how to evaluate the feasibility of your business idea. Discover the resources available to help you start and successfully operate your business. 1/12 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 Figuring Your Start-Up Costs Planning to start a small business? Many potential business owners underestimate how much it will take to open their doors. Legal fees, licenses and permits, furniture and rent may be obvious, but there are a host of other expenses that are often overlooked. Find out how to determine your start-up cash needs. Learn the steps to take before you can determine start-up costs. Running out of money quickly is one of the main reasons small businesses fail. 1/20 W 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 Taking Your Business Online: E-Commerce One way to expand your market is to sell products online. If you ve thought about an online store join business coach Matt Rudisill as he shares the basics of selling products online. Come away with an understanding of your online store options, the differences between platforms and how to determine which one is right for you, what you will need to set up your store and how to market it. Maybe it s time to take your business to the next level! 1/25 M 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 How to Write a Business Plan A business plan can be the most important tool a small business owner has. Learn how to turn your ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. This seminar teaches you the important components of a business plan and helps you lay the foundation for a winning plan. Find out how marketing, operations and finance are interrelated. Discover how a business plan is used by potential lenders, the dos and don ts of writing a plan and steps for making the process easy. This seminar is designed for new and established business owners. 2/2 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 How to Set Up and Use a Facebook Business Page Effectively using Facebook can be like word-of-mouth marketing on steroids. However, the popular social media platform continues to evolve, especially for business owners. If you don t have a Facebook business page, this seminar walks you through the steps. You ll also learn how to get the most from Facebook and find out about recent changes. This seminar is designed for the social media novice. 2/9 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4213 4/28 TH 6:30 8:30 p.m. RCCC @ NC Research Campus, Rm. 115 Leadership Gold: My Ultimate Business Plan Running a small business is no easy task and requires the entrepreneur to wear many hats, one of which is leadership. Your ability to transfer your leadership skills is critical to operate a successful business. Natasha Lipscomb returns with more principles from leadership guru John Maxwell in this seminar that will challenge you to identify areas of influence that prove golden in today s consumer economy. 2/23 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 Small Business SPOTLIGHT Business is more than child s play for Guanah and Jehan Davis, although children at play is their business. The couple opened Bounce City in Historic Downtown Salisbury less than two years ago and in that short time the indoor inflatable playground has evolved into a children s full-entertainment paradise complete with five huge inflatables, arcade games, a jumbo toy area, lazer lights, music, concessions, a parents lounge, an eating area serviced by a nearby restaurant, and now a teen dance night called BC Nights. The Davises combined their knowledge and experience he a former CEO and Salisbury native and she an attorney with their knack for forming business alliances and created the 8,000 square foot fun house. But the idea first came about from their own need. When we moved here, I was looking for a place to entertain one of our daughters who was then 18 months old. The options were very limited, Jehan said. So beginning at the mayor s office, the couple embarked on extensive research which eventually led them to the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center. Jehan and Guanah Davis with their daughter, Giselle. The counselor was extremely helpful as we gathered the needed data, the analytics and demographics. She also challenged our ideas and made us look past the surface, like Shark Tank. And she went over our business plan in detail, Guanah said. The Davises continue to be SBC clients as they consider expansion. Find out more at www. bouncecitysalisbury.com.

Pricing for Profit Take the guesswork out of pricing your products or services. Explore the different pricing strategies used in business and the shopping and buying mentalities of customers. Find out whether your pricing is sending the wrong message and if it s losing or attracting customers. Marketing expert Sherré DeMao shares the best tips to help you determine your ideal price. 2/25 TH 6:30-8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4204 Using Social Media to Network for Your Business Social media has been described as the world s largest cocktail party where you can listen, chat, respond basically interact with thousands of people. But how do you turn those you meet into potential customers? This seminar teaches you the steps for effective online networking that can lead to eventual buyers. 3/3 TH 6:30 8:30 p.m. RCCC @ NC Research Campus, Rm. 234 6/1 W 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 Design Your Business Website with WordPress: Pt. 1 & 2 A functional website is a must for small business owners. Learn how to use WordPress, the most popular and powerful free website creation tool. This seminar covers the important beginning steps in Part 1 such as understanding your brand and business culture, the design process, picking templates, marketing your site and search engine optimization. Then in Part 2 you ll work in a computer lab for a hands-on session to create your site. 3/15 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4213 Pt. 1 3/22 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4128 Pt. 2 Your Small Business Taxes Gain a solid understanding of taxes required for small business owners and develop the best tax strategy for your business. Become familiar with the latest tax forms and procedures for both state and federal taxes. Discover how everyday business decisions can have tax implications that can affect your bottom line. This seminar is important for both new and experienced business owners. 3/29 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 Market Research Made Easy Market research is an important ongoing process for every small business. Discover the variety of market research tools available that will give you critical information about potential opportunities in your industry. Find out about the new website by the U.S. Census Bureau just for business owners to easily find demographics, competitors, and more. 4/5 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 Business Builders for Authors, Coaches & Speakers You already have the expertise. Now learn how to package your knowledge to reach a larger market and make more money. Interested in coaching? This seminar covers working with individuals, groups, and online to grow your business. Public speakers will find out how to land ideal speaking engagements. If you re considering writing a book or have a new book, discover different tools used in book launches. 4/7 TH 6:00 8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4204 5/12 TH 6:00 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 LUNCH WEBINAR Certifications for Small Business Certification programs for small, women, minority, veteran and disadvantaged businesses can be a great tool for small business owners. Learn to translate the alphabet soup: MBE, WBE, WBENC, HUB. Find out how to qualify and where to start. Join Briles Johnson, executive director of the NC Women s Business Center in this online session as she shares certification information that can grow your business. Thursday, March 24 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Log-in information for the Go-To-Meeting webinar will be sent by email to those registered. Register at www.rccc.edu/sbc. How to Grow Your Business: Post Recession Strategies Businesses are getting back on track this year and it s never too late to plan and implement some key growth strategies. Join business owner Ed McAfee as he shares growth strategies regarding customers, markets, products, competitors, prices, expansion and more. Start today to take your business to the next level. 4/13 W 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281 Marketing Your Business Marketing for the 21st Century small business is more dynamic and challenging than ever. Discover how to most effectively and efficiently use the many marketing tools available. Gain insights to understand and reach your customer, analyze your industry and business environment and differentiate between branding, advertising and grassroots marketing techniques. Explore the components of an effective marketing plan in this comprehensive seminar. 4/19 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. RCCC @ NC Research Campus, Rm. 115 Funding Your Business Improve your chances for business funding by knowing the best options for you. Find out the different types of funding available the benefits and drawbacks, the dos and don ts of looking for money, your best options if you re a new or existing business and what to do today to prepare for a lender. 4/26 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4213 Thinking About a Business Location? Choosing a location to set up shop is a difficult decision for many business owners especially with so many vacant properties available! Appropriate space, cost, traffic patterns, demographics and lease negotiations are just some of the considerations. Learn the process for finding the best location for your business. Discover the secrets of lease negotiations and hear about the different options available. 5/5 TH 6:30 8:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9281

The Artist Entrepreneur: How to Earn More Learn how to bridge the gap between creativity as an artist and running a successful art business. In this special program, presenter Carmella Jarvi shares expert advice regardless of your medium. Learn some business basics for artists with emphasis on how to talk about money. Jarvi is a McColl Center for Art + Innovation and Vermont Studio Center alum and three-time Regional Artist Project Grant recipient. 5/11 W 1:30 3:30 p.m. Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Salisbury Content Marketing Keeping potential customers engaged online doesn t happen by chance. However, it doesn t have to be as time consuming as most new business owners inagine. Learn the best time saving tips for finding and posting good content that will keep customers turning to you when they re ready to purchase. 5/17 T 6:30 8:30 p.m. RCCC @ NC Research Campus, Rm. 115 Twitter for Business Set up a Twitter account for your business and get tips on the best way to use this popular social media tool. You ll learn how to use Twitter to distribute information to your followers, find business partners, use hashtags to follow trends, market upcoming sales and events and more. This session is held in a computer lab, but you may also bring your own device. 5/19 TH 6:30 7:30 p.m. Cabarrus Business & Tech. Ctr., Rm. 9205 Grant Writing 101: Elements of a Winning Proposal As funding becomes more difficult to secure, nonprofit organizations face significant challenges to fulfill their mission. This special threehour seminar reviews the questions businesses and organizations need to answer before searching and applying for grant funds. Discover the seven basic elements of most proposals and learn how to match your needs to funder priorities. 5/24 T 1:30 4:30 p.m. RCCC @ NC Research Campus, Rm. 115 FROM CONCEPT TO LAUNCH: BUSINESS START-UP WORKSHOP Serious about starting a business? This hands-on six-week course allows you to work on your business in class, with the benefit of feedback in a small group, confidential setting. Discuss your idea, get answers to questions, use classmates to brainstorm. You ll leave with a clearly defined business concept, a marketing strategy, a funding plan, financial projections, an action plan to launch your business and more. Some sessions are held online for your convenience. The workshop is fully-funded, however participants are required to purchase the workbook Self-Employment: From Dream to Reality at www.jist.com prior to class. Tuesday mornings 8:30 11:00 a.m. March 22 April 5 Pt. 1 April 12 April 26 Pt. 2 RCCC @ NC Research Campus Rm. 236 Kannapolis, NC Register for Pt. 1 and 2 at www.rccc.edu/sbc. When at the SBCN site, click Contact Your Local SBC, then click Rowan/Cabarrus on the map. Follow the prompts. For more information contact barbara.hall@rccc.edu or call 704-216-3534. Create the Perfect Brand for Your Business: From Idea to Image Go beyond a name, sign, symbol or design to create a brand that encompasses the essence of your business. Learn how in this seminar that focuses on brand strategy and development. Set the stage for all of your marketing efforts. 5/25 W 6:30 8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4213 Secrets to Attracting and Retaining Customers Discover what is most critical to build share of mind, share of wallet and then share of heart in your customers. Regardless of your industry these secrets will enable you to put into immediate practice what growth companies know about customer loyalty, engagement and satisfaction. Join marketing expert Sherré DeMao as she shares the four levels of engagement for attraction and retention, how to create the WOW factor for customers and more. 6/9 TH 6:30 8:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4213 Join our SBC mailing list to receive more information about these and other programs. Go to www.rccc.edu/sbc (scroll the left side).

FREE Agripreneur WORKSHOP SERIES Mondays, Feb. 1-22 6:30-9:30 p.m. Class 1 - Exploring Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Business Planning (Self-Assessment Community Analysis Feasibility) Class 2 Market Research and the Marketing Plan Class 3 Business Operations (Legal Structure Operating Procedures Taxes, Licenses & Insurance Key People Roles and Responsibilities) Class 4 Business Financials (Breakeven Analysis Cash Flow Enterprise Budget) Turn your interest in growing vegetables, fruit, herbs and other crops into a sustainable agriculturalbased business. This four-part series will use the REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship Through Action Learning) Ag-Entrepreneurship curriculum to teach you how to make money from your harvest. Gain insights on the marketing of your product. Hear about current issues facing small agribusinesses. Understand rules and regulations and learn about funding options and other resources. The series will include real-world scenarios and hands-on activities, along with guest speakers. ELMA C. LOMAX INCUBATOR FARM 4335 Atando Rd. Concord, N.C. 28025 In partnership with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

Courses Cost effective training for small business owners QuickBooks Pro 2014 Level 1 $79.00 Simplify your accounting functions with this easy to use, valuable business tool. QuickBooks has become the software of choice for many small business owners. In this 15-hour class you ll learn how to set up your company with a chart of accounts, receive payments, pay bills, track cash sales, create invoices, make deposits, write checks and more. (Please Note: Purchase the required textbook QuickBooks Pro 2014 Level I from the North Campus Bookstore prior to class) Class is held Tuesday and Thursday. 1/12 1/26 T/TH 1:30 4:30 p.m. North Campus, Rm. 4128 QuickBooks registration: www.rccc.edu Click WebAdvisor/Students/ Register and Pay for Continuing Education Classes Or call 704-216-3534 for more information HP Life e-learning for Entrepreneurs Need help with a particular area of your business? Check out the free online webinars by HP Life. These interactive sessions are great for business operations or as a refresher about financial matters you have 25 topics from which to choose. How to Start an Event Planning Business $70 This interactive course teaches the basics of starting and operating an event planning business. You ll learn how to set realistic event goals for business success, event planning techniques to come in under budget, vendor relations and negotiations. The course also covers various aspects of business start-up including marketing, legal issues, and financing. 3/14 4/18 M 6:00 8:30 p.m. (no class 3/28) North Campus, Rm. 4213 Event Planning registration: www.rccc.edu Click WebAdvisor/ Students/Register and Pay for Continuing Education Classes Or call 704-216-3534 for more information. Free seminars are sponsored by the Small Business Center Network of the North Carolina Community College System and supported by these local partners: Get started at https://www.ncsbc.net/ On the bottom right, click HP Life. Then click Rowan/Cabarrus County on the map. Seminar Locations: Visit www.rccc.edu/sbc North Campus: 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd., S., Salisbury, N.C. RCCC@NCRC: 399 Biotechnology Lane, Kannapolis, N.C. Cabarrus Bus. & Tech. Ctr.: 660 Concord Pkwy N., Concord, N.C. Waterworks Visual Arts Center 123 East Liberty Street, Salisbury, N.C. Post Office Box 1595 Salisbury, North Carolina 28145 www.rccc.edu/sbc 704-216-RCCC (7222)