UPCOMING EVENTS
These events are designed to help small business owners who are just getting started, to help existing businesses navigate new waters during the public health crisis, and more. They are being provided free of cost by community partners unless otherwise specified, and will typically require an advance registration. These workshops may be offered on a variety of different platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Teams, which may require that you have access to that app on your device. Events marked with an asterisk (*) are being held in-person. Please read all registration information carefully.
Virtual Drop-In Business Coaching | Friday, February 3rd | 10:00am-2:00pm | FREE
Are you a Tacoma or Pierce County entrepreneur or business owner? Looking for guidance and answers to questions about finances, funding, or general business questions?
Join us for free VIRTUAL drop-in Business Coaching on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 10am-2pm! Click below to schedule your appointment today!
Small Business Cybersecurity Part 3 | Tuesday, February 7th | 1:00pm | FREE
Small businesses are under cyber and data-breach attacks more than ever given the current climate. Cyber attacks happen every day, and for a small business they can be very costly and cripple business operations. Having your systems and information compromised is not only a direct threat to your confidential data, it can also ruin your relationships with customers and cause legal vulnerability. It is imperative to learn how to boost your cyber defense systems. This series was developed to help small businesses be cyber safe.
Business Expert Session: Government Contracting | Thursday, February 9th | 11:30am-1:00pm | FREE
The federal government’s goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year! But how do you know if the government purchases your product or service?
This session will provide market research tips and techniques to help businesses find opportunities to bid on. Public sector marketplaces offer significant opportunities for many small, woman owned businesses. Women owned certifications and the competitive advantages they offer for both federal and state government agencies and primes will also be explored.
*Drop-In Business Coaching | Tuesday, February 14th | 10:00am-2:00pm | FREE
Are you a Tacoma or Pierce County entrepreneur or business owner? Looking for guidance and answers to questions about finances, funding, or general business questions?
Join us for free IN-PERSON or VIRTUAL drop-in Business Coaching on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 10am-2pm! Click below to schedule your appointment today!
Write a Business Plan | Thursday, February 16th | 11:00am-12:00pm | FREE
Do you want to start your own business? Are you wondering what steps you need for a successful start? Join us in this webinar to learn all about writing a business plan. Business plans are the blueprints of your business. Whether you need a loan or plan to self-finance, business plans should be on every start-up’s list to do. We will review topics included in standard business plans such as executive summary, business structure, management, marketing, and financials. You will come away from the webinar with solid ideas of how to get started on your business plan.
You will learn:
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- The information needed for a solid business plan
- Why business plans are integral for a business loan
- How a business plan will serve you no matter your industry
Simplifying Business Financing | Thursday, February 16th | 1:00pm-2:00pm | FREE
From Startup through Expansion and finally Transition – This is the Entrepreneur’s Guide to Developing, Marketing, and Confidently Executing your Cohesive Financing Plan
Learn about:
- The ease or challenge, total costs, and risks of different funding sources
- The value of both diversification and redundancy
- Three key risk points most often missed
SBA & EIDL Updates | Friday, February 17th | 10:00am-11:30am | FREE
Learn how to access the SBA’s Capital Access Financial System to review your SBA loan information including your payment activity, your loan balance, your monthly payment amount, your due date, and how to make a payment. Updates on SBA programs will also be provided.
Virtual Drop-In Business Coaching | Friday, February 17th | 10:00am-2:00pm | FREE
Are you a Tacoma or Pierce County entrepreneur or business owner? Looking for guidance and answers to questions about finances, funding, or general business questions?
Join us for free VIRTUAL drop-in Business Coaching on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 10am-2pm! Click below to schedule your appointment today!
Small Business Cybersecurity Part 4 | Tuesday, February 21st | 1:00pm | FREE
Small businesses are under cyber and data-breach attacks more than ever given the current climate. Cyber attacks happen every day, and for a small business they can be very costly and cripple business operations. Having your systems and information compromised is not only a direct threat to your confidential data, it can also ruin your relationships with customers and cause legal vulnerability. It is imperative to learn how to boost your cyber defense systems. This series was developed to help small businesses be cyber safe.
Business Expert Session: Government Contracting Part 2 | Thursday, February 23rd | 11:30am-1:00pm | FREE
The federal government’s goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year! But how do you know if the government purchases your product or service?
This session will provide market research tips and techniques to help businesses find opportunities to bid on. Public sector marketplaces offer significant opportunities for many small, woman owned businesses. Women owned certifications and the competitive advantages they offer for both federal and state government agencies and primes will also be explored.
Ready to start a Business? | Thursday, March 2nd | 11:00am-12:00pm | FREE
Are you looking to start up a business but have no experience running one? Do you have an idea you are excited about and want insight into how to get started? Join Washington SBDC Certified Business Advisor, Mia Johnstone, to hear about the basics of starting a business.
Topics that will be covered:
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- Identify reasons for starting a business
- Self-analyze your readiness for running a business
- Understand the conditions of running a business (ie possible long hours, stress management…)
- Brick and mortar business vs consulting/online business and their different levels of risk.
- Financial basics for starting a business
*Drop-In Business Coaching | Tuesday, March 14th | 10:00am-2:00pm | FREE
Are you a Tacoma or Pierce County entrepreneur or business owner? Looking for guidance and answers to questions about finances, funding, or general business questions?
Join us for free IN-PERSON or VIRTUAL drop-in Business Coaching on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 10am-2pm! Click below to schedule your appointment today!
2nd Annual Women’s Business Summit | March 28th & 29th | 6:00am-2:00pm | FREE
In honor of Women’s History Month, SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and the National Women’s Business Council invite you to attend the 2nd Annual Women’s Business Summit.
Please join the Office of Women’s Business Ownership of the Small Business Administration and the National Women’s Business Council for power-packed panels, inspirational fireside chats, and ‘Ask an Expert’ workshops to help you build, scale, and grow your business.
Please note the Summit’s fireside chats, keynotes, panels, and Ask an Expert sessions will take place virtually from March 28-29, 2023 and are listed in Eastern Daylight Time.
The events above are offered by community partners and outside organizations, and are not necessarily sponsored by or affiliated with the Pierce County Library System.
