Events/Workshops

You know that you want to write a business plan, but just don't know where to start? This three-hour workshop provides an opportunity for you to begin putting your thoughts down on paper. We will discuss the reasons to write a business plan, what to include in each of the sections, and give you time to refine your ideas with feedback from the class.

Speaker: John Schmitt, SBTDC Consultant

The Fundamentals of Starting a Business workshop answers basic background questions regarding the checklist of starting a business and writing a business plan. Issues such as financing, legal structure, taxes, and government regulations for businesses will also be discussed.

Speaker: John Schmitt, MI-SBTDC Business Consultant

Fundamentals of Starting a Business: As an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Speaker: SBTDC staff

You have a passion … a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting a business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and ‘closet’ business owners.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant; Grace A Dow Memorial Library Librarian Representative

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course, covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included. Time: 12:00 to 2:00 eastern time.

Speaker: Lance Wolfe Region 1 MI-SBTDC Business Consultant

Designed for persons thinking of starting a business or in or early stages of startup, the new "Starting a Business Orientation" workshop is the first step for many in MI-SBTDC assistance, which may be followed by additional training or no-cost one-on-one counseling. Course content: Readiness to be in business, market research and making sure there is market potential for your product or service, detail on the steps and process of starting a business, and will provide information and tools to start writing a business plan.

Speaker: Reg 6 MI-SBTDC Staff

Do you dream of starting a business but don't know where to begin? This session gives you the information you will need to start building a successful business strategy. Topics include sources of assistance, market research, financing, business partners, taxes, record keeping, and more

Speaker: Presented by MI-SBTDC Senior Business Consultant

As an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Speaker: Jan Davies McDermott

You have a great recipe, now what? Mrs. Field’s started in her kitchen, can you? Discover the logistics of catering to homes and businesses, how and where to sell your products and how to use the Internet to increase sales. Samples of effective marketing strategies, from free tastings to color brochures, will be shared. Insurance is a main ingredient, and knowing your local Health Department guidelines is essential. Would you benefit from participation in a local food incubator? Professional food associations provide great recipes for success.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Certified Business Consultant

Explore business start-up issues and receive assistance during this orientation session focused on general start-up questions, the importance of good credit, and obtaining financing for your small business. There is no cost for this workshop.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC and Fifth Third Bank

You have a passion … a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting a business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and ‘closet’ business owners.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant

You have a passion … a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting a business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and ‘closet’ business owners.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant

Do you dream of starting a business but don't know where to begin? This session gives you the information you will need to start building a successful business strategy. Topics include sources of assistance, market research, financing, business partners, taxes, record keeping, and more.

Speaker: Presented by MI-SBTDC Senior Business Consultant

Are you thinking of starting your own business and want to research your business idea? Are you a business owner who wants to understand which research sources to use for your business plan and where to find the information you need? Then plan to attend this business pre-planning workshop, sponsored by the Oakland County Business Center and The Entrepreneur Source. Agenda: - Do you know what it takes to be an entrepreneur? - Where are the small business resources? - How do I finance my business? - What type of funding is available? - Where do I find relevant information on my industry and for my business? - How often do I need to conduct research for my business?

Speaker: Oakland County Business Center, The Entrepreneur's Source, Oakland County Research Department and Oakland County Public Library

As an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Speaker: Jan Davies McDermott

This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Speaker: Staff

You have a passion … a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting a business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and ‘closet’ business owners.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant

The Fundamentals of Starting a Business workshop answers basic background questions regarding the checklist of starting a business and writing a business plan. Issues such as financing, legal structure, taxes, and government regulations for businesses will also be discussed.

Speaker: Jax Gardner, SBTDC Consultant

Designed for persons thinking of starting a business or in or early stages of startup, the new "Starting a Business Orientation" workshop is the first step for many in MI-SBTDC assistance, which may be followed by additional training or no-cost one-on-one counseling. Course content: Readiness to be in business, market research and making sure there is market potential for your product or service, detail on the steps and process of starting a business, and will provide information and tools to start writing a business plan.

Speaker: Reg 6 MI-SBTDC Staff

Fundamentals of Starting a Business: This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan. There is no fee for residents of JEBA's service area: St. Jean to the west, Alter and the Detroit border to the east, Charlevoix to the north and the Detroit River to the south.

Speaker: Staff

This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Speaker: Susan Bates, Business Counselor

Speaker: Nancy Benaske, MI-SBTDC Certified Business Consultant

In this small group session, you will discover resources available to you for free that can help you make informed decisions about your business future. The Kalamazoo Public Library business librarians will share their techniques in collecting information on what industry trends might affect you, information to estimate the size of your market, potential customers and competitors, related associations, and other information that will impact your business. Prerequisite: Nuts & Bolts of Starting a Business or permission of SBTDC consultant.

Speaker: Ryan Gage, Librarian

You have a passion … a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting a business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and ‘closet’ business owners.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant; Hoyt Library Librarian Representative

Fundamentals of Starting a Business: As an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Speaker: SBTDC staff

Developing a business plan is your roadmap to successful business ownership. A business plan allows you to test the feasibility of your product and target audience, understand your competition and customers, plots your course of action to get from concept to reality, establishes a marketing plan and determines your financial outlook and needs. Plus, it allows investors or bankers to see how they will get repaid for their investment. This seminar is a must for any entrepreneur or small business owner just getting started.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Certified Business Consultant

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course, covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool.

Speaker: Staff

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course, covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool.

Speaker: SBTDC Staff

Every existing or prospective business needs a plan, but every plan is unique. This workshop will help you understand the necessary content and best format for your business plan, and show you the resources to create it. For further information, please go to the Calendar of Events on our website www.misbtdc.org or call us for more details 734-547-9170. This even is $30 and can be paid by cash or check the day of the seminar. This seminar will be held at The Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce, MI-SBTDC regional Office, 301 W Michigan Avenue, Suite 101 (Key Bank Building), Ypsilanti, 48197

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Staff

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course, covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool.

Speaker: Jan Davies McDermott

Speaker: Jeri Hopper

Designed for those who want to increase the chances for business success, this covers business planning in detail including steps for creating a business plan draft. Kettering University Campus Center, Room 5-200. For more information, go to: www.kettering.edu/mi-sbtdc/training.jsp

Speaker: Region 6 MI-SBTDC Staff

Before you apply for a business loan, first attend a free financing roundtable. We’ll debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. The “team” is a banker, an SBA representative, an SBA business counselor, and business owners like you. You’ll get first hand information on what credit criteria your banker has. The team will answer all of your financing questions and give you advice on what steps to take to achieve your goal of starting or expanding a business. We’ll explain how the SBA loan guarantee can work for you. The roundtables are best suited for those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in the business. The sessions are free, but you must register as some may be cancelled due to low registration. SBA does not provide loan guarantees to real estate investment companies.

Speaker: SBA Staff

Before you apply for a business loan, first attend a free financing roundtable. We will debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. The "team" is a banker, an SBA representative, an SBA business counselor, and business owners like you. You will get first hand information on what credit criteria your banker has. The team will answer all of your financing questions and give you advice on what steps to take to achieve your goal of starting or expanding a business. We will explain how the SBA loan guarantee can work for you. The roundtables are best suited for those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in the business.

Speaker: Cathy Gase -SBA

Getting a small business loan can be a challenging process. Learn the "5 C's of Credit", how to develop a winning loan proposal and what you need to know to position your business to be "bankable" before you meet with a lender.

Speaker: SCORE/SBA

This course introduces the basics of financial management, including how to start an accounting system and how to apply the information from key financial statements to help you manage your business. Balance sheet, cash flow, profit & loss, and breakeven analysis are covered with specific small business examples.

Speaker: John Schmitt, MI-SBTDC Business Consultant

Are you trying to start, expand, or purchase a business and need financing? Would you like to meet with bankers and SBA loan officers to discuss your needs? Do you want to learn how a lender analyzes your loan request and what they look for in a credit application? Would you like to ask all of your financing-related questions at one time, in one place? Team SBA is a roundtable session where you can learn what is required from a lender. You will have opportunities to meet with business counselors who can help you prepare your loan request for the bank and chances to network with other business owners. A session for those who have good credit, some money to invest in their business and who know how much they need to borrow.

Speaker: SBA, Bankers, MI-SBTDC Senior Business Consultant

This workshop covers many of the key legal and financial issues faced by both new and existing small businesses in Michigan. The program initially focuses on the many management and liability concerns faced by entrepreneurs, as well as today's tax consequences. The program also provides solutions and techniques for business concession and individual investment and retirement planning.

Speaker: Carter & Affiliates, P.C.

Learn how to consistently deliver excellent customer service. Tips, techniques, and examples from those who increase their bottom line by making the customer feel appreciated, thereby building repeat business and loyal customers. This is the communications age, but often too many communications leave the recipient making assumptions that lead to poor productivity, low morale, and worse. Be clear, concise, and consistent in your message to internal and external customers of your business through proper and effective use of meetings, letters, memos, faxes, e-mails plus other activities and documents in communicating your business.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Certified Business Consultant

Learn how to set up your company on QuickBooks or modify QuickBooks to get the information you need to run your business. You will also learn how to invoice customers, buy merchandise, pay bills, reconcile bank accounts, set up payroll, and more. There will be plenty of time for questions about QuickBooks. Prerequisite: a working knowledge of Windows and basic keyboarding skills. The cost of this course is partially underwritten by SBTDC and includes text. NMC Main Campus Beckett Room #202

Speaker: Holly Finch

Before you apply for a business loan, we recommend that you first attend a Financing Roundtable. The roundtables are a free loan orientation conducted by a business banker, a business consultant from the SBAs network of Small Business Development Centers, and an SBA representative. During the roundtable, well debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. You'll learn how the lending process works and what is expected of you and you'll understand how the SBA can assist with our SBA Guaranteed Loan Program. This session is best suited to those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in their business. Because the SBA does not provide loan guarantees to real estate investment firms, including purchasing and rehabbing houses for sale, this type of financing is not discussed at the roundtables.

Speaker: SBA/BUSINESS BANKER/MI-SBTDC COUNSELOR

Have you built a fabulous web site, but nobody knows it exists? This seminar will show you practical strategies to bring greater traffic and visibility to your business web site. First, you’ll find out about resources and information on web analytics and paid search management, or pay per click. Then there will be an in depth look at search engine optimization, providing helpful tips on how to increase your search engine ranking and rise above the competition, with specific focus on the local environment. Our presenter will be Joe Ford of NetVantage Marketing, an SEO, pay per click management and web analytics consulting firm based in East Lansing.

Speaker: Joe Ford, NetVantage Marketing

The course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to help small businesses grow. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. A strategic, well planned approach to marketing is demonstrated with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques.

Speaker: Lola Are

This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to grow small businesses. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. A strategic, well planned approach to marketing is demonstrated, with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques. Focus is on the business's customers - creating and keeping them.

Speaker: Gordon Ferguson, Senior Business Consultant

The primary objectives of this course are to help retailers improve their effectiveness in an ever more challenging marketplace. Specifically, looking at the financial side of the operation, how to manage inventory and merchandising well, focusing on a strong operation and staff, improving sales and taking advantage of holiday sales opportunities. Chamber Members receive a $10 discount on the workshop fee.,The primary objectives of this course are to help retailers improve their effectiveness in an ever more challenging marketplace. Specifically, looking at the financial side of the operation, how to manage inventory and merchandising well, focusing on a strong operation and staff, improving sales and taking advantage of holiday sales opportunities. Chamber Members receive a $10 discount on the workshop fee.

Speaker: Chris Wendel, Region 2 Director of Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center,Chris Wendel, Region 2 Director of Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center

Sales are a key component of a successful business. The income your business earns comes from the sale of your products and services. This seminar is a practical course designed to improve your sales whether you have a sales force of one or a team of many. You will be introduced to basic sales concepts and key tools to help grow your business. Plus, you will learn the importance of ‘relationship selling’, product knowledge, contract sales and the importance of following up with customers. Tools of the trade will be shared with you to ensure you set achievable sales goals for building an effective sales program. You will leave with inspired confidence, a comfort level for building sales and motivated to achieve your goals.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Certified Business Consultant

This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to grow small businesses. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. A strategic, well planned approach to marketing is demonstrated, with several examples of effective hands-on marketing

Speaker: Staff

This half-day program will deliver information on how companies developing innovative technology can do business with the United States Army, Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). This program will provide an overview of the following Department of Defense offerings: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program The Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) Select 2009 DoD SBIR Topics

The MI Small Business & Technology Development Center One Stop Business Resource Center host monthly the SBA's 8(a) Business Development program which helps minority small businesses gain a foothold in government contracting. Upon enrollment in this program, firms receive help with finding contracts, proposal preparation, and contract administration. The monthly pre-qualification meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from 9 am - noon at the MI-SBTDC One Stop.

Speaker: SBTDC

The Michigan Women's Business Council invites women business owners to learn what it means to be certified as a Women's Business Enterprise. If you have a product or service that you would like to market to American corporations, here is your chance to explore certification. In the seminar, attendees will learn: What is involved in the certification process How to complete the application package How to become part of a national database of certified women business enterprises If you will benefit from being certified For more information or to register, please call CEED at (734) 677-1444.

Speaker: CEED - Pam T. Smith, Certification Program Manager

The right time, the right technology, and the right business foundation. Discover what you need to consider in starting, operating, funding, or growing a technology or life sciences-based business, in a forum that allows you to: Determine market opportunities and business strategies and pursue them successfully. Define your target customers. Develop a solid marketing plan. Learn to assess and build a top management team. Calculate the funding needed at each stage of your business and discover the best ways to access it. Learn the importance of protecting your intellectual property through licenses, patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Hone your elevator pitch and investor presentation.

Speaker: Kaufman Foundation Certified FastTrac Facilitators

FastTrac New Venture is an intensive, 10-week program that helps you evaluate business opportunities and develop an action plan for owning your own business. Written by entrepreneurs for aspiring entrepreneurs, FastTrac® NewVenture" offers essential business information to help you develop your entrepreneurial skills and build your business on a strong foundation. FastTrac® NewVenture" provides the opportunity to objectively evaluate your concept and plans for moving forward, begin building an infrastructure for your business operations and processes, understand how to access the human, financial and business resources, and build an actionable business plan.

Speaker: Staff

Join us for a free full-day event to learn about various opportunities for creating innovative companies and growing jobs. (This registration is required to receive the Tech Town & Kauffman Foundation scholarship for the FastTrac Program.) Please call Taniqua Carter (313) 483-0392 or visit https://events.wayne.edu/rsvp/FastTracJuly09/ to register for this event. Registrations on the MI-SBTDC calendar will NOT reserve your place at this event. FastTrac to the Future is a program created by the New Economy Initiative and the Kauffman Foundation to provide a jump-start down the road to entrepreneurship through mentoring, training and resources.

Speaker: Tech Town and MI-SBTDC Business Consultants

Fast Trac* New Venture* is an intensive program that helps you evaluate business opportunities and develop an action plan for owning your own business. There are full scholarships available through MI-Works! and Tech Town with the Kauffman Foundation (Must meet the organizations qualifications to receive the scholarship). Please see FastTrac Registration event on July 25th hosted at Wayne State to qualify for the Tech Town scholarship. Details are listed on the MI-SBTDC calendar under FastTrac Registration. Please call 734.547.9170 for further information. *Fast Trac and New Venture are trademarks

Speaker: FastTrac Facilitator & Entrepreneur, Kevin Suboski

BBCetc presents SBIR/STTR Basics and Department of Defense Solicitation Topic Review. The Department of Defense (DoD) is scheduled to release their next SBIR and STTR solicitations on July 27th. In this half-day seminar, we will review the structure of the DoD SBIR/STTR program, requirements for submitting a proposal, and an in-depth discussion of the solicitation topics. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Technology-based entrepreneurs and small companies seeking funding for R&D WHY ATTEND? To learn the basics about this $2.3 billion dollar federal funding program To determine if your company and opportunity are suitable and eligible for this source of non-dilutive funding TOPICS COVERED Overview of the federal SBIR/STTR program Federal agency sources of funding Eligibility for funding Tools to help you do your homework and strategic planning prior to proposal preparation

Speaker: Andy Jakimcius

BBCetc presents a one day DoD focused session providing detailed instruction on proposal preparation, including both technical and commercialization plans and proposal submission procedures. The US Department of Defense (DoD) is scheduled to release their next Fiscal year 2009 SBIR and STTR Solicitations on July 27, 2009, with a proposal submission deadline of September 23, 2009. In this proposal preparation seminar, we will review the current DoD solicitation, and describe in detail the elements of a good proposal. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Technology-based entrepreneurs and small companies seeking funding for R&D with plans to submit a proposal within the next 12 months WHY ATTEND? - To receive detailed instruction on preparing each component of a proposal - To get current information on the SBIR/STTR program and the agency’s proposal submission processes - To ensure that you have all of the tools and information necessary to prepare a competitive proposal TOPICS COVERED: - Strategic Planning – First, Do Your Homework - SBIR/STTR program details - Technological innovation and commercial merit – what this really means - Strategies for targeting your proposal to meet Agency’s mission and requirements - How to do your intelligence work prior to writing the proposal - Proposal Development -- Crafting a Fundable Proposal – Details on the proposal preparation process. (This is not just a basic research grant!) - Planning tools for writing the proposal - The SBIR/STTR review process – learn how to write the proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations - Step-by-step process on how to write each section of a SBIR/STTR proposal - Common problems and pitfalls and how to avoid them - Preparing a Commercialization Plan - Good technology is necessary but not sufficient. A strong commercialization strategy is a critical element in successful SBIR/STTR proposals. - Proposal Submission – Detailed information you need to be prepared for a successful submission. - Post-Award Administration – What to do once you learn you are going to be funded (and what to do next if you learn you are not)

Speaker: Andy Jakimcius