Start Your Business

Updated for 2022 Businesses need to understand the basics of digital marketing now more than ever, because digital marketing creates growth. Learn about the basics of digital marketing, including: • Social Media • Email Marketing • Paid Ads • SEO • Affiliate Marketing • How to use analytics to measure your success Instructor: Cameron Nelson, Chief Digital Advisor, Virginia SBDC and CV SBDC Mr. Nelson has over 18 years experience in technology, and as a senior tech consultant in Silicon Valley helping Fortune 500 companies improve their digital marketing and eCommerce. At the same time he founded several tech companies, including a SaaS website for tree preservation and a blockchain platform for nonprofits. Cameron is accomplished in language, culture, has an MBA and MA and believes new technology products have the ability to help shape our world for the better.

If you are an entrepreneur, you cannot afford to ignore copyrights. Attend this free 90-minute webinar for U.S. entrepreneurs and small businesses. Join experts from the USPTO's Office of Policy and International Affairs to learn the basics of copyright and receive insights into copyright registration and enforcement. Webinar presented in collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Craft beverage producers invest significant resources into developing their intellectual property – from brand-building to technology innovations, much of a company’s value is linked to IP. That’s why due diligence is so important: when it comes to intellectual property, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In this webinar, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers insights into the key IP issues that craft beverage producers should be aware of and Port City Brewing Company shares its experience developing and deploying a proactive approach to its intellectual property. Speakers: • Elizabeth Dougherty, Eastern Regional Outreach Director, US Patent and Trademark Office • Jason Lott, Attorney Advisor for Trademarks Customer Outreach, US Patent and Trademark Office • Bill Butcher, Founder, Port City Brewing Company • Chris Van Orden, Manager of Craft Beverage Assistance, Virginia SBDC at George Mason University

In this bootcamp you will learn if your small business will benefit from having a mobile app, and the steps to successfully deploy and market your app on the app stores. Areas covered include: • Market Research • App Scoping • Finding a Developer and Budget • App Business Planning • Marketing Approach • Building a Prototype • Launching an App • Promoting App

Cyber Awareness training for small businesses. Businesses are encouraged to invite members of their team to learn about the basics of cyber awareness and training. Presented by Cybersecurity Expert, Tom Stamulis.

Federal Contracting – Proposal Writing

In this workshop, we’ll cover “the basics” on creating and updating a WordPress site, including: * User management * Page creation and editing * Image and video uploads * Plugin management * Linking to social media

Creating your website with WordPress can be exciting but also overwhelming. Once you have built your site, you need to secure it. Hackers like to take advantage of inexperienced users and new websites to get access to your sensitive information. Most security breaches can be prevented if your site is up to date. Virginia SBDC Cybersecurity Advisor, Tom Stamulis, will share essential security practices and tips on how to keep your plugins up to date and your site secure.

This session will cover the variety of websites available, the possibilities for upgrading yours to better accommodate online sales and the estimated costs to accomplish this.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer, Neil Bradley, discussed the new coronavirus relief deal, changes to the Paycheck Protection Program and many more issues related to government stimulus.

This Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce video showcases strong procedures of Pearl Island, a favorite local restaurant and caterer

Cameron Nelson, Business Communications and Technology Adviso r for the CVSBDC discusses the variety of websites available to small businesses, the possibilities for upgrading and the estimated costs to accomplish this! He also covers the various e-commerce platforms available, how to select the best based on your specific business needs and how to setup and manage your online storefront or service portal.

This program is packed with tips and specific action items to start doing business with the federal government. Federal government contracting is a lucrative endeavor for many businesses as the federal government buys everything the private sector buys. Small businesses can take advantage of set asides and strategic alliances with the right tools. This program is a proper first step to avoid costly false starts, and is presented by Lisa Wood, Executive Director of Virginia's Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAC) in collaboration with Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC). It is the first of a 4-part series. To attend subsequent programs or get one-on-one guidance through the process, visit cvsbdc.org.

Retail Alliance's Kylie Ross Sibert, VP, Corporate Communications, hosts a deep dive into the effect COVID-19 is having on retail and how it will directly impact this upcoming holiday season.

Watch this video from the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, as the CVSBDC Director Rebecca Haydock gives this 101 primer on the definitions, distinctions, and expectations of early stage financing options. We will cover friends and family, angel investment, family office, grants, and other non-dilutive financing.

Adam Calli, Arc Human Capital founder and Principal Consultant, discusses the ways the workplace needs to adapt to the changing post-coronavirus world, and what policies and implementations employers need to undertake for a safe, healthy, and happy reopening.

Learn about opportunities and resources available to the maturing startup. Discover new financing options, best practice financial management fundamentals, technology tools to scale your operations, as well as common pit-falls to avoid as you work to thrive in the mid-game.

A webinar presented by the Virginia SBDC, Virginia Community Capital and the U.S. Small Business Administration on the Payroll Protection Program loan forgiveness process and criteria. The session covers: Application Overview Schedule Completion Application Completion Safe Harbor Tests Other Tips and Considerations

Learn about optimizing the lifeblood of your business: Cash flow

In partnership with Central Virginia SBDC, The Fellows Group offers tools and tips based on over forty years of experience for doing business online. This one hour video is rich with great suggestions and considerations for your business. We highly recommend plugging in your headphones and taking notes. CVSBDC's counselors are available to put these thoughts into action, and The Fellows Group can take it a step further, executing your marketing and advertising plans.

With employees suddenly working from home a lot more, managers need different skills and tools to effectively get the job done. Learn best practices for managing virtual teams, creating accountability without micromanaging, and keeping your organizational culture intact.

In this video Christina Garnett covers: • How to take steps to make sure your ads don’t get flagged for trying to make money off COVID (yes it’s a thing) • How to craft your copy and CTA to make customers want to see you again • What kind of imagery should you stay away from when crafting ads?

Creating a cash flow forecast

From the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, featuring Don Giannangeli, Charlottesville Business Exchange

From the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, with Kimberlee Barrett-Johnson, CFP®, CDFA®, CKA®, President of ArkWise Wealth. Busy, successful people face unprecedented complexity in their financial affairs. How to pursue your life goals? How to ensure your legacy continues? ArkWise Wealth has developed a boutique approach charting your course with clarity, confidence, and contentment. We call it the C3 Navigator. In this session, Kimberlee shares action steps you can take now to get clarity and take control of your personal economy amid the uncertainty we're all experiencing. Kimberlee Barrett-Johnson, CFP®, CDFA®, CKA®, President of ArkWise Wealth, is a deeply engaged community and industry leader who for 28 years has helped people navigate the complexities of increasing wealth and achieve work-optional lifestyles. Focused on helping others gain increasing clarity, confidence, and contentment around finances, she is recognized nationally as a Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor for 2020, Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor for 2018 and 2019 and Working Mother Top Wealth Advisor Mom for 2018 and 2019.

From the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, with James Burton, President of Gig Strategic. Learn how to improve your website for better visibility and results online.

Jeb Blount, of Sales Gravy, from the stage at OutBound 2018. It doesn't matter what you've sold, only what you sell today.