Charlotte Business Resources

Developing Your Small Business Plans: FREE Webinar

City-Admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:11:31 +0000

Are you starting or expanding your small business? Have you considered how to develop or update your business and marketing plans? Make sure you know what to include by joining AARP and the SBA as we help age 50+ individuals take their small business to the next level.

> Read more

FREE Blogging 101 Webinar

City-Admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:08:23 +0000

Thinking about blogging for your business, but not sure where to start? SBA and the W20 Group have teamed up to host a “Blogging 101″ webinar on May 8th. This webinar will cover what blogging can do for your business, what to blog about, what blogging tools are available and other best practices.

Venture Knowledge – Public Relations Session – Part 2

BenCraig — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:22:14 +0000

Venture Knowledge at Ben Craig Center is a monthly luncheon series designed to strengthen business insights and conections among early stage, innovation-based entrepreneurs.
Public Relations Part II
What do Patrick McLean (writing coach and ‘good words, write order’ founder), Julie Nance (owner-operator of Turning Point Advisors), and Adam O’Daniel (journalist with Charlotte Business Journal) all have in common?
They tell stories for living!

Join us for Part II of Venture Knowledge Series on Public Relations being held Thursday May 2, 2013 at 11:45 – 1:20 pm.
Even if you missed Session I, please plan to attend this Session to discover a treasure of Public Relations ‘insider’ tips from Charlotte’s experts:
Write a killer press release
How to stage newsworthy events
Turn a good story into an extraordinary story
How to get reporters’ attention
What to say (and not to say) during the interview
How to keep reporters/journalists coming back for more
Why do some stories make it to become news and why others get passed over?
What does timing have to do with it?
What about visuals and story-telling?

… and anything that you would like to ask our panel of experts about Public Relations?
Who Should Attend?
Venture Knowledge addresses topics that are important to founders, CEOs, and leaders of entrepreneurial ventures from start-up through early years of revenue and employment growth.

The series is designed for Ben Craig Center client-tenants and affiliates. They are always guaranteed a seat. The series is open on a space available basis to leaders of companies that are innovation-based (technology, process, or business model), designed for growth, and seeking to serve markets beyond the Charlotte region.
When and Where
The Public Relations program will be Thursday, May 2 in the Ben Craig Center’s Iverson Room. Sign-in and networking begins at 11:45. The program will begin promptly at 12:00 and end at 1:20. Parking is free.
Registration
Please register your attendance by 2:00 p.m. the day prior, by sending your contact information to Carolyn Smith (carolyn.smith@ventureprise.org) or 704-548-9113. Lunch is available for $10.00 (cash only, reserved in advance). Pre-registration required to guarantee your space.

Bidding & Managing Government Contracts

City-Admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:26:44 +0000

Join Central Piedmont Community College for this intense one day program will provide an in-depth concise and candid overview of the Federal Government Contracting program that will both enhance your understanding of the process and increase the chance of being awarded a contract. Upon completion you will be able to:
- Understand the key steps in government bidding
- Market your company to contracting agents
- Navigate prior-awards to gain pricing knowledge
- Know helpful websites
- Understand the critical points of managing a contract

For more information call CPCC at 704-330-6775

Charlotte Venture Challenge Finals: $25,000 Cash Prize!

City-Admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:48:29 +0000

The Hottest Startups in the Southeast Compete at the Charlotte Venture Challenge Finals!

First, there were 95; then there were 36; now there are only 19; and on May 1st, one start-up company will be chosen as the 12th Annual Charlotte Venture Challenge start-up competition Grand Prize winner and receive a cash prize of $25,000.

The day begins with 19 finalists competing at The Ben Craig Center in front of Angel Investors for the chance to be chosen a Category Winner or one of 2 Wild Cards that will make their bid for the grand prize at the evening event. Suspense grows as the 8 start-ups are announced one-by-one and then make their pitch and answer rapid fire questions from a panel of Venture Capitalists.

4pm Pitches followed by Reception. Register Now.

Celebrate Small Business Week in Cabarrus County

City-Admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:55:45 +0000

Join Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and connect with dozens of local and state business assistance providers in one location! Bring your questions, collect information, hear speakers, network, enjoy a free lunch!

To learn about Charlotte’s Small Business Week Conference, visit www.charlottesmallbusinessweek.com.

Business Wellness – IS YOUR COMPANY STRATEGICALLY FIT FOR NEXT-LEVEL PERFORMANCE?

City-Admin — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:33:10 +0000

A healthy bottom line depends on effectively managing and nurturing the wellbeing of your business. Join other strategy-minded, performance-driven business owners for a morning of inside-out thinking. Engage with experts who will facilitate discussion around your critical issues of concern uncovered from your personalized EvaluSys® Business Wellness Checkup. Led by management expert, Tom Bixby, President of Level Management Partners and Developer of EvaluSys®, this By Invitation Only Business Wellness Workshop will be eye-opening and provide a true pulse on what you need to do in your business for next-level performance.

This program is for CEOs, Presidents and Business Owners managing businesses at least three years old that exceed $500,000 in annual revenues.

Contact workshop host Laura Hampton at The Employer’s Association at (704) 522-8011 for an invitation including a special link to take the Business Wellness Checkup for this event. You will complete the EvaluSys® Business Wellness Checkup in about 15 minutes. Upon completion, registration of your Checkup results will serve as your Business Wellness Workshop registration and generate a confirmation email containing your Checkup Results. You must print your Checkup Results email and bring it with you for reference at the Workshop.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crowns of Enterprise Awards

City-ED — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:11:05 +0000

Join Mayor Anthony Foxx and City and County elected officials as we honor the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) of the Year, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) of the Year, and Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) of the Year. This outstanding annual event will celebrate the successes and accomplishments of S/M/WBE firms and will include free networking, refreshments, and a presentation of this year’s award winners.

Click here to register.

Small Business Pitch Competition – You Could Win $5,000!

City-Admin — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:46:38 +0000

Join Pride Magazine for “Staying in the Game Unwritten Rules for Small Business Success Luncheon” and you could walk away with a grand prize worth $5,000!

Applications are currently being accepted. Simply describe your background and current
business situation in 500 words or less in an email to pridepr@pridecommunications.net

All Mecklenburg County small business owners and entrepreneurs in operation for a minimum of two years with 50 employees or less are eligible to participate in the competition.
Present your ‘Perfect Pitch’ to industry experts and other business owners on May 20 during the Staying in the Game luncheon.
Winner takes home a prize package worth more than $5,000.00
Open to ALL Mecklenburg County small business owners! Nonprofits and franchises are ineligible.

Register online. For more information about this event, including sponsorship information, please email kisha@pridecommunications.net or call 704.375.9553.

How to Make the Great Pitch!

City-Admin — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:45:33 +0000

At some point, everyone has to make a pitch – whether it’s for an interview, a non-profit you support, or a traditional sales presentation. An effective pitch is essential to professional development and success. Join the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals to learn how to make a great pitch from the winners of Charlotte’s top entrepreneurial competitions and our panel of experts.

Click here to register!