This course will include the brand framework and various strategies on what it takes to build a fierce brand and take tit to market for your audience. Additionally, provide the tools you can use to up-level your personal and business brand so that you can create the lifestyle you desire.

Discover how to manage and maintain your business finances by automating your accounting and financial reporting functions.  Use this computerized program to set your company’s chart of accounts, receive payments, pay bills, create lists, track cash sales, enter bills, create invoices, make deposits, reconcile bank accounts and write checks in order to more easily manage your financial decisions.Uses QuickBooks® 2015.  Purchase book: QuickBooks® Pro 2015 Level 1.

Occurs Monday and Wednesday  4/23-5/2

The Charlotte Chapter of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) and Loft & Cellar are partnering to bring together the Charlotte professional and small business communities for Happy Hour to foster relationship building, connections to professional and small business resources, as well as to foster B2B and B2C connections. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit that is being hosted in Charlotte from June 6^th – 9^th.

Free networking event.

Is your company name important to you? Did you spend time and money developing a logo or a slogan? Small business owners that answer yes should consider registering for a trademark as a way to protect the business brand. North Carolina’s trademarks registry is administered by the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office, while federal trademarks are overseen by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This seminar focuses on various aspects of trademarks – from choosing between a federal or a state trademark or both to filing for one. Attendees can expect to get an overview of the costs, benefits, and pitfalls of trademarks.

Co-Sponsor(s): NC Secretary of State Office

Feeling intimidated by your business plan?  Have you been avoiding writing it?  Want to get a handle on the components that make up your business plan?….  Join us for 14 sessions of empowering you to define your business your way.  This 28hr training session will allow you to walk away with a completed plan.  SEATING IS LIMITED ONLY Registered participants for this workshop -will have access to all 14 sessions

Throw out your static business plan for this innovative tool for success and you will be able to design and implement a new business idea or analyze and renovate an old one. The Business Model Canvas is a hands on approach for business modeling that allows you to outline and test your hypothesis, present your ideas to customers, collect real world evidence and pivot to adapt your idea or business to the changing landscape. Strategically and systematically find more effective ways to do business and see the benefits to your bottom line.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has resources to help you start and grow your business. ReferenceUSA, an online directory of millions of United States companies, can be used to find out who your competitors are, get valuable information for deciding on a business location, find customers if you are selling B2B, and more. If you have a profile of the person you would sell your product or service to, then using SimplyAnalytics, will give you statistics and demographic information. Your taxes have allowed the Library to provide these valuable resources at no additional cost, attend this hands-on workshop to learn how to use them to succeed in your business.

This introductory workshop focuses on the basics of testing your business idea and identifying the key factors that influence start-up success. Start-up Basics provides you with an overview of the skills and tools you need when deciding to start a business.