Events

Fact:  The US Government is the largest purchaser of small business supplies and services in the entire world.  Why aren’t they purchasing from you?  In this free webinar, learn about SBA’s 8(a) Certification, a special business development program which sets small business’ up for long-term success in federal contracting.  Topics include:  eligibility; application process; benefits; and compliance requirements.  Register on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/sba-contracting-webinar-learn-how-8a-certification-can-help-your-smallbiz-expand-tickets-51711596778 for Skype connection instructions to the webinar.

COST:  Free                      Registration:  Required                             Presented by U.S. Small Business Administration

Fact: The US Government spends a billion dollars per year buying goods and services from small businesses.  Are they buying from you?  Why not?  In this free webinar, learn how to market your small business to make it attractive to federal contract officials in charge of buying goods and services.  Learn about:  what SAMS.gov is–why it’s important, and how to register your business; where you can find contracting opportunities; how to effectively market your products and services; why you may need a surety bond and SBA can help you obtain one.  Register on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/sba-webinar-marketing-to-win-federal-contracts-tickets-51713418226 for Skype connection instructions to the webinar.

COST:  Free                      Registration:  Required                             Presented by U.S. Small Business Administration

Investors can lose interest reading through a 30+ page business plan.  A pitch deck is 10 – 20 slides of the same information that helps an investor determine if they want to join your funding round.  Join the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center and Brightpoint for the first in a three-part series entitled Pitch U! Business Gears that will help you to grab the attention of investors AND potential customers.  We will build the first three slides of your pitch deck using the following curriculum:

1. Problem/Opportunity Evaluation – What struggles are consumers encountering and how can your business solve this?
2. Unfair Advantage – What can your business offer that others can’t?
3. 10 Second Grabber – What does your business have to offer using 5 words or less?

The second class in the series, Pitch U! Process, will help you develop the next 4 slides of your Pitch Deck while the final class, Pitch U! Team, is designed to help you develop the final slides of your pitch deck as well as concentrate on presentation skills.  Spread the word and join us to help you achieve entrepreneurial success!!

Tickets are just $10 which will be refunded if you sign up AND attend the event.  Click here to register.

Continue telling the story of your business by building a Pitch Deck!  Join the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center and Brightpoint for the second in a three-part series entitled Pitch U! Process.  This class will help you build the next 4 slides in your pitch desk using the following curriculum:

1. Market Validation and Overall Value – What is your market (size, revenue model, and need) and what do your customers need?
2. Competition – How does your business compare to your competitors?
3. Results – What solutions will your business solve for your customers?

Tickets are just $10.  This will be refunded when you sign up AND attend the event.  Click here to register.

The third class in the series, Pitch U! Team, will help you develop the final slides of your pitch desk as well as concentrate on presentation skills.  Spread the word and join us to help you achieve entrepreneurial success!!

In this final event in the Pitch U! Series, we will finalize your Pitch Deck!  Join the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center and Brightpoint for Pitch U! Team where you will finish your business’ Pitch Deck and learn how to present it to investors as well as potential customers.  This class will entail:

1. Team & Partners – What role does your team members/partners play within your business?
2. Pitch Deck – How will all the tools learned in this series work together?
3. Presentation Skills – How can you convince investors, using your Pitch Deck, to invest in your business?

Tickets are $10 which is refunded when you sign up AND attend the event.  Click here to register.

Don’t forget to join the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center for Caffeinated Conversations:  Networking Skills on March 14^th!

During this popular Caffeinated Conversations event, we will discuss and practice networking skills.

For many, networking can be miserable and anxiety inducing, for others it is seen as a black hole for time.  At this Caffeinated Conversations, we will provide networking tips and tricks for all walks of life that will build your confidence in the power of networking.  Come meet new people in a way that works for YOU.

Check back soon for the link to register for this event!

Join us for our 6th Annual Ideas@Work Signature Event!

Santiago Jaramillo, CEO and Co-founder of Emplify, will serve as keynote speaker for The NIIC’s Ideas@Work event on April 16, 2019, at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. Attendees will be engaged and inspired as Jaramillo shares his Lessons Learned from a Purpose-Centered Entrepreneurial Journey.

A serial entrepreneur, Jaramillo has developed and grown multiple small and midsize companies. Most notably, as the founder and CEO of mobile app platform Bluebridge, he grew the company from his college dorm room to become the premier app platform to churches and tourism destinations across the country. Under his leadership, the company grew to over 45 employees in four years and nearly 500 customers across the world. In November 2016, Bluebridge church and tourism was acquired by PushPay and Simpleview, respectively, for a combined $8 million dollars.

He currently leads a team of engagement experts to provide more reliable employee engagement insights for better decision making. He has spoken to and trained thousands of CEOs and HR leaders across small, mid-market, and Fortune 500 companies on the importance and business value of employee engagement. Last month, Emplify closed on over a $7.5 million outside Series A capital round with several institutional investors.

Doors open at 11:00 for networking.  Lunch is served at 11:30.  Cost is $250.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ideaswork-6th-annual-event-tickets-47992382508?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_event_email&utm_term=viewmyevent_button

During this popular Caffeinated Conversations event, you will connect with business professionals who can help you establish and grow your business.  You will speak with Attorneys, CPA’s and Marketing Consultants in a speed networking format.  Come armed with your elevator pitch and questions to make the most of your time with these specialists donating their time.

Check back soon for registration information!

The little comments made by those closest to you.  The blatant questioning from complete strangers.  The moments when you are at your lowest in this business building journey.  The lack of people who jump for joy with you when you achieve a milestone.  All this takes an effect on your confidence in your business and yourself.

By creating a strategic circle of support, you will achieve more than you have yet dreamed.

Check back soon for registration information!