Now is the time to better your business skills! Launch a brand-new business or advance your current one with the help of Oakland County’s One Stop Shop Business Center. Take part in their low-or-no-cost business workshops in February and learn the skills necessary to become a successful business-person. Topics include small business loans, market potential, financing options, cash flow, and more.
CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation
Wednesday, February 13th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Fee: This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
If you have a need for alternative financing and your business is located in Oakland County, consider learning more about the CEED Lending Small Business Loan Program. Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply for and obtain a Small Business Loan. CEED Lending is an initiative of Great Lakes Women’s Business Council.
Starting a Business
Thursday, February 14th, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Fee: This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
This workshop is designed for individuals who are at the beginning stages of starting a business. It will help aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. Start-up costs, financing options, and business planning are introduced, along with necessary steps to getting started.
Understanding Cash Flow
Friday, February 15th, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Fee: This workshop costs $40, and pre-registration is required.
Understanding Cash Flow is designed for individuals who need a better understanding of the cash demands required to successfully start and manage a business. The use of Startup Cash Analysis and Cash Flow Projections will be discussed. Forecasting cash flow more accurately and maintaining liquidity are two of the biggest issues facing businesses today. Having a good system in place to manage cash flow will contribute to your organization’s success. “This may be the most important class a small business owner will ever take!”
Market Research Basics
Wednesday, February 27th, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Fee: This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
Discover ways to find your ideal customers, your competitors, perform competitive analysis, and more. Learn how to find your customers and competitors, perform competitive analysis, identify new site locations, target direct mail campaigns, reveal untapped markets, and expand to appropriate new markets. If you have any questions, please call 248-858-0783.
Team SBA Financing Roundtable
Thursday, February 28th, 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Fee: This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
What’s the secret to getting a business loan? Attend this free Financing Roundtable and find out how banks look at your application, what you can do to improve your chances for a loan, and how SBA loan guarantee programs can help you get the financing you need. This session is best suited to those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in their business. Note: Because the SBA does not provide loan guarantees to real estate investment firms, including purchasing and rehabbing houses for resale, this type of financing is not discussed at the roundtables. If you have any questions, please call 248-858-0783 or email smallbusiness@oakgov.com.
Walk-In Start-Up Thursdays
Waterford: Every Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – Noon & 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Novi: First Thursday of Every Month, 9:30 a.m. – Noon & 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: This workshop is free, and no appointment is necessary.
Individuals who want to launch a business but don’t know where to begin can receive confidential, one-on-one advice from an experienced business consultant. Counselors will answer start-up questions; suggest next steps and guidance on business planning tools. Walk-in sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to 15 minutes.
Registration and Workshop Details
Pre-register by visiting Advantage Oakland’s Business Workshops page or by calling 248-858-0783.
Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, in Waterford.
Stay connected with the Business Center on Advantage Oakland’s pages and learn more about the Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center on their website or visit their Eventbrite page.
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