Let the Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center help you connect with the right resources to help your business launch or grow. Register for a workshop during the month of May to take advantage of hands-on seminars that are designed to help business owners and entrepreneurs advance to the next level. Topics include start-ups, small business loans, understanding cash flow, social media, and more.
CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation
Wednesday, May 8, 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. If you have any questions, please call us at 248-858-0783 or email smallbusiness@oakgov.com.
Five Steps to LinkedIn Mastery
Wednesday, May 8, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Fee: There is a $40 registration fee, and pre-registration is required.
While Facebook looks like any number of reality TV shows, LinkedIn is the business documentary you need to watch. You’ve done the “google myself” thing, right? Most people are surprised (and excited) to find their LinkedIn profile is the first result. Since Google uses LinkedIn that well, shouldn’t you? And I want to help you. When you use LinkedIn right, it’s much easier to: Be found by prospective clients and/or employers, locate and learn about the decision makers you need to meet, stay current in your industry, stay top of mind with your network, check out future employees and partners, and use all of the bells and whistles you didn’t know existed. LinkedIn really is a power tool. It’s part SEO monster, Part contact manager, Part resume, Part research tool and it’s ALL business.
Starting a Business
Thursday, May 9, 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
Monday, May 13, 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!”
Team SBA Financing Roundtable
Thursday, May 16, 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.
Women’s Business Enterprise Certification Orientation
Wednesday, May 22, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Fee: There is a $25 registration fee and pre-registration is required.
Learn about the benefits and process of becoming a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). Benefits include certification to private sector WBE’s and access to procurement opportunities with major national companies. Please call 248-858-0783 or email smallbusiness@oakgov.com to register. A $25 fee is payable at the door to Great Lakes WBC.
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-serve 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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