Newsletter - March 2017




MARCH  EVENTS CALENDAR
 AT  BOWIE BIC

 G et  Free  individual professional advice each month at Bowie BIC Business Advisory Clinics.  

March 16
O ne-on-One
Business Advisory Clinic:
Sales Strategies
Thomas Ellis, EWC Consultants
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
by appointment

March 17
One-on-One
Business Advisory Clinic:
Accounting
Jamie Lewis, CliftonLarsonAllen
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
by appointment

March 23
One-on-One
Business Advisory Clinic:
Maryland Women's Business Center
Angie Duncanson, Maryland WBC
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
by appointment
www.MarylandWBC.org
________ 

 Maryland Women's Business Center Training at Bowie in March

 

March 7

Writing a Successful Business Plan

9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Bowie BIC

Understand why you need a strong business plan. Learn how to develop each critical piece of your plan. Workshop includes comprehensive outline and additional resources.

Fee: $35

 

March 9

Government Regulations

9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Bowie BIC

Are you aware of government regulations that small businesses must face? This workshop will guide you through identifying and selecting a legal structure for your business and will provide resources for guidance in compliance. We will research regulations specific to your business and determine the impact and cost to you.  We will identify contracts and leases that you may use in your business.

Fee: $25

 

March 14

ABCs of Starting a Business

9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Bowie BIC

Find out what it really takes to start your own business. Learn more about the steps involved and discover resources available. 

Fee: $35

 

March 16

What You Need to Know about Franchising

9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Bowie BIC

Buying a franchise can be an investment in your future. As with any major decision, you should thoroughly research the franchise industry and model. Miriam Brewer of the International Franchise Association will offer information, resources and advice on buying or franchising your business.

Fee: $25 

 

March 21

Marketing for Effective Website and Social Media Strategies

9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Bowie BIC

Having an effective website and a social media strategy is important.  This workshop will help you understand how domains, hosting and email work, as well as how to maintain your website using popular platforms to increase your visitors and customer conversations. We will discuss how to ensure you are mobile-friendly and Google-friendly. You will learn how to protect from viruses, malware and hackers. And we will discuss which social media platforms may be right for your business.

Fee: $25

 

March 28

How to Respond to Prince George's County Request for Proposal

9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Bowie BIC

Do you want to work with the County but get overwhelmed while trying to figure out the process? This workshop will provide a comprehensive knowledge about how to respond to a PG Request for Proposal (RFP). Trainer Marion Brown will teach you how to prepare to write an RFP and how to apply lessons learned to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a response to an RFP.

Fee: $25

 

March 31

Group Counseling

9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Bowie BIC

Explore topics such as starting a business, developing key marketing strategies and efficiently managing your financials.  Limited clients per session.

Fee: Free

 

Registration: www.MarylandWBC.org

Contact: Angie Duncanson at [email protected] 

Telephone:301-383-1550 x104 

  _________

Strategic Counseling Resources at Bowie BIC
   
America's Small Business Development Center-
Corridor Region
Mark J. Wells
SBDC Business Consultant
 
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Richard Paden
PTAC Procurement Specialist
 
Maryland Women's Business Center
Angie Duncanson 
Program Manager/Counselor
 
Appointments required
_________
Contact Information

For more information about Bowie BIC events, application to our business accelerator program or sponsorship opportunities, please contact       Crystal Clark.
or 301-383-1550 x105.
Meet the Business Counseling Team 
at the Bowie BIC Accelerator

An on-site team of professional business counselors works with the Bowie BIC Management Team each week to provide the individual business guidance that Bowie BIC clients require to successfully accelerate their business growth.   


Angie Duncanson is the Maryland Women's Business Center's (MWBC) Senior Business Counselor and Trainer for Prince George's County.   As a former business owner, she is familiar with the challenges that many women entrepreneurs face. Angie strongly believes in MWBC's mission to help women in the State of Maryland to become entrepreneurs and business owners.   Angie is a former Marine who conducts "Boots to Business" training for veterans. 

 
Mark Wells is a Senior Business Counselor with the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Through his many years of business banking experience, he developed the practical skills needed to guide growth-oriented businesses to commercial success.  He specializes in the creation of growth strategies, business planning and financing, as well as organizational process for young businesses.


Richard Paden of Maryland's Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is an experienced Procurement Specialist.  He had a successful career in government contracting before joining PTAC.  He teaches clients how to enter the government markets.  He also advises his clients on government overnment procurement strategy and execution.

To become a member of the Bowie BIC Accelerator--and make this counseling team part of your company's team--contact Crystal Clark, Bowie BIC Operations Director at [email protected].

Student Internship Program Kicks Off 
 
 
Bowie BIC welcomes Taylor Beckett as its Spring 2017 Entrepreneurship Intern.  He is a graduating senior at Bowie State University with a background in business/technical writing, records management, and content production.  Taylor has his own business writing services company, which he launched in 2015.


Bowie BIC Launches Saul Ewing Legal Roundtable Series for 2017  


Seeking funding, but reluctant to jeopardize your equity? This discussion will center on best practices for securing funding without sacrificing your ownership interest. These alternative methods of financing include state and federal grants and loans, commercial loans, strategic alliances and crowdfunding.

When:          
Thursday, March 16, 2017

Time:             
8:30 am to 10:30 am
                      A light breakfast will be served

Where:         Bowie Business Innovation Center
                     14000 Jericho Park Road
                     Center for Business, 3rd Floor
                     Bowie, MD 20715

  RSVP:      Click Here

Bowie BIC Participates in Chamber's Economic Development Forum  


Bowie BIC Accelerator clients participated in the Prince George's Chamber Economic Development Forum, in Lanham on March 2 (from Left: Derrick Williams/Total Access Insurance; Charisse Holder/Sage Services, Lisa Smith/Bowie BIC and
Taylor Becket/BIC Intern.)