BizSuccess Tips
February 2021
Upcoming Business Growth Workshops

Thursday Feb 25 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

  • Are you grabbing people’s attention in the first 60 seconds when introducing yourself?
  • Are you powerfully and clearly communicating your unique message?
  • Do you find yourself stopped when asked “what do you do?”

As an entrepreneur or professional, you’re always selling yourself or your product. In those first few seconds people decide whether or not they want to learn more about your service and even if they want to do business with you….so you want to make that first impression count! If you want people to sit up and listen, it starts with creating a compelling Elevator Speech that grabs their attention in the first 30-60 seconds. Your Elevator Speech is both an opportunity to promote your services and a way to separate yourself from the competition. It’s what makes people want to know more about you.

In this fast-paced session, Rochelle Togo-Figa, the Speaking & Sales Breakthrough Strategist, will share the steps to creating a compelling and powerful Elevator Message that will quickly have people saying “Yes, give me your business card. Let’s sit down and talk!”

At the end of the session, you’ll learn…
  • How to grab people’s attention in the first 30-60 seconds
  • What motivates people to take action
  • The elements of creating a compelling message that will easily attract more clients
  • How to create your own unique message
  • How to deliver your elevator speech with confidence
Presenter: Rochelle Togo-Figa, Sales Breakthroughs

·     Rochelle Togo-Figa is a Sales & Speaking Coach and Trainer with 20 years+ experience. Her area of expertise is teaching people a step-by-step sales process to close sales and how to present to win business. Rochelle works with business owners, entrepreneurs, coaches, authors and professionals who are eager to attract more clients through learning exactly what to say to get the business and how to powerfully communicate their message. She teaches them sales & speaking strategies that propel their businesses to the next level.
Trainer: Demming Bass

Demming Bass has been an official Grow with Google speaker since 2017. After an award-winning career as a chamber of commerce executive in NC and GA, he led Constant Contact’s marketing efforts across six states in the Southeast. To date, he’s trained over 25,000 small businesses, nonprofits and chambers on how to be better marketers. In addition to his role with Google, Demming is also a StoryBrand Certified Guide where he works with clients around the world to improve and clarify their brand messaging strategy.
Don't Miss this Official Grow With Google Event


Tuesday Feb 23 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Times are challenging. We want to help. Now more than ever, businesses and nonprofits need to know how to reach and engage with customers online - to continue to generate leads, make sales, and grow revenue. Led by Grow With Google Speaker and Trainer Demming Bass, this is a “can’t miss” webinar customized for local businesses and nonprofits including additional ideas and strategies on how to market online during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

As a bonus, ALL ATTENDEES will receive up to $150 in Google Matching Ad Credit (first-time users only) to immediately market their business with the lessons they learn and apply.

In this webinar, you will learn how to: - Create a free Google My Business profile and how to engage with customers - Improve your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices - Implement simple, but effective, best practices for content marketing, social media marketing, and email marketing - especially during the COVID-19 crisis - Advertise your business through Google via Smart Campaigns (and the perfect ad formula)

Attendees will walk away with free tools, a proven plan, and messaging strategies they can implement in their marketing immediately - no matter their level of marketing "know-how" or expertise.

Wed Mar 24 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 pm

FEE: $10

The Stay Out of Jail Plan - Tax Basics for the Business Owner
When it comes to your business, the IRS holds you responsible for the proper filing and handling of your taxes even though you are not a tax expert. This course is designed to walk you through a basic framework on taxes and best practices.
Presenter: Terrell Turner CPA (Licensed in North Carolina) Managing Partner, TLTurner Group

Terrell is a Certified Public Accountant and the managing partner of the TLTurner Group; a firm focused on providing consulting and training services to make accounting and finance less complicated, for business owners and organizations. He is also the founder of the Business Talk Library Network; a professional content creation company that produces multiple podcast and digital shows like Small Business CFO’s, Charlando Negocio, and the internationally loved Busines Talk Library Interviews which has featured over 200 Founders, CEOs and executives world wide.
Simple Steps Workshop Series;
Is Starting a Business Right for You?

Is Starting a Business Right for You? Start-up Basics: This is an introductory workshop.

Start-up Basics: 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. In this session, you learn about: the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, the most profitable form for your business, and the fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources.
Virtual Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Workshop #1
SATURDAY WORKSHOP
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Date: Feb 27
Registration ends: Feb 26
This will be conducted as a Zoom meeting.
The Zoom link will be sent via email prior to the event.
How to Start Your Own Business 101
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Date: March 4
Registration ends: March 3
This will be conducted as a Zoom meeting.
The Zoom link will be sent via email prior to the event.

SCORE Charlotte will be presenting this workshop in Partnership with the Sugar Creek Branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System
Simple Steps Workshop Series;
Next Steps To; Is Starting a Business Right for You?

Next Steps To; Is Starting a Business Right for You?

Attend this comprehensive four part series of workshops to help you test your new business idea and gets you started on the right path. Free one-to-one counseling is also a part of the workshop process. Join us for 4 three-hour sessions that help you understand the basics of:
  • the concepts involved with assessing a business idea,
  • marketing your product or service,
  • understanding business financials and how they work, and
  • how to fund and finance your business. 
Session 2: Business Concept
Session 3: Marketing Plan
Session 4: Financial Projections
Session 5: Funding Sources and Next Steps

Attend all four sessions for $150.00. 
(Additional people from the same company are an additional $50.00 each. Contact [email protected] for discount code)

Virtual Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Workshop Series #2-5
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Date: Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 2021
Registration ends: Mar 1
This will be conducted as a Zoom meeting.
The Zoom link will be sent via email prior to the event.
Coronavirus Support
SBA Resources
SBA offerings
  •  Check out the PPP forgiveness factsheet
  • Disaster funds and taxes…… This IRS Notice 2020-32 provides guidance regarding the deductibility for Federal income tax purposes of certain otherwise deductible expenses incurred in a taxpayer’s trade or business when the taxpayer receives a loan (covered loan) pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program under section 7(a)(36) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)). Specifically, this notice clarifies that no deduction is allowed under the Internal Revenue Code (Code) for an expense that is otherwise deductible if the payment of the expense results in forgiveness of a covered loan pursuant to section 1106(b) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 281, 286-93 (March 27, 2020) and the income associated with the forgiveness is excluded from gross income for purposes of the Code pursuant to section 1106(i) of the CARES Act.   Source: www.irs.gov – IRS Notice 20-32
  • Hosted by the North Carolina District Office - Webinars for Small Business Federal Certification - Second Tuesdays of the Month; 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Learn about the SBA’s contracting assistance programs and gain a competitive edge from the federal certifications you may be eligible for.  PDF attached 
  • February 9, 2021 – Various Small Business Certification Programs  
  • March 9, 2021 – 8(a) Business Development Program
A free learning platform for women entrepreneurs
SBA has announced Ascent, an interactive digital platform packed with resources women business owners need to set, and achieve, their business goals. Ascent is designed for the “missing middle” — growth-oriented women entrepreneurs who are beyond the start-up phase and already generating revenue yet looking to grow and scale. Most learning resources for business owners focus on either start-ups or mature businesses. Ascent is here to change that!
UPCOMING NATIONAL WEBINARS
February 23 | 1 PM ET
This webinar will help you understand what the most common startup pitfalls are and how to avoid or solve them - without spending a lot of money!
February 25 | 1 PM ET
Sponsored by FedEx. Find out how to speed up growth by shipping to international customers, with less paperwork and fewer obstacles than you may think.
What you Might Have Missed
Browse Our Webinars
Did you miss a live SCORE webinar?
You can view the recordings online anytime. Watch and learn at your convenience.
Score helps YOU succeed!
Find Your Business Mentor
Talk to a SCORE mentor for expert answers to any of your business questions - no question is too big or too small.
Small Business Resource Centers
Small business owners are resilient and can power through this challenging time, with SCORE by their side. Don't miss out on the latest resources, training and mentoring opportunities to help you survive and thrive.

Book a Librarian - Business Research (Virtual)
Book a 1-hour time slot for a 1-on-1 video call with a librarian!
Learn how you can access the library's online business resources including directories, databases with demographics, mapping tools, market and industry reports, and more.

Registration Note: A valid email address is required in order to receive instructions before the meeting.
These are available Monday - Friday, 11:00am-noon.

Questions or assistance:
Mimi Curlee, Librarian
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library 
Information Services - Main Library
704-416-0106
SBA Lender Match Program
Tool for Small Businesses to Connect with
CDFIs, Small Asset Lenders Participating in PPP
Lender Match is a free tool that takes the mystery out of getting an SBA-backed loan and streamlines the process. 

Finding the right lender and finding the time to obtain a loan can be the biggest challenge for prospective borrowers. Lender Match solves this problem.
 
This free online referral tool connects small business borrowers with participating SBA lenders.
The future is upon us, and the SBA is proud to be leading the way. To learn more about Lender Match visit www.sba.gov
SCORE Charlotte Local Sponsors and Partners
Helping entrepreneurs find the best franchise opportunities. At FranNet Carolina, they partner with aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals interested in becoming business owners.

Through their free consulting services, their consultants will provide the valuable research and guidance necessary to feel truly confident in your decision.
Your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library understands that the key to successful business management and healthy growth is convenient and swift access to the best resources. They provide reference services and library resources to help the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area businesses succeed. 
 
Their Mission: To improve lives and build a stronger community.


Mimi Curlee, Librarian
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Main
An Essential Service Business with a Heart
 
Factors such as the aging population, prevalence of chronic diseases, medical professionals growing acceptance of home care, medical advancements, the longevity of life and more have contributed to significant growth of the senior home care business sector. By the year 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. This means 1 in every 5 people will be a senior.

The senior/home care industry is rising to meet the demand. According to the Industry Market Research Report, as of 2018, the American senior care business industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualized rate of 3.3% to $92.8 billion and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Please join us as we spotlight this essential service business that caters to the needs of a massive, rapidly growing and ever-changing market.  

Thursday February 25th

12:15PM – 12:45PM

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for more than 50 years. 

Because our work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and thanks to our network of 10,000+ volunteers, we are able to deliver our services at no charge or at a very low cost.
 
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
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