Marketing grants, franchise assistance, hiring steps, craft beverage connections and more

From the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center

September 5, 2023

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS EDITION

Marketing Match Grant

Business Essentials Training

Starting Your Business

Franchising Fundamentals & Preparation

Upcoming Webinars

Find past CV SBDC Newsletters

Thank you Town of Culpeper!

Culpeper Competes attracted 30 small businesses to attend the Business Essentials Training (BET). 11 competed for grants with completed business plans. The Town of Culpeper awarded $30,000 in grant funds to local businesses!

Read the full press release HERE

Seven on Davis earned the grand prize of $15,000

Seven on Davis is a new special event space and overnight accommodations rental located in the heart of Culpeper. Owner, Joy Orr, is excited to use this award to help with the marketing of her new business to bring even more tourists to the beautiful Town of Culpeper.

Collector's Den

($10,000)

Siblings, Deneck and Richard Ubario, will utilize the award to Collector's Den to help fund their expansion project as they work to move to a larger space that will be better suited for their growing and loyal customer base. With this award, they are many steps closer to opening the Free SPACE project which will keep Collector's Den open and inclusive to all.

101 Latino Multiservice

($5,000)

Franz and Karina Rodriguez, owners of 101 Latino Multiservice, LLC, are honored to access this award to better serve the Latino community in Culpeper. These funds will help to upgrade their technology infrastructure, a critical piece of their business.

Calling all Veteran-Owned Small Businesses!

Applications are open for the Virginia Small Business Development Center Veteran of the Year award! This award recognizes veterans who have made a significant contribution to the economy through ownership of a Virginia small business and have made a significant difference in their communities by promoting a sense of duty and volunteerism. Nominate yourself or a Veteran in your community!

Eligibility Guidelines:

Any Veteran Who:

Possesses a DD214 (copy to be included in the application)
Currently owns at least 51% of a Virginia-based business
Has owned at least 51% of a for-profit business for at least one year in the past.
Is living in Virginia at the time of their nomination and award
Is not a past winner of the Veteran Small Business of the Year Award

Questions about eligibility or the application process?

Contact Mesa, State Veteran Award Committee member

[email protected] | 434-295-8198

Apply Today

In our ongoing sharing of HR tips and tools, click below for our general guide about hiring an employee.

How to Hire an Employee

Have questions? Contact your HR professional or your SBDC advisor to connect with more tools and guidance.

[email protected] | 434-295-8198

Franchise Fundamentals

Considering a franchise? Check out this 5 part Blog Series from the Federal Trade Commission. Start with part 1, Debunking five myths about buying a franchise.

Carver Food Enterprise Center is Open!

Construction is finished and the health inspection has passed! The Carver Food Enterprise Center is officially open - check out their website to learn more about this great new resource in Culpeper County.

GRANTS

Monthly Grants and Programs list from US Chamber of Commerce

The US Chamber of Commerce provides this list of grants and programs available for small businesses. The list is updated monthly - bookmark this link and check back regularly for new opportunities!

Marketing Match Grant

(VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program Open: August 22 - September 28, 2023. Reimbursable grant program to leverage existing marketing funds. Requires a targeted and research-based marketing plan.

Need help putting together your application?

Reach out to the CV SBDC team to meet with a business advisor!

[email protected] | 434-295-8198

Reach out for virtual meetings or in person in our Charlottesville & Culpeper offices.

Starting Your Business

Sept 7 | 10 AM - 12 PM

Online via Zoom

Thinking about starting a small business?

Are you in business but aren't confident

everything is in order?

This workshop is for you!

Business Essentials Training (BET)

Develop your business growth and profitability strategies, or launch your business with tools and support for success.

Weekly Sept 12 through Oct 10

Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Online via Zoom

BET 1, Understanding Your Customers and Market: Sept 12
BET 2, Pricing, Costs, and Launch Preparation: Sept 19
BET 3, Marketing, Sales, and Your Brand: Sept 26
BET 4, Planning for Success: Oct 3
BET 5, Money and Recordkeeping: Oct 10

Want to earn the Business Essentials Training Certificate?

More information can be found here.

Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network

Intellectual Property Fundamentals

Sep 12 | 12 PM EST

Blue Print Business Plan Workshop

Sep 14 | 9 AM EST

Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant Programs

Sep 14 | 12 PM EST

Government Contracting 101

Sep 19 | 12 PM EST

SEO & Social Selling

Sep 20 | 10 AM EST

How Craft Producers Can Build Impactful Collaboration Projects

Sep 21 | 11 AM EST

Access the CVSBDC Events Calendar and

statewide training offerings for even more learning!

HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY

Louisa Biz Expo

Sep 14 | 4 - 7 PM

In Person (Louisa)

Coffee with VVP: Seed Funding for Health IT & Health Tech

Sep 15 | 9 - 10:30 AM

Online

Taking Your Business Global with Influencer Marketing

Sep 19 | 1 - 2:30 PM

Online

Angel Academy CVA

Oct 13 | 8:30 AM - 4 PM

In Person (Charlottesville)

Embark on your journey of growth, inspiration, and transformation with a CIC Mentor!

Entrepreneurship is challenging, no matter your experience or level of achievement. Over the span of six months, access valuable additional support and guidance from a dedicated CIC mentor.

To qualify, you must:

Be a graduate of CIC’s Entrepreneur Workshop, have a CIC micro-loan, or be referred by a CIC partner agency
Be generating revenue (selling, open for business) or have potential revenue opportunities arriving in the near future
Have specific goals or tasks to complete within the mentorship

Find your match today

Central Virginia SBDC

Your Partners in Business:

Supporting Small Business - from Startups to International Expansion

Serving the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna,

Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock.

Meet With Us

The Virginia SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University‐Mason Enterprise, and local host institutions. The Virginia SBDC is nationally accredited by America’s SBDC.