So many of us have often wondered... what would we do with a little extra time and a little extra money? For many intrepid among us, the answer is resoundingly that they would start their own business.

New business starts have exploded since the early months of the pandemic, and we've seen a staggering increase in startup development work here at the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center. These new entrepreneurs are following their passions, and bringing their drive, creativity, and innovation to solve challenges in the modern economy.

One thing that many recent entrepreneurs do not have is the business confidence that comes from solid business experience or good business research and planning. In the course of advising many of our new starters, we've seen how much their new ventures benefit when they get a broader view of the business landscape. It gives them perspective, helps create options, sparks new ideas, and ingrains why fundamentals are so important.

To meet this growing need, the CV SBDC is expanding its long-standing Starting Your Business class into a four-part course that will help give new entrepreneurs the confidence to act decisively. The series will still have the solid first session on the nuts and bolts of starting a business. Sessions 2-4 will allow participants to more deeply explore marketing and sales, financial health and business models to build a solid business foundation, and hopefully a better night's sleep!

In response to the new startup boom during the pandemic, your Central Virginia SBDC team has created a brand new program - we are excited to launch our Entrepreneur Certificate and the expansion of our Starting Your Business class. If you have worked with the CV SBDC team from the beginning of starting your small business, you have likely taken our existing Starting Your Business class and know how valuable the information is to a new entrepreneur. With our new 4 part series, we will expand on the process of a successful start for a new business. All 4 classes in the series are open to any SBDC clients.

The 6th annual QuadCounty Business Summit will bring together businesses from the counties of Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange, and others from Central Virginia for a half-day of networking opportunities. This is an IN-PERSON event, and will take place at The Pavilion on Lakeland Farm. 

Join entrepreneurs from the 5 participating counties for an opportunity to network and learn from the speakers. The day will wrap up with the third annual QuadTank Pitch Competition - 4 businesses will compete for the $8,000 winner-take-all prize!

Access the CVSBDC Events Calendar and statewide training offerings

CV SBDC host organization, Community Investment Collaborative is hiring! Come join our extended team.

This newsletter is sponsored by F&M Bank. Thank you for your support of our entrepreneurs.