JULY 2024

Welcome to Business Buzz

Welcome to Business Buzz, we hope you enjoy and continue using this content to build your business! As always, we are here for you and others you may know who are branching out with a new business. Call or email us anytime and be sure and share this newsletter with co-workers and friends.

Learn Something New!

The BCC Small Business Center offers FREE learning resources monthly. Some are in person but most are offered online making them available to you wherever you are. Take a look at our July lineup and let us know what you think.

July Seminars/Webinars from the BCC Small Business Center

QuickBooks Basics	Wednesday, July 10; 12:00-2:00; Online	REGISTER
Business Photography for Non-Photographers - Part 1	Wednesday, July 10th; 5:30-6:30; Online	REGISTER
Financing Your Small Business	Thursday, July 11th; 12:00-2:00; Online	REGISTER
Using Excel for your Business	Wednesday, July 17th; 12:00-2:00; Online	REGISTER
How to do Business Financials	Thursday, July 18th; 12:00- 2:00; Online	REGISTER
Building Good Personal Credit	Wednesday, July 24th; 12:00-2:00; Online	REGISTER
Budgeting & Cash Flow	Thursday, July 25th; 12:00-2:00; Online	REGISTER

See Additional Details

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Webinars from NC Department of Revenue

Help Us Continue Supporting Your Entrepreneurial Journey-Please Complete Our Survey

Thank you for utilizing the services of the Small Business Center Network! We are committed to providing you with the resources, guidance, and support needed to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality or to elevate your existing business to new heights. Your hard work is vital to our local economy and community, and we truly appreciate your dedication.

To continue offering our free services, we must report our impact on entrepreneurs like you back to the state. We kindly ask you to complete a brief survey about your experiences with us. Your feedback will help us demonstrate the positive economic impact we’ve had, including the number of jobs created or retained, and any business loans you’ve obtained.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey found at SBCN Economic Impact Survey

The survey is quick, confidential, and essential for us to keep providing support to you and other local entrepreneurs. If you have any questions or need assistance with the survey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for choosing the Small Business Center as your partner. Your success is our success, and we are committed to continuing to support you every step of the way.

April Scott, Director, Small Business Center

(910)755-7306

Christine Chiarizia, Administrative Support Specialist

(910) 755-7498

Womenpreneur Empowerment Summit

Mark your calendars for an exhilarating summit you won't want to miss! Join us for an action-packed event featuring a stellar lineup of keynote speakers, dynamic panel discussions, and hands-on breakout sessions, all tailored for current and aspiring female entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Chamber of Commerce Corner

Coffee with the Girls is an event of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce. It provides an extra support system for women in business. This network of women meets every month on the third Tuesday. It's acceptable for nonmember businesses to attend two events before joining. Questions? Call (910) 457-6964

When: July 16, 2024

Where: Dosher Memorial Hospital Café

924 N. Howe St. Southport; 8:00 am

Speaker: Ava McDonald, Dosher Memorial Hospital Case Manager

Topic: Advance Directives (living wills and durable power of attorney for health care)

Resources

Build your brand with She's Connected by AT&T grant. Deadline to apply is July 10th

Spark Good Local

Walmart believes that strengthening local communities creates value for business as well as society. Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate. The 2024 grant cycle begins March 1, 2024.

EmpowHer Grant

If you are a female entrepreneur interested in grant support for an early-stage, for-profit business, apply today. Businesses that are eligible for an EmpowHer Grant address one of the following social issues* through their product or business model:

Poverty & Hunger
Sustainability & the Environment
Strong Communities

Applicants may request up to $25,000 in business support. Grant funding is remitted as reimbursement (following proof of payment) for business-related expenses. EmpowHer Grants are reviewed quarterly. Applications close near the end of each quarter. If you do not have enough time to complete an application before it closes, please consider waiting to begin in the next quarter:

Q1: January-March
Q2: April-June
Q3: July-September
Q4: October-December

Giving Joy

Giving Joy Grants are one-time micro grants (maximum $500 USD). Women ages 18 and up from any country in the world are eligible to apply. Fall Grant Round: June 1-Septemeber 30

Enthuse

The Enthuse Foundation offers a series of financial grants to assist female entrepreneurs with critical business needs. Learn more about the program below. Next Grant Cycle TBA for 2025.

Additional grant information can be found here.

As an independent agent representing PayBright for merchant services, Danielle Cobb is dedicated to providing local businesses with valuable support and strategic solutions to minimize their processing fees. Danielle stands out by offering free equipment, commitment-free services, and a promise of no rate increases, ensuring seamless and cost-effective financial operations. Her mission is to put businesses first, ensuring they get the most out of every transaction, every day. Have questions? Call today for local support.

Great Goods from Greater Wilmington

Produced by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, MADE seeks to honor makers, artisans and manufacturers in the tri-county area.

MADE will spotlight innovations in exporting, manufacturing and design originating in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Winners will be profiled in a special MADE section of the Business Journal and featured at our annual WilmingtonBiz Expo event on October 2.

Nomination deadline is July 26

For more info or to nominate your product or company for a MADE award, click here.

Award categories include:

• Manufacturers (Example includes: Goods mass-produced in the tri-county area)

• Exporters (Example includes: Companies that export outside the United States)

• Functional Product (Examples include: furniture, tools, gadgets, beauty products, industrial, medical, and energy devices)

• Food/Beverage (Examples include: wine/spirits, dry/baked/canned goods, sustainably-grown foods)

• Arts (Examples include: apparel, accessories, textiles, home goods, and stationery)

• Supporter (Examples include: Businesses that support these innovators including law firms, lenders, maker spaces, studio spaces, retail markets, manufacturing associations, etc. )

Looking for a Location to Start Your New Business?

Now accepting applications for a 950 sq. ft. unit

Apply Today

Are you working from home but desire a dedicated space to work every day? Brunswick Community College’s co-working space may be the answer to your problem at $40 a month, you can work with likeminded entrepreneurs.

For a tour or questions on how you can become a member, contact April Scott Small Business Center Director at (910) 755-7306. You can find the application here to become a member today.

Thinking about Starting a Business?

Learn more about the Brunswick Community College Small Business Center.

View this video to meet April and learn more about what the BCC Small Business Center offers!

Are you considering starting a business but not sure where to start, unsure what permits are required or how to qualify for lending?

Let us help you through the process. For more information or questions on how you can schedule your free one-on-one counseling session contact Admin Support Specialist, Christine Chiarizia at (910) 755-7498 or Director April Scott at (910) 755-7306.

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Brunswick Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, age, political affiliation, genetic information, sexual orientation, or disability.