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“Customer service represents the heart of a brand in the hearts of its customers.”
-Kate Nasser
| | IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER | |
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October 2: Manufacturing (MFG) Day – A massive date for B2B companies, makers, and local suppliers to showcase behind-the-scenes work.
October 15: Get to Know Your Customers Day – Happens quarterly; perfect for running a customer feedback survey, poll, or Q&A session.
October 15, 2026 – Extended Federal Tax Filing Deadline
The standard IRS filing deadline for taxpayers who requested a federal tax extension. If your business requested an automatic 6-month extension earlier this year, your final federal tax returns are due today.
October 15, 2026 – NCDOR Quarterly Sales & Use Tax Filings
October 31, 2026 – Q3 Employment Tax Reporting Deadline
If your business has employees, you must complete your third-quarter payroll and federal excise tax requirements by the final day of the month.
| | | | FEATURED ONLINE SEMINARS FOR OCTOBER | | | | |
BEYOND THE MYTHS: HOW TO ACTUALLY SECURE FUNDING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 | 12PM-1PM
SPEAKER: VANESSA MURCIA, CAROLINA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND
A practical and transparent look at how small businesses actually access capital and what it takes to become funding-ready.
REGISTER
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START, MANAGE, & SCALE YOUR BUSINESS
PART 1
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 | 6PM-8PM
SPEAKER: LACRISHA THOMAS, EMPOWERHER FIRM
This first session in a two-part series focuses on creating the structure, systems, and strategies needed to launch and grow a profitable business.
REGISTER
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START, MANAGE, & SCALE YOUR BUSINESS
PART 2
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 6PM-8PM
SPEAKER: LACRISHA THOMAS, EMPOWERHER FIRM
Now that you've built a strong business foundation, it's time to attract customers and grow your business.
REGISTER
| | | FINAL COURSE FOR CERTIFICATION! | | | |
BUSINESS BUILDER SERIES:
BASICS OF BOOKKEEPING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 | 6PM-8PM
WITH BOB WATSON, MUSTANG MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC
Gain a workable knowledge of how to properly record financial transactions for your business.
REGISTER
| | | MORE COURSES TO HELP BUILD YOUR BUSINESS! | |
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SBA LENDING OVERVIEW
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 | 12PM-1PM
SPEAKER: JASON WOODS, US SBA
Thinking about financing your business? Learn how SBA loans work, what you'll need to qualify, and how to apply
REGISTER
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QUICKBOOKS PART 1: SETUP
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 6PM-8PM
SPEAKER: JEFF WEATHERS, QBX ACCOUNTING, LLC
This session covers the basics, including software navigation, setting up a chart of accounts, and categorizing transactions.
REGISTER
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QUICKBOOKS PART 2: RECONCILING & REPORTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 | 6PM-8PM
SPEAKER: JEFF WEATHERS, QBX ACCOUNTING, LLC
This session dives deeper into QuickBooks Online, focusing on reconciling accounts, generating financial reports, and understanding what these reports tell the business.
REGISTER
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ABCs OF STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS ON A LIMITED BUDGET
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 | 2PM & 6:30PM
SPEAKER: MIKE COLLINS, THE PERFECT WORKDAY COMPANY
These are the ABCs of how to start a small business combined with winning strategies from low-cost startups.
REGISTER - 2PM
REGISTER 6:30PM
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STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 | 6PM-8PM
SPEAKER: BRIDGET B. SULLIVAN, SBC COUNSELOR & BUSINESS COACH
This 2-hour workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs show up consistently, communicate clearly, and build their visibility without burning out.
REGISTER
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FINDING YOUR PERFECT CUSTOMER & CREATING A MARKETING PLAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 | 2PM & 6:30PM
SPEAKER: MIKE COLLINS, THE PERFECT WORKDAY COMPANY, LLC
There are 4 ways to describe your customer and sources to find out how many there are in your market area. We'll discuss 5 ways to create a winning plan to target them.
REGISTER FOR 2PM
REGISTER FOR 6:30PM
| | | | Find a full list of these classes and more at: | | |
The Fifth Third Bank Coffee Morning Social returns on Thursday, October 22 at 8:00am!
Join us at their South Point bank location for coffee and networking. No RSVP is required.
975 South Point Rd, Belmont, NC 28012
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VERIZON SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL READY GRANT | | | | |
Looking for resources to help your small business grow? The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready $10,000 National Grant Program is now open!
- Apply anytime after completing two Digital Ready resources in 2026.
- Ten businesses are selected every month through early December.
- Applications automatically roll over each month if not selected.
- Applicants can track their application status online.
If you aren’t selected right away, your application will automatically roll over.
| | | GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES | | |
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is accepting applications for its next North Carolina cohort! This no-cost program is designed for established small business owners ready to grow and includes a 12-week curriculum covering marketing, operations, financials, leadership and access to capital, plus one-on-one business advising, peer learning and a customized growth plan.
Applicants should generally have been in business for 2+ years, have annual revenues over $75,000, and have 2+ employees, including the owner. Applications are due November 4, 2026, with the program beginning February 24, 2027.
Interested? Learn more and apply through Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.
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