Maricopa SBDC

SBA Loan Clinic
2023-08-02 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-09-06 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-10-04 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-11-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-12-06 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix) | Virtual
Learn about SBA’s lending role and how to prepare a request for capital. Come to this FREE monthly clinic to understand credit requirements, interest rates, collateral terms, and amounts available. Find sources of capital to start or grow your business. Learn how to approach a lender, find bankers interested in your needs, and improve your chances of success.
REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. ONLINE ONLY.
+1 202-765-1264 United States, Washington DC (Toll)
Conference ID: 837 909 022#

Designing with Canva
2023-08-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Creating marketing materials can be easy with Canva.com. While it helps to have an eye for design, the Canva tool makes it fairly easy to create flyers, social posts, business cards, logos and so much more. There are hundreds of templates to choose from as well as free and premium images you can use. In this webinar, participants will learn how to use this online tool and understand what’s available in the free vs. premium plan.
Topics include:
Understanding the free vs. premium features
Finding templates for social posts, cover images, and profile images
How to upload an image from their computer
Creating a brand style guide
How to identify their correct brand colors
How to use the text to image AI tool
Register HERE

SBIR Overview: How to Leverage America's Seed Fund
2023-09-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Fundraising can be extremely challenging in the current pandemic environment. The SBIR program is the nation’s largest source of early-stage/high-risk funding for start-ups and small businesses. The highly competitive SBIR program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research and research development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. SBIR enables small businesses to explore technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. Join us and learn how to fund your innovation-based startup using non-dilutive seed capital provided by the federal government
Speaker(s):
Lou Farina, SBDC Business Analyst
Robert Mucci, PTAC
Jill Howard, AZ Commerce Authority
REGISTER HERE

Marketing Your Business-Session 1
2023-10-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
The 6 P’s of Marketing
Gain an understanding of marketing’s role in your business, the 6 P’s of Marketing, your positioning in the marketplace, and why your customers choose you over the competition.
By the end of this session, you will understand how marketing touches all aspects of your business regardless of size, from sole proprietors who wear many hats, to marketing professionals within larger organizations. You will also gain insight about your business positioning and why your customers choose to do business with you. Handouts and worksheets will be provided.
Topics Include:

Definition of Marketing
Marketing’s Role in your Business
Customer Focused Positioning

Register HERE

Marketing Your Business-Session 2
2023-10-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Plan is a 4-Letter Word
Begin creating a marketing plan following a simple 5-step process that links to your organization’s bottom line and overall goals.
By the end of this session, you will have started a marketing plan that ties to your organization’s overall business goals. You will list desired outcomes, set measurable goals, identify external environmental changes that may impact your plan, start a SWOT, and list at least one key strategy to implement in the next 3 months. Handouts and worksheets will be provided.
Topics Include:

5-Step Marketing Plan
External Environmental Scan
SWOT
Strategies and Actions

Register HERE

Marketing Your Business-Session 3
2023-10-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Understanding Your Target Market
Gain an understanding of your ideal customer and where to find more like them. Learn how to engage them through digital marketing strategies. By the end of this session, you will be able to identify key characteristics about your ideal customer and their buying habits. You will some best practices to engage your ideal customers online and through traditional marketing. Handouts and worksheets will be provided.
Topics Include

Target Market
Ideal Customer Persona
Customer Engagement Best Practices

Register HERE

Exporting to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
2023-11-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Exporting to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Southeast Asian countries make up the United States’ fourth-largest goods trading partner, and together represent a market with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than $3 trillion and a population of 667 million people. Are you eager to expand your business reach to the dynamic ASEAN market, with a focus on Singapore? Our comprehensive “Exporting to ASEAN – Singapore” program is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and strategies to successfully navigate the complexities of international trade and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the Singapore market
Objective
To disseminate fundamental marketing insights, share valuable capital resources, and provide essential export documentation to entrepreneurs, business proprietors, export managers, and individuals aspiring to enhance their market presence within the ASEAN region. Attendees will gain knowledge in:

Develop a deep understanding of the ASEAN business landscape, with a specific emphasis on Singapore’s economic and cultural dynamics.
Gain an overview of the diverse funding options available to exporters, including grants, loans, equity financing, and government-backed programs.
Learn the intricacies of export regulations, customs procedures, and compliance requirements when trading with Singapore.

Register HERE

Managing Your Business Bookkeeping
2023-11-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

Who will benefit:
This training is will address key areas of the importance of bookkeeping for those who are getting ready to start a business or those who are in their early stage of owning/managing a business.
Objectives:
Attendees will learn why it’s important to track all income and expenses and what their responsibility as an owner is. They will learn what options are available for bookkeeping and a task timeline to keep their financial records up to date and in order.
Speaker Lisa Card, Maricopa Business Analyst
Register HERE

Protect Your Business and Yourself-Scams and Tax-Related Identity Theft
2023-11-29 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual
Identity theft is an ongoing concern for both businesses and individuals. Awareness of tax-related scams and how to identify and report them is crucial to building a resilient business.
Our guest speaker, Lisa Novack from the IRS will share information and resources you can use to help mitigate your identity theft risks both for your business and as an individual.
In this session you will learn:

Identity theft information for businesses
Common tax-related identity theft scams and signs
Methods for reporting tax-related Identity Theft
How to use the IRS Identity Protection Personal Identification Number Program
About resources to protect yourself from tax-related identity theft

Speaker(s): Lisa Novack, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, IRS Communications and Liaison Outreach
Register HERE

Alternatives for Funding Your Early-Stage Venture Part 1
2024-01-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
What are my options?
If you are an early-stage company, finding the funding for your venture is one of the most tricky hurdles to overcome. There are a variety of ways you can find funding, and a variety of organizations, people, and resources available to you. What options are right for you? Where should you even start? We designed this webinar to be an insightful overview of the various options available to your venture. This webinar is Part 1 in a two-part series. Part two will include additional topics: Competitions SBIR/STTR, Angel Investors, Strategic Investors, Venture Capital and Corporate Ventures Participants understand the multitude of options for early-stage companies looking obtain funding to start or expand their business. The main aim of this webinar will be to provide a high level overview of the funding landscape while focusing on the pros and cons of each topic. Topics include:
Self Funding
Grants
Friends & Family
Debt
Crowdfunding
Incubators/Accelerators

REGISTER HERE

Alternatives to Financing Your Early-Stage Venture Pt. 2
2024-02-07 10:00 - 23:30 | Virtual
If you are an early-stage company, finding the funding for your venture is one of the most tricky hurdles to overcome. There are a variety of ways you can find funding, and a variety of organizations, people, and resources available to you. What options are right for you? Where should you even start? We designed this webinar to be an insightful overview of the various options available to your venture.
This webinar is Part 2 in a two-part series. Part 1 will be delivered on 01/31/2024 and include Self Funding, Grants , Friends & Family, Debt, Crowdfunding, Incubators/Accelerators
Participants understand the multitude of options for early-stage companies looking obtain funding to start or expand their business. The main aim of this webinar will be to provide a high level overview of the funding landscape while focusing on the pros and cons of each topic.
Topics include:
• Competitions
• SBIR/STTR
• Angel Investors
• Strategic Investors
• Venture Capital
• Corporate Venture
Register HERE

How to Export Machinery and Equipment from AZ
2024-02-29 10:00 - 11:15 | Virtual
In 2022, the value of Arizona’s exports reached $27.3 billion, reflecting a notable 13.3% increase compared to the previous year. By November 2023, exports maintained a substantial value at $26.5 billion. Notably, electrical machinery and equipment, along with parts, claimed the top position among these exports. After attending this session, participants will better understand how to research and potentially export equipment along with parts overseas. Experts from the Maricopa SBDC, EXIM Bank and an Arizona equipment exporter will share resources, guidance, and support to help small businesses navigate these markets and take advantage of export opportunities.
Register HERE

Profit Soup Pt 1-Measure, Understand, Get it Done!
2024-04-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Profit Soup
This webinar provides the Orientation to Profit Soup Online financial courses that includes information on:
Course 201 – Measure, Understand, Get it Done!
Course 202 – Financial Statements: Where the Story of your Business is Told
Each day you make decisions and choices to resolve the crisis of the moment, and each of those decisions and choices affect the future of your business. With all the distractions, how do you know you’re doing the things that build business value? Your income statement and balance sheet summarize all of the business activities in terms of dollars and cents. They’re not just for tax returns. Think of financial statements as the way the business keeps score on the management team. They are the go-to source of information for bankers in their loan approval process and for consultants charged with improving your business.
Register HERE

Profit Soup Pt 2-Financial Statements: Where the Story of your Business is Told
2024-04-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Profit Soup Part 2
This webinar provides the Orientation to Profit Soup Online financial courses that includes information on:
Course 201 – Measure, Understand, Get it Done!
Course 202 – Financial Statements: Where the Story of your Business is Told
Each day you make decisions and choices to resolve the crisis of the moment, and each of those decisions and choices affect the future of your business. With all the distractions, how do you know you’re doing the things that build business value? Your income statement and balance sheet summarize all of the business activities in terms of dollars and cents. They’re not just for tax returns. Think of financial statements as the way the business keeps score on the management team. They are the go-to source of information for bankers in their loan approval process and for consultants charged with improving your business

Register HERE

U.S. Commercial Service Export Week
2024-05-06 08:00 - 2024-05-10 17:00 | Virtual
About Export Week
In celebration of World Trade Month, the U.S. Commercial Service will host a number of export sessions during the first week of May as well as throughout the month! The sessions, led by both private and public sector experts, will feature tradecraft programs and industry focused opportunities. Many of the programs are being offered free of charge and you can choose as many as you’d like to attend. Whether you are new-to-export or an experienced exporter, Export Week will provide valuable information on forward thinking strategies and invaluable resources to increase your global sales.
Click HERE for more information

SBIR Overview: How to Leverage America's Seed Fund
2024-06-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Fundraising can be extremely challenging in the current pandemic environment. The SBIR program is the nation’s largest source of early stage/high risk funding for start-ups and small businesses.
The highly competitive SBIR program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research and research development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. SBIR enables small businesses to explore technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization
Join us and learn how to fund your innovation-based startup using non-dilutive seed capital provided by the federal government.
Topics include: • The startup capital landscape • SBIR/STTR program goals • Identification of participating agencies • The differences between SBIR’s and STTR’s • Identification of the three-phase process • Arizona Fast Grant Initiatives • Availability of community resources that can assist
Speakers:
Lou Farina, SBDC | Bob Mucci, APEX Accelerators |
Register HERE

Introducing the FICO SBSS Score-Understand how your Business Credit Works!
2024-06-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Discover the power of the FICO SBSS Score for your business. Learn its significance, how it’s calculated, and strategies to boost your score. Elevate your business’s lending potential today by mastering the FICO SBSS Score.
*SBSS stands for Small Business Scoring Service, which is a data analytics company that specializes in business credit scoring services.
FICO scores stands for Fair Isaac Corporation, which is a data analytics company that specializes in Personal credit scoring services.
This program is designed for SBDC Clients whether launching a new business or are an existing business seeking future funding. This program is also excellent for professional development for SBDC counselors and lenders. Elevate your entrepreneurial acumen and equip SBDC counselors and lenders with invaluable insights for professional development.
Register HERE

Angel Investors and What Makes Them Tick
2024-07-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Have you heard the term Angel Investor? Looking for Investor Capital? Understanding who Angel Investors are and what makes them tick can be the difference between getting your startup funded or not.
Objectives (What will participants know and/or be able to do after attending):
Understand if they are candidate for potential Angel investment
Highlight the opportunities and challenges of the current environment
Appreciate Angel Investor’s ROI and time horizon
Introduction to the demographics of Angel Investors
Identification of available resources
Exposure to Angel Group Investment Process and engagement model
Topics include:
The sequence of equity investing
Insights into the impact of the Pandemic on early stage investing
The difference between Angel and Venture Capital and when they each are applicable.
Profile Angel Investors and their mindset thus enabling smooth engagements.
Angel Investor’s ROI and time horizon expectations so that your venture’s “asks” aligns with their expectations.
How Startups are valued thereby increasing your chances of closing a deal with Angels
The Angel Group Investment Process
Register HERE

How to Export Services from Arizona
2024-07-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
How to Export Services from Arizona
Service is the fastest-growing export just about everywhere. The U.S. is the largest single-country services exporter, and depending on whether you believe the U.S. International Trade Commission or the International Trade Centre, in 2022, the United States exported $928.5 billion in services, a 16.4% increase from 2021. In 2023, the US exported $1,002.8 billion in services, which was a $74.2 billion increase from 2022. Service exports can include various activities such as transportation, tourism, telecommunications, financial and insurance, computer and information services, business and professional services, and many others.
Join our free webinar, How to export services from Arizona, to learn how you can join this fast-growing market and determine your service export potential with our SBDC
Register HERE

Alternatives for Financing Your Early-Stage Venture Pt. 1
2024-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 | GateWay Community College, Small Business Development Center, 108 N 40th Street, South Building, PHOENIX, AZ, 85034, United States
What are my options?
If you are an early-stage company, finding the funding for your venture is one of the most tricky hurdles to overcome. There are a variety of ways you can find funding, and a variety of organizations, people, and resources available to you. What options are right for you? Where should you even start? We designed this webinar to be an insightful overview of the various options available to your venture. This webinar is Part 1 in a two-part series. Please register separately for part two on Sept. 25th. Part two will include additional topics: Competitions SBIR/STTR, Angel Investors, Strategic Investors, Venture Capital and Corporate Ventures Participants understand the multitude of options for early-stage companies looking obtain funding to start or expand their business. The main aim of this webinar will be to provide a high level overview of the funding landscape while focusing on the pros and cons of each topic. Topics include: * Self Funding * Grants * Friends & Family * Debt * Crowdfunding * Incubators/Accelerators

Speaker(s): Lou Farina, Business Analyst, Maricopa Small Business Development Center
REGISTER HERE

Alternatives for Financing Your Early Stage Venture Pt 2
2024-09-25 10:00 - 11:30 | GateWay Community College, Small Business Development Center, 108 N 40th Street, South Building, PHOENIX, AZ, 85034, United States
If you are an early-stage company, finding the funding for your venture is one of the most tricky hurdles to overcome. There are a variety of ways you can find funding, and a variety of organizations, people, and resources available to you. What options are right for you? Where should you even start? We designed this webinar to be an insightful overview of the various options available to your venture.
This in-person is Part 2 in a two-part series. Part 1 will be delivered on 09/18/2024 and include Self Funding, Grants , Friends & Family, Debt, Crowdfunding, Incubators/Accelerators Participants understand the multitude of options for early-stage companies looking obtain funding to start or expand their business. The main aim of this webinar will be to provide a high level overview of the funding landscape while focusing on the pros and cons of each topic.
Topics include:
• Competitions • SBIR/STTR • Angel Investors • Strategic Investors • Venture Capital • Corporate Venture

REGISTER HERE

SBIR Overview: How to Leverage America's Seed Fund
2024-10-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Fundraising can be extremely challenging in the current pandemic environment. The SBIR program is the nation’s largest source of early-stage/high-risk funding for start-ups and small businesses.
The highly competitive SBIR program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research and research development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. SBIR enables small businesses to explore technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization.
Join us and learn how to fund your innovation-based startup using non-dilutive seed capital provided by the federal government
Register HERE

Get Ready to Start Your Business
2024-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Webinar
Find out what the SBDC does and how to best interact with your counselor. This class is intended for those not yet in business or within the first year.
Register HERE

Start Your Successful Small Business
2024-10-16 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Find out what the SBDC does and how to best interact with your counselor. This class is intended for those not yet in business or within the first year.
Register HERE

Strategic Marketing: Plan for Success
2024-10-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Keep your marketing efforts on track by planning for future success. During this webinar, you’ll learn how to use the 8-page workbook that will be available for download after the webinar. The workbook will help you clarify your thinking to accomplish the following:
• set your future desired state
• get clarity about your ideal customer
• set measurable stretch goals
• gain insight into your digital marketing strengths and weaknesses
• paint a picture of future external opportunities and threats that could affect your plan
• list specific strategies and actions to implement to achieve your goals
BONUS Page 9: 5 questions to determine the viability of a disruptive strategy This plan becomes your working blueprint against which you can measure any disruptions that may attract your and/or your team’s attention causing you to stray off course. Sometimes disruptions are necessary. Sometimes they are distracting with no direct tie to achieving your goals. Having a plan helps you stay the course!
Speaker(s): Jeri Denniston-Denner Group International

Register HERE
