Maricopa SBDC

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-South Mountain Community College
2023-04-11 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix) | South Mountain Community College/Student Union Conference Center, 7050 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ, 85042
Maricopa Entrepreneur Days is presented by the AZSBDC Network and is an opportunity for current or aspiring entrepreneurs, like you, to learn about grant opportunities including scholarships and small business development services. This grant is helping to strengthen the small business community in Arizona. Join us at one of our in-person or virtual events to learn more.
By attending this event you will learn about:

College Scholarships: Learn about scholarships available for students in Entrepreneurial Studies and Small Business Management courses at any of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges. A Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation staff member will be available to help you apply for scholarships ON. THE. SPOT!
Courses & Programs: Hear from Maricopa Community College staff and faculty about Entrepreneurial Studies and Small Business Management courses and programs, outcomes, and opportunities. Apply for admissions and enroll in courses with dedicated staff on-site to help!
Extra-Curricular Involvement: Find out about student clubs, micro-grant opportunities, and “shark tank” style pitch competitions that will enrich your learning and accelerate your small business ideas toward success! All college entrepreneur students are eligible to join and win.
Community Resources & AERO Marketplace: Discover the available community resources to launch, grow, and expand a small business. Gain insight, training, tools, and expert counseling services from successful business owners at the Maricopa SBDC Center. Sign up as an SBDC client at one of our college events to receive assistance with small business lending and connect you to paid project (gig) work through the AERO Marketplace – the SBDC’s online environment created especially to support entrepreneurs. Let them show you how to get involved. RIGHT. NOW!

REGISTER HERE

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-Phoenix College
2023-04-12 10:00 - 14:00 | Phoenix College/Hacienda Conference Room F-121, 1202 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, United States

Doing Business with the VA
2023-04-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Presented by AZ APEX Accelerator and US Department of Veterans Affairs
Live Webinar & Matchmaking
More info coming soon!
To register, click HERE

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-Estrella Mountain Community College
2023-04-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Estralla Mountain Community College/Estrella Conference Center, 3000 N Dysart Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85392

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-Scottsdale Community College
2023-04-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Scottsdale Community College/Indigenous Cultural Center ICC-216, 9000 E Chaparral Rd, Scottsdale, AZ, 85256

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-Chandler-Gilbert Community College
2023-04-26 10:00 - 14:00 | Chandler-Gilbert Community College/Room: Cholla 204, 2626 E Pecos Rd, Chandler, AZ, 85225

"Good Neighbors" Understanding How to Export to Canada and Mexico Pt 2-Mexico
2023-04-26 15:00 - 16:15 | Virtual
Canada and Mexico are the state’s top two trading partners for Arizona businesses. Arizona
exports $7.5 billion worth of goods to Canada and $3.3 billion worth to Mexico.
Doing business in Canada and Mexico can be easier than you might think, but it’s important to
understand the regulations, customs, and cultural differences that may affect your business.
Experts from the Maricopa SBDC and US Commercial Services will share resources, guidance, and
support to help you navigate these markets and take advantage of export opportunities.
Our Speakers
Carol Laisure Pool, Business Analyst, Maricopa SBDC
Ruth Soberanes, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service
Tom Fulcher, Business Analyst, Maricopa SBDC
Register HERE

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-Gateway College-Venture Cafe
2023-04-27 15:00 - 17:00 | Venture Cafe, 850 N Fifth St/Wexford Bldg, Phoenix, AZ, 85003, United States

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-Rio Salado Community College Thomas Campus
2023-05-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Rio Salado Thomas Campus, 3631 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85019, United States

SBA Loan Clinic
2023-05-03 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-06-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-07-05 09:00 - 11:00, 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 | 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#

Maricopa Entrepreneur Days-Rio Salado Community College
2023-05-03 12:30 - 14:30 | Rio Salado Conference Center, 2323 W 14th Street, Tempe, AZ, 85281, United States

SBDC Open House with Maricopa Entrepreneur Day Presentation
2023-05-04 09:00 - 11:00 | GateWay Community College, Small Business Development Center, 108 N 40th Street, South Building, PHOENIX, AZ, 85034, United States

SBIR Overview: How to Leverage America's Seed Fund
2023-05-17 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.
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 | Kyle Hohmann, Arizona Commerce Authority
Register HERE

How New and Small Businesses Can Compete on the BIG SCREEN
2023-05-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Streaming TV and How Small Businesses Can Now Get in on the BIG Screen Branding Game
The media landscape is shifting unlike ever before. This is most evident when it comes to what consumers are watching on the BIG Screen –we will be discussing this changing landscape and how Small and Hyper Local Businesses can now take advantage of and afford BIG Screen Branding through Performance driven Streaming TV Ads.
The goal of this webinar is to offer insight to small businesses about how Streaming TV ads can be utilized in their service areas and at affordable rates so they can compete with larger brands and stand out from the crowd!
Topics include:

Streaming TV
Commercial Production
Geofencing
Branding
Ad Frequency
Brand Lift

REGISTER HERE

Chat GPT for Small Business
2023-05-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Learn tips and ideas for using Open AI ChatGPT and other AI tools to increase productivity, automate tasks, respond to customer inquiries, and free up time for other business priorities.
By the end of this session, you will understand the positives and limitations of using this tool in your small business. The speakers will demonstrate how to use the ChatGPT and other Open AI tools to improve your work productivity, maximize staff time and resources, and improve customer service. Additionally, you will learn about other tools such as chat bots to facilitate customer inquiries, and others to help with website and graphic design as well as writing blog articles.
Topics include:

What is Open AI and ChatGPT?
How can small business owners use this tool?
Understanding its limitations
Best practices in using ChatGPT
Other AI tools for small business owners and graphic designers

Register HERE

Google Analytics Move to GA4
2023-06-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
On July 1, Google stops supporting Universal Code as part of their Google Analytics platform. If you are using Google Analytics to track website traffic, and have not already converted to the new GA4 tracking code, you may see a drop in traffic to your website. The new tracking code provides richer analytics about website visitors and their behavior on your site. Once the new code is in place, Google will automatically convert your site to the new tracking code.
Objectives (What will participants know and/or be able to do after attending):
Attendees will learn how to easily create the new code alongside their current Universal Tracking code to prepare for the conversion after July 1. They will also learn about some of the differences between the Universal Code and the new GA4 code to better understand the richness of the data GA4 can provide. Topics include: How to create and install the GA4 code on a website Differences in data results between UA and GA4 code for page views, purchases, sessions, conversions and bounce rates.
Topics Include

How to create and install the GA4 code on a website
Differences in data results between UA and GA4 code for page views, purchases, sessions, conversions and bounce rates.

Guest Speaker Kevin Frost, owner, Standing 360 Virtual Tours, 360virtualtoursaz.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-frost-55a4a1b7/; https://www.facebook.com/standing360az
REGISTER HERE
SBDC staff register HERE

Exporting to the European Union
2023-07-12 09:00 - 10:15 | Virtual
The European Union is one of the most diverse regions in the world. With 27 members and 16 percent of the world’s imports and exports.
Doing business with the EU means potentially reaching 500 million more consumers, and 21 million small and medium sized businesses partners. As an exporter, do you want to be a part of this $270 billion opportunity?
Experts from the Maricopa SBDC, US Commercial Services, EXIM Bank and private industry will share resources, guidance, and support to help small businesses navigate these markets and take advantage of export opportunities.
Register HERE

Managing your Business Bookkeeping
2023-07-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Who will benefit:
This training 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

Facilitated by Gateway Community College/Maricopa SBDC Office

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

Register HERE

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
