SBDC WVIA Live Business Segment On Monday, December 12th, join moderator Steve Stumbris, Director of Bucknell University SBDC, for an all-new Keystone Edition Business, find out what business owners are doing to reinvigorate and reinvent downtown shopping. Host Steve Stumbris is joined by a panel of experts including Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Downtown Center; Betsy Kramer, Revitalization Coordinator at SEDA COG PTAC and Michael Lombardo, the Mayor of Pittston.
The University of Scranton SBDC Upcoming Programs Grow Your Small Business with an Internship in 2023! (Webinar)Thursday, 11/10 | 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.For existing small businesses located in Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties: Could hosting an internship propel your business forward in 2023? Join The University of Scranton SBDC, Small Business Internship Initiative, and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce for a quick 30-minute session to learn about what a paid educational internship is, different types of internships (traditional, micro, hybrid, or virtual), and what makes up a great internship. Determine whether you’re ready to host an internship this coming Spring and learn more about the Small Business Internship Initiative. Hear from the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce about their Small Business Internship Fund resource, too.Details & Registration30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization: Measuring Results (Webinar)Thursday, 11/10 | 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.You know what terms will get your website the most traction, your first blog post has been shared, and all of your profiles link back to your website. How do you know if this is all working? Are you actually getting more engagement on your website? In the fourth and final session of our search engine optimization series, we will give you the tools to measure these initiatives to show how it is paying off for your small business.Details & Registration The First Step Express: Starting Your Business (Webinar)Tuesday, 11/22 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. A condensed version of our First Step: Starting Your Business seminar, this one-hour webinar will help aspiring entrepreneurs to begin the process of successful business ownership including a quick look at applications and licenses needed to start a business, different types of business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.), business plan basics, financing options , and SBDC Services available as you start your business.Details & Registration The Importance of Food Safety: An Introduction to the Food Safety Modernization ActMonday, 11/28 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. & Tuesday, 11/29 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.This session will be held in person at The Stourbridge Project in Honesdale. A detailed info sheet, including session description, event image, and cut-and-paste email can be found here.A PDF flyer is also attached to this email. Social Media 101 for Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Carry-Out (Webinar)Tuesday, 12/6 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.Social media is essential for any small business in order to engage customers and drive sales. Being able to build a following and attract customers to your restaurant requires effective use of social media platforms and strategies that highlight the culinary adventures in store. But just how is social media able to capture this excitement?Details & Registration Limited Food Establishments: Adding Value in Your Home KitchenNew to On-DemandSetting up and operating a food business from your home kitchen used to be so simple. Today, national- and state-based changes to food safety standards can make it an overwhelming endeavor. But don’t worry – the SBDC is here to help. During this session, we will cover start-up steps, inspections, and registration, as well as ways to grow a commercial food business in your home – addressing the intricate differences based on the types of food made, how the food is sold, and where it is sold.Details & Registration
Scranton SBDC Webinars Gear Up for Financing: What Do I Need to Prepare? (Webinar) Wednesday, 9/21/22 ● 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmRegistration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29777Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/3ueM5mCM9 The process of financing your small business will take time, good planning, decision-making, and even your money! Join us for this two-part series, “Gear Up for Financing”, as we show you what is needed to prepare for financing and steps to take and what financing options are available to your small business. Session one, “What Do I Need to Prepare?” will help you evaluate: What knowledge you’ll needDecisions to considerHow timing and fit of loan to use come into play Start-up and existing small business owners are welcome! Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, planning for success should start early, and applying for capital requires documentation, often including financial projections and a business plan, and more. This session will also supply some insight into best practices on the financial side of your business and how the SBDC can help you.“What Do I Need to Prepare?” is the first in the two-part series, “Gear Up for Financing”. Part two, “What Are My Funding Options?” will take place on Wednesday, September 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration for that session can be done here: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29778 The First Step Express: Starting Your Business (Webinar)Thursday, 9/22/22 ● 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Registration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29703Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/1XdWkJTD5 Have you always had a dream to start your own business, but aren’t sure where to begin? Attend our First Step Express webinar! A condensed version of our First Step: Starting Your Business seminar, this one-hour webinar will help aspiring entrepreneurs to begin the process of successful business ownership including a quick look at: Applications and licenses needed to start a business Different types of business structures (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.)Business plan basicsFinancing optionsSBDC Services available as you start your business All pre-venture clients are encouraged to attend this course or a similar program, or complete pre-venture materials to prepare for the engagement, prior to being assigned to a consultant for one-on-one assistance. How to Know if Your Business Idea Will Really Work (Webinar)Tuesday, 9/27/22 ● 10:00 am – 11:00 am Registration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29706Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/2UpvPQlck You have an idea for a new business but are wondering where to start. Is the idea worth pursuing? How can you tell if it is or isn’t? This session will get you thinking about your motivation for starting a business by walking you through simple steps that will help you determine if the idea is feasible. Steps covered will include: Considering Your Business Ideas (What type of business do you want to start?)Assess Your Resources (How much will this endeavor cost, both financially and in time spent?)Review Industry Regulations (Every industry has them!)Define Your Target Market (Who are you going to sell to? Hint – it’s not everyone!)Identify Your Competitive Advantage (What do you have to offer that your competitors don’t?)Write a Business Plan (Yes, it is important!) Gear Up for Financing: What Are My Funding Options? (Webinar)Wednesday, 9/28/22 ● 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmRegistration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29778Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/2c3AVgkPr The process of financing your small business will take time, good planning, decision-making, and even your money! Join us for this two-part series, “Gear Up for Financing”, as we show you what is needed to prepare for financing and steps to take and what financing options are available to your small business. Now that you know what to gather and work on and know what lenders are looking for, it’s time to take a look at what financing options are available to your small business. Session two, “What Are My Funding Options?” will go over some opportunities, such as: Your own fundsFriends and familyBanks or credit unionsMicroloansFinance companiesAnd more Start-up and existing small business owners are welcome! “What Are My Funding Options?” is the second in the two-part series, “Gear Up for Financing”. Part one, “What Do I Need to Prepare?” will take place on Wednesday, September 21 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration for that session can be done here: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29777 Making the World Your Market: Considerations for Going Global (Webinar)Thursday, 10/6/22 ● 9:00 am – 10:00 amRegistration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29702Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/2R63TyLFK The world seems to be getting smaller. Doing business internationally is one strategy for business growth. Is it right for your business? Before companies decide to expand to other markets, they need to analyze and test the viability of those markets and develop an internationalization strategy that will contribute to their growth. Going global opens up many new opportunities and potential markets, as well as some potential hurdles. Learn the why, where, what, when, and how to bring your company into the international arena and more with presenter Douglas Harding, Senior Business Consultant and SBA-Certified Export & Trade Counselor, Duquesne University SBDC. Additional presenters will include: Deborah Langan, Senior International Business Manager, NEPA AllianceJoe Burke, Avoca Strategies (Export Experiences and Examples)Nasim Sadr-Fala, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service PhiladelphiaEdward A. Schick, Export Finance Manager – PA, DE and Southern OH, Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration There will also be time for questions and answers.The University of Scranton SBDC, Duquesne University SBDC, and the Pennsylvania SBDC are partnering with the U.S. Commercial Service in Philadelphia and SBA Export Financing to bring you this Pennsylvania Regional Exporting Network event. 30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization: Keyword Research (Webinar)Thursday, 10/6/22 ● 12:00 pm – 12:30 pmRegistration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29745Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/1Kh2ZodSW What is search engine optimization, or SEO? Often it’s about making slight modifications to terms used on your website to increase traffic from search engines like Google. Are you using vocabulary that is commonly known or too niche? Are you including your location? In this session, we will show you how to use the most effective keywords for your small business, how to use location-based terms to increase traffic, as well as some tools that will help you in this process. “Keyword Research” is part one in the four-part “30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization” series, designed to provide easy tips and tricks to increase traffic to your website. Register for additional sessions here: Thursday, 10/13: Small Business Blogging Thursday, 10/20: Backlinking Thursday, 10/27: Measuring Results 30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization: Small Business Blogging (Webinar)Thursday, 10/13/22 ● 12:00 pm – 12:30 pmRegistration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29746Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/2fvan31u7 Why is blogging important to a small business? Search engines favor recent information, so regular blog updates increase the likelihood of your information being seen. We will discuss this blogging, how it can be done easily, and how to enrich your posts with keywords to get more traction. “Small Business Blogging” is part two in the four-part “30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization” series, designed to provide easy tips and tricks to increase traffic to your website. Register for additional sessions here: Thursday, 10/6: Keyword Research Thursday, 10/20: Backlinking Thursday, 10/27: Measuring Results 30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization: Backlinking (Webinar)Thursday, 10/20/22 ● 12:00 pm – 12:30 pmRegistration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29747Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/3yA2rHRIT What is backlinking? A backlink is a link that is created when one website links to another, for instance when your Google profile links to your small business website. The more sites that link to your page give your website relevance in search engines. In this session, we will discuss creating your brand online and the benefit of using the same information on all profiles, from social media to chambers of commerce to sites like Google and Yelp. “Backlinking” is part three in the four-part “30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization” series, designed to provide easy tips and tricks to increase traffic to your website. Register for additional sessions here: Thursday, 10/6: Keyword Research Thursday, 10/13: Small Business Blogging Thursday, 10/27: Measuring Results 30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization: Measuring Results (Webinar)Thursday, 10/27/22 ● 12:00 pm – 12:30 pmRegistration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29749Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/1Sz4OOaGY You know what terms will get your website the most traction, your first blog post has been shared, and all of your profiles link back to your website. How do you know if this is all working? Are you actually getting more engagement on your website? In the fourth and final session of our search engine optimization series, we will give you the tools to measure these initiatives to show how it is paying off for your small business. “Measuring Results” is part four in the four-part “30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization” series, designed to provide easy tips and tricks to increase traffic to your website. Register for additional sessions here: Thursday, 10/6: Keyword Research Thursday, 10/13: Small Business Blogging Thursday, 10/20: Backlinking
Grow Your Small Business with a Fall Internship For existing small businesses located in Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties: Could hosting an internship this fall propel your business forward? Join The University of Scranton SBDC, Small Business Internship Initiative, and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce in one of two, quick 30-minute sessions to learn about what a paid educational internship is, different types of internships (traditional, micro, hybrid or virtual!), and what makes up a great internship. Determine whether you’re ready to host an internship this Fall and learn more about the Small Business Internship Initiative. Hear from the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce about their Small Business Internship Fund resource, too! 7/13/22; 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. registration link:https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/295697/20/22; 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. registration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29570 How can internships help your business? Watch our videos.
SBDC Reimagining Your Creative Business Series The SBDC is premiering a new series geared toward creative entrepreneurs. This unique entrepreneurship series is designed to provide creative entrepreneurs of all types with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to reimagine their for-profit small business in the wake of COVID-19. Topics covered will include: Current Opportunities & Challenges for CreativesFine-Tuning FinanceReimagining Your Marketing & BrandingPutting Your Reimagined Plan into Action with Social Media & eCommerce The series will take place on Wednesdays in February from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, and businesses can attend one or more sessions. More information can be found at https://www.scrantonsbdc.com/reimagining-your-creative-business-series/.
