Free Training at TSBDC/KOSBE Small Business Fall Night School
October 31, 2012
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU and the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) will host a free Small Business Fall Night School on Tuesday, November 13 from 6 — 9 p.m., at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, 400 Clinchfield St, Suite 100, downtown Kingsport.
Primarily, this event will provide free training delivered by guest speakers who are experts in their field, access to sources of financing to small business owners and entrepreneurs for start-up and expansion, and an opportunity to network with and share information with other business owners.
The workshop is offered free of cost, but registration is required.
Three sessions will be featured at the Fall Night School: Small Business Loans and Other Capital Sources; Selling to the Government and Contracting; and Digital Media, Ecommerce and Website Design.
Small Business Loans and other Capital Sources: Fredrick Crispen with Borrego Springs Bank will discuss how business owners can use SBA loans to finance commercial real estate acquisition or refinance, construction and leasehold improvements, business acquisition and expansion, machinery, equipment and inventory purchases and working capital. This will be the first time that Borrego Springs Bank has visited the Tri-Cities to offer their services to local small businesses.
Selling to the Government and Contracting: Paul Middlebrooks, Procurement Counselor with the University of Tennessee Procurement Technical Assistance Center (Chattanooga, TN), is part of a nationwide network of dedicated procurement professionals working to help local businesses compete successfully in the government marketplace. Attendees will learn how to assess their viability for government contracting and review required registrations, as well as understand what it takes to develop a focused marketing strategy for government customers.
Digital Media, Ecommerce and Website Design: A forum of local experts will answer your questions about digital media, ecommerce shopping cart solutions, web design common mistakes, and how to convert online shoppers to buyers.
The Small Business Fall Night School is designed with new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs in mind (including home-based), however, retirees seeking a second career, part-time workers wanting to supplement their income, upper class high school and college student are encourage to participate.
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Advanced registration is required and must be received by Monday, November 12. Anyone interested can register online at this link or call (423) 392-8825 for more information.
It is the intent of KOSBE to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. In partnership with Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC) at ETSU, KOSBE can more effectively serve the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For a complete listing of services, tools and resources, visit kosbe.org.
The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of Tennessee.
To schedule your free confidential counseling appointment in a private setting by TSBDC-certified counselors in person, online by phone or e-mail call David Schools at (423) 392.8825 or e-mail, dschools@kosbe.org.
For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe – The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE — The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.
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