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Are you thinking about launching a small business? Not sure what is involved? Unsure if you have a viable business idea? Join this introductory presentation to break down the nuts and bolts of what is needed to start a business.

Attendees will be able to:
- Recognize steps to starting a business
- Utilize a business concept analysis to understand the viability of their business concept
- Understand differing legal structures
- Learn how to decide if starting a business is right for you!

Target Audience:
- Start-up businesses
- Individuals in the ideation and research stages
- Individuals preparing to launch their business
- Intermediate businesses looking for refreshers

Isabel Krome, a Start-Up Consultant at Temple SBDC, will be presenting this webinar. She brings over eight years of small business development experience. Her work has been wide ranging, including business model planning, market research, business formalization, accessing capital, strategic planning, diversity certifications and more. When she isn’t working with entrepreneurs, Isabel enjoys drinking coffee, rock climbing, and watching her daughter boss around her cats.

Zoom link will be sent upon registration. Please confirm that your email address is correct and check your spam if you do not receive registration confirmation with 24 hours.  

Register Here.

This no-cost, one-hour webinar is designed to answer the frequently asked questions of aspiring entrepreneurs. After introducing you to the Wilkes SBDC and its services, we will cover:

• Types of Business Structures - From sole proprietorships to LLCs and corporations, we’ll help you choose the structure that aligns with your goals and vision.
• Licensing and Registration - Learn the critical steps and legal requirements for licensing and registering your business.
• Types of Financing - Explore the various financing options available, including loans and investors, plus the 5 Cs lenders consider when evaluating financing applications.
• Business Plan Outline - Understand how to craft a comprehensive business plan to guide your start-up journey.
• Financial Projections - Gain insight into forecasting, including start-up expenses, cash flow analysis, and personal financial planning.
  
  Register Here

Overview

This workshop is designed to introduce small business owners to the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools. Participants will gain insight into the wide array of available AI technologies and learn practical techniques to leverage GenAI tools for increased productivity and efficiency. The session will cover GenAI tools, prompting techniques, and real-world applications that can help automate tasks and drive business growth.

Learning Objectives

1. Unleash the Power of AI – Understand the fundamentals of generative AI and identify useful tools available to small business owners.

2. Master the Art of Prompting – Develop effective techniques for communicating with AI models to get optimal results.

3. Drive Productivity – Explore real-world AI use cases to enhance business operations and streamline processes.

Target Audience 

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and team leaders interested in adopting AI to enhance operational productivity and innovation.

Workshop Content

Key Topics

1. Introduction to Generative AI:

   - Definition and functionality of Generative AI (GenAI)

   - Key business applications of GenAI

   - Industry trends and adoption

2. Popular GenAI Tools for Small Businesses:

   - Overview of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other tools with GenAI features (i.e., Canva, Google Docs, Gmail, Outlook, Excel, and Google Sheets)

   - Features and limitations of each tool

   - Selecting the right tool for specific business needs 

3. Effective Prompting Techniques:

   - The importance of prompt structure in AI interaction

   - Crafting precise, effective prompts for various outcomes

   - Different prompt styles (descriptive, instructional, etc.)

4. AI Applications for Productivity:

   - Content creation: blogs, social media posts, marketing copy

   - Customer service automation: chatbots, email management

   - Data analysis: gaining insights and optimizing performance

   - Task automation: reducing manual processes for efficiency

Hands-On Activities

The workshop instructor will select among these hands-on activities, with at least one activity to give participants experience with GenAI tools, depending on the time allotted for this workshop.  

1. Prompt Engineering Practice: Participants will craft and refine prompts using AI tools to generate content or solutions to business tasks.
2. AI Tool Exploration: Attendees will test popular AI tools, experiencing firsthand how to apply these in a business context.
3. Productivity Case Studies: Analyze real-world examples where businesses successfully implemented AI to scale productivity and operations.
4. Group Project: â€‹Teams will collaborate to devise AI-driven solutions to a real-world business challenge, applying lessons from the workshop.

Join PIDC and PACDC for a 2-part series on the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP)—a vital funding opportunity for Pennsylvania-based economic development and infrastructure projects.

Part 1, presented by Peter Silow, Vice President, Conduit Services at PIDC, will walk participants through the essentials of RACP, including:

• RACP Grant 101: Where Do You Start? 
• Building Your RACP Team

Whether you’re new to RACP or looking to learn more, this workshop will provide practical insights, tools, and expert guidance.

Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Sharif Street, 3rd Senatorial District 

Click here to register! 

Real strategies for smarter business decisions.

No-cost program for previous Essentials for Success participants & new local suppliers wishing to learn about opportunities with UPMC

Join us for this UPMC Supplier Diversity & Inclusion event designed specifically for small businesses and vendors looking to sharpen their strategy, stay competitive, and position themselves for long-term success in today’s challenging market. 

Morning:

Evaluating the Feasibility of Doing Business at Reduced Margins Learn how to sustain operations and profitability even under tight margins.

You’ll explore:

• Understanding operational efficiencies, cost structures, and pricing strategies for growth

• Identifying operational efficiencies and lean business practices to reduce expenses

• Developing alternative revenue streams and value-added services

• Learning negotiation tactics that help ensure profitability.

Afternoon:

Strategic Product & Vendor Management Training Learn how to take a strategic approach to product selection, pricing, and supply chain management. Participants will gain insights into:

• Evaluating product feasibility

• Navigating regulatory requirements

• Streamlining operations for cost-efficiency

• Strengthening vendor relationships for long-term sustainability.

Breakfast and Lunch to be provided, as well as time for networking

Register Here.

The Navy Yard is turning 25! Join us on June 7 to celebrate at Family Fest: Happy Birthday to Us. Enjoy food trucks, live music, games, and more at Central Green. Bring your kids and friends! Registration is FREE.

Sign up here: navyyard.org/familyfest

Join this dynamic program presented by the Pitt SBDC and master the essentials of contract law, from crafting enforceable agreements to navigating business leases and employee contracts. Empower your small business or startup with the knowledge to secure your interests and avoid common pitfalls in contracts for products, services, and employment. Don't miss this chance to elevate your business acumen!

Join and attorney from MBM Law to discuss contracts. The attorney  will cover the specific laws surrounding contract construction and enforceability and the key provisions common contracts small business owners encounter . The presentation discusses three of the most common types of contracts a new business owner will encounter: (1) a business lease; (2) contracts for products and services; and (3) employee contracts. Attendees will learn about the standard provisions contained in a business lease and how to avoid common pitfalls new business owners face when entering a business lease, the key information to include in their contracts for products and services, and how to protect their business interest with their employee contracts. As a part of the employee contract presentation, attendees will be provided with an overview of how to determine if an individual is an employee or if they qualify as an independent contractor.

Register Here.

Join PIDC and PACDC for a 2-part series on the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP)—a vital funding opportunity for Pennsylvania-based economic development and infrastructure projects.

Part 2 will walk participants through the essentials of RACP, including:

• Winning a RACP Grant & Getting Through Construction presented by Kirsti Bracali, Principal At Dan Bosin Associates 

• Bridging the RACP Grant — Finding the Money to Complete Your RACP Grant Project presented by Ricky Huynh,  Senior Loan Officer, Lending at PIDC 

Whether you’re new to RACP or looking to learn more, this workshop will provide practical insights, tools, and expert guidance.

Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Sharif Street, 3rd Senatorial District

Click here to register! 

• Experienced professionals from the ANSB teams
• Entrepreneurs who leveraged advisory teams to transform their businesses in 12 months
• Q & A with ANSB team members and entrepreneurs

The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) offers Doing Business in the City Workshops to help businesses navigate opportunities, resources, and processes for successfully contracting with the City of Philadelphia. These workshops are designed to support minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) by providing guidance on:

• City procurement processes
• Certification requirements for becoming a registered M/W/DSBE
• How to find and bid on City contracts
• Networking opportunities with City departments, agencies, and prime contractors

The workshops equip businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to access City contracts, expand capacity, and grow sustainably, aligning with Philadelphia's commitment to economic opportunity for all.

The How to Do Business with the School District Workshop provides businesses with valuable insights into partnering with the School District of Philadelphia to access contracting opportunities. This workshop equips business owners with the knowledge and tools needed to access opportunities with the School District of Philadelphia, helping them build strong partnerships and contribute to the district's educational mission.

Presenter: Eric Watkins, Philadelphia School District

Register for this workshop.

Join us for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) training on “RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs: Understanding the Difference.”

This webinar will help you learn how to develop effective responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Quotes (RFQs). During this training, we will explain the differences in these requests and provide small businesses with the most effective strategies for creating effective responses.

This webinar is free and open to all industries.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understanding the power of responding to RFIs and Sources Sought Notices
• Tips on creating effective responses
• Insights from federal contracting officers
• Common mistakes to avoid

Presenters: Claudia Hadley & Kemba Gilmore, Small Business Specialists, GSA OSDBU

Register Here.

Join Philadelphia VIP and Dilworth Paxson LLP on June 18 for a free legal webinar.

This webinar, led by Marjorie McMahon Obod, will cover how to avoid legal issues and minimize personal risk as a business owner.

The webinar is free and open to Philly-area small businesses. The webinar will be held via Zoom and will last approximately one hour, with time for a brief Q&A at the end.

Register here. 

Power Up Your Business brings entrepreneurs and business owners together to learn from one another while providing the education and training to help you adapt to challenges and run your business efficiently. Participants will learn from experienced entrepreneurs through a peer-based learning model.

Through this 12-week, 36-hour program, you will:

• Gain practical skills that can immediately be put into action
• Learn how to create a business improvement plan 
• Learn the foundations of small business management and other tools needed for a successful small businesses
• Work with a team of experts that teach marketing, finance, human resources, operations, insurance, legal matters, and how to develop a tactical improvement plan
• Receive coaching support from a business coach and financial coach

Power Up Your Business is a program offered by Community College of Philadelphia which has a strong history of helping small businesses. In the past six years alone, the college has helped nearly 400 small businesses grow their revenue and jobs, and it has provided counseling and resources to another 1,000 businesses. 

Join PIDC and Community College of Philadelphia as we host a series of information sessions to answer your questions about Power Up Your Business live and provide more information on how you can get involved with this innovative program.

Click here to register through Zoom.