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Posted: 9/07/21

TAMIU SBDC Celebrates SBA National Small Business Week, Offers Free, Virtual Workshops in September

 

TAMIU SBDC
Norma Rodríguez  

As part of its observance of National Small Business Week during the month of September, Texas A&M International University's Small Business Development Center (TAMIU SBDC) and its national and Texas SBDC partners will present free, virtual workshops that include various training sessions for current and future small business owners.

This year, National Small Business Week (NSBW) is celebrated from Sept. 13 - 15.

Virtual events will spotlight the resilience of America's entrepreneurs as well as the renewal of the small business economy as they build back better from the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic, said Norma Rodríguez, SBDC director. Some offerings begin Thursday, Sept. 9.

For more than 50 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has celebrated NSBW, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Rodríguez said the TAMIU SBDC encourages anyone who is or is interested in operating a small business to participate in the workshops. The Texas workshops are presented by the TAMIU SBDC and its partners, the South-West Texas Border Region SBDC's and SCORE Austin.

"Attending the TAMIU SBDC virtual workshops lets you meet and learn from creative and passionate individuals who can inspire you and put you back on track with your goals or objectives," Rodríguez said, "Take advantage of attending the virtual workshops so you can discover an innovative way to direct your business to become successful and profitable."

All trainings offered as part of NSBW are free and can be accessed virtually by anyone interested in participating.

For the Texas-organized workshops, Anna Hay, founder of Learn the Ropes, a customer service, sales and marketing training firm, has presented three free virtual seminars ranging in topics from  customer service excellence to personal growth.

One of the last two of these sessions is Thursday, Sept. 16, from 9 - 10 a.m., in a webinar titled, "You are the BRAND - In Person Marketing," Hay will discuss how to identify and strategically create a target list and accurately qualify one's prospects. Participants will learn how to develop and build trust and loyalty with decision-makers and how to connect with gatekeepers. They will also learn how to close the sale, answer all objects, and create a sense of urgency for solutions. Participants will receive a certificate of completion for this training session. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3EffVTp

On Thursday, Sept. 30, from 9 - 10 a.m., Hay will present a session titled, "Do It Anyway-Personal Growth Road Map." Participants will learn how to develop a new sense of discipline that will give them the confidence to move forward on their new career path or personal journey. The webinar will help participants identify their successes and to strengthen them in areas where they need extra guidance. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3nC8OOS

Aside from Hay's presentation, three other free, virtual presentations will be offered this September.

On Thursday, Sept. 23, from 12 - 1 p.m.,  CJ Petitt, owner of MY HR Consulting, and Jeremy David, SBDC advisor, will present, "The Great Resignation: Goodbye 9-5." During 2020, employers struggled to hire. In 2021, employers are struggling to both hire and retain. In whatʼs called the "Great Resignation," valuable, long-term employees are quitting for better telework arrangements or to start their own businesses. Meanwhile, inflation and labor cost have risen dramatically. In this round-table event, participants will discuss the current trends and recommendations for finding and keeping their best employees. Participants will hear from an expert panel to help small businesses thrive in 2021. To register, visit https://bit.ly/37MI2KF

Also, on Wednesday, Sept. 29 from 10 - 11 a.m., during a presentation titled, "Where's the Money Now," Gerri Detweiler, education director for Nav, and Ty Kiisel, main street business advocate, author, and marketing veteran, will discuss the current lending landscape in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis. They will explore questions such as: Who is lending and what has changed? How do you find financing for your business as we move beyond PPP and EIDL? Participants will learn about myriad financial options and  the crucial factors lenders are evaluating now. To register, visit https://bit.ly/38wyyDW

On Thursday, Sept. 30, from 10 - 11 a.m., Doug Mansfield, president and founder of Mansfield Marketing LLC, will present "Build Your Website on a Budget." In this presentation, participants will learn how to build a website using affordable resources and services. Also, during the webinar, participants will focus on simple but professional tools for building a business website and managing it without paying others. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3DNoG7d

For more information, contact the TAMIU SBDC at 956.326.2827, www.tamiu.edu/sbdc, email sbdc@tamiu.edu. or follow its social media channels on Facebook and Instagram @TAMIUSBDC.