This session is one of three parts in the Business Foundations Series for new and early stage businesses (1 year or less and $50,000 or less in annual revenue). Each session can be taken in any order. Taking all three provides a better understanding of the core business principals of Management, Marketing and Money. An understanding of these concepts is the foundation of business success and will better prepare you for 1-on-1 advising sessions with your SBDC Advisor.

This part of the series focuses on Marketing. Every new or early stage business owner should have a working knowledge of these principles to create a sound marketing strategy and actionable go-to-market plan.

Marketing:
• Building your brand • Market Research • Identifying Your Target Customer • Free Marketing Options • Paid Marketing Options • Build a Budget • Strategize your Marketing Plan

LEARN MORE HERE

Got questions about hiring at your new business such as: How and when should I hire an employee? What's the difference between and employee and a "contractor"? Which is right for your business? This class in our Start-up Toolbox series will cover the basics and give you the tools you need to get the help you need at your small business.

LEARN MORE HERE

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you're not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business plan, marketing your new business and figuring out how to determine which licenses and permits you really need to launch your new venture.

LEARN MORE HERE

Join us for a dynamic half-day business conference for small business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage!

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this event will equip you with the insights and strategies you need to thrive. Our expert-led sessions will cover essential topics like leveraging AI for business growth, securing capital, mastering marketing, scaling efficiently, and creating a powerful vision for long-term success. Beyond the training, you’ll have the opportunity to network with like-minded business owners, exchange ideas, and build valuable connections that can help propel your business forward. Don’t miss this chance to gain actionable knowledge and expand your network—register today!

LEARN MORE HERE

The format of c-e2 will consist of a pitch from an early-stage company with time for Q&A, and a Fireside chat session. The Early Stage Company Pitch will spotlight one start-up each month. The Fireside chat session will get in the trenches with a successful entrepreneur who will share first-hand experiences and perhaps some outlandish secrets, so other entrepreneurs may discover valuable lessons learned.

LEARN MORE HERE

In this hands-on class, participants will learn how to bake a simple, delicious loaf of bread while also diving into key topics like ingredient sourcing, recipe costing, and more. Whether you're baking for friends or considering selling your goods, this class will help you feel confident navigating food safety and cottage food laws. Our goal is for every home baker to leave empowered with both practical skills and the knowledge to take the next step toward selling legally and safely.

REGISTER HERE

This ServSafe® Manager Certification Training Course was developed by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. The ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification is recognized by the Virginia Department of Health as meeting the requirements to be a Certified Food Protection Manager.

VCE offers the program locally to food service workers at restaurants, hospitals, schools, and child care centers. Participants receive instruction about food safety concepts such as sanitation, food storage, safety regulations, pest management, and safe food-handling practices. 

The Virginia Food Regulations require that each food establishment employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who has supervisory and management responsibilities.

REGISTER HERE

This class is designed for individuals working in various roles, including food service staff, cooks, and servers. It offers a simplified version of the ServSafe curriculum, ensuring that you gain a solid foundation in food safety principles. Upon successful completion, you will receive a valuable Certificate of Attendance, valid for three years. Join us for this informative 3-hour session, completely free of charge. Held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville.

REGISTER HERE

Get ready for opening day! Join this live webinar (Zoom) to learn the following startup essentials:

• Legal forms

• Tax registration and filing

• Naming your company

• Finance and Accounting

• Employees vs Contractors

• Foundations for your business plan

Speaker: Bernard Ferret - Senior Business Counselor, Mason SBDC & Serial Entrepreneur

Co-sponsor(s) & Partner(s): Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism & Prince William Chamber of Commerce

Cancellation Policy: Kindly contact us (email - help@masonsbdc.org or call 703-261-4105) at least 24-business hours prior to the event for cancellations

Special Instruction: This live webinar will be presented via Zoom. Webinar access details (Zoom invitation) will be provided after registration

Fee: No Cost

Register Here

You’ve gotten your LLC and your EIN, and now you need to know about those next steps for your new business. For this workshop, will review some basic taxes and expenses you need to be aware of for your new business. This class is designed to be a quick review of: What tax liabilities are you responsible for? Who do I pay the taxes to? How often do the taxes need to be paid How will I keep up with what money is the businesses and mine? How do I stay in compliance?

Speaker(s): Jamie Reynolds

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Need to understand the basics about finding funding, types of lending, and finding financing a small business? In this Start Up Toolbox, we cover what to expect from the bank and what the bank will expect of you. We also discuss some of the most common ways to find funding while demystifying and defining some of the types of financing that is available to a startups - so you can make the right choice for your new business and set goals for the future. This class is taught live and on-line.

Speaker(s): Jordan Reeves

Register Here

Updated for 2025

Businesses need to understand the basics of digital marketing now more than ever, because digital marketing creates growth.

Learn about the basics of digital marketing, including:

• Social Media

• Email Marketing

• Paid Ads

• SEO

• Affiliate Marketing

• How to use analytics to measure your success

A confirmation email with the Zoom login information will be sent after registration - a day before before the event - please be on the lookout for it.

Instructor: Cameron Nelson, CEO of Tenzing Startup Consultants

Mr. Nelson has over 20 years experience in technology, and as a senior tech consultant in Silicon Valley helping Fortune 500 companies improve their digital marketing and eCommerce. At the same time he founded several tech companies, including a SaaS website for tree preservation and a blockchain platform for nonprofits. Cameron is accomplished in language, culture, has an MBA and MA and believes new technology products have the ability to help shape our world for the better.

Register Here

This session is one of three parts in the Business Foundations Series for new and early stage businesses (1 year or less and $50,000 or less in annual revenue). Each session can be taken in any order. Taking all three provides a better understanding of the core business principals of Management, Marketing and Money. An understanding of these concepts is the foundation of business success.

Business Foundations - Money covers the crucial topics businesses need for sustainability and growth. In this session, you’ll get an overview of the following:

Money: Essential Financial Information for long-term success • Access to Capital • Loans and Grants • Bootstrapping • Investments

Register Here

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you’re not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you’re not sure if it will make a profitable company. We’ll cover the importance of creating a business plan, figuring out how to determine which licenses and permits you really need, and what other resources are available to launch your new venture.

This 90-minute class is designed to answer the most common, basic questions about the first steps to starting a business and to help you determine next.

Register Here

Entrepreneurship in the startup world is a journey filled with highs and lows. In this webinar, we’ll explore real-world lessons from launching and scaling a tech startup, highlighting both successes and setbacks.

Attendees will gain insights into overcoming challenges, making strategic pivots, and leveraging wins to fuel growth. Key topics include funding struggles, product-market fit, leadership hurdles, and scaling strategies. This session is designed for aspiring and current tech entrepreneurs looking to navigate the complexities of startup life with resilience and insight.

Home-Based Business: Start up Lessons: Wins & Woes

Speaker(s): Katie Van Winkle Anatomist & Founder Anatokey

Co-Sponsor(s): Co-Sponsored by the Peninsula Home-Based Business Network (York County, Hampton, James City County, Williamsburg, Poquoson, Newport News, & Gloucester departments of Economic Development)

Questions? Please call 757-664-2592

Register Here

Some of the most popular reasons to start a business include-having a unique business idea, designing a career that has the flexibility to grow with you, working toward financial independence, and investing in yourself. Prepare to start a successful business: Evaluate your entrepreneurial abilities Marketing strategies Financial resources Legal form of organization Tips to prepare & present your business plan Cybersecurity Tips Not every small business is positioned for success, so you may be in for a real challenge when you decide to take the plunge, ditch your day job, and become a business owner. The stage is often set in the beginning, so make sure you start with a strong foundation.

Speaker(s): Presented and taught by Michael Scales, Longwood SBDC Business Analyst

Co-Sponsor(s): Longwood SBDC, George Mason University, Virginia Small Business Development Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, PHCC, GoVA

Fee: No Cost

Register Here

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you're not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business plan, marketing your new business and figuring out how to determine which licenses and permits you really need to launch your new venture.

This will be a virtual class with two parts:

Part 1: Online video lessons you will watch on your own as soon as you are registered (link will be provided after you register).

Part 2: A live, online, virtual Q & A session on Tuesday, April 15th at 10:30am via Zoom.

Register Here

Topic: Government Contracting

Topic: SBA Guaranteed Loans

Grab your lunch and join us the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners.

The SBA 7a and 504 loan programs are designed for businesses gain capital to start and grow their businesses.

Key Takeaways:

How SBA loan programs can help small businesses achieve financing to start or grow business
Types of SBA loans
Documentation needed by lenders when applying for a small business loan

Speaker(s): Carl Knoblock, SBA District Director of the Virginia District Office. Carl Knoblock currently works for the Small Business Administration and prior to becoming District Director, Knoblock owned a couple of small businesses from manufacturing to service industries. He served as C-Level executive for several innovative startups. Carl started as the district director for Virginia in June 2014.

If you need further assistance or have a question, please contact us at (540)654-1383

Register Here

Got a business idea or side hustle you’re ready to kick off? Join us for "Get Started", an online workshop that’ll help you tackle the basics of starting your own business. Whether you're brand new to the business world or just need to fine-tune your plan, this session is for you!

What we’ll cover:

How to officially register your business Getting the permits and licenses you’ll need Setting up payroll and tracking your money Tips to market your business and get noticed Creating a simple, one-page business plan

This is your chance to get practical advice and step-by-step guidance to help turn your idea into a reality. Let’s get you started!

Register Here

This ServSafe® Manager Certification Training Course was developed by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. The ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification is recognized by the Virginia Department of Health as meeting the requirements to be a Certified Food Protection Manager.

VCE offers the program locally to food service workers at restaurants, hospitals, schools, and child care centers. Participants receive instruction about food safety concepts such as sanitation, food storage, safety regulations, pest management, and safe food handling practices. 

The Virginia Food Regulations require that each food establishment employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who has supervisory and management responsibilities.

Register HERE

You’re starting or have started your new small business. Great!! But . . . you’re worried about what your sales will be, or if you can make a profit and how you will manage your cash flow. If you need help in any of these areas, this webinar is for you! We’ll review calculating your startup costs, projecting sales, creating a projected profit and loss statement and cashflow statement.

All registrants will receive access to webinar materials in advance, and link to the recorded webinar after the live event.

Presented by SCORE

Register HERE

Promoting your business is key to reaching your targeted customers and driving sales. This webinar will introduce you to essential promotional methods, including networking, referrals, social media, content marketing, email marketing, and SEO. You'll learn how to identify the most effective techniques for your business and craft a promotional plan that aligns with your goals and customer behaviors. Whether you're just starting out or refining your strategies, this session offers valuable insights to elevate your marketing efforts.

What You'll Learn:

• How to recognize and select promotional methods that resonate with your targeted customers.

• The fundamentals of digital marketing, including SEO and social media advertising.

• Steps to create and implement a successful promotional plan.

*Note: It is recommended, but not required, to attend “Marketing Part 1: Developing Your Marketing Plan” before this webinar.

Presented by SCORE

Register HERE

Many entrepreneurs struggle to sell their products or services effectively, but it doesn’t have to be this way. This dynamic webinar will guide you through building a marketing roadmap that sets your business up for success. Learn how to identify your ideal clients, create a compelling value proposition, conduct competitor analysis, and implement strategic pricing that drives profits. This session, provides actionable insights to help you confidently begin drafting your marketing plan.

Presented by SCORE

Register Here

c-e2 is a casual gathering of learning for entrepreneurs at all stages of venture creation. Get inspired, meet fellow entrepreneurs, share lessons learned, and become a part of Charlottesville’s vibrant and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

More Information Here

You have a great business idea, but what is the next step? How do you turn your idea into a great product or service? In this webinar, we show you how to write your "Value Proposition" and use the "Lean Canvas" to capture key ideas, concepts and strategies about your business. When you leave the webinar, you'll be able to draft your own one-page business plan.

All registrants will receive access to webinar materials in advance, and link to the recorded webinar after the live event.

Presented by SCORE

Register Here

Discover a variety of tactics you can implement immediately to build your Google authority and be more competitive in search results for your business category. SEO is based on over 200 factors that Google considers to determine your rank position. We’ll focus on those factors most highly weighted by Google and those which we can most directly and effectively influence. Together, we’ll optimize your website, local business listings and social media with a clear SEO strategy to grow your business.

Presented by SCORE Washington DC

Register Here