Tampa Bay's Latest Business News

Starting Your Business
Jan. 4
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
If you have an idea to start a business, we can show you what to do next. This complete step by step seminar will walk you through the necessary steps to starting a business of your own. Learn how to evaluate your idea, determine the feasibility, choose a legal structure, and obtain necessary licenses and permits you will need. Registration is free.

Doing Business with Pinellas County
Jan. 6
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Pinellas County’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program ensures local small businesses have opportunities to participate in the competitive process for County contracts.  This seminar provides information about the County purchasing system as well as personal assistance with the registration process for doing business with County Government.  Registration is free.

Websites & Web-Marketing for Business
Jan. 13
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
A website is often the first and most important impression customers have about your business. Learn effective web site and Internet marketing tactics that compliment your marketing strategy. This class will help you get the most out of your web designer and Internet advertising suppliers. Presented by AdSharp.com. Cost: $25.

Understanding QuickBooks
Jan. 25
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Setting up a chart of accounts, creating invoices, paying bills, writing checks and tracking customers – QuickBooks makes it all easier. This introductory class takes you through the basics of the software program. Presented by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents. Cost: $25 includes course materials.

Doing Business with the Federal Government
Jan. 27
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ready…Set…Sell to the Federal Government! The USF Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will provide information on how to register with the Federal Government, how to located federal opportunities, and the steps necessary to obtain federal certifications, and so much more! A course fee of $10 includes materials.

February
Starting Your Business
Feb. 1
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
If you have an idea to start a business, we can show you what to do next. This complete step by step seminar will walk you through the necessary steps to starting a business of your own. Learn how to evaluate your idea, determine the feasibility, choose a legal structure, and obtain necessary licenses and permits you will need. Registration is free.

Email Marketing with Constant Contact
Feb. 3
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join representatives from Constant Contact and learn all the trades of online marketing and social media. In this seminar you will find out how to increase sales through email campaigns that can transform your business. It does not matter if you are promoting an event, product, or service; this seminar will provide you with information on social media management tools to boost your bottom line. Registration is free.

Marketing Your Small Business
Feb. 8
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost cutting is only a temporary way to shore-up your bottom line. At some point you must attract and retain new customers. Effective, strategic, marketing is the key to growing revenue. Learn the secrets of strategic marketing! Discover real strategies you can use to win new customers and outsmart the competition. Cost: $25 includes course materials.

Accounting & Tax Procedures
Feb. 10
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
This seminar is designed to help small business owners understand proper accounting procedures and record keeping requirements necessary to manage your business and to calculate payroll, and pay state and federal taxes. Presented by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents. Cost: $25 includes course materials.

Facebook for Business
Feb. 15
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Perfect for both first time and experienced Facebook users, this seminar will help you understand the proper way to present your business to the world on Facebook. Your customers are probably already talking about your products and services on Facebook why not be a part of it. Presented by Net Weave Social Networking.  Cost: $25.

March
Starting Your Business
Mar. 1
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
If you have an idea to start a business, we can show you what to do next. This complete step by step seminar will walk you through the necessary steps to starting a business of your own. Learn how to evaluate your idea, determine the feasibility, choose a legal structure, and obtain necessary licenses and permits you will need. Registration is free.

Doing Business with Pinellas County
Mar. 3
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Pinellas County’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program ensures local small businesses have opportunities to participate in the competitive process for County contracts.  This seminar provides information about the County purchasing system as well as personal assistance with the registration process for doing business with County Government.  Registration is free.

Building the Ultimate Business Plan
Mar. 15
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Business planning is the foundation to starting a new venture, raising funds or growing your business. Receive the tools necessary to complete a practical business plan, including a copy of the Ultimate Business Planner software. Our expert advice simplifies conducting necessary research to make decisions and develop financial projections. Cost: $90 includes software and materials.

WorkNet Programs & Services
Mar. 17
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WorkNet Pinellas has forged public-private partnerships to provide employment solutions that work for small business. These partnerships provide valuable links to various human resource and recruitment tools to assist employers in their hiring efforts. In this workshop you will learn how WorkNet can help connect you with a multitude of business resources and services to meet your needs. Registration is free.

Understanding SBA Loans
Mar. 24
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Does your small business need a loan? The Small Business Administration (SBA) just received $730 million in stimulus money to aid small businesses. We’ll walk you through the most relevant SBA programs available to small businesses seeking credit, and how to increase your chances of getting one. Cost: $10.

Note: Class topics are subject to change based on demand, scheduling, and availability.
Special Offerings
FastTrac TechVenture
Call to schedule & register: (727) 453-7200
The FastTrac® TechVenture program was created by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a model for bringing together technology entrepreneurs, mentors, and business experts to create a network to help early stage technology entrepreneurs build their ideas into a business venture. TechVenture strives to connect technology entrepreneurs to the best resources available in our community.  A course fee of $499 includes materials, business coaches and mentors.

NxLeveL Business Planning
Call to schedule & register (727) 453-7200
NxLeveL is the premier training program for future entrepreneurs and existing small businesses needing to test the feasibility of their business concept and develop a complete business plan suitable for obtaining financing and managing the growth of a small business.  A course fee of $499 includes a textbook, workbook and class sessions with expert speakers.
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The Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County offers business training, counseling, referrals and resources. Seminars held at the Center fill quickly and advanced registration is requested. Classes are cancelled on holidays or any day county offices are closed.

www.pced.org/sbdc
Contact Information
Request Counseling Appointment

(727) 453-7200

13805 58th Street N.
Suite 1-200
Clearwater, FL 33760