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Business Classes, April – June, 2011
April
Starting Your Business
April 5
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.

Women, Minority & Service Disabled Veteran Certification
April 7
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Learn how to fill out the State of Florida Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) application and discover opportunities available for women, minority, and service-disabled veteran owned firms in both the government and private sectors. Cost: $10 includes materials.

Websites & Web-Marketing for Business
April 14
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 complement 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
April 26
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
April 28
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 locate federal opportunities, and the steps necessary to obtain federal certifications, and so much more! A course fee of $10 includes materials.

May
Starting Your Business
May 3
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
May 5
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.

Marketing Your Small Business
May 10
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
May 12
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.

LinkedIn for Business
May 17
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
LinkedIn is an easy to use online professional networking site without the hassles of face to face networking. This straight-forward seminar will help both first time and experienced LinkedIn users make the most of their time using LinkedIn to meet customers, suppliers, and partners. Presented by Net Weave Social Networking.  Cost: $25.

June
Starting Your Business
May 3
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.

WorkNet Programs & Services
June 9
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 Work Net can help connect you with a multitude of business resources and services to meet your needs. Registration is free.

Women, Minority & Service Disabled Veteran Certification
June 16
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Learn how to fill out the State of Florida Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) application and discover opportunities available for women, minority, and service-disabled veteran owned firms in both the government and private sectors. Cost: $10 includes materials.

Building the Ultimate Business Plan
June 21
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
A business plan 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: $70 includes software and materials.

Understanding SBA Loans
June 23
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.

Special Offerings

Small Business Lending Fair
Aug. 25
This event offers business owners the opportunity to approach a variety of small business lenders and have one-on-one conversations about their specific business needs. This special event is held one time each fall in the Epi-Center convention space. A $50 vendor fee includes table and electricity.

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

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(727) 453-7200

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