Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County is offering evening virtual business workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in starting a business.

The evening workshops, conducted by expert business counselors from the county’s small business team, are offered for the first time for those interested people in small business services but were unable to fit a daytime workshop into their schedule.

“We encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to take advantage of these workshops which give valuable direction and strategies to help business owners chart a course for success,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “By offering evening class times, our small business team makes their services more accessible to our aspiring entrepreneurs.”

The center offers a series of workshops as part of its October schedule that focus on starting a business, business strategies for responding to the pandemic and cash flow. All workshops are free unless otherwise noted and require pre-registration. The October workshop schedule is:

A 360° Perspective on Your Business
October 1 | 1 – 2 p.m.

When everything is important all the time, the question becomes, “What do we focus on now?” In this workshop, you’ll be introduced to GrowthWheel to help you quickly evaluate your business and focus if you want to grow. The workshop is designed for existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Starting a Business
October 7 | 9 – 11 a.m.

Thinking about starting a business? This virtual workshop is designed for individuals who are at the beginning stages of starting a business. Topics like startup costs, financing options and business planning are introduced along with the steps to get started. This workshop is for startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Social Media for Business Growth 2020
October 8 | 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Whether you call it social media, social networking, web 2.0 or internet marketing, many professionals wonder, “Is social media a waste of time or an essential power tool for business in a post-phonebook world?” The answer is yes. Amid all the distractions, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are essential tools for marketing your business. Join us for this entertaining and educational seminar as Terry Bean takes you through the tools and rules of social media. Presented by Terry Bean, founder of Networked Inc. and Motor City Connect.
Cost: $40 | Registration required

Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
October 13 | 11 a.m. – noon

Successful businesses adjust to changing times. New business realities due to COVID-19 require that many new and well-established businesses re-evaluate their business models. This virtual workshop covers three areas of your business that hold clues on how to successfully pivot your business and stay alive. This workshop is for existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Startup Cash Analysis – Don’t Get in Over Your Head
October 13 | 1 – 2 p.m.

This virtual workshop helps new entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of the cash demands required to successfully start a business. With 50 percent of small businesses failing within the first five years, proper startup cash analysis is paramount to a successful launch. Concepts found in the Startup Cash Analysis Workbook (course materials) and estimating cash needs will be covered. Don’t be a statistic. Register today. This workshop is for pre-start businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation
October 14 | 9 – 11 a.m.

If your business is in Oakland County and you need alternative financing, consider a CEED Lending Small Business Loan. The workshop introduces you to the requirements and process necessary to qualify for a CEED loan. CEED Lending is an initiative of Great Lakes Women’s Business Council.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Market Trends During the Coronavirus Crisis: Consumers have Changed, Will You?
October 20 | 1 – 2 p.m.

New customer expectations necessitate changes in business practices. This virtual workshop helps you understand customer expectations, incomes and spending habits during COVID-19. Learn about changes in consumer behavior for business-to-customer (B2C) businesses and identify consumer behaviors that are likely to stick long term. This workshop is for existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

From Good Idea to Great Concept
October 21 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

A great idea is just the first step along an entrepreneurial journey. Learn how to take your idea and build a great business concept that you can implement. Hear how to move from idea to concept and how successful entrepreneurs adjust their concept to give themselves the best chance at creating a successful business. This workshop is for startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

How to Write A Business Plan in The New Economy
October 22 | 11 a.m. – Noon

You’ve finally decided to write that business plan everyone says you need. Excited? Dreading it? Not sure where to start? We can help! Follow along with our step-by-step approach. Prepare a business plan that gives your business direction, defines your objectives, maps out strategies to achieve your goals and helps you to manage possible bumps in the road. This workshop is designed for entrepreneurs interested in writing their first business plan or want to improve a plan to get their business to the next level. This workshop is for existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required

Projecting Cash Flow – Overcoming Business Interruptions and Beyond
October 27 | 1 – 2 p.m.

This may be the most important class a small business owner will ever take. This virtual workshop helps you gain a greater understanding of the cash demands required to successfully manage a business, including an introduction to the use and concepts found in the Cash Flow Projection Workbook (course materials). A good cash flow management system is paramount to the success of your business. This workshop is for new and existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
For more information, contact Karlie Robinson at [email protected].