Events/Workshops

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has some excellent online course offering. Click the SBA links to learn more.

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurship readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: various

Proper licenses and permits are necessary to operate a business. This seminar teaches how to obtain tax ID numbers, permits, and licenses. The seminar examines the differences between "C" and "S" Corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and LLC's. Elements that business structures are based on are discussed such as taxes, ownership, responsibility, control, risk, operations, and employee requirements. -Advantages & Disadvantages of each Legal Structure -Legal Structure Quiz -Filing Forms for Selecting an Organizational Structure are Provided

Speaker: Winston Williams, Business Consultant

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: LSBDC Technology Center at LSU Staff

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurship readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: ULL LSBDC Consultant Zachary McNeal

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: Cooper Cochran, director, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSUS

A written business plan enables you to control your business. This seminar covers the detailed parts of a thorough business plan. This seminar is for aspiring entrepreneurs but also serves to create direction for existing owners. • What is a Business Plan and what is it used for? • Full Business Plan Planner Workbook • Worksheets for Financial Projections

Speaker: Youlander Fulton, Business Consultant

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, expanding their business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurial readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include: • Entrepreneurship Readiness • Writing a Business Plan • Sources of Funds for Start-Up and Expansion • Small Business Resources • Required Licenses

Speaker: Sue Arcement, Business Consultant

A written business plan enables you to control your business. This seminar covers the detailed parts of a thorough business plan. This seminar is for aspiring entrepreneurs but also serves to create direction for existing owners. • What is a Business Plan and what is it used for? • Full Business Plan Planner Workbook • Worksheets for Financial Projections

Speaker: Mike Pennison, Business Consultant

This seminar is recommended for individuals exploring business ideas, planning to start or have recently started a small business. Topics of discussion include business feasibility, business planning, souces of funding, small business resources and required licenses.

Speaker: LSBDC counselors

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: Cooper Cochran, director, Louisiana Small Business Development Center

This seminar is recommended for individuals exploring business ideas, planning to start or have recently started a small business. Topics of discussion include business feasibility, business planning, sources of funding, small business resources and required licenses.

Speaker: LSU's Louisiana Business and Technology Center consultants, E.J. Ourso College of Business

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: LSBDC Technology Center at LSU Staff

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurship readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: ULL LSBDC Consultant Zachary McNeal

Over 50% of small businesses are home-based. Get the facts about home-based businesses and learn how to evaluate those business opportunities. Learn about organizing, registering, licensing and permitting processes, as well as the regulations and restrictions of each. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of working at home. • Start-up and Survival Checklists • Top 10 Scam list • Safe Sources and Government Sites

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurship readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: various

The LA. Business and Technology Center is bringing its mobile classroom to Marksville. Numerous business trainers and consultants will be available to provide the entrepreneur with direction and support. The LA. Small Business Devleopment Center will host this workshop; it is recommended for anyone exploring business ideas, planning to start, or wanting to expand a small business. Business plans, cash flow projections, licensing and funding sources will be explored.

Speaker: Mr. Jim Kilcoyne, Acting Center Director

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include: • Entrepreneurship Readiness • Writing a Business Plan • Sources of Funds for Start-Up and Expansion • Small Business Resources • Required Licenses

Speaker: Youlander Fulton, Business Consultant

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, expanding their business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurial readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

The workshop will walk participants through the fundamentals of an international transaction, provide an overview of the basic export-import process and instill a sense of confidence about becoming successful in international trade.

Speaker: Ruperto Chavarri, certified global business consultant with Louisiana Small Business Development Center will conduct the workshop.

Take a guided tour of the Foundation Center's intuitive website, the primary database with which to start your prospect research, to learn which foundations are interested in your mission and who funds what and where. This session gives you an opportunity to search an entire range of grantmakers in the United States. A "must attend" for anyone interested in diversifying their funding stream for the Social Enterprise unit.

This seminar is focused on how to use financial statements to manage profits and measure growth. Program includes: • Liquidity, Leverage, and Liability Structure of the Balance Sheet • Profitability and Productivity of the Income Statement • Cash Flow Statement vs Income Statement • Apply Financial Statement to Your Business • Questions the Bank Asks • Hints & Tools to Better Manage Your Business

Speaker: Winston Williams, Business Consultant

An entrepreneur with a great idea and federal financial backing has the potential to make his idea a real, profitable reality! At "A Meeting of the Minds for Small Business Innovators," programs that can help entrepreneurial pioneers try to obtain such funding will be introduced and explained. Subjects covered at this event will be: *Intellectual Property Process and Disclosure *Competing for Project Funding: the SBIR and STTR Programs *Research & Development Tax Credits *Upcoming Intellectual Property Events

Speaker: Alexis Carrasquel (LSU Middleton Libraries) Roy Keller (LSU Technology Transfer Office) and Susan Bigner (Louisiana Economic Development)

Learn what to do before approaching a lender. This seminar will help identify and assess business' financial needs, identify sources of capital, and prepare the essential documents for a lender or investor. Knowing what the lender is looking for, and the questions the lender wants answered, may improve the chances of money that the business needs. Participants will receive helpful forms to use in preparing a financial package. • Key Questions Lenders Want Answered • Worksheets to Determine Start-up Costs, Personal Financials, and Budgets • Resource Directory

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

If you are in business or considering opening a business, you need to understand the use of credit in the loan process. Do not let your credit stand in the way of following your dreams to own your own business. • Know the Consumer Protection Laws • Understand Credit Scores and What They Mean • Learn How to Solve Credit Problems

Speaker: Youlander Fulton, Business Consultant

This seminar will offer tips and strategies for approaching a banker to obtain a business loan. Topics will include credit scores, financial projections, and bankers' expectations.

Speaker: TBA

This presentation will inform businesses about the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation Financial Programs, Research & Development Tax Credit, Industrial Tax Exemption Program, Restoration Tax Abatement, Quality Jobs, and Enterprise Zone Programs.

Speaker: Louisiana Economic Development

Are you trying to figure out how to grow your company's revenues during this time of economic uncertainty but aren't sure how? Have you thought about exporting as a means to grow and diversify your company's revenue streams but aren't sure how? This seminar might be for you. Here are five compelling reasons to do business in the Caribbean Region: (1) close proximity, (2) 3rd largest market in Latin America for U.S. Exports, (3) cooperative trade relationship, (4) free trade, and (5) regional integration. Topics include: in-depth briefing about the Caribbean region, discuss regional synergies, explain the political and economic history, and discuss the best prospect sectors for U.S. exports to the Caribbean region.

Speaker: Robert O. Jones, Counselor for Commercial Affairs Caribbean Region with the U.S. Department of Commerce

This workshop covers the dos and don'ts of hiring and firing as well as gives an overview of other basic employment law issues such as workers' compensation, employee vs. independent contractor, personnel policies, employee handbooks, maintaining employee records and anti-discrimination laws. Cost: $35 per person.

Speaker: Price Barker, attorney with Cook, Yancey, King & Galloway

Learn the essentials of customer service that will create a positive company image, invite repeat business and solve problems.

Speaker: Dian Lusher, DYNEL Inc

Now that you have QuickBooks, what do you do? This class will provide you eight hours of hands-on instructions in using the many features of this powerful computer bookkeeping system. This workshop will focus on how to set up QuickBooks using the chart of accounts and how to input data correctly for cash, inventory, accounts receivables and payables, sales taxes, credit cards, fixed assets, and reconciliation of checking accounts and credit cards. Experience with QuickBooks has shown that individuals who set up QuickBooks and learn how to input data properly are more like to keep accurate and up-to-date records.

This workshop explores setting up a simple record keeping system, developing a budget, making cash flow projections and preparing financial statements. A basic demonstration of Quickbooks will be included. Workshop price includes a copy of "Keeping the Books" by Linda Pinson ($22.95 value). Each additional person from the same business can attend for $40 (if sharing materials).

Speaker: Peggy Connor, consultant, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSUS

The crux of any business is to operate successfully in a highly competitive world and is measured by the size of the profits that are generated. While a number of other parameters can be used to determine company viability, profit still reigns supreme. Therefore, the key to success in any business is to formulate an effective strategy to increase profits. • Discuss the Keys to Business Success • Profitability Principles • Tangible vs Intangible • Profitability Process • Profitability Action Plan • Profitability Factors

Speaker: Winston Williams, Business Consultant

The way we sell products and services in the marketplace is changing. The usage of traditional media is waning. The use of "connected" media is growing. Business is more relationship-driven than ever. Is your business prepared to compete in today's environment or does your marketing need a makeover. Come and here from the experts. Lunch and materials included.

Speaker: Cindy and William Smith, Kalmbach Smith Meadows

HOW CAN I BE SURE? . . . in a world that’s constantly changing? How can I be sure where I stand with my customers? With my competition? How can I be sure that I’m doing the right thing? Put on your Sherlock Holmes cap and become a super sleuth. This seminar will provide the tools you need to conduct your own search for the facts. Facts that will answer your important business questions and guide your decision-making. Market research doesn’t make decisions or guarantee success, but it IS the foundation of business planning! This seminar guides you through a focused approach that anyone can use at any time to find the right answers to the right questions, to make the right decisions . . . in a world that’s constantly changing.

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

A 12-step program for creating a website that attracts, engages and converts more online visitors. The online world is filled with overpriced websites that underperform for their owners and most of the time, the owners are oblivious to it. In today's economic downtown, doesn't it make sense to maximize the effectiveness of your website so that you can bring in more customers, members, donors, students? Learn what it takes to turn your website from a Zero to a Hero!

Speaker: Jess Marlow, Pixel Fusion

This seminar will offer tips and innovative ways of promoting the business and services provided by your company.

Speaker: LSU's Business and Technology Center, E.J. Ourso College of Business

Word of mouth (WOM) is the most powerful form of promotion, but perhaps the most misunderstood marketing strategy. Learn the keys to successful networking, and tips for planning, interacting and following-up. You will be surprised to find what networking really is . . . and is not! Networking Know-How Tips for the shy guy Articles and Ideas to Expand Your Network

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant Jerre Madere

Are you looking to increase your customer base on a shoestring marketing budget? This seminar will teach you the key marketing points for your product, reveal the secrets to attracting customers, and enable you to determine the layout of your marketing plan. • Free Resources for Marketing and Promoting Your Business • Identify Promotional Tools to Fit Your Business • Define the Foundational 4 P’s of Marketing • Perform a Competitive Analysis • Determine Your Company’s USP (Unique Selling Position)

Speaker: Christian Galvin, Business Consultant

Increase your sales, your foot traffic and exposure to both new and established customers. This seminar will explore all the tools necessary to successfully market and publicize your small business. Learn how to create a marketing strategy, begin your market research, identify target markets and develop your business' marketing plan.

Speaker: Mr. Jim Kilcoyne

A solid website strategy is a must for success in today’s business economy and market and must be integrated into the business operations and marketing strategy of the company. This workshop will teach: • Components of a Successful Website • Website Format Designed to Generate Sales and Profits • Overview of Website Components and Integrated Marketing Strategy • SEBD Program Funding Assistance (through LED to eligible businesses)

Speaker: Christian Galvin, Business Consultant

HOW CAN I BE SURE? . . . in a world that’s constantly changing? How can I be sure where I stand with my customers? With my competition? How can I be sure that I’m doing the right thing? Put on your Sherlock Holmes cap and become a super sleuth. This seminar will provide the tools you need to conduct your own search for the facts. Facts that will answer your important business questions and guide your decision-making. Market research doesn’t make decisions or guarantee success, but it IS the foundation of business planning! This seminar guides you through a focused approach that anyone can use at any time to find the right answers to the right questions, to make the right decisions . . . in a world that’s constantly changing.

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

This seminar provides basic information on patents, search techniques, and general interest information useful to inventors and researchers. An inventor will be present to discuss his experience with patenting. An Intellectual Property Attorney will speak about the patenting process and answer questions.

Speaker: Alexis Carrasquel, LSU Patent Librarian; Wayne Hogue, Inventor and Management Professor; Intellectual Property Attorney from Jones Walker LLP

This seminar provides basic information on patents, search techniques, and general interest information useful to inventors and researchers. An Intellectual Property Attorney will speak about the patenting process and answer questions.A local inventor will talk about his experiences in patenting products. Part of this workshop will be broadcast from LSU in Baton Rouge to LSU Shreveport via distance learning

Speaker: Alexis Carrasquel, LSU Patent Librarian; Intellectual Property Attorney TBA; Wayne Hogue, LSUS Department of Management and Marketing

Dealing with legal issues is part of the job of a small business owner. Learning the basics of business law can make operating your business easier and save you money on legal fees. This seminar will explore the legal environment in which any business must operate in the modern business world. This seminar will include: • Legal Documents • Saving Money on Legal Fees • An Overview of Business Law

Speaker: Al Overman, Business Consultant