Peggy S. Patrick, Abigail McGuire and Actis Wealth Management Present

SMALL BUSINESS:

START, GROW & SUCCEED

THANK YOU for your interest in our first Small Business Seminar!

 Are you thinking about starting a business?  Are you a sole proprietor working out of your home?  Are you an independent consultant or agent?  Do you have an internet business or a storefront?  Do you have employees?  Whatever the nature of your small business, we have an outstanding day planned to educate and assist with the success of your business. 

This seminar is offered as an educational and assistance tool for small business owners to become more successful.  A variety of topics will be addressed in the speaking presentations.  And consultants will be on hand to answer questions and advise on any aspect of your business:  what it takes to start a business, creating a business plan, getting your personal credit in order for a business loan, the best way to market your business, fitting all your business activities into the day, and any other challenges to the success of your business.

This small business seminar will be held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  at Lotus Moments and Events Center, 2134 E. Grand, in Des Moines.  See Driving Directions link at the left side of this page.  Parking is available in lots around the building or on the street.  Light refreshments will be available.  There is no charge to attend.

We have a great lineup of speakers on subjects of current interest to small business owners.  Consultants from the public sector – such as SCORE and ISED – and from private industry will be available to share their expertise in one-on-one 20-minute consultations.  During the registration process, you will be presented with a list of the presentations and consultation topics.  Select the presentations you will attend and the topics on which you would like consultation by clicking on the related checkboxes.  Request consultation on topics not listed by entering your request in the text box following the consultation topics.  There is also a text box for Questions or Comments.   Following registration, you will receive a schedule confirming your seat in the presentations, your consultation times, and the time you should arrive for checkin.

Review the complete description of presentations below and select the Register Now! button at the bottom of the page.

-----Registration deadline is Monday, February 27th -----

    

Current Presentation Schedule

(subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances)

 

 

8:45 - 9 a.m. -- Introduction by Abigail McGuire, Business Development Manager for Business Results Academy, and Brian Thompson, Independent Wealth Manager, Actis Wealth Management.

9 - 9:50 a.m. -- “How to Start a Small Business in a Down Cycle and Be Successful”  This panel discussion includes 3 representatives of the financial industry:  Dave Ogburn, Assistant Vice President with U. S. Bank, Mark Kilian, CEO of Community Business Lenders, and Jeff Williams, Loan Administrator with Iowa MicroLoan. Their discussion will address:  do’s and don’ts when planning for small business financing (ways to avoid rejection); how to succeed when starting a business and who should be on your team; and what does the crystal ball say about the future?

 10 -10:50 a.m. -- "Maximizing Every Minute of Every Day" Alan Feirer, Owner of Group Dynamic, will present resolutions to the challenges of time management and prioritizing and will involve the audience in his demonstrations.

11 - 11:30 a.m. -- "Leap Into Your Goals!"  Tom Swartwood, Professor at Drake University, will inspire us to achieve business goals in 2012 and will also discuss his program for assisting women entrepreneurs.

11:40 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. -- Marketing and Advertising are highly valuable components to a successful business.  This presentation will include a sampling of options you can choose:

• "Benefits of a Chamber of Commerce Membership" by Sadie Trytten, Executive Director of the East   Des Moines-South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
•  "Networking, Networking, Networking!" by Mary Anne Kennedy, Owner/President of Primary Source, Inc.  Mary Anne will discuss the value of networking as a marketing tool and offer a few pointers on getting started
• "Social Media: It's Not About You" by Melissa Khodai-Burkheimer, Owner of 3KB Graphics, on utilizing social media and company websites
• "Marketing for the Shoestring Budget" by Peggy Patrick, Owner of Biz Source Iowa.  Peggy will discuss free and reasonably-priced marketing/advertising resources

 

Register Now!