About the Speakers:
Lisa Powell has been with the US Small Business Administration since 1998. She came on board as paralegal to the District Counsel. Through the years, she started to get more involved with the business development and lender relations aspects of the SBA. As an Economic Development Specialist, she provides workshoips on topics such as Starting a business and Writing a Business Plan. As a Business Opportunity Specialist, she provides contracting workships on how tro do business with the Sate of CT and the Federal Government.
Frank Alvarado is the Senior Area Manager and Veterans Affairs Officer for the SBA CT District Office, working out of the Bridgeport Federal Building. Frank has been working in banking and economic development for over 40 years in both the public and private sectors. A retired Air Force Senior NCO, Frank works with veterans organizations in Connecticut to aid military members interested in entrepreneurship. Frank is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College and holds an MBA from the University of New Haven.
Tanisha Baptiste began working at the US Small Business Administration, CT District Office in 2014. She currently functions as the District Administrative Officer, a role in wihich she handles all administrative efforts in the office, works as an Economic Development Specialist, and assists the Veterans Business Development Specialist. Tanisha is a Veteran of the US Army. She is currently pursuing an MBA at the UConn School of Business.
Are you a budding entrepreneur? If so, you should definitely check out the SBA's Fall Small Business Series!
Fall Series Sessions:
October 11th: How to Start Your Own Business, Lisa Powell
Have you ever thought about starting a business? Doing it right from the start is important to your success. A great place to start is this free seminar that helps point your tin the right direction. This seminar will cover topics such as choosing a business name and structure, licensing, and registrations
October 25th: ABC's of a Business Plan and Understanding SWOT Analysis, Lisa Powell
How important is it to have a business plan? Do you know what a SWOT analysis is? Can the two be connected? You will learn the importance of both, what they are used for, what information they should contain, and what they say about your business.
November 1st: How to Finance Your Small Business, Frank Alvarado
Finding capital for your small business is NOT impossible. Get pointers from the SBA about our loan guarantee program, our micro-lending program, and other available means of financing.
November 15th: How to Market Your Business, Tanisha Baptiste
What can a marketing plan do for a small business? This seminar will help you understand many ways to reach and manage your competitive position in your target market, achieve your goals, and bring you a returnh on your investment. Topics will include traditional marketing tactics, social media options, potential pitfalls, budget/cost control, and how to determine if your time and money was well-spent.
November 29th: Contracting 101, Lisa Powell
Would you like to know if contracting is right for you? Want to konw how to do business with the State of Connecticut, municipalities, the private sector, as well as the Federal Government? This seminar will cover where you need to be registered, where to find the bids as well as Sate and Federal set-aside programs.
All sessions run from 5:30 - 7:30PM