St. Petersburg. City of St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center Business Training & Counseling Schedule. April May June 2010.

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1 St. Petersburg City of St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center Business Training & Counseling Schedule April May June 2010 City Hall Annex 440 Second Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL For Workshop Registration and Business Counseling Appointments: Phone: or Fax: Need Extra Help? Mayor's Business Support Line: Phone: slpetel'llnlrl

2 St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commitment. CoDaboratlon and Integrity" Purpose The purpose of the St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center (BAC) is to provide a one-stop facility to assist emerging and existing businesses by providing a full range of business support services. Below is a list of the services and training workshops offered at the Center. Business Resource Center (BRC) - The Business Resource Center is located within the Business Assistance Center. It has personal computers equipped with business software to help you write your business plan (including Business Plan Pro, with over 500 sample plans), Internet access, interactive videos, and an extensive business reference library. Small Business Enterprise Program (SBE) - The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program is a race and gender neutral program intended to enhance contracting and procurement opportunities to include construction services, professional services, and supplies for small business enterprises domiciled in Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough or Manatee County. If interested in SBE certification, and for information about additional qualifying criteria, please call the BAC at (727) Counseling Business Counseling - An individual meeting with a business counselor to assess steps and plans for business startup or expansion. Counseling by appointments. Business Loan Counseling and Assistance - Meet with a local loan intermediary (a non-profit business lender) to discuss your plans to finance your business and receive help to identify conventional and non-conventional loan sources. Workshop Descriptions Advertising: How to Make it Work for You (Intermediate): Strategize then Advertise! Workshop topics include: the media; positioning your business; the Internet; and marketing tips for An Approach to Buying a Business - Learn about due diligence, business valuation techniques, and other vital information you should consider when buying a business. Basics of Bonding/Part 2- Offering bonding to your clients can help you to acquire more jobs, revenue and profits! Learn the pitfalls surety writers look for and how to avoid them. SBA Surety Bond Guaranty Program included. Business Incentives & Services - An overview of tax credits and refunds for qualifying businesses; and zoning & permitting services for startup and expansion. Credit Education - A hands-on clinic for learning how to obtain your (free) credit report and credit score (credit card needed) on-line. Learn what credit is, how it works and the role it plays in your life. Disaster Preparedness for Small Business Owners - Strategies for preparing your business for hurricane season or other potential disasters. Includes SBA Disaster Recovery Loan information. Effective Use of the Computer in Small Business - Learn how computers can enhance your business for startup, marketing, sales, and finance. Estimating & Bidding - Industry estimators discuss what it takes to create practical, reliable bids and estimates that are cost effective for your company's bottom line. Introduction to Learn about small business financing programs and requirements. Employee vs. Independent Contractor - Learn how to ensure IRS compliance and avoid penalties with an understanding of the true definition of "employees" and "independent contractors". How to Make Your Business Thrive, Not Just Survive - A systematic approach to solving business How to Do Business with the City of St. Petersburg - Learn to become an SBE and an approved vendor, l?cate bid opportunities and be on bid How to Write a Business Plan - Learn the fundamental concepts and process of writing a business plan. Introduction to Business Startup/10 Steps to Start a Successful Small Business Covers concept feasibility, marketing, business planning, financing and licensing issues. Legal Structures - Learn the most common legal structures to consider when starting a business, including advantages and disadvantages of each, and more! Marketing Your Small Business (Intro.) Learn your target market, competition, business environment, etc., and how to write and implement a marketing plan. Planning for Your Business - Discover the purpose and contents of business planning, management strategies and reasons why businesses fail. Pricing Fundamentals - Gross Profit, Margin & Markup - Learn about bid preparations, with a financial overview of how gross profit, margin & markup affect your pricing and profitability. QuickBooks (QB) Basics Pt. 1 Highlights include financial management, computerized bookkeeping systems and selecting the right QB program. Some hands-on computer training. SBA 8(a) & HUBZone Certification Programs Includes eligibility requirements, the application process and an overview of federal government con-

3 St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commitment, Collaboration and Integrity" Workshop Descriptions continued... SBA Programs and Services, Recovery Act Stimulus - Access to Capital -An overview of the U.S. Small Business Administration's loan programs and resources. Search Engine Optimization - Learn the basics of how to get found on the web and what you should hire someone else to do. Prerequisites. $20 Register Now Social Networking & Slogging - Basics of how to set up and use a blog and social media pages and develop a strategy to market your business. Prerequisites* $20 Register Now Social Media - Learn the benefits and risks associated with the use of social media as a marketing tool. $20 Register Now Web Design & Hosting - Learn what consumers look for on websites; how to create a call to action; how to collect visitor information to build your marketing database; what to look for in a web hosting company; and questions to ask a web designer before you hire them.prerequisites* $20 Register Now *Recommended Prerequisites for Web-based Workshops: Marketing & Advertising. Register at Let us Help! Training Counseling Startups Growth Are you Ready to Remake Your Business? The BAC is aware of the difficult economic challenges our small businesses are facing. We are here to assist. Mayor's Business Support Line (New!) - Align your business with the support and capacity-building services provided by the BAC. Access a team of business professionals to assess your situation and develop a timely solution businesssupportline@stpete.org Featured Workshops Planning for Your Business; How to Make Your Business Thrive, Not Just Survive; SBA Programs & Services Business Resource Center {BRC) Business Plan Pro (over 500 business plan templates) Business Counseling SCORE and USF Small Business Development Center Workshop Curriculum Business Startup 1 Introduction to Small Business Startup 2. Planning for Your Business 3. How to Write a Business Plan 4. Legal Structures i Business Management 1. QuickBooks Basics 2. Effective Business Use of Your Computer 3. How to Make Your Business Thrive Not Just Survive 4. Florida Sales Tax Program 5. An Approach to Buying A Business Business Finance 1. SBA Programs and Services-Access to Capital 2. Financing Your Business 3. Credit Education/Credit Repair Marketing and Advertising 1 Marketing Your Small Business (Introduction) 2. Advertising: How to Make it Work for You (Intermediate) 3. The Website Series: Web Design, SEO, Social Networking/Slogging 4. Social Media Procurement 1. How to Do Business with the City of St. Petersburg/ Pinellas County The Basics of Bonding/SBA Surety Bond Guaranty Estimating and Bidding Pricing Fundamentals - Gross Profit, Margin & Markup UBZone

4 St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commitment. CoDaboratton and Integrity" April 2010 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Introduction to SBA Programs & Services Business Startup Recovery Act Stimulus 6 p.m. - 8 p.m - Access to Capital - 2 p.m-4 p.m Introduction to How to \Mite a Business Plan 1 p.m. - 2 p.m Disaster Preparedness City Incentives & Services for 10 Steps to Start a for Small Business Owners Business Owners & Startups Successful Small Business 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. r I Introduction to 28 How to do Business with the City of St Petersburg 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. How to Make Your Business Thrive, Not Just Survive Basics of Bonding/P. 2 Web Design & Hosting (note prerequisites) 6 p.m. 8 p.m. 6 p.m. - 8 p,m. I $20 Ii - Mayor's Business Support Line I businesssupportline@stpete.org Align your business with the support and capacity-building services at the BAC. Access a team of of business professionals and city staff to assess your situation and develop a timely solution.

$Structures Business Startup Profit, Margin & Mark.up 10 11 Introduction to 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Basics of SEO (note prerequisites) 6 p,m. - 8 p.m. I $20 12 13 14 How to \/\kite a Marketing Your Business Plan Small Business (Intro.$

5 St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commitment, Collaboration and Integrity" May 2010 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Introduction to Pricing Fundamentals - Gross Legal Structures Business Startup Profit, Margin & Mark.up Introduction to 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Basics of SEO (note prerequisites) 6 p,m. - 8 p.m. I $ How to \/\kite a Marketing Your Business Plan Small Business (Intro.) 17 Disaster Preparedness for Small Business Owners 2 p.m. - 4 p.rn. City Incentives & Services for How to do Business with SBA Programs & Services Business Owners & Startups the City of St. Petersburg Recovery Act Stimulus 10 Steps to Start a 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 6 p.m - 8 p.m. Successful Small Business Introduction to Planning for your Business 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Employee vs. Independent Contractor 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. 31 HOLIDAY BAC CLOSED r! -,. - The Website Series Continues. Cost $20 per session at Web Design & Hosting; SEO; Social Networking & Blogging; and Social Media. Recommended Prerequisites: Marketing and Advertising.,,.. No cost for prerequisite workshops.

St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commltment, CoDaboration and Integrity" June 2010 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 2 3 4 Social Networking & Slogging Introduction to (note

6 St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commltment, CoDaboration and Integrity" June 2010 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Social Networking & Slogging Introduction to (note prerequisites} Business Startup I $20 6 p.m. - 8 p.m QuickBooks Basics, Pl Introduction to How to Wite a 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Estimating & Bidding Business Plan An Approach to Buying a Business O Steps to Start a SBA Programs & Services How to do Business with Successful Small Business Recovery Act Stimulus the City of St. Petersburg 6 p.m - 8 p.m. 2 p.m. - 4 p.m Introduction to Advertising: How to Make 1 p.m. - 2 p.m City Incentives & Services for Disaster Preparedness it 1/\k)rk. for You (Intermediate) Business Owners & Startups for Small Business Owners Credit Education 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. 6 p.m. to 6 p.m r- I Social Media SBA 8(a) Cert., HU BZone & {once a quarter) Federal Contracting 6 p.m - 8 p m. I $20 2 p.m. - 4 p.m... Business Counseling by appointment only: - SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business: Tues. & Thurs. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. USF Small Business Development Center: Wed. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.. i Call to schedule an appointment or for more information.

St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commitment, Collaboration and. Integrity.. Partnering to Build Stronger Businesses The Business Assistance Center is a collaboration between the City of St.

7 St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center "Commitment, Collaboration and. Integrity.. Partnering to Build Stronger Businesses The Business Assistance Center is a collaboration between the City of St. Petersburg and local businesses, lending institutions and business resource organizations. The center offers support services provided by: SCORE, Counselors _to Americ~'s Small Business - a national organization of volunteers who provides business counseling without charge. Its members are successful career executives and small business owners, both men and women, who have retired from daily business life, but not from the business world. Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation - a nonprofit corporation established to facilitate the development and growth of small businesses in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. It helps these businesses obtain needed capital to establish credit history and maintain successful relationships with banks and other financial institutions. USF Small Business Development Center - provides professional counseling and training to start-up and existing businesses, and assists them in various aspects of small business development. GulfCoast Business Finance, Inc. - a private, not-for-profit, communitybased organization established to assist Florida businesses with access to financial capital and economic development technical assistance. GulfCoast provides secured fixed asset loans to finance the acquisition and/or construction of owner-occupied building, as well as equipment purchases. U.S. Small Business Administration - a federal government agency that works closely with other federal agencies and the nation's leading federal contractors to ensure that small businesses obtain a fair share of government contracts and subcontracts. St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce - assists small businesses through various training, meetings, workshops, and networking. For more information, contact the BAC staff: Shrimatee Ojah-Maharaj, Assistant Director, Business Assistance Div. City-wide Corridor Coordinator Claude Williams, Economic Development Coordinator 16th St./18th Ave. Corridor Coordinator Tracey Smith, Economic Development Coordinator MLK St. Corridor Coordinator Aubri Shauger-Haley, Small Business Enterprise Specialist 28th/34th St. Corridor Coordinator Ondria McDonald, Administrative Secretary Janis Ford, Weed & Seed Coordinator 22nd St. Corridor Coordinator Paul Stellrecht, Economic Development Coordinator 49th St./Childs Park Corridor Coordinator Tyna Middleton, Special Projects 4th St./Central Ave. Corridor Coordinator Teketa Marshall, Safe Haven Coordinator Service Providers located at the BAC: To make an appointment, call or to contact directly: SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business Barbara Goss, Center Liaison USF Small Business Development Center Wayne Brass, Pinellas County Area Manager Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corp. Frances A. Wimberly, President

Business Resource Directory City of St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center.................. (727) 893-7146 Certificate of Occupancy {New Bus. Site)................ (727) 893-4220 New Construction.

8 Business Resource Directory City of St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center (727) Certificate of Occupancy {New Bus. Site) (727) New Construction (727) Construction Permits (727) Economic Development Department (727) Enterprise Zone (727) Business Taxes (formerly Occupational Licenses)... (727) Zoning (727) Purchasing Department (727) Pinellas County Business Development Center (727) Economic Development Department (727) Construction Licensing Board (727) Property Appraiser's Office (727) Purchasing Department (727) Zoning (727) Pinellas County Emergency Management Dept (727) State of Florida Department of Health (Food} (877) Department of Insurance (877) Agency for Workforce Innovation (Formerly Dept. of Labor) Unemployment Insurance (727) Workers Compensation Compliance (850) Workers Compensation Claims (800) Department of Revenue (Sales Tax) (727) Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (Liquor License) (800) Division of Corporations Corporate Filings (850) Fictitious Name Registration (850) Trade & Service Marks (850) State of Florida continued Fla. Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Hotels/Restaurants (850) Division of Motor Vehicles (813) Enterprise Florida (407) State Attorney Bad Check Diversion Program (727) Federal Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center... (727) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (800) Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Tampa Area Office (813) Patent & Trademark Office (703) Small Business Administration (SBA) South Florida District (Tampa Office) (813) Other ACCION USA Florida (Business Loans) (866) Better Business Bureau (727) Consumer Credit Counseling Service (727) Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas County (727) Electronic Commerce Resource Center (727) GulfCoast Business Finance, Inc (727) Pinellas County Consumer Protection (727) National Minority Supplier Development Council of Florida (407) Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corp (813) (St. Pete. Office) (727) USF-Small Business Development Center (813) SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business Clearwater (727) St.Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce (727) WorkNet Pinellas (727)

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