The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) and The Company Lab (CO.LAB) will host an eight seminar series entitled, “Experience Talks,” at the Camp House located at 1427 Williams Street. The free series begins on May 16 and ends on Dec. 5. A complimentary lunch will be served during each of the 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. sessions.
This seminar series was designed to expose new high growth startups and existing small business owners to successful local and regional entrepreneurs who will share their experiences of facing and creatively overcoming obstacles that led to their achievement in business.
TSBDC routinely partners with local banks in the area to provide financial assistance to new and existing businesses. Not only is Cohutta Banking Company, a division of Synovus Bank, one of those partners, CEO and President Mike Sarvis serves on the TSBDC Board of Directors. “Given Cohutta Banking Company’s on-going efforts to help build economic development within our region, it was only natural that they would agree to sponsor this series of seminars aimed at bolstering small business success,” says TSBDC Director Sharyn Moreland.
The TSBDC provides free business counseling and training services to start-up and small businesses in a nine-county region (Bledsoe, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea, Sequatchie, Van Buren and Warren). The TSBDC office is located in the Hamilton County Business Development Center, 100 Cherokee Boulevard, Suite 202.
CO.LAB joins TSBDC in hosting this eight seminar series. CO.LAB exists to increase the viability of start-ups in Chattanooga by connecting them with the mentorship, resources, and capital they need to be successful. The first half of this series will be in conjunction with The Gig Tank summer accelerator program. Learn more about CO.LAB at www.colab.is.
Other partners for the event include the Greater Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the U. S. Small Business Administration, which both provide funding for the TSBDC. In addition, TSBDC operates as an entity of Chattanooga State Community College. For more information or to register call 756-8668 or go to the website at www.TSBDC.org.
Experience Talks Seminar Series
May 16 - Survival Stories
Entrepreneurs from the region share their survival stories about overcoming common obstacles that threaten small businesses. Learn about their biggest roadblocks and how they turned them into success.
June 20 - Recruiting Your Team
Learn how to find and retain talent, vet employees, understand employment law, and find good developers
July 18 - Effective Management, Leadership and Growth
Study management and leadership skills that boost your bottom line. Learn a process for business development that increases revenue.
Aug. 15 - Tennessee Regional Small Business Support
Tennessee has a statewide initiative that supports all small businesses. Learn about this support and how to best utilize this support network.
Sept. 19 - Equity Investment for Small Businesses
Learn about other capital funding venues and how to raise money from friends, family and Angels.
Oct. 17 - Banking Benefits and Beyond Loans
Gain understanding of what banking value is to small businesses and startups. Also, learn about factoring and lines of credit.
November 7 – Intellectual Property
A review of copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights. What you can do to protect your business’s intellectual property.
Dec. 5 - Social Media Marketing
What social media strategy works best for your business and how to best implement it.