SBDC Trainings

The Small Business Development Center is proud to offer the following seminars. All seminars are offered at no charge and held online. For additional information on any of the following events, please contact Kaitlin Muldoon by email or at 978.542.7369. All times listed are EST.

Upcoming Trainings and Events: 

Understanding the Business Loan Process - Online

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 11 am-12 pm

Do you have a great idea for a business and the only thing standing in your way is the money to give it some legs? Or, you already own your own business but could use some extra capital to take things to the next level? You have come to the right place! In this presentation, you will learn the ins and outs of business loan proposals.

The following topics will be covered:

5 c's of credit: Character, Capacity, Capital, Collateral, and Conditions. In addition, How to obtain a loan for a start-up, How to obtain a loan for an existing business, and How to obtain a loan to buy a business.

The speaker will be Awilda Irizarry, Senior Business Advisor and Financial Specialist of the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office.
Register for this event. 

How to Pitch Your Business Idea in 3 to 5 Minutes - Online

Thursday, February 27, 2025 12-1 pm

Pitching your business idea can be challenging. To present the perfect pitch, which will inform and inspire the listener. You, the speaker, must prove an understanding of the problem to be solved, the market to be helped, and the potential profit to be made. This presentation will break down the fundamentals of a business pitch in ten easy steps with an example of a business pitch. 

Presented by Nancy Gerardi, Regional Director of the SBDC Northeast Office.
Register for this event.

How to Hire an Employee for Your Small Business - Online
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 11 am-12 pm

Hiring your first employee is a significant milestone for any small business, but it has many responsibilities and considerations. This workshop is designed to equip small business owners with the basic knowledge and tools to navigate the hiring process from start to finish successfully. By the end of this workshop, you'll be equipped to confidently hire and manage your first employee, ensuring that your small business is compliant, financially prepared, and positioned for growth.

The speaker will be Nancy Gerardi, Regional Director of the Massachusetts SBDC Northeast Regional Office.
Register for this event.

How to Write a Business Plan Using AI and LivePlan - In-person
Thursday, March 18, 2025 9 am-12 pm

Salem State University- Marsh Hall- Petrowski Room 2nd floor
71 Loring Ave
Salem, MA 01970

Join the Northeast Small Business Development Center for an engaging and interactive workshop designed to help you craft a winning business plan. Whether launching a new venture or refining your existing strategy, this workshop will empower you with the tools and insights to bring your vision to life.

Led by Nancy Gerardi, Esq., Regional Director of the MSBDC Northeast Regional Office. You'll benefit from her extensive experience and expertise in small business development and strategic planning. Nancy’s proven guidance has helped countless entrepreneurs achieve their goals, and now it’s your turn to leverage her knowledge to create a comprehensive and effective business plan.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

Utilize AI-powered tools to streamline your business plan creation. Harness the power of LivePlan to organize your ideas, forecast financials, and set achievable goals. Develop a plan that attracts investors, secures funding, and sets your business up for success.
 

This event is proudly sponsored by TD Bank, covering the cost for the first 25 attendees—a value-packed opportunity at no cost to you!

The speaker will be Nancy Gerardi, Regional Director of the Massachusetts SBDC Northeast Regional Office
Register for this event.
 

Understanding Small Business Taxes - Online
Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 12-1 pm

Are you a small business owner seeking to simplify the process of income tax filing? Join us for an engaging and informative workshop, "Understanding Small Business Taxes," designed to empower entrepreneurs like you with essential tax knowledge.

This workshop is tailored to help small business owners confidently approach tax season while maximizing their understanding of critical forms and requirements.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your financial management skills in 2024! In this session, you will:

Explore the fundamentals of Schedule C (Profit & Loss) to report business income and expenses, Navigate Schedule SE to calculate your self-employment taxes, Gain a basic understanding of Form 8829, which details expenses for business use of your home, Delayed requirement for reporting digital transactions over $600 to IRS (Venmo and Zelle), and New reporting requirement for small business loans (data collection).

The speaker will be Nancy Gerardi, Regional Director of the Massachusetts SBDC Northeast Regional Office
Register for this event.

Workshop Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy: In the event of a workshop cancellation by the SBDC, registrants will be notified at least 24 hours in advance. Any fees paid will be fully refunded.

Handicapped Accessibility: Our workshops are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Most of our workshops are conducted via ZOOM. For in-person workshops, if you require special accommodations, please notify us at least one week in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.