SBDC Trainings

The Small Business Development Center is proud to offer the following seminars. Training is offered at no charge and most are 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.

E-Commerce Essentials: How to Start, Scale, and Succeed Online

Wednesday, April 9, 11 am-12 pm est | Online 

Want to take your small business online but not sure where to start? Join us for an insightful session on E-Commerce Essentials, where you'll learn how to choose the right platform, attract customers, and boost online sales! 

What You'll Learn:
How to select the best e-commerce platform for your business
Proven strategies to drive traffic and increase conversions
Best practices for website optimization, marketing, and customer retention
Common mistakes to avoid and future trends to watch.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your online store, this session will give you practical, actionable steps to succeed in the digital marketplace.

The speaker will be Rosa DiVirgilio Taormina, Senior Business Advisor and Digital Marketing Professional of the Massachusetts SBDC Northeast Office.

Register for this event. 

Planning for the Future: Succession and Estate Planning for Small Businesses

Thursday, April 10, 11 am-12 pm | Online 

This course provides a brief introduction to the legal principles, strategies, and challenges involved in business succession planning for family-owned businesses. Key topics include estate planning for business owners, drafting succession agreements (such as buy-sell agreements), and some of the tax implications related to succession. The course covers the role of trusts, wills, and other legal instruments in transferring ownership of companies with an eye toward minimizing disputes. Special attention shall be given to legal considerations for small businesses and closely held entities.

The Speaker will be Attorney Matthew D. DesMeules of DesMeules Law Group, P.C.

Register for this event. 

How to Use ChatGPT in Marketing Your Business 

Wednesday, April 16, 11 am-12 pm | Online 

Join us for an immersive workshop where we delve into the transformative potential of leveraging ChatGPT in your marketing strategy. The capabilities of AI-Driven tools like ChatGPT can help you engage with your audience, craft compressing content, and drive impactful campaigns.

In this workshop we will discuss the following:

Writing effective prompts to get the most impactful answers, Generating ideas for content, Improving your video and written content, Crafting Compelling Ad Copy, Formulating taglines, social captions, and more!

The speaker will be Isabel Tomasi, Digital Marketing Manager of Bubbly Creative.

Register for this event. 

Google Analytics Made Simple: Unlock Key Insights for Your Business

Wednesday, April 23, 11 am-12 pm | Online 

Struggling to make sense of Google Analytics 4 (GA4)? Join us for an engaging session designed specifically for small business owners! Learn how to track key metrics, interpret data, and use GA4 insights to grow your business. Whether you're new to GA4 or looking to optimize your setup, this presentation will give you practical, easy-to-implement strategies to help you make smarter, data-driven decisions.

What You'll Learn:

Key GA4 metrics and what they mean for your business
How to track customer behavior and improve conversions
and Simple ways to customize GA4 for better insights.

Perfect for small business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs looking to maximize their website and marketing performance.

The speaker will be Rosa DiVirgilio Taormina, Senior Business Advisor and Digital Marketing Professional of the Massachusetts SBDC Northeast 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.