April SCORE Events Will Get Your Business Ready for Spring
SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has free April SCORE events, including webinars and workshops to help your small business find its potential.
How to Start and Operate a Small Business
Ready to be your own boss? Join this webinar on April 11, 6 to 7:30 PM to learn more about what you need to know to get started.
You have come to the right place, if you are in the early stages of thinking about starting a small business, or even, if you have started up your business, and realized you missed a few things.
If you are thinking about “becoming your own boss” this is a chance to get an overview of the things you need to know.
Join attorney and SCORE presenter, Frank Farmer in a discussion of the ‘nuts and bolts” issues that should be considered when starting and operating a small business.
Farmer will discuss topics including the need and usefulness of developing a business plan; selecting a business organizational structure; fictitious name registration; licensing; hiring employees vs. independent contractors; obtaining tax identification numbers and other related topics (as time permits).
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
A graduate of Widener School of Law and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, Frank P. Farmer, Jr. has been engaged in the private practice of law since 1980.
Located in Kennett Square, but providing services throughout the Delaware Valley region, Farmer’s practice concentrates in the area of small business transactions, which includes the representation of individuals and business entities; starting, operating, and/or buying/selling small businesses.
His services include, but are not limited to, incorporation services and registration of fictitious names; preparation and review of leases, contracts, employment agreements, shareholder/operating /partnership agreements; representation of buyers/sellers of businesses, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
Presentation Partners
This program is being presented in partnership with the SBDC Kutztown, SBDC Widener, SBA, and Small Business Assistance Center.
Video as a Competitive Advantage
Discover how to get the most from that incredibly powerful video production tool in your pocket – the cell phone.
If you’re not using video in your business right now to attract and retain your ideal customers, there’s a good chance the competition is. Many entrepreneurs assume that creating compelling video content will be far too expensive and time-consuming. This program will dispel both myths and arm you with the knowledge to win with video right now.
On April 12, 10 to 11 AM, join this webinar to learn how to get over the mental barriers that prevent you from putting yourself on video – such as hating the sound of your own voice.
Find out why scripts are almost always a terrible idea.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
A documentary filmmaker by trade and at heart, Pat Taggart believes that every company has a unique story to tell and doing so via video is the most impactful way to do so.
Taggart’s concept of creative simplicity, an unscripted, conversational approach designed to yield authenticity, has guided nearly two decades of work with organizations in all stages of growth. He currently leads the team at align5 Films.
Pricing Strategies to Maximize Profits
On April 13, 10 to 11 AM, learn how to use effective and practical tools to evaluate value vs. competitive offerings and test out pricing options. The end result will bring more customers, boost sales and improve overall profits.
Proper pricing is more complex than most of us realize. Successful business owners focus first on what customers are actually willing to pay for the value their products or services deliver. Too much attention has been placed on markups, margins, and matching competition biased by personal judgment and not enough market analysis.
Pricing is the most powerful contributor for growing revenues and improving profitability in any product category, service or business model. Optimizing pricing requires thinking more holistically…more about strategy.
In this training, you will learn how to use effective and practical tools to evaluate value vs. competitive offerings and test out pricing options. The end result will bring more customers, boost sales and improve overall profits.
Join this webinar to:
- Understand your options: price strategies, price positions and perceptions
- Learn how to analyze the value your product or service creates from the customer’s perspective
- Compare the differences between Cost-plus Pricing and Value-based Pricing options
- Learn about methods to evaluate pricing in the competitive marketplace
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Maria Smith is a former SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties chapter chairperson and workshop presenter. She is a retired global business leader with deep experience in business and marketing strategy, market research, and business model development.
Her 30+ years in consumer (B2C) and commercial (B2B) products across diverse industries in public and private companies enables her to share practical tools and techniques to identify unique value propositions, understand unmet needs of target customers, analyze competitive offerings to improve business success.
How to Get a Small Business Loan: A Step by Step Guide
Learn the different types of small business funding options available, what the application process will look like, and the various criteria lenders look for during evaluation.
This webinar is scheduled for Thursday, April 13 at 1 PM.
Understanding how to get a small business loan is essential for the business owner at all stages of growth. However, finding business funding can be a daunting task if you’re new to the world of business financing.
That’s why a financial expert has been invited to walk you through the basics of how to get a small business loan.
You’ll learn:
- How to organize your finances for a loan application
- The 5 C’s of Creditworthiness
- Common questions lenders might ask you
Attendees will receive free business resources and a link to this webinar recording.
This webinar is sponsored by Live Oak Bank.
Targeting Your Customers and Competition
Wondering how to get the data needed to drive your business decisions toward success?
On April 17, 6:30 to 7:30 PM, join this webinar to learn more about resources available at your local library.
Are you an aspiring or current small business owner wondering how to get the data needed to drive your business decisions toward success? Join us for this in-depth walkthrough of the ReferenceUSA database, available through
the Chester County Library. Using easy-to-read, custom visualizations, it provides the data needed to answer business questions like:
- Where should I locate my business?
- Who are my competitors?
- Who are my potential customers?
- What are my best advertising strategies?
This workshop will also provide a brief summary of other business resources available for free through the Chester County Library.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Sam Bardarik is a SCORE volunteer and the Business and Career Librarian at Chester County Library. She connects community members to the best databases, guides, books, community organizations, websites, and other resources available for starting or growing a business, navigating the job search, and building career skills.
In-Person Event: Entrepreneurship: Is it for you?
On April 17, 10 to 11:30 AM, at CareerLink PA of Chester County, discover if you have what it takes to be your own boss and turn your side gig into a profitable business.
Whether you are considering starting a new business, turning your side gig into a full-time job, or trying to earn an income from your hobby, this workshop is for you!
Small business ownership comes in many forms. From starting a business, purchasing a franchise, or buying an existing business, there are some things you should consider; some questions to answer.
This presentation is designed to introduce you to various aspects of business ownership to help you answer:
· Do I have the personality to “build my dream business”?
· How do I get started?
· What should I know before “jumping” in?
· Where can I go for support?
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Jerry Francis spent his career in sales and marketing, working in distribution/channel development for multiple product lines, with small entrepreneurs and major distributors for a Fortune 50 company. Francis is a SCORE volunteer, serving as a Mentor, Presenter, Board Member, and former Chair.
Benefits of Volunteering with SCORE as a Business Mentor
Hear from our SCORE mentors and learn how they used their skills and experience to positively impact their community by supporting local small business owners and entrepreneurs.
In 2022 SCORE helped start 30,453 new businesses leading to the creation of 82,117 new non-owner jobs, and 90 percent of “in business” clients were still in business at the end of 2022.
In this Tuesday, April 18 webinar, starting at 1 PM, you’ll hear from our SCORE mentors and learn how they used their skills and experience to positively impact their community by supporting local small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Attendees will receive free business resources and a link to this webinar recording.
Instagram Marketing Fundamentals for Beginners
In this dynamic workshop April 19, 10 to 11:30 AM, you’ll learn easy, no-nonsense techniques to grow your page and build your brand.
Instagram is constantly adding new features, but the key strategies for Instagram marketing success stay the same! In this dynamic workshop, you’ll learn easy, no-nonsense techniques to grow your page and build your brand. Discover how to:
- Optimize your account name, profile pic, bio, and link to attract customers
- Create a “look” for your page that bolsters your brand
- Craft captions that capture your audience’s attention
- Post images that stand out in the feed
- Use the right hashtags to boost visibility
- Start using video for the extra “wow” factor!
- Integrate Instagram seamlessly with the rest of your social media
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Brooke Miles founded Delaware ShoutOut to help busy entrepreneurs take the time and stress out of their social media marketing. Her company has served hundreds of clients, who have reported significant gains in followers, engagement, and traffic to their websites (without breaking a sweat).
Hybrid Event: Quick Ways to Improve Your Website for better User Experience and More Conversions
This presentation is being offered both online in a webinar and as an in-person event April 25, 6:30 to 7:30 PM, at the Tredyffrin Public Library, 582 Upper Gulph Road in Strafford.
To make a great first impression your website should be professional, trustworthy, and address the needs of your customers.
You only have a few seconds to grab the attention of your website visitors and convince them to stick around. That first impression can be the difference between getting a new customer – or not! Your website should be professional, trustworthy, and address the needs of your customers.
In this presentation, Mike Simays shares 18 key ways to ensure that you are providing the best “user experience” possible for your website visitors and potentially driving more conversions in the process. Whether you have an existing website or are in the process of developing a new one, implementing these valuable tips will ensure a better and more engaging user experience for your customers.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Mike Simays presents workshops to SCORE clients and owns Customer Journey Pros, a digital marketing agency in Chester Springs, PA.
Simays specializes in Google advertising, website development, copywriting, and general marketing support to small businesses and nonprofits.
He is also experienced in maximizing customer engagement through marketing automation, search engine optimization, conversion rate optimization, customer relationship management, and website design.
Simays has a Marketing degree from the University of Vermont with additional professional development through the University of Illinois and Penn State University.
Click here to register for the in-person event.
Click here to register for the online event.
Five Strategies to Run a More Efficient Business
In this Tuesday, April 25 webinar, starting at 1 PM, expert presenters will provide a framework to help you implement these five cost-effective strategies so you can optimize your operations and continue to grow your business.
Starting and running a small business is no small task, but with the right strategies and tools, you can streamline your processes, increasing your productivity and ultimately leading to more profitability.
You will learn:
- How to streamline your workflow, eliminate redundancies, and improve your operational processes
- How to increase productivity by prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities
- How to identify financial inefficiencies and make the most of your current resources
Attendees will receive free business resources and a link to this webinar recording.
This webinar is sponsored by LPL Financial.
National Small Business Week Virtual Summit
Registration for the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit is open! This event, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE, will run May 2-3, 2023.
You’ll be able to access critical federal resources, learn new business strategies, and hear from industry experts.
Attend this free, virtual summit to learn new business strategies, meet other business owners, and chat with industry experts. This 2-day event will include educational sessions, online business resources, and expert speakers.
About SCORE
SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer business experts. It is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals with a variety of SCORE new year tools like webinars and workshops.
Make a difference as a SCORE volunteer.
Since 1964, it has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs nationwide.
SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has been operating since 1985. It has 100 dedicated volunteers today. They provide confidential mentoring at no charge. They offer business seminars, workshops, and SCORE webinars to benefit the local community.
SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Find out more about SCORE small business webinars and SCORE C
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