Center offers business workshops in August

Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are encouraged to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center. Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, in Waterford. For pre-registration and a location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/businessworkshops or call (248) 858-0783. Team SBA Financing Roundtable Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to noon. Before applying for a business loan, you should attend the SBA Forum on Small Business Lending. This free loan orientation is conducted by a business banker, a business consultant from the SBA's network of Small Business Development Centers and an SBA representative. During the roundtable, we'll debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. You'll learn how the lending process works, what is expected of you and hear how the SBA can assist with its SBA Guaranteed Loan Program. This session is best suited to those with good credit, a solid business idea and money to invest in their business. Because the SBA does not provide loan guarantees to real estate investment firms, including purchasing and rehabbing houses for sale, this type of financing is not discussed at the roundtables. Fee: This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. CEED® Small Business Loan Orientation Aug.13, 9-11 a.m. Many small business owners face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. If your business is in Oakland County and you need alternative financing, consider the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED) Small Business Loan Program (formerly CEED MicroLoan program). Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a CEED small business loan. Fee: This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion Aug. 13, 6-9 p.m. Thinking of starting a business and want to research your business idea? Do you want to identify market trends and opportunities to grow your sales? Are you looking for new customers or to diversify your market base? Business Research shows you ways to find your ideal customers, your competitors, perform competitive analysis and more. It is presented by The One Stop Shop Business Center and its market researcher and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian. Fee: This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. Create Your Marketing Plan Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to noon When marketing a small business, your budget and human resources may be limited but your ideas and goals are still as big as they come. That's why the Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center is offering Create Your Marketing Plan (Finally, a Marketing Plan You Can Use), a three-hour class tailor-made for the unique needs of a small business. Fee: $40 per person. Pre-registration is required. Government Contracting 101 Aug. 28, 9 a.m. 10 noon Find out what it takes to sell your goods and services to the federal government and the state of Michigan. What makes a successful government contractor? What services and resources are available to a small business pursuing the government market? If your company is considering government contracting, this seminar will give you the insight you need. Management and key players who will support and facilitate government contracting within your company should attend. Presented by Alexander Masters, PTAC of Schoolcraft College. Fee: $45 per person payable at the door. Published: Fri, Aug 01, 2014