If you are in the early stages of starting a small business, or if you have started up your business and realized you missed a few things - you have come to the right place.

Join retired attorney Frank Farmer in a discussion of the ‘nuts and bolts” issues that should be considered when starting and operating a small business. Frank 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.

Need to know how to build your LinkedIn company page?

Want details on how to create your banner and logo images?

Understand the differences from your personal profile?

Learn about special features you can use?

Need strategies and tips to leverage your company page to:

• Build awareness?

• Gain authority?

• Grow your business?

Would you love some free analytics?

Know how to engage your employees?

 If so, join us for a presentation with live demos so you leave with takeaways and actionable items whether you are a solopreneur, consultant, small business owner, side gigger, or are thinking about becoming one. 

This session will be presented by Lynne Williams, Ed.D. Candidate, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Area Great Careers Group and SCORE Mentor

Are you ready to boost your business with cutting-edge AI tools? AI can be used to increase efficiency, enhance customer experiences and improve your marketing. However, in order to grow your business with AI, you need to understand how to use it.

In this webinar, you'll learn from industry experts about the diverse applications of AI, from improving customer service to optimizing your marketing strategies. We will guide you through practical, prompt engineering techniques, ethical AI use, and strategic insights to boost your branding and drive future growth. 

What you’ll learn:

• Diverse Applications of AI: Discover how AI can enhance customer service, marketing, and operations to drive efficiency and growth.

• Practical Prompt Engineering: Learn how to craft clear and precise prompts to get the best results from AI tools.

• Ethical AI Use: Understand how to mitigate biases, ensure data privacy, and maintain transparency in your AI interactions.

• Strategic Insights and Branding: Gain actionable insights for strategic planning, market analysis, and enhancing your personal and business branding.

• Future Growth with AI: Explore how AI can drive innovation and provide a competitive edge for your business.

Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.

Are you drowning in tasks and struggling to keep up with your business demands? Discover how the right productivity tools can transform your workday, helping you accomplish more in less time while reducing stress and maintaining focus on what truly matters.

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, mastering productivity tools is no longer optional for business success—it's essential. This comprehensive webinar cuts through the noise of countless available apps to bring you a practical, actionable framework for selecting and implementing the right productivity tools for your business needs.

Our expert presenter will guide you through proven strategies to streamline your workflows, automate repetitive tasks and maximize your efficiency using carefully selected digital tools. Whether you're a solopreneur or managing a growing team, you'll learn how to leverage technology to create more time for strategic growth while maintaining better work-life balance.

After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify and evaluate productivity tools that align with their specific business needs and workflow patterns

• Implement a systematic approach to selecting, setting up, and integrating productivity tools into their daily operations

• Master five essential categories of productivity tools that drive business efficiency and growth

• Apply practical strategies to measure and optimize tool usage for maximum time and energy savings

• Create a personalized productivity system that scales with their business

Are you ready to bring structure and clarity to your business idea?

Join us as we guide you through each section of the Business Model Canvas from Strategyzer—from defining your value proposition and identifying your customer segments to outlining revenue streams and key resources. Whether you're launching a new business or refining your existing one, this framework will help you streamline your strategy, plan for the unexpected, and stay focused on growth.

An integral step in the internship and job hiring process is simply making the connections between businesses and higher education institutions at all levels. Join us and learn how to build your partnerships and internship program within your business. 

AGENDA:

8:30 AM - Breakfast & Networking

9:00 AM - Welcome & Program

9:20 AM - The Future of Work: Higher Ed and Business Partnership Opportunities

Moderator: Christine Palus, Dean, College of Professional Studies, Villanova University 

Panelists to Date: 

• Bill Cumby, President and CEO, W.S. Cumby Construction 

• Kristy Irwin – Associate Vice Provost, Online Programs, Villanova University

• Karen Kozachyn, Vice President, Workforce & Economic Development, Delaware County Community College

• Michael J. Rounds, President, Williamson College of the Trades

• Alaina Kearney, MPA Director of Marketing Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz

10:00 AM - Coffee & Networking

10:30 AM - Closing Remarks 

Did you know that Pennsylvania is home to over 2.2 million small businesses, employing 45% of the state’s non-government workforce?

While small businesses are the backbone of our economy, finding and hiring employees remains one of the top five challenges, according to Walden University. So, where can Delaware County (Delco) business owners turn to find talented, reliable employees

The Delaware County Workforce Development Board (DCWDB), in partnership with Delaware County Council, is here to help. As a business-led organization, the DCWDB is committed to building a dynamic, high-quality workforce by setting standards that enhance job seeker and employer services across Delco and Southeastern PA. 

Through PA CareerLink® Delaware County, a proud member of the American Job Center network, employers can access a range of services:

• Recruitment & onboarding support

• Job training programs

• Hiring events 

Employers can also learn about programs to prevent layoffs, tax incentives and special government projects or they can connect to peers through an Industry Partnership group.

Join us for a lunchtime virtual chat with Kate McGeever, Executive Director of Delaware County Workforce Development Board to discover how they can help our Delco Small Businesses thrive!

If you are in the early stages of starting a small business, or if you have started up your business and realized you missed a few things - you have come to the right place.

Join retired attorney Frank Farmer in a discussion of the ‘nuts and bolts” issues that should be considered when starting and operating a small business. Frank 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 the new year begins, it's the perfect time to start thinking about your business goals for 2025!

Business goals are essential for steering an organization toward long-term success as they provide clarity, foster collaboration, and ensure that every effort has purpose. Without goals, a business risks losing its way in an ever-changing and competitive landscape.

During this session, we’ll cover:

• How to assess your business's current performance

• Setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals

• Strategies for achieving growth, improving operations, and boosting profitability in 2025

• Resources and support available to help you succeed

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Zoom meeting where we’ll help you set clear, actionable goals for a successful 2025.

New Year, finally time to start that business! Wait... Where do you start? How do you know if your business will be successful? 

At the SBDC we see pre-venture clients who have this issue on a daily basis. The best way to navigate the process of starting a successful business is to work your idea within the 5 fundamental questions of business:

- Do you have a fundamentally sound idea?
- Can you operate within the laws of society?
- Can you convince customers to give you money?
- Are you able to produce at scale?
- How will you manage your cash?

Throughout this session we will cover a variety of different suggestions, tips and tricks - in each of the five questions - that you'll be able to effectively combine results and decide if your business can be successful.