September 2018 Small Business Events
September is the perfect time of year to step outside of your routine, socialize, expand your community and nourish your ever-growing small business. With the hotter summer months fading away, the cooler air invites you to take advantage of the variety of educational and social events your community has to offer. Don't miss out on this month's list of events, selected to keep you and your business up to speed in the ever-changing small business and startup scene.
Events Around the Country
Inbound 2018
What it is: A 3-day event hosted by HubSpot, packed with keynote speakers, educational breakout sessions, networking, stand-up (Trevor Noah), food and drink – themes will be focused on the future of marketing, sales and business.When and where: September 4-7, Boston, MAWhy it’s worth attending: With 21,000+ attendees from over 100 countries, INBOUND is one of the most content rich business events of the year. Get inspired by speakers such as Michelle Obama, Issa Rae and Gary Vaynerchuck (who grew his family’s wine business from $3 million to $60 million).Cost: $499 - $1,999
Techstars Startup Weekend Miami
What it is: This is a weekend long event created for entrepreneurs who are interested in launching a startup and are looking for feedback on ideas and advice on how to get started.When and where: September 7, Miami, FLWhy it’s worth attending: This is a great networking and learning opportunity where you can get to know your local startup community, hear talks by industry leaders, pitch your ideas, brainstorm, and receive valuable feedback from peers and local entrepreneurs.Cost: $26.62 – $82.99
Small Biz PopUp Market at Glendale Galleria
What it is: Every 3rd Saturday and Sunday Glendale Galleria hosts a Small Business PopUp Market where local small businesses and startups can showcase and network.When and where: September 15, Glendale, CAWhy it’s worth attending: This is a great (and free) opportunity to share your product with the community, socialize with locals and get to know other small business owners.Cost: Free – register asap as tables are limited
The Small Business Market
What it is: Once a month the Legacy Brand is opening their doors to small business owners and vendors to showcase their products and share what they have to offer to the community of Greenbelt, MD and beyond.When and where: September 15, Greenbelt, MDWhy it’s worth attending: If you lack merchant space or PR, this is a great opportunity to get out there and grow your business. Maximum vendor capacity is limited to 8 tables, however the event is monthly, so every small business has a chance to showcase.Cost: $0 - $63.49
NYC’s Biggest Business, Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soiree
What it is: An evening of creativity, inspiration and networking for passionate Business Professionals, Freelancers, Thinkers, Startups and Entrepreneurs in New York.When and where: September 17, New York, NYWhy it’s worth attending: This is a great opportunity to socialize with New York's small business and startup community and a likely place to meet potential co-founders, partners, coaches or team members.Cost: Free (must RSVP)
SVPG Workshop – How To Create Products Customers Love
What it is: Organized by The Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG), this is a workshop designed to educate and enrich Product Managers, Owners and Leaders (GPM, Director and VP Product), and Startup Co-Founders of Technology-Powered Product Companies.When and where: September 17, New York, NY Why it’s worth attending: The workshop will be taught by Marty Cagan, founder of the Silicon Valley Product Group and former senior vice-president of product and design for eBay. Marty is also the author of the book “Inspired: How To Create Tech Products Customers Love”. This 2-day course is designed to teach you how to fortuitously manage and lead your product toward growth and sustainability.Cost: $1,895 - $1,995
Financial Planning for Small Businesses
What it is: A discussion led by John Hong, Partner at CBLH Group at Morgan Stanley, focused on helping small business owners ensure the longevity of their companies - Brought to you by West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs.When and where: September 20, Oak Park, ILWhy it’s worth attending: If your business is doing well and you want to make certain that it continues to do so, there are many aspects to consider. John Hong is a seasoned financial planner and disciplined investment strategist whose mission it is to give small business owners the advice they need to secure their future success.Cost: $0 - $39.01
Critical Legal Issues Facing Today’s Small and Middle Market Businesses
What it is: A free legal workshop presented by Partners of the Akerman LLP firm and organized by Kinecta Credit Union and El Camino College SBDC. The evening is designed to educate small business owners and entrepreneurs on legal issues of critical importance to their business ventures.When and where: September 20, Torance, CaliforniaWhy it’s worth attending: If you are stuck trying to solve business legal issues, stop struggling on your own and seek professional help. Free workshops such as these are great places to learn how to avoid any legal mishaps when running your business.Cost: Free
3rd Annual Small Business Expo by CCWA
What it is: A 1-day event focused on educating attendees about the current usage of E-Procurement in government purchasing and contracting.When and where: September 25, Morrow, GAWhy it’s worth attending: This is a great event to attend if you are interested in how your small business can benefit from electronically procuring all of the goods, services, and work vital to your company. The exhibition hall will be lined with small business owners, government agencies, prime contractors and a variety of not-to-be-missed vendors.Cost: $20 - $150
Small Business Brainstorming!!
What it is: A monthly gathering of “solopreneurs”, small business owners, freelancers and contractors seeking clarification and solutions for their business woes, frustrations and concerns.When and where: September 30, San Francisco, CAWhy it’s worth attending: If you can’t seem to figure out the answer to a pivotal business question, or simply need a few second opinions, this is a great opportunity to bounce your problems off like-minded entrepreneurial thinkers. This is a support group hosted by Melissa Morgan Tang - Life Coach, Peer Support, and Group/Workshop Facilitator.Cost: Free
Events in Austin
Intro to Fundraising in Austin & Ask Me Anything with Joshua Baer
What it is: A crash course on fundraising led by an experienced entrepreneur and investor, outlining where and how to locate funds for your first small business venture.When and where: September 4, Austin, TXWhy it’s worth attending: If you are new to the ever-changing startup scene and need advice on where to find investors, Startup Lawyers, Banks, etc., Joshua Baer will bring you up to date in this quick course designed to help you start your business on the right track. To make sure your questions are on point, brush up with these fundraising in Texas slides before attending.Cost: $12.24
Social Media for Small Business: A Training Series
What it is: A course created to help small business owners learn how to independently and successfully use social media to promote the growth of their companies.When and where: September 5, Austin, TXWhy it’s worth attending: Jill Dretzka, owner of Spark and Influence, will be leading the session. Jill has been working with small business owners around the world for the last 7 years, teaching them how to run their own social media platforms without wasting time or money.Cost: $38 - $150
Small Business Record-keeping
What it is: A class organized by the City of Austin Small Business Program and taught by a University of Texas Instructor – the course covers the basics of comprehensive record-keeping for a successful small business future.When and where: September 7, Austin, TXWhy it’s worth attending: Get organized – make some space in those filing cabinets by learning which documents, receipts, and other various records and information you need to keep for yourself, the IRS, the State of Texas, your bank, and business associates.Cost: $35
#FREECON18 Austin // The Freelance Conference
What it is: A 5-day conference for beginners and seasoned freelance business owners with sessions, workshops, interactive panel discussions and special events curated to inspire the self-employed - opening windows of opportunity, creativity and community.When and where: September 10 – 14, Austin, TXWhy it’s worth attending: Since 2014, the Freelance Conferences’ mission has been to provide a community for individuals running a freelance company, i.e. the self-employed. At the time of its origin, resources and support were limited as freelance companies were still becoming an accepted form of business model. Fast-forward to 2018 and #FREECON is bustling with industry support. Attend this event to unite with fellow freelancers, realizing and confirming that self-employment is indeed a sustainable business path and lifestyle.Cost: Free
Strategic Business Allies
What it is: An open Q&A session for local female small business owners and entrepreneurs.When and where: September 18, Austin, TXWhy it’s worth attending: Strategic Business Allies is a collective of professional women who meet to share strategies and stories of success and failure – with the shared goal of helping each others' careers and businesses grow.Cost: $20
Small Business Financing Workshop
What it is: A workshop focusing current trends in accessing capital for small business owners, followed by an introduction to the SBA Small Loan Advantage V2 through Superior Financial Group.When and where: September 26, Austin, TXWhy it’s worth attending: The session will be led by expert U.S. Small Business Administration SBA lender, Sue Malone, who will discuss where to locate and how to access capital for small businesses. In the second half of the session attendees will learn about the unsecured, working capital SBA loans for start-ups, existing businesses and SBA approved franchises and how to apply for them.Cost: $15
Techstars Startup Weekend Austin
What it is: A 3-day event sponsored by Grow With Google, through a Techstars Startup Weekend Scholarship, where attendees can learn how to build a startup, connect with community, and learn how to use tech or non-tech entrepreneurship to solve real-world problems.When and where: September 28 – 30, Austin, TXWhy it’s worth attending: Techstars’ mission is to support entrepreneurs throughout their growth process. They provide a safe environment where individuals can test their ideas and receive constructive feedback and valuable advice from industry leaders and local, successful entrepreneurs.Cost: Free