We believe in having a child like mind when it comes to learning. Open to all possibilities.
Our workshops, events, and programs are designed with a small business owner in mind. Actionable, sharing of ideas, and takeaways to keep things straight.
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
QuickBooks 101: Set Up and Start Tracking Your Business Finances
QuickBooks can make running your business easier—once you know how to use it.
In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to get started in QuickBooks and set up your system to track your income, expenses, and invoices the right way from the beginning.
You’ll learn:
How to navigate QuickBooks and choose the right version
How to connect your bank account and categorize transactions
How to create a chart of accounts tailored to your business
How to record expenses, send invoices, and run basic reports
What to do each week/month to stay on track
This session is best for small business owners who are new to QuickBooks or want a reset on how it’s set up.
SBA Loan Programs: Up to $5 Million Available for Small Businesses
Small Business Administration loans can be used for a wide variety of needs including working capital, purchases of inventory and equipment, refinancing business debt, buying a business, and the purchase or construction of owner-occupied commercial real estate.
During this webinar, we will discuss the three main SBA Loan Programs - 7(a), 504 and Microloans. You will receive guidance on….
what to do before approaching a lender
what the SBA application process looks like
how to find SBA lenders
Speaker: Ford Scott, Lender Relations Specialist, Richmond, VA District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
Managing Third Party Cyber Risk
You’re only as secure as your vendors.
Many cyber incidents begin through trusted partner, vendors, or service providers. Small businesses often inherit risk from the very tools and relationships they depend on. Learn how to protect yourself!
Speaker: Quiana Gainey, Virginia SBDC Cyber Industry Expert
You've Got the Business Now Let's Organize the Finances
Getting your finances organized is the first step toward scaling your business or applying for funding. In this session, we’ll walk through simple, practical steps to help you structure your finances, build better habits, and prepare for next steps—whether that’s going after a loan or growing your operations.
You’ll learn:
How to separate personal and business finances
What basic bookkeeping looks like (even using a spreadsheet)
Simple systems to track income, expenses, and receipts
What reports like an income statement can show you
How to set goals and forecast your cash flow
This session is ideal for business owners who are ready to get structured before diving into accounting software.
Ask a Business Lawyer: What to Look for Before You Sign
Before signing a loan, contract, or agreement, there are a lot of key things to look for and questions you should ask as a business owner.
Structured as a guided FAQ, the presentation will walk through five key questions every business owner should consider before signing, including: what you’re actually agreeing to, what you may be personally risking, what terms can be negotiated, common red flags, and when to involve a lawyer.
The goal is not to provide legal advice, but to give you a clear framework to assess risk and protect your business.
Following the presentation, there will be time for general Q&A. While specific contracts cannot be reviewed in a group setting, attendees will have the opportunity to ask broader questions and better understand how to approach legal decisions with confidence.
You'll learn:
How to identify key terms and obligations in contracts and agreements
What personal risk you may be taking on, even with an LLC
Which terms are often negotiable and how to approach them
Common red flags that signal potential issues
When it’s advisable to involve a lawyer before signing
This session is ideal for business owners preparing to apply for financing, enter agreements, or make important decisions that impact their business’s future.
Speaker: Tammy Hui, Of Counsel, The Geller Law Group
Smart Start
Are you thinking about starting a business or have you recently launched your business, and want to be sure you’re on the right track? Join us for Smart Start!
Businesses that start with a solid foundation of research, planning, and setup are up to 89% more likely to remain open three years later. That’s a percentage worth betting on!
Smart Start is an interactive introductory workshop designed to answer your start-up questions and help you take the right first steps with clarity and confidence. In this session, an SBDC business advisor will share the core building blocks of a successful business and provide practical guidance to help you move from idea to action. Whether you’re still shaping your concept or ready to formalize your plans, Smart Start offers trusted tools and insights to support informed decision-making.
Smart Start also introduces you to the support available through the SBDC. The topics covered in this class create a strong foundation for your next conversation with an SBDC advisor.
What you'll explore during Smart Start:
If entrepreneurship is right for you
How to pick the perfect customers
How to best validate your idea
Keys to growing an iconic brand
Steps to laying the foundation for a legitimate business
What resources are available to you
Determine what stage you are in and what your next steps are
Smart Start participation is required for individuals who have not yet started a business before scheduling a one-on-one advising appointment with an SBDC Business Advisor. This ensures advising sessions are focused and productive.
Small Business Tax Fundamentals: What You Must File (and When)
Understanding your tax and compliance obligations is essential for protecting your business and avoiding costly surprises. Structured as a guided FAQ, the presentation will break down the key points every small business owner should know for their local, state, and federal filings to stay compliant and confidently manage tax responsibilities throughout the year.
You’ll learn:
What local taxes and licenses your business may need
How county-level business property tax and meals tax may apply to you
Which businesses must collect and remit state sales and use tax
What state unemployment tax means for employers
Industry-specific taxes (fuel, tobacco, and others) you may encounter
When and why your business needs an EIN
The difference between W-2 and 1099 income—and how self-employment tax works
Federal unemployment requirements and filing expectations
This session is ideal for business owners who want to clearly understand their tax landscape before tax season arrives.
Understanding Cottage Law in Virginia
Do you run a business making food products from home? Are you currently operating under Cottage Food Law or thinking about expanding beyond your kitchen?
Join Food and Beverage Advisor, Maria Niechwiadowicz, for an informative session on Virginia’s rules for home-based food production. With important changes to Cottage Food Law taking effect this July, this class will walk you through what’s new, what it means for your business, and how to stay compliant. All updates and changes will be covered in detail during the session.
We’ll also explore practical steps to help you grow your business into something bigger.
Snacks will be provided!
Co-Sponsor: Bedford County Economic Development
SBA Loan Programs: Up to $5 Million Available for Small Businesses
Small Business Administration loans can be used for a wide variety of needs including working capital, purchases of inventory and equipment, refinancing business debt, buying a business, and the purchase or construction of owner-occupied commercial real estate.
During this webinar, we will discuss the three main SBA Loan Programs - 7(a), 504 and Microloans. You will receive guidance on….
what to do before approaching a lender
what the SBA application process looks like
how to find SBA lenders
Intro to State Government Contracting
Each year, the State buys goods and services totaling more than $7 billion – learn how your company can be a part of that!
This webinar is designed to educate small business owners about opportunities to sell their goods and services to the Commonwealth of Virginia and many local governments.
The workshop will provide information about the Virginia procurement process (the eVA system) and the benefits of SWaM certification.
Speaker: Kathy Deacon, Business Services Manager, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Southwest Virginia
By registering for this seminar, you grant the Virginia SBDC permission to share your contact information with the speaker.
Grow Your Business with Digital Marketing
Businesses need to understand the basics of digital marketing now more than ever, because digital marketing creates growth.
Learn about the basics of digital marketing, including:
Social Media
Email Marketing
Paid Ads
SEO
Affiliate Marketing
How to use analytics to measure your success
Instructor: Cameron Nelson, CEO of Tenzing Startup Consultants
LLC, S-Corp, or Partnership? Choosing the Right Structure as You Grow
As your business expands, your legal structure can make or break your growth strategy.
This session will guide small business owners through entity options beyond the startup phase, including multi-member LLCs, S Corporations, and partnerships. We’ll discuss ownership agreements, liability protection, and how the right structure supports financing and long-term success.
You’ll learn:
The pros and cons of common growth-ready structures
How ownership agreements protect you and your partners
When it makes sense to transition from one entity type to another
How lenders and investors view different business structures
This session is ideal for business owners ready to scale, take on partners, or strengthen their legal foundation for financing.
Speaker: Tammy Hui, Of Counsel, The Geller Law Group
QuickBooks 201: Beyond the Basics
Already using QuickBooks but want to take it further?
This intermediate-level training will help you get more value from the platform by showing you how to use advanced tools, spot errors, and build better reports to support your business decisions.
You’ll learn:
How to reconcile accounts and fix common mistakes
How to customize and analyze reports (income/P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
How to manage customers, vendors, and products/services more effectively
Tips for cleaner books and smoother reporting
Answers to your specific questions during Q&A
This session is perfect for QuickBooks users who are ready to go beyond setup and start using the platform more strategically.
Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant Programs
Join us for an informative virtual session led by the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Grants team!
VTC offers several funding programs to assist the Virginia travel industry. This webinar will focus on the Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program grant for tourism-oriented small businesses - like boutique retail, lodging, restaurants, and attractions. Applications open mid-June 2026.
Join Staci Martin, Grants Director, with the support of Noah Salaah ad-Deen, Grants Manager, and Shruthi Manimaran, Grants Coordinator for a deep dive into this program.
You will leave with a better understanding of:
the program
the marketing focus
who is eligible
in-kind and cash management requirements
timelines and deadlines
how to apply for the program
Contracts, Compliance and Cyber Risk
Cybersecurity is now a requirement in contracts, not an option.
From vendor agreements to government opportunities, businesses are expected to meet security standards or risk losing deals and facing liability.
Discover what small businesses must know before signing deals.
Speaker: Quiana Gainey, Virginia SBDC Cyber Industry Expert
From Credit to Capital: Strengthening Your Credit Scores & Reports for Funding
Building strong credit is a foundational step toward financial stability, access to affordable financing, and long-term growth opportunities. In this session, we’ll walk through clear, practical steps to help you understand how credit works and how to fix common issues so you can pursue your personal and business goals.
This webinar explains personal and business credit scores and reports and breaks down real-world strategies small business owners can use to improve credit, correct common report errors, and prepare for future funding. We’ll connect credit habits directly to loan readiness and explain what lenders look for in your applications.
You’ll learn:
What credit is, how personal and business credit differ, and why both matter.
How the three major credit bureaus collect information and calculate scores.
How to access, read, and monitor your personal and business credit reports .
How to identify and dispute errors using your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
This session the first step in a program that is ideal for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to take control of their credit before applying for loans. To participate in the program you must schedule a 1:1 advising session following the webinar.
Speaker: Nimaj Driscoll, Business Credit & Financing Advisor, NAV Technologies Inc
You've Got the Business Now Let's Organize the Finances
Getting your finances organized is the first step toward scaling your business or applying for funding. In this session, we’ll walk through simple, practical steps to help you structure your finances, build better habits, and prepare for next steps—whether that’s going after a loan or growing your operations.
You’ll learn:
How to separate personal and business finances
What basic bookkeeping looks like (even using a spreadsheet)
Simple systems to track income, expenses, and receipts
What reports like an income statement can show you
How to set goals and forecast your cash flow
This session is ideal for business owners who are ready to get structured before diving into accounting software.
Smart Start
Are you thinking about starting a business or have you recently launched your business, and want to be sure you’re on the right track? Join us for Smart Start!
Businesses that start with a solid foundation of research, planning, and setup are up to 89% more likely to remain open three years later. That’s a percentage worth betting on!
Smart Start is an interactive introductory workshop designed to answer your start-up questions and help you take the right first steps with clarity and confidence. In this session, an SBDC business advisor will share the core building blocks of a successful business and provide practical guidance to help you move from idea to action. Whether you’re still shaping your concept or ready to formalize your plans, Smart Start offers trusted tools and insights to support informed decision-making.
Smart Start also introduces you to the support available through the SBDC. The topics covered in this class create a strong foundation for your next conversation with an SBDC advisor.
What you'll explore during Smart Start:
If entrepreneurship is right for you
How to pick the perfect customers
How to best validate your idea
Keys to growing an iconic brand
Steps to laying the foundation for a legitimate business
What resources are available to you
Determine what stage you are in and what your next steps are
Smart Start participation is required for individuals who have not yet started a business before scheduling a one-on-one advising appointment with an SBDC Business Advisor. This ensures advising sessions are focused and productive.
Drafting Your Craft Beverage Sales Team
Whether distribution is a major revenue driver or simply rounds out a strategy heavy on direct-to-consumer sales, it’s important to have skilled representatives advocating for your brand in the market. But too many producers make do with untrained, part-time sales team and wind up losing ground.
In this webinar, Chris Van Orden, Craft Beverage Assistance Manager, will discuss the people side of outside sales with Julie Rhodes of Not Your Hobby Marketing.
Keeping Up with Digital Marketing – A’s for Your Q’s - ChatGPT
What’s all the fuss about AI and ChatGPT?
What AI tools are available, and how can a small business use them to streamline customer service and marketing tasks?
This updated session, with Cameron Nelson, CEO of Tenzing Startup Consultants, will help answer those questions and more. The first half of the session will give an overview, and the second half will be set aside for Q & A.
Trademark Basics
Join us for a discussion about what all entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-ups should know about trademarks. We’ll discuss what trademarks are, the benefits of federal trademark registration, and the basics of the registration process. We’ll also talk about why it’s so important for any new business to select a trademark that is both federally registrable and legally protectable.
We’ll direct you to free resources from the USPTO and close out the discussion with a question-and-answer session.
Webinar presented in collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Export and Manufacturing Day
Join us for Lynchburg Manufacturing and Export Day, a half-day program designed to support Virginia manufacturing leaders and exporters.
This event brings together industry experts, export specialists, and regional partners to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s manufacturing and global trade landscape.
Attendees will gain insight into:
tariffs
reshoring trends
workforce needs
practical strategies for building stronger, more informed export programs in your company
Co-Sponsors: Virginia SBDC, The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, and the Virginia Manufacturer's Association
Business Planning Workshop: Pulling it ALL Together: Writing, Presenting & Pitching
Open to entrepreneurs at every stage, this free interactive series is designed to support businesses, whether participants plan to apply for the retail incubator or simply want to grow where they are.
This interactive series walks entrepreneurs step-by-step through building a strong, sustainable business. Participants will develop a clear vision and mission, conduct market and competitor research, define their value proposition and business model, outline marketing and operations strategies, and build foundational financial projections all culminating in a draft business plan and pitch-ready presentation.
Business Planning Workshop: Management & Financial Fundamentals
Open to entrepreneurs at every stage, this free interactive series is designed to support businesses, whether participants plan to apply for the retail incubator or simply want to grow where they are.
This interactive series walks entrepreneurs step-by-step through building a strong, sustainable business. Participants will develop a clear vision and mission, conduct market and competitor research, define their value proposition and business model, outline marketing and operations strategies, and build foundational financial projections all culminating in a draft business plan and pitch-ready presentation.
Gov Con: Developing Capabilities Statement
The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 23% of that spend is allocated for Small Business. This is a huge opportunity for firms, who qualify, to grow their business and become part of the challenging world of Government Contracting through set-aside opportunities. In order to get noticed by small business offices, you must first create a winning capability statement. This is the most importing marketing piece you will create for your business. A properly formatted capability statement will help you get noticed and differentiate you from your competition.
Key Takeaways:
Proper formatting of the statement
Information to include and not include
Differentiators, Core competencies and past performance content
You will be provided an editable template to use for your own capability statement
How to use the statement
Speaker(s): Lisa Wood, Director of Virginia APEX Accelerator
QuickBooks 101: Set Up and Start Tracking Your Business Finances
QuickBooks can make running your business easier—once you know how to use it.
In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to get started in QuickBooks and set up your system to track your income, expenses, and invoices the right way from the beginning.
You’ll learn:
How to navigate QuickBooks and choose the right version
How to connect your bank account and categorize transactions
How to create a chart of accounts tailored to your business
How to record expenses, send invoices, and run basic reports
What to do each week/month to stay on track
This session is best for small business owners who are new to QuickBooks or want a reset on how it’s set up.
Business Planning Workshop: Business Model, Marketing, Strategy, and Value Proposition
Open to entrepreneurs at every stage, this free interactive series is designed to support businesses, whether participants plan to apply for the retail incubator or simply want to grow where they are.
This interactive series walks entrepreneurs step-by-step through building a strong, sustainable business. Participants will develop a clear vision and mission, conduct market and competitor research, define their value proposition and business model, outline marketing and operations strategies, and build foundational financial projections all culminating in a draft business plan and pitch-ready presentation.
Intro to State Government Contracting
Each year, the State buys goods and services totaling more than $7 billion – learn how your company can be a part of that!
This webinar is designed to educate small business owners about opportunities to sell their goods and services to the Commonwealth of Virginia and many local governments.
The workshop will provide information about the Virginia procurement process (the eVA system) and the benefits of SWaM certification.
Speaker: Angela Barber, Business Services Manager, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Eastern VA Region
By registering for this seminar, you grant the Virginia SBDC permission to share your contact information with the speaker.
Smart Start
Are you thinking about starting a business or have you recently launched your business, and want to be sure you’re on the right track? Join us for Smart Start!
Businesses that start with a solid foundation of research, planning, and setup are up to 89% more likely to remain open three years later. That’s a percentage worth betting on!
Smart Start is an interactive introductory workshop designed to answer your start-up questions and help you take the right first steps with clarity and confidence. In this session, an SBDC business advisor will share the core building blocks of a successful business and provide practical guidance to help you move from idea to action. Whether you’re still shaping your concept or ready to formalize your plans, Smart Start offers trusted tools and insights to support informed decision-making.
Smart Start also introduces you to the support available through the SBDC. The topics covered in this class create a strong foundation for your next conversation with an SBDC advisor.
What you'll explore during Smart Start:
If entrepreneurship is right for you
How to pick the perfect customers
How to best validate your idea
Keys to growing an iconic brand
Steps to laying the foundation for a legitimate business
What resources are available to you
Determine what stage you are in and what your next steps are
Smart Start participation is required for individuals who have not yet started a business before scheduling a one-on-one advising appointment with an SBDC Business Advisor. This ensures advising sessions are focused and productive.
Business Planning Workshop: Laying the Foundation - Vision, Mission & Market Research
Open to entrepreneurs at every stage, this free interactive series is designed to support businesses, whether participants plan to apply for the retail incubator or simply want to grow where they are.
This interactive series walks entrepreneurs step-by-step through building a strong, sustainable business. Participants will develop a clear vision and mission, conduct market and competitor research, define their value proposition and business model, outline marketing and operations strategies, and build foundational financial projections all culminating in a draft business plan and pitch-ready presentation.
QuickBooks 201: Beyond the Basics
Already using QuickBooks but want to take it further?
This intermediate-level training will help you get more value from the platform by showing you how to use advanced tools, spot errors, and build better reports to support your business decisions.
You’ll learn:
How to reconcile accounts and fix common mistakes
How to customize and analyze reports (income/P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
How to manage customers, vendors, and products/services more effectively
Tips for cleaner books and smoother reporting
Answers to your specific questions during Q&A
This session is perfect for QuickBooks users who are ready to go beyond setup and start using the platform more strategically.
Agripalooza
Agripalooza
Where Technology Meets Tradition
An event by Your Virginia SBDC Greater Roanoke & NRV Team in partnership with Ferrum College and Franklin County.
Join us for Agripolooza, Where Technology Meets Tradition, the must-attend event for agriculture business owners and entrepreneurs! This engaging conference focuses on blending innovation with tradition to address the challenges and opportunities facing the agriculture industry today. Whether you're running an established operation or just starting out, this event is designed to provide the insights, tools, and connections you need to succeed. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a thriving agriculture community and take your operation to the next level.
Featured Keynote Speaker: Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Katie Frazier
Conference Highlights
Interactive Breakout Sessions
Networking Opportunities
Actionable Takeaways and
Resource Connections
Full event details can be viewed at www.https://www.roanokesmallbusiness.org/agripalooza
Grow Smart | Designing Products or Services that Customers Want
Strong growth starts with offering products or services that truly resonate with your customers. In this workshop, business owners will use the GrowthWheel framework to evaluate how well their products or services align with customer needs, expectations, and buying behavior. Participants will explore ways to refine design, pricing, and positioning—while identifying opportunities for future offerings that drive value and profitability.
Gov Con: Proposal Development
The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 23% of that spend is allocated for Small Business. In order to be successful in government contracting you must know how to respond to a solicitation with a winning proposal. A properly formatted proposal will help you get noticed and differentiate you from your competition and show you are a responsible and responsive bidder. In this presentation you will learn:
• Proper formatting of a proposal
• How proposals are graded
• What are some common mistakes in proposal writing
Speaker(s): Lisa Wood, Director, Virginia APEX Accelerator
SBDC Day
SBDC Day is observed the third Wednesday of March every year. Since its inception in 2017, the celebration recognizes the work of the nationwide network of small business development centers (SBDCs) and their collective accomplishments in helping America’s small businesses succeed. SBDC Day unites the nearly 1,000 SBDCs across the country and the hundreds of thousands of clients they serve by sharing, in real time, the success stories and notable impacts SBDCs have on the small business community at large. Wednesday, March 18, 2026 marks SBDC Day 2026.
SBDCs Support of America’s Small Businesses
SBDC’s are the foundation that supports America’s small business community. On this 10th annual SBDC Day we recognize their work in empowering individuals to turn their business dreams into reality. Through their work, the SBDC advising programs nurtured the dreams of American entrepreneurs to drive prosperity and growth across many communities throughout the United States and the territories.
With support from America’s SBDCs, small businesses are seeing remarkable returns, generating nearly ten times the value for every dollar invested. These businesses have secured $5.2 billion in financing and produced $5.1 billion in sales, achieving sales growth at twice the rate of average U.S. businesses. SBDC clients created 68,003 new full-time jobs, and 96% of them would recommend SBDC services to other businesses.
With an optimistic outlook for the future, 2026 presents strong opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially in fast-growing sectors like medical care and wellness services where demand continues to rise. Whether it’s advancing the manufacturing sector with innovative solutions or helping other firms adopt new technologies and AI, the possibilities for small businesses are expanding rapidly. The entrepreneurial landscape is also strengthening as younger generations increasingly view business ownership as an aspirational path. At the start of this year, the Census Bureau reported 532,319 new business applications, a 7.2% increase from December 2025, signaling a surge in entrepreneurial momentum nationwide. With support from SBDC’s, anyone looking to launch a business today has access to the guidance and resources needed to navigate challenges and thrive in this dynamic market.
Join the SBDC Day Celebration
Join the celebration on March 18, 2026 by following #SBDCDay on your favorite social media channel and join the conversation by sharing your SBDC small business success story. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Read more about the real-world impact of SBDCs.
Read the 2025 Virginia SBDC Client Success Stories
We are STRONGER TOGETHER.
Mobile Apps: How to Plan, Execute & Launch
Does your business need a mobile app?
In this webinar, you will learn if your small business will benefit from having a mobile app, and the steps to successfully deploy and market your app on the app stores. Areas covered include:
Market Research
App Scoping
Finding a Developer and Budget
App Business Planning
Marketing Approach
Building a Prototype
Launching an App
Promoting App
Presenter: Cameron Nelson, CEO of Tenzing Startup Consultants
SBA Loan Programs: Up to $5 Million Available for Small Businesses
Small Business Administration loans can be used for a wide variety of needs including working capital, purchases of inventory and equipment, refinancing business debt, buying a business, and the purchase or construction of owner-occupied commercial real estate.
During this webinar, we will discuss the three main SBA Loan Programs - 7(a), 504 and Microloans. You will receive guidance on….
what to do before approaching a lender
what the SBA application process looks like
how to find SBA lenders
You've Got the Business Now Let's Organize the Finances
Getting your finances organized is the first step toward scaling your business or applying for funding. In this session, we’ll walk through simple, practical steps to help you structure your finances, build better habits, and prepare for next steps—whether that’s going after a loan or growing your operations.
You’ll learn:
How to separate personal and business finances
What basic bookkeeping looks like (even using a spreadsheet)
Simple systems to track income, expenses, and receipts
What reports like an income statement can show you
How to set goals and forecast your cash flow
This session is ideal for business owners who are ready to get structured before diving into accounting software.
Smart Start
Are you thinking about starting a business or have you recently launched your business, and want to be sure you’re on the right track? Join us for Smart Start!
Businesses that start with a solid foundation of research, planning, and setup are up to 89% more likely to remain open three years later. That’s a percentage worth betting on!
Smart Start is an interactive introductory workshop designed to answer your start-up questions and help you take the right first steps with clarity and confidence. In this session, an SBDC business advisor will share the core building blocks of a successful business and provide practical guidance to help you move from idea to action. Whether you’re still shaping your concept or ready to formalize your plans, Smart Start offers trusted tools and insights to support informed decision-making.
Smart Start also introduces you to the support available through the SBDC. The topics covered in this class create a strong foundation for your next conversation with an SBDC advisor.
What you'll explore during Smart Start:
If entrepreneurship is right for you
How to pick the perfect customers
How to best validate your idea
Keys to growing an iconic brand
Steps to laying the foundation for a legitimate business
What resources are available to you
Determine what stage you are in and what your next steps are
Smart Start participation is required for individuals who have not yet started a business before scheduling a one-on-one advising appointment with an SBDC Business Advisor. This ensures advising sessions are focused and productive.
Intellectual Property Fundamentals
Unfamiliar with patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Learn about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovations as you transition from idea to product. The session will cover:
What is the USPTO?
An overview of intellectual property types: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP
How to get started in protecting your intellectual property.
Webinar presented in collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
QuickBooks 101: Set Up and Start Tracking Your Business Finances
QuickBooks can make running your business easier—once you know how to use it.
In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to get started in QuickBooks and set up your system to track your income, expenses, and invoices the right way from the beginning.
You’ll learn:
How to navigate QuickBooks and choose the right version
How to connect your bank account and categorize transactions
How to create a chart of accounts tailored to your business
How to record expenses, send invoices, and run basic reports
What to do each week/month to stay on track
This session is best for small business owners who are new to QuickBooks or want a reset on how it’s set up.
Protecting Your Business in 2026: Cybersecurity Essentials for Small Business Owners
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a business survival issue. This webinar introduces the core cybersecurity risks impacting small businesses in 2026 and what owners can do today to protect their operations.
Key topics include:
Common cyber-attacks affecting small businesses
Financial and operational impacts of cyber incidents
Data protection and privacy basics
Managing vendor and partner risk
Simple cybersecurity best practices that work
Designed for non-technical audiences, this session emphasizes clarity, confidence, and practical next steps.
Speaker: Quiana Gainey, Virginia SBDC Cyber Industry Expert
Taking Advantage of Tourism Resources as a Craft Beverage Producer
In most instances, Virginia companies that produce alcohol aren’t just manufacturers – they welcome customers into their facilities as hospitality and tourism businesses. As such, there’s a world of tourism support available to those who know how and who to ask.
In this webinar, Craft Beverage Assistance Manager Chris Van Orden will ask Laura Messer, Destination Development Manager at Virginia Tourism Corporation about the bevvy of resources that producers can leverage to improve the volume and experience of visitors coming to their taprooms and tasting rooms.
Estimated Taxes: Simple, Clear, No Surprises
Confused about when to pay, how much to pay, or whether you even need to?
Learn the basics every business owner should know. Who must make estimated payments, how to calculate them in real life, and how to avoid IRS penalties without draining your bank account.
Taught by Tom Tanner, Licensed IRS Enrolled Agent & Business Advisor, Greater Roanoke & NRV SBDC Business Advisor
Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant Programs
Join us for an informative virtual session led by the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Grants team!
VTC offers several funding programs to assist the Virginia travel industry. This webinar will focus on the Marketing Leverage Program grant, for travel industry partners including small businesses, DMOs, private sector attractions, accommodations, museums, lodging and events - which opens in mid-February 2026.
Join Staci Martin, Grants Director, Noah Salaah ad-Deen, Grants Manager, and Shruthi Manimaran, Grants Coordinator for a deep dive into this program.
You will leave with a better understanding of
the program
the marketing focus
who is eligible
in-kind and cash management requirements
timelines and deadlines
and how to apply
Smart Start
Are you thinking about starting a business or have you recently launched your business, and want to be sure you’re on the right track? Join us for Smart Start!
Businesses that start with a solid foundation of research, planning, and setup are up to 89% more likely to remain open three years later. That’s a percentage worth betting on!
Smart Start is an interactive introductory workshop designed to answer your start-up questions and help you take the right first steps with clarity and confidence. In this session, an SBDC business advisor will share the core building blocks of a successful business and provide practical guidance to help you move from idea to action. Whether you’re still shaping your concept or ready to formalize your plans, Smart Start offers trusted tools and insights to support informed decision-making.
Smart Start also introduces you to the support available through the SBDC. The topics covered in this class create a strong foundation for your next conversation with an SBDC advisor.
What you'll explore during Smart Start:
If entrepreneurship is right for you
How to pick the perfect customers
How to best validate your idea
Keys to growing an iconic brand
Steps to laying the foundation for a legitimate business
What resources are available to you
Determine what stage you are in and what your next steps are
Smart Start participation is required for individuals who have not yet started a business before scheduling a one-on-one advising appointment with an SBDC Business Advisor. This ensures advising sessions are focused and productive.
Using AI for Sales Planning
Ready to turn big sales goals into focused, doable action? AI for Sales Planning invites growing businesses to use AI to bring clarity to forecasting, prioritize the right opportunities, and stay consistent with follow-through. Join us to build a simple, practical framework that turns annual revenue targets into confident, week-by-week sales momentum.
ON DEMAND COURSES
