Nimiipuu Community Development Fund

Linkedin Marketing Essentials
2024-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
As one of the most important B2B social media platforms, LinkedIn can help you attract more eyes on your business. The biggest advantage of LinkedIn is that it is frequented by many senior-level influencers, decision-makers, and thought leaders. If you want to grab the attention of top-level executives, then you should work on your LinkedIn marketing strategy. Unlike other social networking sites, LinkedIn offers a goldmine of opportunities for B2B marketers. You’ll be better informed about what’s going on in your industry and the industry of your ideal, favorite and most profitable clients.

What You Will Learn:
• Why LinkedIn
• LinkedIn Profile Musts
• How and Why to Create Your Company Page
• Finding LinkedIn Groups
• Making Connections
• LinkedIn Posts, Articles and Newsletters
• Content Calendar (complimentary content calendar provided to all attendees)
Instructor: Patty Ross
Patty Ross has well over 20 years experience in marketing and has been in the online space since 1998 where she developed an e-commerce program for a gourmet gift company into a million dollar business. She has marketing coaching and full service clients in financial, legal, education, health and beauty, wine, motorsports, e-commerce, coaching, landscape design, CBD/cannabis, restaurants, transportation and logistics, political activism, non profits and more. Golden State Marketing and her other business, California Wine Marketing, were founded in 2006.
Patty enjoys speaking on various marketing topics to help business owners understand the importance of marketing their brand online and offline.

Contracting: Joint Ventures Program
2024-02-21 10:00 - 11:00
Joint ventures allow certain businesses to compete together for government contracts reserved for small businesses. Joint venture benefits to participants include:

Collective representation of past performance
Shared costs and resources
Leveraging the other partner’s experience and market share

A mentor and its protégé can joint venture as a small business for any small business contract, provided the protégé individually qualifies as small. The joint venture may also pursue any type of set-aside contract for which the protégé qualifies, including contracts set aside for 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned, and HUBZone businesses.
Join us this week to learn more about this program, benefits, and how to create a joint-venture to pursue new opportunities.
Wednesday Webinars
Wednesday Webinars with SBA Seattle is an ongoing series of free, virtual, webinars covering a variety of topics to benefit small business owners. On the third Wednesday of each month, we will be focusing on government contracting opportunities, certifications, and business development programs.
About the Presenter
Fernando Cervantes is the Lead Business Opportunity Specialist in the Seattle District’s Spokane Branch office. Fernando joined the SBA following an accomplished career in the U.S. Air Force, most recently from Fairchild Air Force Base. During his service, he was a contracting officer (Level II certification) and worked in several contracting squadrons in the Air Force. In addition to his vast contracting experience, Fernando has demonstrated a commitment to small business success in contracting. He set the squadron small business record with 95% set aside, earning the unit the No. 1 small contracting squadron for women-owned small business and No. 2 for small disadvantaged business for Air Mobility Command.

Redlining the Reservation
2024-02-20 12:00 - 17:00
Tribal areas have been cut out of the financial system. What can be done about it?

Citizens on tribal lands live starkly different lives from Americans living in other areas, with limited quality-of-life necessities like electricity, fresh water, sanitation and heating and cooling systems for housing.
Learn how tribal areas have been cut out of the financial system, and what can be done about it in our webinar “Redlining the Reservation” on February 20th.
Hear how changes in CRA enable CDFIs to better engage in community development, mortgage lending, and small business investment on Native Lands.
Attendees will hear about the latest NCRC report, and about Native CDFIs regarding the challenges and opportunities for improving conditions in tribal areas
SPEAKERS:

Dave Castillo, CEO, Native Community Capital CDFI
Bruce Mitchell, Principal Researcher, NCRC
Jason Richardson, Sr. Director of Research, NCRC

Greg Wilson, Senior Organizer, NCRC

Choosing Financial Services & Products
2024-02-20 12:00 - 17:00
This course helps you understand the different kinds of financial products and services available, how they might meet your needs, and how you can make the most of them. We also discuss rights and responsibilities when dealing with certain types of financial products and services.
• Finding financial products and services.
• Comparing financial service providers.
• Opening a checking or savings account.
• Avoiding checking account fees.
• Evaluating non-banking money storage options (prepaid/payroll cards).

Native Financial Empowerment Training 2024 held every Tuesday from 12pm-1pm via Zoom. Register for Workshops at form.jotform.com/TribalTechnology/FinancialEmpowerment. For more information, email or call T3 Tribal Technology Training; Andrea Alexander: 425-501-0042 or andrea@tribaltechnology.org, Will Booth: 206-687-7842 or will@tribaltechnology.org, Angela Ewen: 425-427-7328 or angela@tribaltechnology.org.

Creating a Quick Business Plan in Three Hours
2024-02-20 09:00 - 12:00
Join us and other entrepreneurs in this hands-on workshop where you will write your “Unique Value Statement” for your new product or service. This is a concise description of your product or service and explain the unique value your product or service provides to your customers. As part of the workshop, participants will receive real-time feedback from a SCORE mentor to help them fine tune their Value Statement.
In the second part of the workshop you will use the “Lean Canvas” to begin the process of turning your product/service into a business. In this interactive session, you use the canvas to help guide you in expanding the information in the Unique Value Statement by capturing key ideas, concepts and strategies about your business in the canvas. This creates a basic framework that you can use to complete YOUR full, detailed business plan.
Have paper, a pencil or a pen ready as the goal of this workshop is for all participants to leave with a draft of their “Unique Value Statement” and “Lean Canvas.”
Listen to what others who have attended this workshop have to say about the instructors and the program:
• It was a great help to have time to work on a plan and get direct feedback from the instructor!
• The hands approach of writing my lean canvas in class really helped me think in detail about my business.
• Really helps simplify the planning process for me!
• Gave me a structured approach to think through my business.
• It was a very positive environment; the instructor and other students provided examples on how to improve my plans.
SCORE’s Small Business Essentials Workshops prepares individuals to make the right decisions and create actionable plans when starting a small business. Whether you are starting a business on your own (one-person business) or a business with employees, we have the right set of workshops to help you succeed. All the workshops are about three hours in length and taught by experienced SCORE Mentors. See more information on these workshops here.
Presenter
This workshop is presented by SCORE Business Mentor, Mike Tarino. Mike began his healthcare career by building the consumer experience for the first members of Definity Health, the pioneering consumer-driven health plan. He helped Definity create a new market segment and later served as CEO after the company’s acquisition by UnitedHealth Group. Next, he led DSM Personalized Nutrition, refocusing the business on the corporate wellness marketplace and selling it to a strategic acquirer. Then he spearheaded growth initiatives for Geisinger Health System’s health insurance company by developing population health and performance-based partnerships with innovative health systems. Mike holds a BA from Macalester College and an MBA from Cornell University. For more information about Mike, visit his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miketarino/

Financial Basics for New Small Businesses
2024-02-15 13:00 - 14:00
This workshop is designed to give you, the business owner, the financial skills and know-how needed to perform key tasks like to determine how to accurately compute the amount of funding you’ll need to start your business. You will also learn how to project your future financial results realistically including:
· Projecting sales for a new business
· Understanding your cost of goods sold and gross margin
· Being able to project your operating expenses
· Calculating your net income.
· Planning your cash flow successfully.

This workshop includes a special section on creating financial statements for service businesses.
Proper management of finances is crucial to any business’s success and a special set of skills is needed to understand and create these critical financial statements. This workshop is suitable for everyone whether you are starting a new business or need to update your skills.

This is an interactive workshop. We encourage participation by all attendees — so bring along your questions!
Listen to what others who have attended this workshop have to say about the instructors and the program:
· Really helped me understand the projection of fixed and variable costs and how to make a cash flow statement.
· The workshop examples are easy to understand and the financial templates provided are immensely valuable.
· Now I know what mistakes I’m am making in my business and how to fix them.
· I appreciated that they had financial examples for service-based businesses.
· This workshop far exceeded my expectations on what I thought I would learn.
Presenter
This workshop is presented by SCORE Volunteer Suzanne Rouaix. Suzanne is the founding member of SDR Franchise Brokerage, LLC, and is an independent and certified franchise broker specializing in highly individualized franchise search and support services for aspiring franchise owners. She is an established consultant in all phases of small business operations. Suzanne received her MBA in entrepreneurship from Simmons University in Boston, and her BBA in finance from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
SCORE’s Small Business Essentials Workshops prepares individuals to make the right decisions and create actionable plans when starting a small business. Whether you are starting a business on your own (one-person business) or a business with employees, we have the right set of workshops to help you succeed. All the workshops are about three hours in length and taught by experienced SCORE Mentors. See more information on these workshops here.

Cultivating a Business Mindset for Success
2024-02-14 16:00 - 17:00
In today’s competitive business landscape, a successful entrepreneur requires more than just technical expertise and a keen sense of market trends. They also need a resilient mindset that can help them weather the storms of uncertainty, overcome obstacles, and stay motivated during ups and downs. This interactive and inspiring workshop, “Cultivating a Business Mindset for Success,” will help you unlock your potential as an entrepreneur by teaching you practical strategies for developing a growth mindset and overcoming limiting beliefs. You’ll learn how to shift your focus from fear to opportunity, embrace failure as a valuable learning experience, and harness the power of positive thinking to achieve your goals. With real-life case studies and actionable advice, this workshop will empower you to cultivate a winning attitude and create abundance in your life and business. So, if you’re ready to transform your mindset and take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level, this workshop is the perfect opportunity for you.

About the Presenter: Angilie Kapoor, a highly acclaimed leader with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, is dedicated to helping workplace, business, and life Aspiring Leaders increase their confidence & effectiveness & amplify their impact. Through her extensive background in management and leadership, she offers invaluable knowledge and insights gained from her own journey. She is also a multi-book author, her latest masterpiece, “Leader Mindset Activation,” is a must-read for aspiring leaders who want to harness the power of their mind to unlock their full leader potential. She is also the host of the television show, “Take The Lead: A Consciousness Movement with Angilie Kapoor” premiering March 18th, 2024 on the Trajectory TV channel on the e360tv network. Angilie is the founder of Oversight Global, an organization dedicated to addressing the consciousness crisis in the world one leader at a time.

Loan Programs: Funding for Working Capital
2024-02-14 10:00 - 11:00
Join staff from the SBA Seattle District office to learn how the SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program can be used to meet your company’s working capital needs. During this free webinar we will discuss:

Allowable uses of working capital funds
The various loan programs available for working capital
The loan structuring process for each program
Q&A

Wednesday Webinars
Wednesday Webinars with SBA Seattle is an ongoing series of free, virtual, webinars covering a variety of topics to benefit small business owners. On the second Wednesday of each month, we will be highlighting SBA loan programs and opportunities for small business funding.
About the Presenter
Today’s topic will be presented by Janie Sacco, Outreach and Marketing Specialist with SBA’s Seattle District. Janie started working for the SBA in 2020. Janie has been in banking since 1975 providing funding to the small business community in the greater Puget Sound market. Janie serves both SBA lenders and borrowers. She is devoted to providing quality financial education to small business owners and entrepreneurs, specifically focusing on women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses.

Debt Repayment Options & Debt Collections
2024-02-13 12:00 - 17:00
Looking for ways to manage finances or consolidate your debts? Attend this class where we will look at ways for getting out of debt. We explore aspects of the personal budget and focus on using a spending plan to pay down debts in a systematic manner. We also explore the pros and cons of other alternatives that can help people strategically target debts efficiently and effectively.
• Pros and cons of debt management options,
• Rights when dealing with debt collectors, and
• Prioritizing debts when finances are tight.

Native Financial Empowerment Training 2024 held every Tuesday from 12pm-1pm via Zoom. Register for Workshops at form.jotform.com/TribalTechnology/FinancialEmpowerment. For more information, email or call T3 Tribal Technology Training; Andrea Alexander: 425-501-0042 or andrea@tribaltechnology.org, Will Booth: 206-687-7842 or will@tribaltechnology.org, Angela Ewen: 425-427-7328 or angela@tribaltechnology.org.

Strategies to Identify and Reach Your Target Customers
2024-02-12 09:00 - 10:00
In this Marketing workshop, we start by helping you identify your target market. These are your best potential customers and knowing them helps you create a better product or service. It also makes all your promotional efforts more focused and effective.
We show you how to finalize the design of your product or service and make sure it’s right for your target market. Then we take you through how to create a value proposition that perfectly captures the unique value your product or service brings to your customers. Next you have to build your marketing message. That’s the information for your brochures, websites, and anything else you use to sell your product or service. We will also review a number of promotional methods and help you draft a promotional plan for your business.
This workshop focuses on hands-on exercises to help you create a target market, value proposition and promotion plan for your business.
SCORE’s Small Business Essentials Workshops prepares individuals to make the right decisions and create actionable plans when starting a small business. Whether you are starting a business on your own (one-person business) or a business with employees, we have the right set of workshops to help you succeed.
Presenter
This workshop is presented by SCORE Volunteer Mary Sullivan. Mary is co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Sweet but Fearless, a career transformation specialist. Its mission is to provide tools and knowledge that uplift, inspire leaders along their career pathing journey. Mary is a former financial services executive with Vanguard, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade where she was able to sharpen her leadership skills across multiple countries and corporate divisions. Her personal passion is ensuring that all women understand their financial health and have a retirement plan in place. Mary’s certifications in Remote Learning, Building Effective Teams from Cornell University, her degrees in Spanish and Political Science from Saint Louis University, and her Women’s Executive training from Harvard Business School, all support her love of learning and teaching.

Tax Savings Strategies for Small Businesses
2024-02-08 13:00 - 14:00
This workshop focuses on Federal tax-saving strategies that work best for small businesses. It covers topics such as electing S-Corporation status with the IRS, maximizing the deduction for business use of the home, demonstrating two ways to compute the deduction for the business use of a personal vehicle, providing examples of seven different retirement plans, and helping you determine which one is best for you. Additionally, the workshop describes how to maximize the benefits of health savings accounts, highlights the difference between smart and not-so-smart equipment purchases for maximizing tax benefits, and explains the distinction between cash and accrual accounting to help you choose the better option for your business. There’s much more covered in the workshop, offering valuable insights for small business tax planning.
View this short 2-minute video to understand more about this workshop: video teaser
If you want to understand more about the Federal, Washington and local taxes that are assessed against businesses and business owners, you should register for the “Tax Essentials for New and Existing Business Owners” workshop first before attending the “Tax Saving Strategies for Small Businesses” workshop.
Listen to what others who have attended this workshop have to say about the instructor and the program:
· Really helped my business learn about how to save money with minimizing and deferring taxes.
· Finally learned how LLCs can help protect my personal savings and how S-Corps can help me pay lower taxes.
· Now I understand how to use the “home office” tax deduction to save money on my personal tax returns.
· Most helpful training I’ve ever been to!
· The workshop provided actionable details on how save money on taxes.
· The instructor provided valuable information clearly, no fluff – all practical and doable. Answered all my questions.
Presenter
This workshop is presented by SCORE Business Mentor Joe Heinrich. Joe is a retired CPA having worked for 12 years with KPMG, an international accounting firm, and 22 years with Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. in various finance executive positions. Over the past 11 years since his retirement, Joe has help hundreds of small business owners make their businesses more profitable, eliminated problems with their accounting, assisted them in obtaining financing for their business and helped them save thousands of dollars of Federal and Washington taxes. He also presents the “Tax Saving Strategies for Small Businesses” and “Tax Essentials for New and Existing Business Owners” workshops for SCORE. For more information about Joe, visit his LinkedIn profile here: Joe Heinrich

Marketing Plan 101: Create Your Roadmap To Success
2024-02-07 10:00 - 11:00
Are you overwhelmed by all the choices for your marketing your business in the new year? Not sure where your time is best spent? Are you following what everyone else is doing and hope it works for you too?

A well-executed marketing plan will help you:

Define your business with SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat)
Define your target audience with buyer personas
Tools you will need to execute on your marketing plan
Measuring and Optimizing your Marketing Efforts
Define your brand with proper visuals and messaging
Learn how to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to build parts of your marketing plan

Instructor: Patty Ross
Patty Ross has well over 20 years experience in marketing and has been in the online space since 1998 where she developed an e-commerce program for a gourmet gift company into a million dollar business. She has marketing coaching and full service clients in financial, legal, education, health and beauty, wine, motorsports, e-commerce, coaching, landscape design, CBD/cannabis, restaurants, transportation and logistics, political activism, non profits and more. Golden State Marketing and her other business, California Wine Marketing, were founded in 2006.

Business Risk Management: LLC under Tribal Law
2024-02-06 17:00 - 18:30
Come join us for the Business Risk Management + LLC under Tribal Law for Small Businesses Webinar in partnership with the Small Business Legal Clinic. Shanna has served several tribal governments while working at a firm in Washington, D.C., including advising tribes on economic development matters such as trademarks for tribal enterprises, contracts that protected tribal sovereign immunity, and land purchases.

Redesign Your Website
2024-02-06 13:00 - 15:00
When did you last look at your business’s website? Or perhaps you are still trying to develop one? Websites remain an incredibly popular destination for site traffic. When you add up all of the functions and ways they can work for and represent your business, nothing works harder online than a professional website.
It can also be daunting to create one with various tools and design suggestions floating around. In this workshop, we will cover recent trends in website design for businesses and other organizations. That will include the latest in content and design best practices and what tools you can use to create a site and why. But most importantly, we will cover the 10 key elements of website design that determine whether a website is just OK or great. We will also touch on submitting your site to Google for rankings and security and hosting considerations.
So, if you want to super-charge your website and make it an active resource for getting new customers, this workshop is for you!

Presenter
Matt Cail started out in the world of message boards and web design. During five years as a Washington, D.C., consultant, he became knowledgeable about emergency communications and competition in the online video industry. He has worked in social media, search engine marketing, web design, and online advertising. Matt leads Super Charge Marketing is your one-stop social media firm for all of your social media marketing needs!

Credit Reports and Scores
2024-02-06 12:00 - 17:00
From employment possibilities to the rates we pay for insurance, our credit has direct impacts on our financial health. Attend this course to gain skills in managing, protecting, building, and even rebuilding credit. Learn what information credit bureaus use to calculate your credit score and gain the knowledge you need for a secure financial future. We’ll cover:
•How credit works and the importance to our financial health.
•Learn how to request and read a credit report.
•Understand how to dispute errors in a credit report.
•Know ways to maintain or improve a positive credit score.
•Learn effective ways to establish, build or maintain productive credit.

Native Financial Empowerment Training 2024 held every Tuesday from 12pm-1pm via Zoom. Register for Workshops at form.jotform.com/TribalTechnology/FinancialEmpowerment. For more information, email or call T3 Tribal Technology Training; Andrea Alexander: 425-501-0042 or andrea@tribaltechnology.org, Will Booth: 206-687-7842 or will@tribaltechnology.org, Angela Ewen: 425-427-7328 or angela@tribaltechnology.org.

Building a Marketing Strategy for Your Small Farm
2024-02-03 - 2024-02-28
The Building a Marketing Strategy for Your Small Farm workshop series is designed to help small farmers, ranchers, and food business owners develop a personalized marketing strategy, amplify your message, and connect with customers to grow your business. Each week of this workshop series will focus on key digital marketing strategies for messaging, websites, social media, and email communication. By the end of this workshop you will have a clear understanding of your marketing message, the tools you can use to connect with your customers, and a holistic marketing strategy to grow your business. The workshop series includes:

4 Saturday morning class sessions: 9 – 10:30 am PST / 10 – 11:30 am MST, February 3, 10, 17, & 24th
4 Wednesday evening group coaching sessions: 5:30 – 7 pm PST / 6:30 – 8 pm MST, February 7, 14, 21, & 28th

The Wednesday group coaching sessions will focus on strategies for applying the topics discussed during the previous Saturday class session through large group discussions and small group breakout rooms. The group coaching sessions will help you apply what you’ve learned in the class, answer specific questions you have, and optimize the marketing strategies you are applying.
Bonus! Participants that attend all 4 Saturday class sessions and Wednesday group coaching sessions, complete each weekly homework, and take the end of course evaluation are eligible for 1 hour of free 1-on-1 coaching with instructor Emily Black. Limit 10 participants.
Workshop Series FAQ >
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Workshop Cost
$75 per person, household, or farm
Partial scholarships available.
Email cdephelps@uidaho.edu to request a scholarship.

Register ASAP – Space is limited!

Register for the Workshop

Homebuyer Education
2024-01-30 17:00 - 2024-02-01 21:00 | Lapwai, Lapwai
Discover the intricacies and advantages of home ownership, along with the associated responsibilities and maintenance considerations. This comprehensive guide covers a range of topics, including the significance of budgeting and savings, strategies for improving credit, calculating affordability, navigating tribal land issues, exploring program and loan options, understanding the steps involved in the loan and construction processes, and receiving tips for home improvements and post-purchase upkeep. Gain valuable insights into every aspect of the home buying journey. RSVP with Sonya: 843-2229 or
sonyas@ nezperce.org.

Are You Ready to Export?
2024-01-24 10:00 - 11:00
Embark on your export journey with confidence! Discover your partners and unlock essential resources and tools to support you every step of the way. Join us for an enlightening webinar where you’ll learn that expanding into international trade doesn’t have to be a solo experience.
The Washington SBDC International Trade Certified Business Advisors are NASBITE Certified Global Business Professionals and have additional experience in mentoring businesses and professional development in international trade. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of international trade and establish a strategic plan for meeting short-term and long-term goals.
This week’s webinar will feature a conversation with Washington SBDC advisors Christy Mastin, Allan Peterson and Ellie He.
Who is presenting:
Christy is an International Trade Certified Business Advisor located at the offices of the Tri-cities Development Council in Kennewick, WA. She joined the Washington SBDC 1 year ago after almost 10 years in international sales. She advises businesses located across Southern Washington.
Allan is an International Trade Certified Business Advisor at the office of the Grant County Economic Development Council, in Moses Lake, WA. He has over 10 years’ experience at the Washington SBDC and serves businesses located in Eastern Washington.
Ellie is an International Trade Certified Business Advisor located in Bellevue, WA. She has almost five years’ experience with Washington SBDC and has a background in business development at an international law firm. She helps businesses across Western Washington.
As Washington SBDC international trade business advisors, Christy, Allan and Ellie participate as working members of the Washington Export Outreach Team (WEOT), a collaborative team of local, state, regional, and federal export assistance agencies that provide Washington state companies with tools and resources to help them export.
Wednesday Webinars
Wednesday Webinars with SBA Seattle is an ongoing series of free, virtual, webinars covering a variety of topics to benefit small business owners. On the fourth Wednesday of each month, we will be focusing on export assistance, featuring conversations with different members of the Washington Export Outreach Team (WEOT). Established in 2013 following a national mandate to do more to support international trade, WEOT is a collaborative team of local, state, regional, and federal export assistance agencies who provide you the tools and resources you need to sell internationally.
About the Host
John Brislin is SBA’s International Trade & Finance Specialist (Export Finance Manager) for Washington State, Northern Idaho and Alaska. He has over 23 years of private-sector international banking and trade finance experience working at Bank of Boston (Bank of America) and Bank of California (U.S. Bank). John has over 12 years of public-sector export trade finance and risk mitigation experience working at Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington (EFACW), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank) and SBA Office of International Trade (SBA OIT). He looks forward to working with Small Businesses so they can turn their export opportunities into actual sales and to achieve the ultimate goal of getting paid—especially on time—for those sales.

Cybersecurity Requirements for Federal Contracting
2024-01-24 09:00 - 10:00
Dive into the realm of cybersecurity in federal contracting with the Project Spectrum Webinar: “Cybersecurity Requirements for Federal Contracting: CMMC 2.0 Explained.” Gain invaluable insights into the updated Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 and unravel the intricacies of compliance levels tailored to your company’s needs. Led by experts in the field, this webinar provides a comprehensive exploration of the cybersecurity landscape, helping you understand the essential measures to safeguard your federal contracts. Don’t miss this opportunity to navigate the evolving cybersecurity requirements and ensure your company is well-prepared for success in federal contracting.

Business Planning for Agritourism Enterprises
2024-01-23 10:00 - 11:00
Business planning is critical for any type of enterprise, and agritourism is no exception. This webinar will cover key steps for business planning and introduce you to a new online tool. AgPlan is a free, easy-to-use business planning app designed to provide customized assistance for different types of businesses, including agritourism. In this webinar, we’ll provide a general overview of business planning for agritourism as well as information about registering for an online training series in February and March for those who would like to develop a business plan this winter with guidance from Extension business planning experts.

Boots to Business Reboot for Veteran Beginning Farmers & Ranchers
2024-01-22 07:00 - 14:00
Tailored to support veterans entering the agricultural sector, this program offers a specialized class to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to establish successful businesses. From understanding sustainable farming practices to navigating the intricacies of agricultural business management, the USDA’s program aims to empower veterans to thrive in the dynamic world of farming and ranching.

Silver Lining SLAP Information Session
2024-01-19 09:00 - 10:00
If you’re an entrepreneur who feels like you’ve hit a plateau, or you’re simply not sure how to take your business to the next level, the Silver Linings Action Plan (SLAP) could be just what you need. This mentor-led program is designed to help small business owners identify the areas where they can improve and create a plan of action to achieve their financial goals.
Here are some of the key benefits of the SLAP program:

Mentorship from experienced business leaders: SLAP mentors have years of experience in the business world and can offer valuable insights and advice to help you grow your business.
Personalized action plan: Each SLAP participant will work with their mentor to develop a customized action plan that is tailored to their specific business goals and needs.
Accountability: The SLAP program is designed to hold participants accountable for their progress. Mentors will check in regularly to ensure that participants are staying on track and making progress towards their goals.
Networking opportunities: SLAP participants will have the opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs in the program, which can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations.

To qualify for the SLAP program, you should be a full-time entrepreneur who is already generating revenue but hasn’t reached your full financial growth potential.
If this sounds like you, we invite you to join us for an information session to learn more about the program. We’ll discuss how SLAP works, who qualifies to participate, and the opportunities available to participants. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your business to the next level!
Once again, to register, please visit: ntv.bz/slap1

For more information about the IDRS Acorn Project or to get help for your business at no cost, please contact us at:
Our Team Help email: help@idrsinc.org
Phone: 916-482-5800
Website: www.nativebiz.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idrsacornproject
Instagram: www.instagram.com/idrs_acorn_project
About IDRS Acorn Project:
The IDRS Acorn Project is a program of Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc. (IDRS, Inc.) a 501(c)(3) Native-governed, non-profit based in California. The IDRS Acorn Project provides free, online and offline small business training to Native entrepreneurs throughout the United States. IDRS also offers free counseling services to Native entrepreneurs to help them start and grow small businesses.
IDRS, Inc. also provides dispute resolution services including mediation and facilitation, dispute resolution training, and tribal election administration to Native American tribes. For more information about IDRS, please visit www.idrsinc.org.

Cyber Security Compliance Webinar
2024-01-18 12:00 - 13:30
Join guest speaker Crystal (Cris) Pierce, a Sr. Procurement Specialist with the National Center APEX Accelerator, hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. The APEX Accelerator assists American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian owned small businesses to effectively compete in government contracting on the federal, state, and local government levels. Cris works with businesses in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Eastern Region.

Strategies for Pivoting when your Business is Struggling
2024-01-18 12:00 - 13:00
When growing and expanding a business, it is natural to be passionate and optimistic about your ideas. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and your business idea may not work out. When this happens, it can be difficult to know what to do next.
Know that pivoting your business is not a failure. It is an opportunity to learn, grow, and find new ways to succeed. Being open-minded and be willing to try new things. With persistence and creativity, you can find a new direction for your business and thrive.
Join entrepreneur Whitney Virden from Roots+Blooms to learn how she pivoted when expanding her floral design business to a second location. Whitney will tell her personal story and share her strategy when the businesses was not blooming as she anticipated.
Once again, to register, please visit: ntv.bz/pivot

For more information about the IDRS Acorn Project or to get help for your business at no cost, please contact us at:
Our Team Help email: help@idrsinc.org
Phone: 916-482-5800
Website: www.nativebiz.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idrsacornproject
Instagram: www.instagram.com/idrs_acorn_project
About IDRS Acorn Project:
The IDRS Acorn Project is a program of Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc. (IDRS, Inc.) a 501(c)(3) Native-governed, non-profit based in California. The IDRS Acorn Project provides free, online and offline small business training to Native entrepreneurs throughout the United States. IDRS also offers free counseling services to Native entrepreneurs to help them start and grow small businesses.
IDRS, Inc. also provides dispute resolution services including mediation and facilitation, dispute resolution training, and tribal election administration to Native American tribes. For more information about IDRS, please visit www.idrsinc.org.

Elevate Idaho: VC & Angel Partners
2024-01-17 11:00 - 12:00
Embark on an enlightening virtual journey with the Elevate Idaho Partnership and the Idaho APEX Accelerator during their Monthly Lunch and Learn Series. This session delves into the dynamic world of Venture Capital (VC) and Angel Partnerships, featuring insights from Scott Brovsky, Co-Founder and COO of ASC Biosciences at the University of California, UC Riverside. Gain valuable knowledge about navigating the realms of VC and Angel investing, fostering a deeper understanding of these crucial elements in the entrepreneurial landscape. Join this engaging session to elevate your understanding of investment strategies and entrepreneurial opportunities.

HUBZone Contracting Program
2024-01-17 10:00 - 11:00
The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.
Join us this week to learn about program eligibility, certification process and program benefits to small businesses.
Wednesday Webinars
Wednesday Webinars with SBA Seattle is an ongoing series of free, virtual, webinars covering a variety of topics to benefit small business owners. On the third Wednesday of each month, we will be focusing on government contracting opportunities, certifications, and business development programs.
About the Presenter
Fernando Cervantes is the Lead Business Opportunity Specialist in the Seattle District’s Spokane Branch office. Fernando joined the SBA following an accomplished career in the U.S. Air Force, most recently from Fairchild Air Force Base. During his service, he was a contracting officer (Level II certification) and worked in several contracting squadrons in the Air Force. In addition to his vast contracting experience, Fernando has demonstrated a commitment to small business success in contracting. He set the squadron small business record with 95% set aside, earning the unit the No. 1 small contracting squadron for women-owned small business and No. 2 for small disadvantaged business for Air Mobility Command.

Indigenous Makers Etsy Cohort Information Session
2024-01-12 12:00 - 13:00
Are you a maker, artist, or craftsman who creates handmade items?
· Wouldn’t it be great to earn more money and reach more people than any of your social media can?
· Want to sell your creations year-round without having to wait on a powwow or other event?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should explore the potential of taking your business to the next level by selling online through the world’s largest marketplace for handcrafted items.
The IDRS Acorn Project is partnering with the Nest Artisan Guild to launch a special program that will help Native makers expand their market and make more income by selling on the Etsy platform. Makers chosen to participate in the 3-month program will receive all the assistance and training they need to launch a successful Etsy store. In addition to the specialized training and assistance, participants will also receive grants that will help ensure their successful launch into the global marketplace.
During this informational session, you will hear from two Native makers who have experienced tremendous success selling through Etsy. MaryBeth Timothy and Lynn Wilson will explain why they chose Etsy as their primary online sales platform and share how they plan to use their knowledge and best practices to help program participants achieve the same success they’ve had.
Once again, to register, please visit: ntv.bz/etsy1

For more information about the IDRS Acorn Project or to get help for your business at no cost, please contact us at:
Our Team Help email: help@idrsinc.org
Phone: 916-482-5800
Website: www.nativebiz.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idrsacornproject
Instagram: www.instagram.com/idrs_acorn_project
About IDRS Acorn Project:
The IDRS Acorn Project is a program of Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc. (IDRS, Inc.) a 501(c)(3) Native-governed, non-profit based in California. The IDRS Acorn Project provides free, online and offline small business training to Native entrepreneurs throughout the United States. IDRS also offers free counseling services to Native entrepreneurs to help them start and grow small businesses.
IDRS, Inc. also provides dispute resolution services including mediation and facilitation, dispute resolution training, and tribal election administration to Native American tribes. For more information about IDRS, please visit www.idrsinc.org.

Affordable Connectivity Program Info Webinar
2024-01-11 11:30 - 12:00
Having good internet is almost a prerequisite for running your business today. Whether for marketing and social media, accepting payments, or just using apps that make operating your business so much easier, having internet just makes business life better.
Are you struggling to afford these necessary internet services? If you live on qualifying tribal lands, you may be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program offered by the Federal Communications Commission. This program helps families and households connect to the internet by providing $75 a month towards internet service and a laptop or desktop device for a very low cost.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get connected to the internet and improve your access to education, job opportunities, and more.
Once again, to register, please visit: ntv.bz/acp

For more information about the IDRS Acorn Project or to get help for your business at no cost, please contact us at:
Our Team Help email: help@idrsinc.org
Phone: 916-482-5800
Website: www.nativebiz.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idrsacornproject
Instagram: www.instagram.com/idrs_acorn_project
About IDRS Acorn Project:
The IDRS Acorn Project is a program of Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc. (IDRS, Inc.) a 501(c)(3) Native-governed, non-profit based in California. The IDRS Acorn Project provides free, online and offline small business training to Native entrepreneurs throughout the United States. IDRS also offers free counseling services to Native entrepreneurs to help them start and grow small businesses.
IDRS, Inc. also provides dispute resolution services including mediation and facilitation, dispute resolution training, and tribal election administration to Native American tribes. For more information about IDRS, please visit www.idrsinc.org.

Funding a Business Acquisition
2024-01-10 10:00 - 11:00
Join staff from the Seattle SBA office to learn how SBA-backed loans may be utilized for the acquisition, in full or in part, of an existing business.
Wednesday Webinars
Wednesday Webinars with SBA Seattle is an ongoing series of free, virtual, webinars covering a variety of topics to benefit small business owners. On the second Wednesday of each month, we will be highlighting SBA loan programs and opportunities for small business funding.
About the Presenter
Today’s topic will be presented by Janie Sacco, Outreach and Marketing Specialist with SBA’s Seattle District. Janie started working for the SBA in 2020. Janie has been in banking since 1975 providing funding to the small business community in the greater Puget Sound market. Janie serves both SBA lenders and borrowers. She is devoted to providing quality financial education to small business owners and entrepreneurs, specifically focusing on women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses.

Trademark Basics Bootcamp Virtual Workshop Series
2024-01-09 - 2024-02-06
This free USPTO event series provides a comprehensive overview of the process for federal trademark registration and maintaining a federal trademark. If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur seeking to protect your brand and product identities, Trademark Basics Boot Camp is for you.
Trademark Basics Boot Camp is offered regularly throughout the year. During each series run, we cover one module weekly for eight weeks, with each module focusing on different aspects of trademarks and the registration process, from filing and examination to post-registration requirements for keeping your registration alive. Each module concludes with a question-and-answer period where you can ask our USPTO trademark experts questions.
You can attend the entire series or just the modules that best match your interests, but you must sign up for each module to attend. If you attend all eight modules, you can request a certificate of attendance. To learn more and sign up, select an individual module from the listing below.

JAN 9, 2024 – VIRTUAL
Trademark Basics Boot Camp, Module 1: Fundamentals

A must for any new trademark owner. In this module, we’ll cover definitions and types of trademarks, benefits of federal registration, selecting a trademark, filing and registration, and how to find help.

JAN 16, 2024 – VIRTUAL
Trademark Basics Boot Camp, Module 2: Registration process overview

This event is a must for any small business or new entrepreneur learning to navigate trademarks for the first time. In this module, we’ll focus on the overall trademark registration process, from filing to registration.

JAN 23, 2024 – VIRTUAL
Trademark Basics Boot Camp, Module 3: Searching

This event is a must for any small business or new entrepreneur learning to navigate trademarks for the first time. In this module, we’ll cover important principles related to searching the USPTO’s trademark database.

JAN 30, 2024 – VIRTUAL
Trademark Basics Boot Camp, Module 4: Application requirements

This event is a must for any small business or new entrepreneur learning to navigate trademarks for the first time. In this module, we’ll focus on the requirements for an initial trademark application.

FEB 6, 2024 – VIRTUAL
Trademark Basics Boot Camp, Module 5: Application filing walk-through

A must for any small business or new entrepreneur learning to navigate trademarks. In this module, we focus on the Trademark Electronic Application System, the required system for making trademark submissions to the USPTO.
