Neighborhood News

DCRA Small Business Resource Center's February 2015 Workshops

DCRA Small Business Resource Center's February 2015 workshops

Are you looking for new opportunities to start or grow your business?

Then you don’t want to miss one or all of these seminars!

1. Senior Entrepreneurship Program

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory (DCRA) Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is collaborating with the D C Office of Aging (DCOA) to host its Senior Day Program for residents 60 years of age and older.
If you are interested in starting a new business or need information on sustaining an existing business, this program is for you? The program is designed to provide information on starting new and existing businesses. During this these sessions DCRA’s staff will be on hand to provide the regulatory process of the following:

·         Corporate Registration

·         Business Licensing

·         Vending & Events

·         Farmer Markets

·         Q&A

Date: Thursday, February 4, 2016

Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Location: Washington – 3001 Alabama Avenue SE, Washington D.C. 20020

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41356

2. Meet One-on-One with a Lawyer for Free!

If you are an existing or an aspiring small business owner, come and meet one-on-one with attorneys at the Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic sponsored by the DC Bar Pro Bono Program. At this clinic you can get information on business formation, contracts, leases, taxes or any other questions you may have related to small business legal issues. Or, if you do not have specific questions, come and tell the attorneys about your business—they can help you spot legal issues or give you general advice.

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (Room E-200), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41927

3. How to Open a Small Business by Navigating through DCRA’s Regulatory Process

If you are interested in learning How to Open a Small Business by Navigating through DCRA's Regulatory Process then this session is for you. During this event the SBRC will be featuring DCRA's subject experts from:

·         Business Licensing Division

·         Corporations Division

·         Occupational and Professional Licensing Division

·         Permits and Inspections Division

·         Weights and Measures Division

·         Zoning Division

Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (Room E-200), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41235

4. Navigating Government Contracting with DCPTAC

The District of Columbia Procurement Technical Assistance Center (DC PTAC) is a program within the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). DC PTAC offers confidential, personalized, one on one business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully.

Whether you already have experience working on government contracts, or are looking for help to win your first one, we are available to help. At the DC PTAC, businesses can get assistance with developing strategies to pursue state, local and federal government contracts.

We help you navigate the procurement process more confidently and efficiently. Our assistance is tailored to meet your specific goals in areas such as:

• Contract research
• Bid matching
• Marketing plans
• Subcontracting and Teaming
• Proposal preparation
• GSA schedules
• Certifications (HubZone, 8(a), VA CVE, WOSB)
• Post contract award counseling

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2016

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 4th Floor (Room E-4302), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41940

5. SmartStart Integrated Licensing and Money Smart for Small Business Program

DCRA’s Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is providing a new, FREE service to provide small business owners with business licensing and Money Smart for Small Business education to grow businesses.

Basic Business License (BBL) Steps - During these sessions, DCRA’s SBRC staff will provide the step-by-step process, fees, renewal timeline when applying and obtaining a BBL.

Money Smart for Small Business - During these sessions, DCRA’s SBRC staff will provide basic business development tools which can be used to either deepen and/or develop your skills in Financial Management, Credit Reporting, Banking Services, Organizational Types, Tax Planning and Reporting, Time Management and Record Keeping.

Date: Monday, February 22, 2016

Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (Room E-268), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41090

6. The Regulatory Process of Starting a Business

During these FREE monthly sessions, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) will partner with District government agencies to educate customers on how to start a new business in the District of Columbia. The following topics will be discussed:

·         Business Licensing

·         Corporate registration

·         Certificates of Occupancy (C of O)

·         Home Occupancy Permits (HOP)

·         Grant Opportunities

·         Vending

·         Farmer markets

·         Certified Business Enterprises (CBE)

Date: Monday, February 22, 2016

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Takoma Park Neighborhood Library – 416 Cedar Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20012

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41343

7. Money Smart for Small Business Workshop: Financial Management & Credit Report

If you are interested in learning how to best run your business, you should attend a workshop we are conducting using the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) Money Smart for Small Business curriculum modules. During this session, representatives from Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) will assist individuals with a better understanding of Financial Management and Credit Reporting.

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Understand the essentials of financial managementApply financial management practices, rules, and tools most relevant for small businessesPrepare for common business financing needs: start-up finance, working capital, and fixed asset loansUnderstand how credit reports are used in the underwriting of business loansApply common business practices and tools to help in proper credit reportingDevelop strategies to build or improve their business’ creditProtect themselves from credit-related scams and know what to do if their business becomes a victim

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2016

Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 4th Floor (E-4302), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41936

Also, don’t forget! We have an amazing Forum coming up on March 14, 2016 at 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Build It in DC General & Home Improvement Contractor Forum 2016 will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center !

To register please go to www.BuildItinDC.com or call (202) 442-4538. This is a FREE Forum you don’t want to miss!

Best,

Claudia Herrera

Program Support Specialist ǀ Small Business Resource Center

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

Government  of the District of Columbia

1100 4th Street, SW, Suite E268 ǀ Washington, DC 20024

(202) 442-8055 (p) ǀ (202) 478-5752 (f) ǀ (202) 427-5732 (c)

claudia.herrera@dc.gov ǀ www.dcra.dc.gov