GROW

Grow with Google: Make Your Website Work for You
2022-09-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | MI
Whether launching a new website or sprucing up an existing one, this workshop will help you. Register today to learn how!

Please note: this is a virtual event.
In this presentation, you will discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports your goals.

In this webinar we’ll cover:

• What type of design works best for your organization
• How to create a website that drives toward your business goals
• How to make your website more search-friendly on Google.

We’ll also introduce you to free Google tools that can all help you improve the likelihood that your ideal customer will find your website on Google.

Led by Pamela Starr, a professional trainer for Grow with Google, this is a presentation all small business owners should attend.
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.

Grow with Google: Make Your Website Work for You
2022-09-15 12:00 - 13:00 | MI
Whether launching a new website or sprucing up an existing one, this workshop will help you.
Sign up today!

Please note: this is a virtual event.
Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use. In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google Business Profile from start to finish.

In this session we’ll show you how to:
* Create or claim your Google Business Profile
* Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps
* Use your Business Profile to connect with potential customers

Led by Pamela Starr, a professional trainer for Grow with Google, this is a presentation all small business owners should attend.
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.

Grow with Google: Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps
2022-08-16 12:00 - 13:00 | MI
Looking to ensure customers can find information about your small business on Google Search and Google Maps? Register today to learn more!

Please note: this is a virtual event.
Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use. In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google Business Profile from start to finish.

In this session we’ll show you how to:
* Create or claim your Google Business Profile
* Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps
* Use your Business Profile to connect with potential customers

Led by Pamela Starr, a professional trainer for Grow with Google, this is a presentation all small business owners should attend.
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.

Lending 101 with Dondrea Brown
2022-08-09 17:30 - 18:45 | Community Room at the Center for Community Transformation, 1530 Madison Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507
Are you an entrepreneur who has considered getting a loan to elevate your business? Are you unsure where to start?
Join us for a conversation with financial expert Dondrea Brown. During this session, Dondrea will provide practical knowledge about different loan options, help you determine what type of capital might be right for you, cover additional aspects of the loan application process, and answer the questions you have.
CLICK HERE to register now and don’t hesitate to reach out to Maximiliano Velasco for more information: mvelasco@growbusiness.org or (616) 458-3404.

CENTRO Business Plan Workshop Part 2
2022-08-04 17:00 - 20:00 | MI
Join the Grow team and other entrepreneurs for a CENTRO Business Plan workshop and walk away with your business plan in-hand. To register, please see Part 1 of this series on the Events Calendar.

Please note: This is an in person event. However, a link to download the CENTRO Business Planning App will be sent via text/SMS to the phone number you provide during registration.
MAKE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN IN 6 HOURS!
Class Topics Include:

Mission, Vision, and Values
Personal Finances
Market Analysis
Products and Services
Marketing Strategy
Operations
Business Finance
Business Plan PDF

Class will be in English; the mobile app and facilitators are bilingual in Spanish.
The workshop will happen over two sessions: Tuesday, August 2 from 5:00-8:00pm and Thursday, August 4 from 5:00-8:00pm. Both sessions are required to complete your business plan. See the Part 1 session to register.
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.

CENTRO Business Plan Workshop Part 1
2022-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 | The Pavilion Cafe, 1034 Bridge Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, US
Join the Grow team and other entrepreneurs for a CENTRO Business Plan workshop and walk away with your business plan in-hand.

Please note: This is an in person event. However, a link to download the CENTRO Business Planning App will be sent via text/SMS to the phone number you provide during registration.
MAKE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN IN 6 HOURS!
Class Topics Include:

Mission, Vision, and Values
Personal Finances
Market Analysis
Products and Services
Marketing Strategy
Operations
Business Finance
Business Plan PDF

Class will be in English; the mobile app and facilitators are bilingual in Spanish.
The workshop will happen over two sessions: Tuesday, August 2 from 5:00-8:00pm and Thursday, August 4 from 5:00-8:00pm. Both sessions are required to complete your business plan.
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.

SCORE Webinar: Your Marketing Roadmap- Content, Publicity and Personal Branding
2022-08-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Join SCORE and small business expert and entrepreneur Ramon Ray for part 3 of our 4-part marketing series. We’ll take you through the ultimate marketing essentials you will need for your business to be a success.
Workshop 3: Content, Publicity and Personal Branding
Ramon will show you how to integrate content marketing, publicity and personal branding to grow your business. You’ll see how you can leverage these three pillars in your marketing tool book.
In this webinar you will learn how to:

Use content to build trust with your audience.
Enhance the credibility of your brand using publicity.
Start and build a personal brand.
Identify why a community of fans is often more important than a sale.

Perform Better Under Pressure
2022-07-20 15:00 - 16:00 | MI
Join full-time entrepreneur Harmony Major to create your custom action plan to cut feelings of pressure & anxiety in high-stress situations.

Please note: this is a virtual event and a Zoom link will be sent to you by 2:00 PM on the day of the event.
Prepare for and engaging and interactive session with Harmony Major during GROW’s 3rd session in the “Best of Me” workshop series.
Across two decades as a full-time serial entrepreneur, Growth Coach & Root-Cause Results Strategist Harmony Major has earned clients like Google, LipoScience, and Space Foundation. She has been featured by top organizations like Verizon Small Business, Small Business Trends, and The Network Journal for growth and productivity thought leadership.
Today, she helps ​​​​​impact-driven entrepreneurs transcend lasting effects of present-day stress, past trauma, and ideal client confusion to ​fuel ​​bolder, faster business growth.
A multi-certified professional, Harmony is trained in Digital & Inbound Marketing, Psychological & Emotional Resilience, Life Purpose Extraction, Holistic Health & Wellness Coaching, Master-Level Reiki Therapy, Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy, PTSD and Trauma Recovery.
Her passion is helping leaders dissolve personal blocks stifling professional growth—even if they’ve felt “stuck” for years. Subscribe to her ezine, Power Forward, or follow her on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Feeling overloaded, anxious, or scattered isn’t fertile ground for growing a business. Or for keeping operations running smoothly. Leave this hands-on, interactive training class with several in-the-moment stress management strategies to stay focused, decisive, organized, and in-control, even in the midst of day-to-day stress.
Topics Discussed Will Include:
-“Rewiring the brain” is key to consistent growth and why
-The scientific reason sound “mindset training” fuels faster and bolder growth
-The key thing we MUST do to sustain a long-term growth mindset
-Three skills to relieve anxiety and pressure in 5 minutes or less
-How to work “on purpose” to boost fun and efficiency (and get more done!)

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.
All registration questions are a requirement of the Small Business Administration and are used for fund reporting.

Learn the Basics of Google Ads
2022-07-19 12:00 - 13:00 | MI
Are you interested in learning more about Google Ads? If so, register today for an engaging and informative session!

Please note: this is a virtual event.
In this workshop you will learn how to reach more customers and grow your business with Google Ads.

In this session we’ll talk about:

* How to create an account and set up an ad campaign

* How to write great ads, refine keywords, and include ad extensions

* How to measure success

Led by Pamela Starr, a professional trainer for Grow with Google, this is a session perfect for people new to Google Ads.

Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.

SCORE Event: Ask an Expert- Retail Strategies
2022-07-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Digtial disruption, evolving customer expectations, retaining employees, modern marketing and inflation are just a few of the many challenges that retail owners are facing in today’s times.
In celebration of National Independent retail month, we have dedicated a full hour to answering any question you might have about running a retail business.
Join us for a live Q&A led by retail expert Ritchie Sayner, who will address your important questions using his decades of industry knowledge.

SCORE Webinar: Your Marketing Roadmap- Stop Selling and Start Educating
2022-07-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Join SCORE and small business expert and entrepreneur Ramon Ray for part 2 of the 4-part marketing series. We’ll take you through the ultimate marketing essentials you will need for your business to be a success.
Workshop 2: Stop Selling and Start Educating
Ramon will show you the power of educating your customer instead of trying to “sell” your customer. By educating your customer you’ll be guiding them to buy from you instead of trying to convince them.
In this webinar you will learn:

The importance of building an attraction to your business.
How to build a lead capture system for your business.
How and why to educate your customers and nurture them to a sale.
How to wow your customers so they want to buy from you over and over again.

CENTRO Bootcamp
2022-06-25 09:00 - 15:00 | The Pavilion Cafe, 1034 Bridge Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, US
Join the Grow team and other entrepreneurs for a CENTRO bootcamp and walk away with your Business Plan in-hand.

Please note: This is an in person event. However, a link to download the CENTRO Business Planning App will be sent via text/SMS to the phone number you provide during registration.
MAKE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN IN 6 HOURS!

Class Topics Include:
Mission, Vision, and Values
Personal Finances
Market Analysis
Products and Services
Marketing Strategy
Operations
Business Finance
Business Plan PDF

Class will be in English; the mobile app and facilitators are bilingual in Spanish.
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.

Reach Customers Online with Google
2022-06-21 12:00 - 13:00 | MI
Have you found yourself wondering how customers find your business online? If so, register today for an engaging and informative session!

Please note: this is a virtual event.

Learn how customers find your business online and how to promote your business using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Smart Campaigns in Google Ads.

In this workshop you will learn how to:

• Improve your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices

• Maximize SEO strategies

• Attract new prospects with low-cost advertising

Led by Pamela Starr, one of Google’s professional national trainers, this is a can’t miss workshop for every small business owner.

Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.
All registration questions are a requirement of the Small Business Administration and are used for funding reporting.

Taking a Proactive Approach to Legal Systems for Your Business
2022-06-15 11:30 - 12:30 | MI
Register today to learn from local attorney Rose A. Coonen about how to take a proactive approach in avoiding various legal issues.

Please note: this is a virtual event and a link will be sent to you by 11:00 AM on the day of the event.
This session is geared to small and medium business entrepreneurs. Local attorney, Rose Coonen will discuss the many legal pitfalls that could spell disaster for a business. Many times a business is reacting to various legal issues that could arise which costs them time and money. In this webinar, business owners will learn how to take a proactive approach to prevent these issues from arising in the first place so they can keep the focus on the business and growth.
At this webinar, you will discover the importance of:
• Making sure your entity is properly incorporated and maintained
• Having written agreements in place
• Having a legally compliant team structure
• Protecting your intellectual property
• Protecting your business for incapacity or death of the owner
Rose will gently shine a light on the areas of our businesses that need loving attention so that you have what you need to do what you came to do.

Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.
All registration questions are a requirement of the Small Business Administration and are used for funding reporting.

SCORE Webinar: Your Marketing Roadmap- Get in the Marketing Mindset
2022-06-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Join SCORE and small business expert and entrepreneur Ramon Ray for a fresh and new 4 part series. We’ll take you through the ultimate marketing essentials you will need for your business to be a success.
Workshop 1: Your Marketing Mindset.
What mindset do you need to be an effective marketer? Ramon will guide you through the key principles you must focus on before leveraging marketing tactics.
In this webinar you will learn:

Who is your perfect customer?
Do you know them better than they know themselves?
Billion-dollar brands are not your competitors.
The power of winning in small markets.
Follow-up, frequency and engagement are your tickets to successful marketing.

How to Build a Strong Business Foundation
2022-06-08 11:30 - 12:30 | MI
Register today to learn from local attorney Rose A. Coonen about what it takes to start, or grow, your business on a solid foundation.

Please note: this is a virtual event and a link will be sent to you by 11:00 AM on the day of the event.
In this webinar, geared toward entrepreneurs and small business owners, local attorney, Rose A. Coonen will share what it takes to start – or grow – your business on a foundation that supports and encourages you to step out into the world with confidence in your highest purpose.
At this webinar, you will discover how:
•The four cornerstones of proper business building – legal, insurance, financial and tax – the LIFT Foundation.
•To avoid the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when starting a business
•To take control over these aspects of your business so that you can show up powerfully and offer your gift to the world with clarity and confidence.
•Taking good care of your business is one of the best self-care practices there is and supports you in your work as well as in your family life.
•Taking control over your business’ foundation can guide you into inspired action and propel you to the impact and success you want.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur, or have been in business a while, this session will guide you to look at the areas of business that are often overlooked or ignored. Rose will gently shine a light on the areas of our businesses that need loving attention so that you have what you need to do what you came to do.
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.
All registration questions are a requirement of the Small Business Administration and are used for funding reporting.

Incorporating 101 with Attorney Rose Coonen
2022-06-01 11:30 - 12:30 | MI
Have you ever found yourself asking: “How Should I Incorporate My Business?” If so, register today for an engaging and informative session!

Please note: this is a virtual event and a Zoom link will be sent to you by 11:00am on the day of the event.
Finally, a Straight Answer to your question: “How Should I Incorporate My Business?”
If you have not yet incorporated your business, or you think you might want to shift how your business is incorporated, you want to know the best way to approach this milestone so you can maximize your tax savings, protect your business, and keep on the right side of the IRS.
In the Incorporation 101 session, you will receive straightforward clarity about:
• The most common structure that works for most micro-business owners
• The tax structure that can save you 15% or more on your taxes
• How to simultaneously minimize your tax bill and keep the IRS happy
• The number one factor to consider before selecting a tax structure for your business
• How to determine whether incorporating out-of-state will work for you or against you
• Whether incorporating is right for you at all, based on your current situation
Spots for this session are limited, so register today!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.
All registration questions are a requirement of the Small Business Administration and are used for funding reporting.

Sell Your Products Online with Google's eCommerce Tools
2022-05-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Description:
Learn how to sell your products online. We’ll walk through listing your products for free with Google Business Profile and Merchant Center. And we’ll show you one way to sell on your website, using an E-Commerce store built with Shopify. Plus, learn about more helpful tools to stand out online, such as Local Opportunity Finder and Grow My Store.
In this workshop, we’ll:

Discuss the Products tab in a Google Business Profile
Introduce Google Merchant Center and the basics of creating a free account and a product feed
Show you how to set up an E-Commerce website using Shopify

Led by Pamela Starr, one of Google’s professional national trainers, this is a can’t miss workshop for every small business owner who uses, or wants to use, e-commerce tools.

Pamela Starr is a leading authority on building customer loyalty and a professional speaker for Grow with Google. A sought-after keynote speaker, Pamela helps people achieve more measurable and profitable results from their digital and offline communication programs. For all her presentation attendees, she delivers real-world tools and strategies that drive stellar results.

Business Bootcamp Workshop Series
2022-05-24 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-05-17 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-05-10 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-05-03 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-04-26 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-04-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-04-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-04-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Registration for the full series is now closed, if you are interested in attending one or more of the remaining sessions, please email Rosie at rgeib@growbusiness.org

This 8-week series will cover a range of topics from planning for a healthy business, financial management, to succession planning.

Please note: this is a virtual event and a Zoom link will be sent to you by 10:00 AM on the day of the event.
Join us for this 8-part series in partnership with Comerica Bank. Register for the whole series or choose the specific workshops that would be most valuable to you. You will be able to mix-and-match the workshops by making selections in the add-ons. Each workshop will be held from 11:00am-12:00pm (EST).
Michael Demartelaere, Assistant Vice President, External Affairs MKT MGR, Corporate Compliance, Community Reinvestment at Comerica Bank along with GROW will facilitate the discussion addressing the following topics each week.
April 5th: Planning for a Healthy Business
April 12th: Banking Services
April 19th: The Importance of Record Keeping
April 26th: Financial Management & Understanding 3 Key Business Financial Statements
May 3rd: Managing Cash Flow
May 10th: Strong Business Credit & The Basics of Credit Reporting
May 17th: Risk Management and What it Means for Your Business
May 24th: Selling Your Business & Succession Planning
Registration for the entire series has now closed, if you are interested in attending one or more sessions, please email Rosie at rgeib@growbusiness.org
Thank you!

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order
Any additional attendees will have to register separately
All registration questions are a requirement of the Small Business Administration and are used for funding reporting

Grow Your Business with YouTube
2022-04-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Description:
Join us and learn how to tap into the power of YouTube. Get best practices for creating a YouTube Channel and compelling video content that promotes your products and services and drives engagement with your brand.
In this session, we will explore:

Understanding different video formats
How to set up a YouTube channel
How to make creative videos that help you achieve your business goals

Led by Pamela Starr, a professional trainer for Grow with Google, this is a presentation all small business owners should attend.

Pamela Starr is a leading authority on building customer loyalty and a professional speaker for Grow with Google. A sought-after keynote speaker, Pamela helps people achieve more measurable and profitable results from their digital and offline communication programs. For all her presentation attendees, she delivers real-world tools and strategies that drive stellar results.
Pamela is known to many in the business community for her prior role as corporate Director of Product Training for North America at Constant Contact. In that position, she directed the training activities that showed thousands of small businesses and non-profit organizations how to improve their digital media marketing efforts.
Pamela has dedicated her entire career to helping businesses and top performers grow. She has trained, coached and delivered keynote presentations to more than 500,000 professionals at more than 2,500 events. In addition, she has logged more than 30 hours of live national television appearances.
Pamela has a bachelor’s degree in Advertising from the Florida State University and completed graduate-level studies in Communication at the University of Central Florida.
You can connect with Pamela on her website: www.PamelaStarrOnline.com or through Twitter: @PamelaStarrFL.

April Coffee Hour with Grow & Local First
2022-04-08 09:30 - 10:30 | Lindo Mexico Restaurant, 1742 28th St. SW, Wyoming, MI, 49519, United States
DESCRIPTION
The Local First Coffee Hour events are a casual opportunity to connect with local businesses in West Michigan. During the months of April, July, September, and December these events will be held in partnership with GROW. This CDFI microlender offers loans, counseling and educational opportunities, and a variety of other resources to entrepreneurs in West Michigan. Join us to connect, sip on a morning beverage, and learn more about how we’re GROWing a People First Economy.
Local First’s monthly Coffee Hour series is powered by Bloom Credit Union.
Host highlight: Lindo Mexico Restaurant is a community gathering place that celebrates authentic flavors and Mexican culture. They make unique margaritas and other signature beverages, host community events, and entertain guests with live music.
Safety expectations: We’d like to continue meeting monthly in-person for our Coffee Hour events. To safely do so, event attendees are expected to adhere to current CDC recommendations:

When indoors, masks remain on unless actively eating or drinking
Maintaining 6 feet of social distance between guests and/or respecting the color-coded comfort zone stickers provided to all guests by PFE
Adhering to frequent hand-washing and sanitizing practices

Local First will also provide hand sanitizer.
We hope you’ll join us for good coffee and good conversation!
REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/april-coffee-hour-tickets-299409380517

Good Work. Good Money.
2022-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 | MI
Join business strategist and coach Katie McManus to learn how Good Work & Good Money can fuel each other!

Please note: this is a virtual event and a Zoom link will be sent to you by 9:00 AM on the day of the event.
Prepare for and engaging and interactive session with Business Strategist and Coach, Katie McManus during GROW’s 2nd session in the “Best of Me” workshop series.
Mission-driven entrepreneurs want to make money, but they really want to have a positive impact too. Unfortunately, these same heart-centered entrepreneurs often hold themselves back because they associate high-ticket prices with greedy moguls. But Good Work and Good Money can actually fuel each other.
Topics Discussed Will Include:
-Building momentum by prioritizing positive impact
-Creating a new definition of what success looks like
-Asking for higher prices without guilt or shame
-Deflecting the fear of pricing yourself out of the market
-Avoiding burnout while scaling your income and influence

Due to registration requirements you may only register for one ticket per order.
Any additional attendees will have to register separately.
All registration questions are a requirement of the Small Business Administration and are used for fund reporting.

SBA Women's Business Summit
2022-03-29 11:00 - 2022-03-30 17:00 | Online
In honor of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced it will hold its inaugural Women’s Business Summit on March 29-30, 2022. The summit will consist of virtual panels, “Ask an Expert” workshops, and fireside chats to help women-owned small businesses build, scale, and grow. The event will be held in co-sponsorship with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center.

Register Today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/two-day-virtual-sba-womens-business-summit-march-29-30-2022-registration-253276836837
