Starting, managing, and growing a successful small business requires a well-rounded understanding of so many areas of expertise. Planning. Funding. Laws & Regulations. Sales. Marketing. Accounting. Customer Service. Employee Management.
How Do Entrepreneurs Do It All?
With the professional guidance, experienced insights, and practical solutions that are available through the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center, that’s how. Headquartered in Harrisonburg at James Madison University, the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center serves the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia region.
Business Advising
Business Training
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Start Smart
- What legal entity is right for your business?
- What permits & licenses will you need?
- Who is your customer?
- What’s your value proposition?
Workshops & Events
This session will present some common sense tips on how to write an effective state or federal contract proposal.
Topics covered include:
- Understand Uniform Contract Format – RFP
- Things to consider before writing
- Proposal writing tips
- Typical evaluation criteria
- Win Theme development
- Keys to proposal success
- Typical elements of successful proposals
- Why proposals lose points
Instructor Lisa Wood is the current statewide director of Virginia APEX Accelerator. She previously was the Statewide Director of the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) for the Connecticut PTAC and prior to that was Statewide Director with the Ohio Department of Development after serving as PTAC Director for the Northwest Commission of Pennsylvania. Before joining the PTAC (now APEX Accelerator) community, Lisa was a Contracting Officer for Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. in the Greater Pittsburgh Area.
Webinar information will be sent to registrants prior to the class and will be conducted via GoToWebinar. After registration is complete, your email confirmation will contain the link. You MUST register your name and email and receive the login information and calendar invite before you can join the webinar. You may attend without downloading the software, but please understand your webinar functions may be limited.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that this GoToWebinar event will be recorded for future publication/distribution by the Virginia APEX Accelerator. By joining this session, you automatically consent to be recorded during the Q&A period if you choose to speak. If you do not consent to being recorded, you may constrain your questions to written submissions. If you have questions or concerns, please email apex@gmu.edu to discuss with the host organization or do not join the session.
Overview of Live Webinar
Refresh your knowledge to effectively market your goods and/or services! This live webinar (via Zoom) will cover the following marketing essentials:
- How to choose your target group(s)
- How to communicate with your target(s)
- Market Definition
- Market Segmentation
- Competitive Analysis
- Company Branding
- Online (SEO) and Offline Marketing
Speaker: Bernard Ferret – Senior Business Counselor, Mason SBDC & Serial Entrepreneur
Co-sponsor(s) & Partner(s): Prince William County Department of Economic Development & Prince William Chamber of Commerce
Cancellation Policy: Contact us earlier than OR 72 hours (3 days) prior to event. Kindly email – help@masonsbdc.org (preferred) or call 703-261-4105 to notify the team.
Special Instruction: This live webinar will be offered on the Zoom platform. You will receive a Zoom inivitation link after the registration.
Visit the Financial Wellness Center
In partnership with Atlantic Union Bank, SBDC clients are invited to take advantage of interactive, easy, and free resources from Banzai! This comprehensive online platform teaches financial literacy at every phase of life and can be utilized at your own pace.
Latest News
SV SBDC Advisory Council
The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center is excited to announce the formation of the SV SBDC Advisory Council. The purpose of the Advisory Council is to network and collaborate with a variety of business resources from the community. This enhanced connectivity is intended to improve the delivery of services to SBDC clients, expand the types of tools available to the SBDC Team, and assist Council members in more effectively serving the business community.
We would like to welcome the founding investors of the Advisory Council! Visit our Advisory Council page to learn more.
Our Partners
We are a member of The Virginia SBDC Network, the most extensive business development program in the Commonwealth. The VSBDC is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), George Mason University-Mason Enterprise Center, and premier local host organizations throughout Virginia including James Madison University.