Educational Programs for Entrepreneurs
All programs are held in Butterworth Hall at 1265 Asylum Avenue in Hartford unless otherwise noted.
Upcoming Events
Come join the Entrepreneurial Center at the following events! These events will offer excellent networking opportunities and valuable information from experts in a variety of fields. Downloadable Registration Form available.
- SBA's HUBZone Initiative The SBA CT District Office will host an educational and training event designed to introduce small businesses to the HUBZone program, help determine eligibility and support businesses in their participation. This is a great opportunity for small businesses that would like to gain access to federal set-aside contracts, sole source contracts and price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions.
- Power & Progress Women's Symposium Join women business leaders from Connecticut and beyond to explore the secrets of business success! Enjoy your choice of workshop, networking reception with hors d'oeuvres & wine and keynote speaker Kathy McAfee. Location: Entrepreneurial Center
- CT Business Expo offers networking opportunities with local business owners, top level executives, professionals and key decision makers from a number of industries. Special events, including a Match Maker session and CT Business Connection, along with free educational seminars will also be offered. Location: CT Convention Center
- Government Contracting Matchmaker Conference provides small businesses with the opportunity to meet with large contractors and present the goods and services they provide. The event develops valuable new opportunities and partnerships for businesses. Location:University of Hartford, Gengras Student Union
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Thursday, June 21, 7am - 3pm
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$40 early registration, $45 at the door |
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Register Here
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Orientation Workshops to the Entrepreneurial Center
- Small Business T.I.P.S. (Tools, Information and Preparation for Success) In this information session, offered monthly: identify your current business experience and needs, learn about the services the Entrepreneurial Center has to offer small businesses, and determine which resources match your situation. In addition, each session will cover a specific topic or tool to assist you in building a successful business. Registration Form
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Small Business T.I.P.S. Topic
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Day, Date 2012
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Time
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Cost
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Low-Cost High-Impact Marketing
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Thurs, May 17
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6:30 - 9pm
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Free
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Low-Cost High-Impact Marketing
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Fri, May 18
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9:30 - 12pm
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Free
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Create a Winning Business Plan
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Tues, July 10
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6:30 - 9pm
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Free
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Create a Winning Business Plan
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Wed, July 11
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9:30 - 12pm
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Free
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Do It Yourself Market Reasearch
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Tue, Aug 7
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6:30 - 9pm
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Free
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Do It Yourself Market Reasearch
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Wed, Aug 8
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9:30 - 12pm
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Free
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Create a Winning Business Plan
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Tues, Sept 11
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6:30 - 9pm
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Free
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Create a Winning Business Plan
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Wed, Sept 12
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9:30 - 12pm
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Free
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Business Start-Up
- Business B.A.S.I.C.S. -(Business Basics, Assessment, Information, and Concept for Start-ups) This is a personal and business assessment workshop. In a dynamic group setting, you'll consider important questions about self-employment and your personal readiness to start or expand a business. In addition you'll evaluate your business concept, identify challenges, and plan your next action steps to reach your goal. This workshop along with a free appointment with one of our business advisors is recommended prior to enrolling in the Foundations of Business Planning course. Registration Form
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Title
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Day, Date 2012
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Time
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Cost
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Tues, Jul 24
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6:30 - 9:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Wed, Jul 25
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9:30 am - 12:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Tues, Aug 14
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6:30 - 9:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Wed, Aug 15
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9:30 am - 12:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Thurs, Sept 6
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6:30 - 9:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Fri, Sept 7
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9:30 am - 12:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Sat, Sept 15
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9:30 am - 12:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Thurs, Sept 18
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6:30 - 9:30 pm
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$45
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Business B.A.S.I.C.S. Assessing Self Employment & Your Business Concept
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Thurs, Sept 19
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6:30 - 9:30 pm
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$45
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Entrepreneurship
- Foundations of Business Planning - This 13-session course is designed for entrepreneurs of an emerging business who have some related industry and business experience. Foundation topics include: defining your business model, market research, identifying and reaching your target customer, developing sales, market strategy, cash flow management and financial planning. This is a practical, hands-on business development education program that utilizes facilitated learning, business experts as guest speakers, a textbook and electronic business plan templates. In work sessions, business advisors coach entrepreneurs through the development of a complete business plan to operate their business or seek financing. Registration Form
Full fee is $495. Deposit of $225 is requested with registration form.
*Tuition assistance available for income eligible applicants. Call for more information.
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Day, Start Date - End Date, 2012
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Time
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Cost*
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Deposit
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Tuesdays, Sept 25 - Dec 18
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6:30 - 9:30 pm
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$495
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$225
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Wednesdays, Sept 26 - Dec 19
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9:30 am - 12:30 pm
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$495
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$225
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Marketing
- Workshops to Grow Your Business - In today's business environments, personal branding is an indispensable tool that strengthens communication and marketing efforts in the real and virtual world for entrepreneurs and business owners across all indsutries. The 3 week workshop provides insights and examples of how to grow your business using the Reach 1-2-3 Success Model.
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Building Your Brand & Online Identity with Loretta Peters |
Thursdays, May 10 , 17, & 24 |
9:30am - 12:30 pm |
$199 |
QuickBooks
- Fundamentals of QuickBooks Pro - In this two-session workshop, create a company file, set preferences, navigate within QuickBooks, create and manage a chart of accounts, items, customers, and vendors. Produce purchase orders, write checks and invoices. Manage accounts payable/receivable, reconcile bank statements, and generate management reports. Bring a flash drive to save your work.
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QuickBooks Fundementals Part 1 & 2 |
Tues, June 5 & 12 |
9am - 12pm |
$99 includes manual |
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QuickBooks Fundementals Part 1 & 2 |
Wed, June 6 & 13 |
6pm - 9pm |
$99 includes manual |
- Company File Setup - If you have taken Fundamentals of QuickBooks Pro and are ready to create a company database, this one-session workshop is for you. Set up an individualized bookkeeping software to fit your type of business. Create your own company database and chart of accounts. Create and use customer and vendor records/invoices/bills. Learn how to customize forms. Key company reports will be reviewed. Bring a flash drive to save your work.
QuickBooks Setup
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Tues, June 26
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9am - 12pm
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$125
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| QuickBooks Setup |
Wed, June 27
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6pm -9pm
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$125
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Cash Management
- Financing Your Business: Beyond a Bank Loan - In this workshop, we will explore the hierarchy of financing sources and look at some non-traditional ways to obtain capital for your business needs. CT Community Investment Corporation (CT-CIC) will present.
- How to Save Smart by Going Green - This workshop will show you how any size business can take steps to save money, energy and the environment. Energy assistance programs for Connecticut small businesses will be discussed.
Sales Growth
- Bartering Basics for a Better Bottom Line - Learn how you can use bartering to grow sales, build loyalty and explore new markets. Barter Business Unlimited (BBU) will provide an oveview of the process and examples of successful bartering practices.
- Expanding with Exports - Can your business benefit from exploring other markets? How do you know if you are ready to export? Learn the basics of the process and the resources available to help you along the way.
Government Contracting
These free workshops are provided in cooperation with the CT Procurement Technical Assistance Program and U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Doing Business with the Department of Defense- This free seminar provides an overview of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS), vendor registration guidelines, types of bids posted, DLA Collaboration Folders (cFolders), etc.
- Doing Business with State and Municipal Government - This free seminar provides an overview of the, "who, what and where" of bidding on State and municipal contracts. The topics include necessary registrations, various prequalification processes, set-aside programs, surety bond issues, and understanding the State's bid portal. Special emphasis will be given to the Connecticut Supplier Diversity Program and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE).
- Doing Business with the Federal Government - This free seminar provides an overview of how to get started selling your products and services to federal agencies and prime contractors. Topics include necessary registrations, prequalification processes, set-aside programs, surety issues, bid portals and various bid formats.
- Construction Contracting - This free seminar is intended for construction companies that are interested in exploring doing business with the State of Connecticut in the construction and building trades along with the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). Among the topics presented will be an overview of the Department of Transportation’s construction prequalification process followed by an overview of the Department of Administrative Services’ prequalification process for the building trades.
- Prevailing Wage - This seminar will provide a summary of Connecticut’s Prevailing Wage Law. It will be presented by a representative of the Connecticut Department of Labor. The seminar will explain the scope of the law starting with the applicable monetary thresholds which must be met before the law applies.
- Women Owned Business Set-Aside Bids-This free seminar identifies state and federal set-aside programs affecting Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE); the intent of each program, eligibility requirements, and benefits of certification. The Women-Owned Small Business rule, authorized by the Small Business Act to help achieve the statutory goal that 5 percent of federal contracting dollars go to women-owned small businesses, will be reviewed. Applicable NAICS Codes and corresponding industries will be identified.
- Marketing to the Government & Developing a Capabilities Statement - Are you considering selling your product or service in the government marketplace at the federal, state or municipal level? This free seminar shows you how to make government agencies and prime contractors aware of what your business has to offer and offers tips on developing an effective capability statement.
