[:en]FRIDAY FORUMS[:]
2023-04-28 09:00 - 10:00 UTC
Event Details
An opportunity to learn and discuss the topics facing Minnesota’s startup community. We know many of you have questions, ideas and concerns regarding your business or organization. Launch Minnesota is bringing together individuals from the public and private sector to answer questions and provide support to our startup community.

Additional Information
We will host monthly calls on the 4th Friday from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. The sessions will kick off with subject matter experts and updates, but time will be reserved for questions and discussion.

Special Instructions
Please click ‘Reserve Ticket’ above to register in Launch Minnesota event.
Meeting ID: 160 616 4838
Passcode: [REDACTED]

[:en]Tools for your Financial Wellness with Bank of the West[:]
2023-05-02 14:00 - 2023-05-04 15:00
Join us for one or all three free events to become more financially fit for the remainder of 2023!

Tuesday, May 2 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
Economic Update for Small Business Owners
Kick off National Small Business Week with an Economic Update focused on small business owners. Bank of the West Chief Economist Scott Anderson, Ph.D. will share his thoughts on what you can expect in the second half of 2023 and moves you can make to stay ahead of the new economic reality. Afterwards, you will have a rare opportunity to ask Dr. Anderson live questions.

With Special Guests Scott Anderson, Ph.D. Chief Economist at Bank of the West and Rita Dailey Head of Product, Segments, and Client Delivery for Small & Medium Enterprise Banking at Bank of the West, additional information below.

Wednesday, May 3 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
Recession Resiliency – How to Survive and Thrive
Join a group of experienced women entrepreneurs whose businesses have weathered the ups and downs of economic cycles. In this conversation on Recession Resiliency, you’ll hear their best practices on how to survive and thrive.

With Special Guests Gloria Hale, CEO, President and Co-Founder at Hale Glass, Melinda Guzman, CEO, Corporate Director, Financial Services Leader; Human Resource, Turnaround Management, Audit and Governance Leader at Melinda Guzman: California Attorney & Mediator, and Paloma Vidgen, Women Entrepreneur Segment Leader, VP at Bank of the West, additional information below.

Thursday, May 4 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
SBA 101
Roxann Burns, Head of SBA Lending at Bank of the West, will demystify SBA solutions and explain how they work, what you need to apply, and what to expect in the overall process.

With Special Guests Roxann Burns, Head of SBA Lending at Bank of the West and Paloma Vidgen, Women Entrepreneur Segment Leader, VP at Bank of the West, additional information below.

Special Guests:

Economic Update for Small Business Owners – Tuesday, May 2 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
Rita Dailey
SVP from Bank of the West’s Small & Medium Enterprise Banking group
Rita Dailey runs Bank of the West’s Products, Specialty Segments, and Client Delivery for its Small & Medium Enterprise Banking group. Rita has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry and is passionate about helping businesses grow and realize their full potential. Rita has worked directly with hundreds of businesses over the years from start ups, early stage companies, all the way to large public companies.

Recession Resiliency – How to Survive and Thrive – Wednesday, May 3 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
Gloria Hale
CEO, President and Co-Founder at Hale Glass
Gloria Hale is CEO, president and co‐founder of Hale Glass, a commercial glass contractor from Orange County, California. Hale Glass was founded in 1978, specializing in the fabrication and installation of architectural aluminum and glass for new construction in commercial buildings. Gloria focuses on the business and finance side of the business, overseeing accounting, human resources, finance and insurance activities for the company. Gloria serves on the national board of directors of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) and previously served as president of the California Glass Association. As an active member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), an international group of women executives, she focuses on achieving professional growth in her own businesses and collaborating to support others. In 2018, Gloria founded Glorious Motor Cars, a concierge auto buying service for women executives. While most women dislike buying cars, Gloria loves the process. She is an active contributor to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Red Cross, holding an annual blood drive. She and her companies live and breathe by their core values: integrity, quality, accountability, safety and community.

Recession Resiliency – How to Survive and Thrive – Wednesday, May 3 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
Melinda Guzman
CEO, Corporate Director, Financial Services Leader; Human Resource, Turnaround Management, Audit and Governance Leader at Melinda Guzman: California Attorney & Mediator
Experienced CEO, General Counsel, public and private board member, and value creation expert who has over 35 years’ experience serving on publicly traded, public, private and non-profit boards. Ms. Guzman is highly regarded for her expertise in governance, legal and fiduciary matters. Ms. Guzman is a Latina, with expertise in finance, legal, human resources construction and real estate development and higher education matters. She has been responsible for P&L, operations management, strategic direction, financial oversight, and organizational leadership. She has extensive experience with banking, credit facilities and venture backed financing and the human resources function.
Melinda Guzman is CEO of Melinda Guzman Professional Corporation, a law firm focused on representing public, private and nonprofit corporations, venture / equity firms, insurance carriers, and other business interests. She is highly sought as a “turnaround management” director and attorney. Highly regarded in her industry and as a public servant for over three decades, she is a proven litigator, an effective business negotiator and work-out counsel, and as a mediator with expertise in finance, governance, employment, higher education, and business. She is highly regarded for her work on governance issues, and she is a noted speaker and trainer on the fiduciary duties of officers and directors of boards of directors. She is a proven leader with a confirmed track record.
Ms. Guzman was born and raised in Fairfield, California and is the daughter of the late Amado Guzman and Anita Guzman of Fairfield. She is a first-generation college graduate of the University of California at Davis (B.A., 1985; J.D., 1988) and is a proud wife, mother and grandmother.

SBA 101 – Thursday, May 4 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
Roxann Burns
Senior Vice President, Small & Medium Enterprise Business at Bank of the West
Roxanne Burns is a senior vice president with expertise in commercial, community development, and SBA lending management. In addition to her responsibilities within Small and Medium Enterprise Business, Roxann is part of Bank of the West’s Leadership Team for the SBA PPP Loan Initiative. Most recently, she and her team processed and funded more than $3 billion in PPP loans that supported payroll for more than 300,000 small business employees in California and across the country.
Roxann brings 30 years of banking experience from start-up finance companies to large complex banking organizations. She is also deeply committed to economic development issues focused on small businesses growth and sustainability.

Paloma Vidgen
SME Segment Strategy – Women Entrepreneurs
As the daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurs, she is passionate about helping business owners and entrepreneurs meet their professional and personal goals. With 13 years in banking, spent developing strategy and building partnerships across wealth management and business banking, she creates programs and solutions that help our entrepreneurial community succeed.

[:en]TAX BASICS 101[:]
2023-05-10 11:00 - 13:00
Event Details
No one wants a “friendly” letter from the IRS. Taxes are an important part of starting a business and it’s not as difficult as you think! But where do you start?
How should I set up my business: as a sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, or partnership? What can I deduct and how do I track my expenses? How do I report my business income and expenses?
This webinar will answer all of these questions and more!

Additional Information
To learn more, visit SCORE website.

Special Instructions
Please click ‘Learn More’ to register in SCORE event.

[:en]Legal Compliance for Posting, Marketing, and Selling[:]
2023-05-16 13:00 - 14:00
About this event

With more than 300 million people online, it’s estimated that 1 in 3 Americans use the Internet regularly. The biggest reason for the Internet’s popularity is its accessibility. Compared to other forms of media, the web is cheap, easy to navigate, and lets you reach millions of people at little to no cost.
BUT, to succeed in the world of online business, you need a solid understanding of the legal hoops you’ll need to jump through. We are excited to be joined by Marie Smith, Cofounder and Chief Information Officer at Data 360, who will thoughtfully guide you through everything you need to know to market and sell online without legal troubles.
Key Takeaways:

The differences and similarities between data security, data privacy, data protection, and data compliance
The new rules for online marketing and sales in the U.S. and E.U.
FTC compliance and consumer protection laws
Other laws and regulations that influence online marketing and sales

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Marie Smith
Chief Information Officer and Co-Founder at Data 360
Marie is a prolific leader, advisor, coach and mentor who works and advocates locally, regionally and nationally for digital and technology literacy, closing the economic gap using technology and ethical, equitable and explainable AI. See more of her work here!

[:en]Financial Power[:]
2023-05-19 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for an informative session on understanding credit and reading credit reports. This event is designed to help you gain a better understanding of your credit score and how it affects your financial health.
Our expert speakers will guide you through the basics of credit, including what factors affect your credit score and how to maintain a good credit score. You’ll also learn how credit reports are created, what information they contain, and how to read and interpret them.
By the end of this event, you’ll have a better understanding of how to manage your credit responsibly, how to dispute errors on your credit report, and how to take steps to improve your credit score.
Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to gain financial literacy and take control of your credit. Register now to secure your spot!

[:en]Lending + Lenders[:]
2023-05-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Mni Sota Fund, 817 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55415
Thinking about how to become more financially secure? Our financial wellness class has something to offer everyone no matter your budget. In this class we offer topics such as:

Building a healthy economy

Developing a spending plan

Working with Checking and Savings accounts

Understanding credit and your credit report

Using credit

Being a smart consumer

Register at: https://www.tfaforms.com/4970466?session=a168a00000691ZQAAY

[:en]Essential Elements of a Successful Business[:]
2023-05-26 12:30 - 13:30
About this event

Entrepreneurs leading businesses of all kinds face steep challenges managing each part of the company, from developing a strategic plan to handling day-to-day operations. Balancing these competing demands while maintaining focus on the company’s goals can be difficult and overwhelming, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. Sometimes it can feel like you’re missing a crucial piece of the puzzle that connects it all into a clear strategy forward. Thankfully, there is a reliable framework we can all lean on.
Join us for a lively conversation with Marcus Whitney, founding partner at Jumpstart Health Investors, who will guide you through an easy-to-follow and widely applicable framework for developing an order of operations that connect the essential elements of a successful business logically. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the impact of each element on your business outcomes and how you can leverage them as one for long-term success!
Key Takeaways:

Learn a universal template for starting any kind of business
Understand the priorities every successful business runs on
Find your strong points and weak points quickly to fill gaps and avoid failure

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Marcus Whitney
Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors
Marcus Whitney is a Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors (JHI), the most active early-stage healthcare venture capital firm in America. Of JHI’s funds, Marcus leads Jumpstart Nova, the first healthcare venture fund in America investing exclusively in Black-founded and led startups.
Marcus is also co-founder and minority owner of Major League Soccer team, Nashville Soccer Club.
Marcus is the author of the Amazon #1 best-selling book “Create and Orchestrate“, about claiming your Creative Power through entrepreneurship. His work has been featured by Entrepreneur, CNBC, Inc., NPR, Fast Company, and The Atlantic.
Marcus is an Aspen Health Innovators Fellow, and a member of the board of the Healthcare Finance Management Association, Celtic Bank, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, OZ Arts, and Scott Hamilton CARES.
Marcus actively competes in Jiu Jitsu, is an IBJJF World Master Champion, and trains on the competition team at Renzo Gracie Nashville under Shawn Williams. He is married and has two adult sons.

[:en]WORK OF ART: GRANT WRITING[:]
2023-05-30 18:00 - 20:30
Event Details
This workshop is a part of the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. Artists can take the whole series, or individual workshops that best suit their needs.

Additional Information
To learn more, click here.

Special Instructions
Please click ‘Learn More’ to register in Springboard for the arts event.

[:en]Empowering Your Cred[:]
2023-06-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Mni Sota Fund, 817 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55415

[:en]ACCOUNTING BASICS - WHAT EVERY SMALL BUSINESS OWNER NEEDS TO KNOW[:]
2023-06-03 09:30 - 12:00 | 10945 Reed Hartman Highway Room 105, Blue Ash, OH 45242
Event Details
Part 1 – Accounting Basics:
– Fundamentals – Cash In/Out – What to Track, Reports – How to Read – What’s Important, Explain Balance Sheet – P&L -Cash Flow, Budgets – Why & How, and Business Plan Financials – Tie it All together.
Part 2 – Bookkeeping & Accounting Software:
– Accounting Software – QuickBooks, etc., Purpose & Use of Bookkeeping Tools, Selection Criteria – Important Do’s & Don’ts, When to Use Outside Resources and Next Steps.

Additional Information
To learn more, click here.

[:en]Starting Line Capital Pathways Workshop Session[:]
2023-06-08 12:00 - 13:00
About this event

Starting Line Capital Pathways Toolkit will help you identify capital types that best support your leadership style; prioritize learning goals for follow-on capital exploration; and anchor to your vision and crystallize ultimate success for you as a business leader. We invite you to connect to your biggest dream for your business and begin pursuing capital from this perspective –letting your needs and values as a founder drive capital exploration.
A Capital Pathway is a comprehensive way of looking at how you’re bringing money into your company not just in the short-term, but what comes before a capital funding moment and what comes after. You can think of Capital Pathways as a preview of how types of money or “capital models,” work (or don’t work) into helping you achieve your business vision. Resources in this Toolkit to help you include: interactive exercises; Starting Line Capital Considerations Map (customized for your leadership priorities); glossary of key terms; and resources by capital type.

[:en]Exit Optionality Bootcamp[:]
2023-06-14 11:00 - 15:00
About this event

Join fellow founders, CEOs, CFOs, General Counsels, and their teams at this exclusive webinar designed to help private companies better understand how to set the foundations for a successful exit. The market volatility seen in early 2023 has slowed down the market for IPO and M&A, giving companies thinking about listing more time to prepare and strategize. Our experts will share ways to avoid pitfalls and strategies for a successful transition to being a public company.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This Bootcamp is intended for any executive who is involved in devising and/or executing an IPO – from CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, Chief Counsel, General Counsel – to leaders and the teams who are responsible for identifying and managing an IPO.
Space is limited; please RSVP to ensure your spot!
AGENDA
9:00AM – 9:30AM – Market Update & Analysis by Bank of the West BMO
9:30AM – 10:30AM – Cash Management
This panel will cover:

Understanding and forecasting your cashflow cycle
Strategies for improving sales and customer relations
Solutions and opportunities to enhance your cashflow
How bank relationships can help your business grow

10:30 AM-10:35AM – BREAK
10:35AM-11:40 AM – IPO Readiness
This panel will cover:

Company requirements to qualify for IPO
How pre-IPO companies should think about investor engagement
Best practices for managing an IPO deal team
Strategies to guide you during a delay in a public offering

11:40 AM-11:45AM – BREAK
11:45AM-1:00 PM – M&A Readiness
This panel will cover:

Update on the current M&A environment
Best practices to position yourself for future M&A opportunities
Strategies to execute a successful transition
Case studies of successful M&As

*The same zoom link will be used across all the panels

[:en]Milestone Circles Open House[:]
2023-06-20 11:00 - 12:00
About this event

We are excited to invite you to this open house intended to share more about the Milestone Circles program!
In this informative session, you will learn about Milestone Circles, a 12-week immersive program experience designed to help women entrepreneurs address critical business needs through milestone accomplishments and a support network of peers, mentors, and supporters. More information can be found below.
The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is a leading nonprofit building a better path for entrepreneurs worldwide by improving inclusion, access, and knowledge in entrepreneurship.
In the last 7 years, we’re honored to have supported over 70,000 entrepreneurs worldwide, 52% women and 67% entrepreneurs of color, with 1,100+ free business and mentorship programs requested by entrepreneurs just like you!
We’re committed to investing in the individuals taking big risks to solve problems in new ways. Join us for this information session to learn more about our different programs. We’ll share how the program came to life, talk through the application process, walk through the exact steps to get started, and answer any questions you have!

Milestone Circles
Women Business Owners, this is for you!
Milestone Circles help entrepreneurs revitalize their vision for their business, set a critical business milestone and build a network of support to help them today and in the future.
Each 12-week program brings you together with a group of peers and coach facilitator to:

Gain focus and greater confidence for your vision
Strategize and plan business priorities for the next quarter
Gain peer and mentor support through working groups and classes

This program is free for entrepreneurs and made possible thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo remains dedicated to supporting small businesses and recently launched a program designed specifically for women entrepreneurs, Connect to MoreSM, as they continue to invest in the success and sustainability of women-owned small businesses.
What is a milestone? An important goal you’ve set for your business that takes time, tenacity, and more than a little creative thinking to attain; it’s an achievement that signals your business is on its way to the next stage of growth.
Who should apply? Women business owners seeking to grow their entrepreneurial mindset and skillsets to expand their business. Entrepreneurs will be matched in our ongoing, virtual 12-week circles based on the entrepreneur’s vision, needs, and stage of development.
How do I apply? Fill out an application which are reviewed on a rolling basis. Upon acceptance, you will be matched with a group of incredible women entrepreneurs who will help propel your business to the next level.

[:en]HR Foundations: Building a Thriving Team from Solopreneurship[:]
2023-06-21 11:00 - 12:00
About this event

When you’re a solopreneur leading a high-growth business, expanding your team can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. At a high level, you might be limited by financial, resource, or time constraints that divert your attention away to other critical tasks. But bringing on new team members introduces a whole host of new complexities for your business: How do you find people who align with your vision and values? How do you establish effective communication and collaboration channels to ensure smooth workflow? What is required to build trust in the abilities of new team members, letting go of some control in favor of delegation?
Join us for an empowering discussion in collaboration with the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC) as we delve into the essentials of building a thriving team from solopreneurship through the employment of scalable HR structures. You’ll walk away with proven techniques for attracting and retaining a diverse and skilled team that will continue to drive your business forward, as well as the confidence you’ll need as a leader to guide your team through future stages of growth!
Key Takeaways:

The ins and outs of bringing on your first new team member
How to get a person unknown to you (not a friend or family member) to join your team
HR policies and procedures to protect yourself and your business legally
Strategies for developing meaningful company culture and systems of support for team members

[:en]Gain Traction While Mitigating Risk[:]
2023-06-23 12:00 - 13:00
About this event

As the founder of an early-stage startup, you’ll face countless challenges in your entrepreneurial journey that will put you and your business to the test. You may struggle with limited access to capital and lack of investor interest. It can be difficult to gain traction due to limited knowledge on market insights that would inform a well-defined sales strategy. Not to mention the complexities that come with bringing your offering to market like finding ways to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape and establishing scalable marketing and distribution channels. Thankfully, there are some simple yet highly impactful actions you can take to push through it all.
We are excited to be joined by Jason Malki, Founder and CEO of StrtupBoost and SuperWarm, who will guide you through the appropriate steps you can take to mitigate early risk by leveraging no-cost to low-cost strategies. As a founder himself, Jason understands the challenges of leading an early-stage startup to success because he’s experienced them first-hand. He will share lessons he’s learned from his personal journey as well as from other entrepreneurs he’s worked with and been inspired by. Join us for this optimistic and insightful conversation!
Key Takeaways:

Fundraising Strategy: how to properly prepare yourself and your business to raise capital, intentional distribution of the funding you receive across business functions.
Sales Strategy: content creation, customer engagement and feedback, LinkedIn and Email communications.
Go-to-Market Strategy: how to find product-market fit and leverage the insights gained to better prepare for launch.

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Jason Malki
Founder & CEO, StrtupBoost.com, Co-Founder & CEO, SuperWarm.AI
Jason Malki is the Founder & CEO of StrtupBoost, a 30K+ member startup ecosystem and agency that helps across fundraising, marketing, and design and SuperWarm, and AI matching platform for Founders and Investors.

[:en]Leveraging Strategic Partnerships with Julie Shen[:]
2023-06-28 13:00 - 14:00
About this event

When you’re a startup with a lean budget, it can be challenging to build up your brand without draining your funds on paid marketing. If you do go that route, competition from established companies with high budgets can make it even more difficult to stand out and form strong, impactful connections with the right people. Instead, you must find innovative ways to grow your distribution and consumer base… but how?
The Nasdaq Center is delighted to host Julie Shen, Founder and Managing Director of Springstead, for a dynamic session on how leveraging strategic partnerships can take your business to the next level. Join us to learn how to capitalize on your strengths and forge alliances that will fill the gaps in your expertise, all while tapping into your partner’s established networks.
Key Takeaways:

How to determine if it’s the right time for a strategic partnership
How to identify, source, and close strategic partnerships
How strategic partnerships can enrich your brand

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Julie Shen
Founder, Springstead
Julie Shen is the founder of Springstead, an advisory and consultancy practice working with founders and businesses to grow their initiatives. With a passion for strategy and innovation, she has 16+ years of experience developing and launching new businesses for startups and organizations like Conde Nast and HBO.
Her experience includes team leadership, strategy, innovation, business development, strategic partnerships, growth, finance, and business management. Julie has led deals and partnerships attributing to an impact of >$200M and scaled a DTC business to 1M paying subscribers in Year 1. Her thought leadership has been published on Nasdaq, BlogHer, and Create & Cultivate.

[:en]Mastering Outreach: Connecting and Converting for Entrepreneurs[:]
2023-07-07 12:00 - 13:00
For entrepreneurs early in their business journey, outreach can often cause undue stress. Cutting through the noise to capture the attention of potential customers or investors is a daunting task. In addition, balancing immediate tasks with the need to nurture long-term relationships can become a time management challenge. Not to mention, the need to maintain enthusiasm and motivation despite rejection is crucial for sustained outreach efforts. What can entrepreneurs do to make this process more manageable?
Join us for an insightful and actionable session with John Hill, Evangelist at Techstars, to learn how to maximize the impact of your outreach and follow-up efforts. Drawing from his vast entrepreneurial journey working with startups to build relationships, John will show you innovative and compelling ways to stand out from the competition and communicate your value proposition effectively. He’ll also guide you towards a deeper understanding of the ways capital can be used to achieve your primary strategic goals, like funding, talent, customer acquisition, and knowledge sharing. You’ll walk away with the adaptability and resilience to embrace outreach as a meaningful way to build connections for you and your business.
Key Takeaways:

How to identify the right target audience for your communication
How to establish initial connections and build a robust network
How to stand out and capture the attention of the right people
How to maintain a consistent follow-up strategy with limited resources
How to handle rejection and setbacks
How to navigate relational capital to meet your primary needs

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

John Hill
Keynote Speaker,TechStars

[:en]Discover Your Value[:]
2023-07-07 14:00 - 15:00
Understanding your worth in financial terms translates into more areas of your life than you may realize. If you do not understand your value around money, it can be difficult to manage well. In this two hour class we reflect on your current mindset with money, how your upbringing has influenced your money habits and discuss how these may be good bad or neither to change for your future money culture.

[:en]Amplify and Grow your Business and Personal Brand[:]
2023-07-11 13:00 - 14:00
LinkedIn has seen a significant uptick in utilization by businesses for marketing and sales purposes, and it’s no surprise why. With its expanding user base and robust professional networking features, LinkedIn has emerged as a powerful platform for connecting with targeted audiences and generating valuable leads that drive business growth. So, what can women entrepreneurs start doing now to leverage all that LinkedIn has to offer to continue leading their ventures to success?
Join us for an empowering session with Anne Stills, CEO and Founder of Smashing Daily, who will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to create a strong online presence, attract your target audience, and establish thought leadership in your industry on LinkedIn. You’ll walk away with a framework for understanding the needs, challenges, and interests of your target audience, what type of content resonates with them, and how to bring the two together to spark meaningful conversations.
Key Takeaways:

How to optimize your LinkedIn profile to reach All-Star status
How to grow your network and engage with your community
How to create content that attracts your ideal customers

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Anne Stills
Founder + CEO of Smashing Daily, LLC
Anne Stills is the Founder + CEO of Smashing Daily, LLC, a global image consulting and personal branding boutique firm established in 2014 in New York City. The firm specializes in image management, personal branding, and signature style consulting. She caters to ambitious modern female professionals who understand the significance of projecting a powerful authentic personal brand image and aspire to become dynamic communicators leading with confidence and impact. Anne has over 25 years of corporate experience in executive sales, marketing, and training across multiple industries such as airline, hospitality and financial services. Leveraging her extensive corporate background, she delivers deep value to clients and guides them to define and refine their executive presence, personal brand and leadership skills. She grooms today’s executives and tomorrow’s rising stars to create a unique, memorable, and sustainable personal brand image.

[:en]Capital Strategy: Find and Secure the Right Capital Optionality[:]
2023-07-13 13:00 - 14:00
One of the primary obstacles early-stage entrepreneurs face is the lack of awareness around the complex landscape of capital options. With limited exposure to sources of financing, early-stage entrepreneurs may struggle to identify which option aligns best with their business goals and growth trajectory. Additionally, the ability to build relationships with potential investors or lenders and demonstrate market potential and a strong value proposition can be difficult with limited resources and competition. For underrepresented entrepreneurs, these obstacles can unfortunately be greater. What can be done to overcome these challenges?
The Center is thrilled to be joined by Geri Stengel, President at Ventureneer, for an important conversation on capital strategy. Geri understands the unique capital challenges that entrepreneurs of all kinds face and has worked with thousands to help them align their vision with their strategic goals. Her insight will provide you with a framework to make informed decisions around your capital needs so that you and your business can remain on a sustainable trajectory of success. Join us to learn how best to assess your options and secure the capital your business needs to grow and succeed.
Key Takeaways:

Aligning your capital needs with your vision, your values and your ‘why’.
How to clearly identify your strategic goals before exploring capital options.
How to find and secure the right capital option for your business.

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Amy L. Simmerman
A Wilson Sonsini Practice Leader
A leader of Wilson Sonsini’s Delaware office and governance practice
Comprehensive Experience in Delaware Law
Amy’s practice focuses on providing advice on all aspects of Delaware corporate law and related corporate governance issues, including fiduciary duties, mergers and acquisitions, stockholder activism, corporate formation, stock issuances, preferred stock investments, and various statutory matters
Amy Simmerman is a partner in the Wilmington, Delaware, office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Amy is a leader of the firm’s Delaware office and governance practice. Her practice focuses on providing advice on all aspects of Delaware corporate law and related corporate governance issues, including fiduciary duties, mergers and acquisitions, stockholder activism, corporate formation, stock issuances, preferred stock investments, and various statutory matters. Amy regularly represents special committees of boards of directors in mergers and acquisitions, internal investigations, and other matters, and she provides corporate advice in the context of governance litigation.
Amy frequently speaks and publishes on Delaware law and governance issues and has guest lectured at Harvard Law School, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and UC Hastings College of the Law. Within Delaware, she has served on a committee of the Council of the Corporation Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association to vet potential amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law. Amy is also a member of the Board of Advisors of the Institute for Law and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Founder and President, Ventureneer
“A baby boomer with the heart and soul of a millennial” describes Geri best. She grew up believing that dedicated, thoughtful people can change the world by working together.
She is a believer still. In fact, Geri is even more committed to the possibility of meaningful change because she realizes that we have a huge, untapped resource: Women!
For the last few years, Geri has researched and written about the challenges women face in the entrepreneurial world and the success factors that help them break through barriers, whether they are starting a business or scaling to a multi-million dollar enterprise.
Geri’s passion to get women on the radar as leaders of mega-firms led her to write Forget the Glass Ceiling: Build Your Business Without One. To find out best practices for investment crowdfunding — a great alternative for women entrepreneurs! — Geri undertook a successful rewards-based crowdfunding campaign herself and published the results in Stand Out in the Crowd: How Women (and Men) Benefit from Equity Crowdfunding [add link]
Geri is a questioner and a builder, and is passionate about eliminating barriers to entrepreneurial aspirations.
Geri’s accomplishments include:

Mentor for WE NYC: 2016 to present
2015 Madam C.J. Walker Business Leadership Award from the National Minority Business Council.
2013 and 2012 Small Business Trends Small Business Influencer
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at The New School
Facilitator, Kauffman Foundation FastTrac courses for entrepreneurs
Researched and published Ditch Digital Dabbling: How Small Businesses + Nonprofits Can Master Online Marketing
Former board member for the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Was on the board for eight years.

[:en]Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset of Success[:]
2023-07-18 14:00 - 15:00
You dream of being comfortable in your own skin. You dream of more influence, income, and success. Yet the constant doubt and nagging thoughts of what could go wrong are holding you back. Are there times when you feel overwhelmed by your inner critic and powerless to change your situation? Do you feel like you’re doing everything recommended to grow your business but you’re still not seeing the results you expect? Let’s get you a clear vision and compelling mission that becomes both your master plan AND your superpower.
Join us for an uplifting conversation with Meshell Baker, Founder and Owner of Meshell Baker Enterprises, who will show you how to cultivate a mindset that is focused and committed yet unleashed from the negative self-talk that’s limiting your progress. Meshell will share stories from her own business journey and others she’s witnessed to demonstrate how a confident mindset can lead to unparalleled outcomes. You’ll walk away with a universal framework for turning setbacks into opportunities so that you and your business can stay on a trajectory of success!
Key Takeaways:

Replace negative self-talk and become your own #1 fan
Repurpose mistakes as opportunities to learn
Respond and leverage problems as opportunities to grow

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Meshell Baker
Owner/Founder | Meshell Baker Enterprises
Meshell Baker the Chief Confidence Igniter has been described as “a breath of fresh air” and “the power of her story combined with her passion and enthusiasm is enough to make anyone want to tap into their potential.” She masterfully guides audiences to embrace challenges as new chapters that enhance their capabilities. Encourages moving away from “trying” to sell and towards value-add conversations that confidently communicate win-win for all involved!
Meshell is the gift of clarity empowering women around the globe to ignite confident belief and enable their people to develop high-performance resilience and unstoppable confidence. She is renowned for her value-based and no-nonsense approach to sales and business success. Meshell has phenomenal results, accolades, and awards and has compiled an incredible track record of raving recommendations with clients over the past 25+ years. She is on a mission to ignite “confident belief” in as many women as possible.

[:en]Unpacking Debt[:]
2023-07-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Mni Sota Fund, 817 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55415
Join us in exploring the difference of “good” vs ‘bad” debt, what types of expenses you may incur each month, and how to help yourself create a manageable debt load.

[:en]SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT TOOLS[:]
2023-07-26 09:00 - 10:00
Event Details
All of the emphasis on social media may leave you feeling like managing your brand is a full-time job! While it’s true, there is also another, sustainable way for you to part-time manage your social media presence without sacrificing too much of your time and energy. In this session, we’ll go over free or cheap tools that can help you save time in content creation and posting, as well as some best practices for maintaining a mentally healthy approach to social media.

Additional Information
To learn more, click here.

Special Instructions
Please click ‘Learn More’ to register in ECDI event.

[:en]PRE- CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP[:]
2023-08-22 13:00 - 14:00
Event Details
The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) is one of 23 affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), a nonprofit corporate membership organization that advances business opportunities for its certified Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business enterprises and connects them to its corporate members. One of the country’s leading corporate membership organizations, NMSDC was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes.

Additional Information
To learn more, click here.

Special Instructions
Please click ‘Learn More’ to register in MSDC event.

[:en]FRANCHISING: A BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR CREATING WEALTH[:]
2023-10-02 17:00 - 18:30
Event Details
Are you an entrepreneur? Do you have the power to bet on yourself? Can you get out of your comfort zone and embrace change? We will answer many key questions about Franchising as a business strategy as well as the qualities that are most common to successful entrepreneurs.

Additional Information
Visit SCORE website to learn more!

Special Instructions
Please click ‘Learn More’ to register in SCORE event.

[:en]LOANS, GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN 2023[:]
2023-10-05 12:00 - 13:00
Event Details
Join us for an empowering webinar dedicated to supporting and guiding women entrepreneurs on their journey to securing funding for their businesses.
In this webinar, you’ll learn:

Understanding the different funding pathways
Building a Compelling Funding Pitch
Overcoming Gender-Specific Challenges

Additional Information
Visit SCORE website to learn more!

Special Instructions
Please click ‘Learn More’ to register in SCORE event.

[:en]Enhance Your PR Outreach to Build Lasting Connections[:]
2023-10-10 10:00 - 11:00
About this event

Public relations is your opportunity as an entrepreneur and a business to build and maintain trust and credibility. But it’s easier said than done. You may ask yourself: How do I define a messaging strategy that will resonate with the right people? How should I initiate and nurture relationships with relevant organizations and media representatives? What can I do to stand out among potential competition?
Join us for an insightful discussion with AirBnB and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs to learn strategies around outreach, follow-up (and follow-through), and relationship building that you can leverage for public relations success. You’ll walk away with the guidance needed to seamlessly manage your public relations strategy no matter where in your business journey you find yourself.
Key Takeaways:

Outreach — Tailor your outreach messaging and leverage various media channels to connect with organization leaders and media representatives.
Follow-Up (and Follow-Through): Understand best practices and implement a feedback loop in your PR communications to help inform continuous improvement of your offering.
Relationship Building: Foster meaningful engagement long-term and employ continuous learning to improve PR strategy as market landscape evolves.

Special Guests:

James Oliver, Jr.
James Oliver, Jr. is a 3X founder and CEO of Kabila, a co-founder matching app focused on inclusion, and founder of the ParentPreneur Foundation, which empowers Black ParentPreneurs, so they can leave a legacy for their beautiful Black children.

[:en]Market Update: Selling to Enterprise[:]
2023-10-13 12:00 - 13:00
About this event

In 2022, corporations, businesses, investors, and governments realized the recession was going to last longer than expected. As a result, in Q1 2023, you saw massive layoffs of about 15% in order to adjust to inflation, spending, and market conditions. Then, AI sent shockwaves through the market and in Q2 2023 all non-core spending froze as the C-suite restrategized. Today, companies have a rough idea of where they want to go and have the budget to test new tech. How will you and your business respond when selling to enterprise?
The Nasdaq Center is thrilled to welcome back Whitney Sales, Operating Partner at Forum Ventures, Founder, and Creator, to discuss how entrepreneurs selling to enterprise can adjust to changing dynamics, break through the noise, and capture scarce spending from the right customers. You’ll walk away with the insight necessary to make more informed decisions when selling to enterprise given the current market landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to take advantage of the peak in the market!
Key Takeaways:

Key changes that are impacting enterprise decision-making
How to build your budget from nothing
How to map your marketing to your market’s rhythm

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Whitney Sales
Founder & Creator
Whitney is a four-time VP of Sales, all of which were on the INC5000 Fastest Growing Companies List. She is an experienced investor and advisor, with a deep understanding of the B2B SaaS market. Whitney ran Forum Venture’s HQ accelerator in San Francisco for 3, invested in 200+ B2B SaaS companies, and helped raise Forum’s first seed Fund. She has a proven track record of success in leading and managing high-performing sales teams. You might have seen her as a speaker at Saastr, Collision, or LAUNCH. She’s currently working as an operating partner at Forum, mentoring for HBS’s entrepreneurial sales course, and running a GTM advisory practice called The Sales Method.

[:en]PMO Mindset: Become Fulfilled in Your Work[:]
2023-10-18 15:00 - 16:00
About this event

1 hour
Mobile eTicket

Agile, Scrum, Lean: there’s a reason why Project Managers and PMOs implement these practices and so many others into their work each day. The result is a structured and systematic approach that leads to higher-quality outcomes and improved communication. But project management is about more than just results for the business; it’s also about implementing strategies that improve your personal workflow and even bring you joy in your work.
The Nasdaq Center is delighted to be joined by La Juana Chambers Lawson, Founder and CEO at Tacit Growth Strategies, for an uplifting yet practical discussion on the ways entrepreneurs can improve the way they work by implementing a PMO mindset. Drawing from her experience and leadership in the Project Management space as well as her extensive career supporting small businesses, La Juana will illustrate how you and your business can both benefit from implementing project management practices so that you can find greater joy in the work you do.
Key Takeaways:

Actionable insights on ethical decision-making, strategic planning, and Agile project development
Interpersonal skills to address ambiguity and managing ecosystem changes
Deeper understanding of project management, resiliency, values, and philosophies as they each relate to business growth

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

La Juana “The PMO CEO” Chambers Lawson
Founder and CEO, Tacit Growth Strategies
La Juana “The PMO CEO” Chambers Lawson, MPA, PMP, LSSGB, MRP is the Founder and CEO at Tacit Growth Strategies, a leading project management office (PMO) and management consulting firm that specializes in government contracting, grant and proposal writing, impact investment strategy, and comprehensive international business development consulting. La Juana has been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Marquis Who’s Who in America (Texas Business Owners), is a San Antonio Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree (2022), and was a Finalist for the National Association of Women Business Owners San Antonio Chapter’s Women Business Owner Awards (2023). She is international best-selling author of “Master Grant Writing: A Project Manager’s Guide” published by River Walk Publishing, a comprehensive guide from the perspective of a grant writing and project management expert that demonstrates how to build and maintain a successful nonprofit or for-profit impact business. La Juana proudly serves as Vice President of the Fair Contracting Coalition | The Report Card Group, Board Vice President of the Bexar County/City of San Antonio U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Lead Continuum of Care (CoC) Agency the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH), Community Advisory Board Member of the River City Federal Credit Union, Director-General of the Global Alliance for Angel Investor and Venture Capital Networks by the esteemed Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Mentor for Trinity University’s MIT Venture Mentoring Program, Mentor for Nasdaq Foundation’s Entrepreneurial Center. Additionally, La Juana is the co-host of Real Management Talk with LJ and Jocelyn, a podcast that is a one-stop-shop for all things nonprofit organization business. Notably, La Juana is the Former President & Board Chairman of the Alamo Project Management Institute (PMI) and Former President & Board Chairman of the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM). La Juana Chambers Lawson is licensed as a REALTOR® and Military Relocation Professional (MRP) with Phyllis Browning Company, San Antonio’s top luxury real estate agency and affiliate of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. La Juana’s favorite quote is:
“I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.” — Audre Lorde

[:en]Expand Your B2B Offering Globally[:]
2023-10-19 14:00 - 15:00
About this event

Extending the reach of your B2B sales efforts on a global level is a significant step that demands meticulous planning and thoughtful deliberation. Maybe you’ve found validity in product-market fit, and you’ve reached a point of financial stability that allows you to expand or you’ve gained the team and resources necessary for expansion. No matter the circumstances you find yourself in, if you want to share your expertise beyond borders, you want to make sure you do it right.
Join us for an informative and actionable session with Kimberly Daniels, President at Mercantile Logistics & International Trade Inc., who will provide insight into the complications of international trade and how to avoid common pitfalls in export and import compliance. You’ll walk away with a deeper awareness of how to conduct global sales while protecting you and your business from potential issues when scaling up.
Key Takeaways:

Understanding international trade compliance
Best practices for engagement with suppliers and government authorities
Pitfalls to avoid with global sales

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Kimberly Daniels
President, Mercantile Logistics & International Trade Inc
Kimberly Daniels has more than fifteen years of professional experience in international logistics. As CEO of Mercantile Logistics & International Trade, Inc. she assists business owners with the importation and exportation of their goods to various distribution locations, including fulfillment warehouses and foreign trade zones. As a small business owner, she is keenly aware of the needs of other small businesses to operate efficiently and effectively, creating her own program, CargoClear®, which smooths costs for clients in providing required customs services.
• Kim holds a Master’s of Business Administration, a Master’s of Science in Law, a Customs Broker License, and a Certificate in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) from APICS.
• Kim has provided International Trade webinars through a variety of channels as a subject matter expert
• Mercantile Logistics is a certified Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) and a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) since 2018.
• Foreign Trade Zone customs broker under contract
