SOMERVILLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

& FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS - 2008
 

The City of Somerville in partnership with East Somerville Main Streets and Union Square Main Streets and with the assistance of other groups including ACCION and the Somerville Chamber of Commerce presents this series of business development workshops and networking events. These educational programs assist Somerville residents, aspiring entrepreneurs, and existing businesses to build business skills, advance economic development, and expand networking opportunities within our community.

Space in these workshops is limited. Participation is open to all in the Somerville community.

While the business workshops are structured to meet the needs of companies in different stages of development, attendance is open to any Somerville business or entrepreneur.

 

    Schedule of Workshops for:

              Residents

                Two Financial Literacy Workshops at the Mystic Learning Center, 530 Mystic Ave

              Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups

                Second Tuesday Evening Workshops at SCAT, 90 Union Square

              Existing Businesses

                First Wednesday Networking Breakfast Workshops at SCAT, 90 Union Square

 

Download the one-page printable version of workshop calendar.

 

Have an idea or suggested speaker for a future workshop?  Contact Mimi Graney at mimi@unionsquaremain.org or Carrie Dancy at carrie@eastsomervillemainstreets.org

  
For Residents
Workshop Title Presenter Date & Time
Building your Credit ACCION Wednesday, April 30

5:30 - 6:30 pm
Building your Credit

(presented in Spanish)

 ACCION Wednesday, May 7

5:30 - 6:30 pm
   

All Resident Workshops meet at the Mystic Activity Center, 530 Mystic Avenue in Somerville.

Resident workshops are Free for Somerville residents.

To register for Resident Workshops contact: David Guzman at dguzman@ci.somerville.ma.us or call 617-625-6600 x 2546

 		 

 
Tuesday Evening Series  Especially Designed for Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups
Workshop Title Presenter Date & Time
Understanding Markets and Somerville's Business Districts

 

 Somerville Local First

Union Square Main Streets 

Do you know who your customers are?  Your targeted market influences every dimension of your business from the  items on your shelves and the size of your store, to the design of your logo and how your advertise.   At this workshop learn the importance of defining your trade area, how to evaluate resident markets through demographics and life style segmentation, as well as consideration of non-resident markets like business-to-business.  Come away with resources on how to get the data you need to develop your own market strategy and incorporate it as part of your business plan. 

Tuesday, June 10,

6:30 - 8:00 pm

 
Getting Started in Business

Small Business Development Center, UMass Boston

 Tuesday, July 15,

6:30 - 8:00 pm
Navigating Requirements for Licensing and Permitting City of Somerville Tuesday. August 12,

6:30 - 8:00 pm
Starting a Business: Components of the Business Plan ACCION Tuesday, September 9,
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Lending Basics and Commercial Financing Options TBD Tuesday, October 7,
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Financial Fundamentals of Running a Successful Business ACCION Tuesday, November 11,
6:30 - 8:00 pm
   

All Aspiring Entrepreneur and Start-Up Workshops meet in the SCAT Conference Room, 90 Union Square.

Cost is $10, free for members of ESMS & USMS.

To register for the Tuesday evening workshops for Aspiring Entrepreneurs contact: David Guzman at dguzman@ci.somerville.ma.us or call 617-625-6600 x 2546

  

 
Wednesday Morning Series Especially Designed for Existing Businesses
Workshop Title Presenter Date & Time
Local Commercial Lending
 		 Century Bank

Winterhill Bank

 Wednesday, May 7,
8:00 - 9:30 am
Legal Issues for Businesses Michael Radin of Tarlow Breed, Hart & Rogers Wednesday, June 4,
8:00 - 9:30 am
Marketing and PR Dorie Clark of Clark Strategic Communications Wednesday, July 9,
8:00 - 9:30 am
City of Somerville's Business Assistance Programs City of Somerville Wednesday, August 6,
8:00 - 9:30 am
Negotiation Skills Scott Loring of Cooperative Coaching and Mediation Wednesday, September 10,
8:00 - 9:30 am
Managing Your Retail Inventory for Optimum Profitability Stella Downie, founder of Stella Bella Toys Wednesday, October 1,
8:00 - 9:30 am
Business Taxes and Insurance ACCION Wednesday, November 5,
8:00 - 9:30 am
Payment Processing Strategies Ray Zonghetti, Heartland Payment Systems Wednesday, December 3,
8:00 - 9:30 am
   

All Existing Business Networking Workshops meet in the SCAT Conference Room, 90 Union Square.

The morning workshop includes continental breakfast.

Cost is $10, free for members of ESMS & USMS.

To register for the Wednesday morning workshops for Existing Businesses contact: David Guzman at dguzman@ci.somerville.ma.us or call 617-625-6600 x 2546