SBOSS Montgomery

The Success Circle
2026-05-27 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Vision without action is just a wish.
The Success Circle is a one-hour in-person workshop led by Trish Jordan, Project Manager at REACH Women’s Business Center, designed to help small business owners do something that gets skipped more than almost anything else: slow down, get intentional, and build goals that actually align with where they want to go.
This is not a motivational session. It is a working session. Participants will gain clarity on what they are actually working toward, build confidence in the direction they are heading, and leave with a concrete, structured roadmap to move forward strategically — not just urgently.
The Success Circle format creates space for honest reflection and peer energy — a room of business owners who are all at the same stage of wanting to move forward with more intention. It’s the kind of environment where the conversation in the room is often as valuable as the content itself.
If you have been running your business reactively — responding to whatever comes next — and you’re ready to step back and build toward something specific, this session is the pause that makes everything after it clearer.
In-person at SBOSS Dream Maker Studio. Registration required by 8:00 AM the morning of the event.

Hobby to Hustle: Turn Your Passion into Profit
2026-05-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
You’ve been doing it for years — creating, crafting, coaching, cooking, designing, or building something that people keep telling you is worth paying for. You know they’re right. What you haven’t had is a clear path from where you are now to a real, functioning business.
Hobby to Hustle: Turn Your Passion into Profit is a free, one-hour virtual workshop led by Trish Jordan, Project Manager at REACH Women’s Business Center. The session is built for entrepreneurs who have a hobby, a talent, or a creative skill they’re ready to turn into income — and who need the foundational steps to make that shift with clarity, confidence, and strategy.
The session covers the mindset shift from hobbyist to business owner, the foundational steps to move from passion to profit, how to evaluate whether your hobby has real market demand, the basics of pricing, positioning, and presenting your offering to customers, and what it means to build a business that is both purposeful and sustainable.
Whether you create handmade products, offer a personal service, have a creative idea you’ve been sitting on, or have already started selling informally and want to make it official — this is the session that helps you take the next step.

Crowdfunding with Kiva
2026-05-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Access to capital is one of the most consistent barriers small business owners face — and traditional lending is not the only answer. Kiva is a nonprofit that has helped more than 2.5 million people around the world collectively raise over $1 billion in crowdfunding loans. And it’s available to entrepreneurs right here in Montgomery.
Crowdfunding with Kiva is a free, one-hour virtual session led by Trish Jordan, Project Manager at REACH Women’s Business Center, that introduces small business owners to Kiva’s crowdfunding loan program — how it works, who qualifies, and how to build a successful campaign.
The session provides an overview of Kiva’s model, how their 0% interest crowdfunding loans work, what the application process looks like, and what kinds of businesses have found success with Kiva funding. A Q&A session is included.
If you are starting or growing a business and having trouble securing capital through traditional channels — or if you simply want to understand all the options available to you — this session opens a door most small business owners don’t know exists.

Intro to Constant Contact
2026-05-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Social media algorithms change. Ads cost money. But an email list? That’s an audience you actually own — and for small business owners, it remains one of the most direct, cost-effective ways to reach customers, drive sales, and stay top of mind.
Intro to Constant Contact is a beginner-friendly, one-hour virtual workshop designed to help small business owners learn the fundamentals of email marketing using one of the most accessible tools available.
Led by Trish Jordan of REACH Women’s Business Center, the session covers how to get started with Constant Contact, how to create professional-looking emails without design experience, how to build and grow your subscriber list, and how to use email marketing to build meaningful, consistent connections with your customers.
Whether you have never sent a marketing email before or you’ve been doing it inconsistently and want to do it better — this session gives you the foundation to show up in your customers’ inboxes with confidence and purpose.

Understanding Competitive Analysis
2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Every business operates inside a competitive landscape. Whether you know who your competitors are or not — they know the same customers you’re trying to reach. Understanding how to analyze that landscape is one of the most fundamental and underused skills in small business strategy.
Understanding Competitive Analysis is a beginner-level, one-hour virtual workshop led by Trish Jordan, Project Manager at REACH Women’s Business Center. The session introduces small business owners to the core concepts of competitive analysis — what it is, why it matters, and how to actually do it for your specific business.
Attendees will walk away knowing how to identify who their competitors are, how to evaluate what those competitors are doing well and where the gaps are, and how to use that information to sharpen their own positioning, pricing, and marketing strategy.
No prior business knowledge required. This workshop is designed for entrepreneurs who are new to competitive analysis or who want to build a stronger, more systematic approach to understanding their market.

AFLAC Small Business Employer Benefits Workshop
2026-05-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
One of the most overlooked aspects of building a stable small business is understanding what benefits are available — not just for your employees, but for you as a business owner. Most small business owners assume that employer benefits programs are out of reach until they reach a certain size. That assumption is costing them.
The AFLAC Small Business Employer Benefits Workshop is a free, two-hour educational session designed to walk small business owners through the landscape of employee and employer benefits — and to show them what is actually available, accessible, and affordable at every stage of business growth.
Facilitated by AFLAC representatives, this session covers the full spectrum of benefits considerations for small businesses: what employee/employer support structures look like, what free educational services AFLAC provides to business owners, how insurance plans work and what options exist for small teams, and how wellness benefits and eligibility apply to businesses of different sizes.
This is not a sales session. It is an educational workshop designed to give small business owners the information they need to make smart decisions about protecting their teams, their operations, and themselves.
If you have employees — or plan to hire — this workshop gives you the foundation to build a benefits conversation from an informed position.

Plate & Permit - Launching Your Food Business The Right Way
2026-05-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
The food business idea is rarely the problem. The recipe is solid. The demand is real. What stops most food entrepreneurs isn’t the product — it’s not knowing which permits apply to their specific business model, which agencies they need to talk to, and in what order everything has to happen before they can legally sell.
Plate & Permit: Launching Your Food Business the Right Way closes SBOSS Small Business Week with a direct, practical walkthrough of the licensing and compliance landscape for food entrepreneurs in Alabama — covering cottage food production, food truck and mobile food unit operation, catering, and food product sales.
You will leave knowing exactly which category your food business falls into, which agencies you need to contact, what documents and inspections are required before your first sale, and what the ongoing compliance requirements look like. We’ll also cover the business side: pricing for compliance costs, where to find licensed commercial kitchens in Montgomery, and how to protect your business with the right insurance coverage.
🏅 SBOSS Score: This event closes Small Business Week and earns a stamp. Check in within the first 20 minutes of the posted start time, attend the full session, and complete the post-event survey. Complete all five Small Business Week events and you’re well on your way to Tier 3.
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Open the Door - Licensing Your Childcare Business
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
There are people in Montgomery right now who are operating informal childcare arrangements who have the skill, the space, the love for children, and the entrepreneurial instinct to build a real licensed childcare business. The only thing standing between where they are and where they could be is understanding the licensing process.
Open the Door: Licensing Your Childcare Business is a 90-minute working session for aspiring and early-stage childcare providers who are ready to make their business official — and for established providers who want to understand their compliance obligations more fully.
The session walks through the complete licensing pathway for both home-based daycare and childcare center operations in Alabama: DHR requirements, the application process, home inspection standards, staff requirements, physical environment standards, certifications, and how to maintain compliance.
This is the roadmap that too many childcare entrepreneurs have had to piece together on their own. SBOSS is putting it in one room, in one session, with the people who can answer your specific questions.
🏅 SBOSS Score: Stamp-eligible event. Check in within the first 20 minutes (by 6:20 PM), attend the full 90 minutes, and complete the post-event survey to earn your stamp.
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Lunch and Learn - Built to Last with Ruby Tuck
2026-05-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
In 2013, Ruby Tuck founded Program Management & Technology Services, Inc. (PMTS) in Montgomery, Alabama. Over the next decade, she built it into a competitive woman-owned 8(a) business providing IT and medical staffing — winning contracts across nine states, growing her team by 70%, and significantly expanding office space along the way. In 2024, Ruby Tuck and PMTS were named Alabama Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
That recognition didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of a series of deliberate decisions: how to use COVID-19 relief to maintain stability rather than retreat, how to leverage the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program to build a real strategic growth plan, and how to use SBA certifications as a competitive tool rather than just a credential.
Built to Scale is SBOSS’s celebration of that journey — and a practical, honest conversation about what it actually looks like to scale a small business in Montgomery.
The format is two parts: a 20-minute featured conversation with Ruby Tuck on what it means to Build to Scale — the decisions, the pivots, the programs, and the mindset — followed by a fireside chat with the Small Business Administration on the specific tools, certifications, and resources available to businesses ready to move to the next level.
This is not a motivational talk. It is a case study with the person who lived it, and a direct line to the federal resources that helped make it possible. Lunch is provided. The format is conversational. Space is limited.
If you are past startup and ready to grow with intention — this session was built for you.
🏅 SBOSS Score: Stamp-eligible event. Check in within the first 20 minutes of the 11:00 AM start (by 11:20 AM), attend the full two hours, and complete the post-event survey to earn your credit.
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Plug In — AI Tools Built For The Small Business Owner
2026-05-05 17:30 - 18:30 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
You do not need a tech background to use AI. You do not need a software budget. What you need is someone to show you what it actually does — in real business scenarios, with real tools, in plain language.
Plug In: AI Tools Built for the Business Owner is a one-hour, hands-on session designed to demystify artificial intelligence and put its most useful applications directly into the hands of Montgomery’s small business community.
Led by Zac Lewis, attendees will work through live demonstrations of the most practical AI tools available to small businesses today. How do I write better marketing copy? Can AI help me respond faster to customers? Can I build a social media calendar in minutes? Draft proposals? Create SOPs? Summarize a contract? The answer to all of those questions is yes — and this workshop shows you how.
You’ll leave with a short list of tools you can start using immediately, a clear sense of which tasks in your business are best suited for AI assistance, and the confidence to actually open the app and try.
🏅 SBOSS Score: This is a stamp-eligible event. Check in within the first 20 minutes, attend the full hour, and complete the post-event survey to earn your credit.
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Before You Sign The Lease
2026-05-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Most small business owners spend weeks — sometimes months — searching for the perfect space. They imagine their customers walking through the door, picture where the signage will go, and start making plans before anyone has asked a single question about zoning, inspections, or what it actually takes to legally open in that building. By the time they find out the space doesn’t meet code, or the zoning doesn’t allow their business type, or the Certificate of Occupancy process will take three months, they’ve already committed.

Before You Sign The Lease is designed to prevent that. This workshop walks small business owners through the critical steps that should happen before a lease ever gets signed — the questions to ask, the offices to contact, and the process to understand so that when you find the right space, you’re ready to move forward without costly surprises.
Led by City of Montgomery Inspections Chief Pat McGilberry, the session covers three core areas:

ZONING — What it is, why it matters, and how to verify that your intended use is permitted at a given location before you invest time and money into a space. Not every business can operate in every zone — and finding out after you’ve signed is a problem SBOSS is helping you avoid.
INSPECTIONS — What a pre-lease inspection looks at, what business owners should be looking for themselves before they sign off on a space, and what condition a property needs to be in before it’s ready for occupancy. This is the part of the process most first-time commercial tenants skip entirely.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY — The step-by-step process for obtaining your CO in Montgomery: what it requires, what triggers a new CO requirement, how long the process typically takes, and what happens if you try to open without one.

We may also touch on lease negotiation basics — understanding what terms are actually negotiable and what to ask for before you put pen to paper.
If you are actively looking for a space, preparing to sign a lease, or planning ahead for a future location, this workshop is the foundation. Come with your questions. Leave with a clear picture of exactly what to do before you commit.
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VISION TO VENTURE ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT
2026-03-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Southside Church of Christ – Montgomery, 3388 South Hull Street, Montgomery, AL, 36105, United States
Vision to Venture is a one-day, hands-on entrepreneurship summit built for aspiring and early-stage founders who are ready to stop holding the idea and start building with structure. Hosted in partnership with Access Montgomery and Truist, this summit blends purpose-driven entrepreneurship with practical business execution—so you leave with clarity and a real next step. You’ll receive a breakdown of business growth stages, hear a candid conversation on becoming bankable and loan-ready, and participate in a guided working lab designed to move your idea forward. This is not a passive conference experience; it’s designed for action, questions, and progress. Registration is free, but space is intentionally limited and will close once full.

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Women In Business Reception
2026-03-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Join SBOSS for the Women in Business Reception, a special gathering celebrating Women’s History Month and the entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders shaping Montgomery’s business community.
This reception provides an opportunity for participants to connect, celebrate, and engage with fellow business leaders in a welcoming environment.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to receive complimentary professional headshots (limited availability) and capture photos at the Women’s History Month photo wall.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, professional, or community leader, this event offers a chance to celebrate the achievements of women in business while building meaningful connections across Montgomery’s business ecosystem.
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Small Business Mixer: Legacy Edition
2026-03-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
The SBOSS Small Business Mixer brings together entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders to connect, collaborate, and strengthen Montgomery’s business ecosystem. This Women’s History Month Legacy Edition highlights the impact women entrepreneurs have had in shaping local business and community leadership.
The evening will feature a conversation with Monica Whiting, entrepreneur, attorney, and owner of Baristas & Barristers, as she shares insights on entrepreneurship, legacy building, and the role small businesses play in strengthening communities.
Participants will have the opportunity to network with fellow business owners, exchange ideas, and build relationships that support long-term growth.
Whether you’re launching a business, growing an established company, or supporting local entrepreneurs, this mixer offers an opportunity to engage with Montgomery’s business community.
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AI, Actually Lunch & Learn
2026-03-17 11:00 - 13:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere — but very few entrepreneurs know how to actually apply it in a way that strengthens their business. AI, Actually is a hands-on working session designed for women entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders who want to move beyond experimenting with AI and begin using it strategically.
Led by Tania Johns, Principal Consultant at PRC Impact, this interactive session will walk participants through how AI can help sharpen messaging, clarify business positioning, and strengthen key business assets.
Participants will leave with real applications they can implement immediately, including frameworks for using AI as a strategic partner in business planning and communication.
No technical experience is required — just bring your ideas.
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ENGAGE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
2026-03-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Engage in Entrepreneurship is the entry point for entrepreneurs who are ready to stop collecting information and start building with direction. This interactive workshop helps you think through the basic components of launching or growing a business—without overwhelm and without assuming you already know the process.
You’ll identify what stage you’re in, what your business needs right now, and what your next best steps should be. You’ll also learn how SBOSS and its partner network can support you beyond this session through coaching and resource pathways. If you’ve been carrying an idea, feeling stuck, or unsure what to prioritize, this workshop is designed to help you move forward with clarity.
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THE SUCCESS CIRCLE — GROUP GOAL SETTING
2026-03-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
The biggest reason goals don’t happen isn’t discipline—it’s the lack of a clear structure. The Success Circle is an in-person workshop designed to help entrepreneurs pause, think strategically, and build goals that can actually be executed. You’ll define one meaningful business goal, break it into milestones, and identify the exact actions required to move forward over the next 30–90 days.
This is not a lecture—it’s a working session where you will leave with a plan, not just motivation. If you’ve been busy but not progressing, this workshop gives you the structure to move with clarity and confidence.
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CAPTURING LEADS & SALES CONVERSION
2026-03-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
A lot of entrepreneurs have demand—but no system. They get DMs, inquiries, comments, and “I’m interested” messages… and then the sale disappears because there’s no clear path to follow up and close. Capturing Leads & Sales Conversion is a practical workshop designed to help you build a simple lead capture process and turn curiosity into customers.
You’ll learn what to collect, where to collect it, and how to follow up without feeling pushy or unprofessional. This session is especially valuable for service providers and product sellers who are getting attention but want more consistent revenue. Leave with a structure you can repeat—not a hustle you have to restart every week.
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LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS LEGALLY
2026-03-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
A business that isn’t structured correctly will eventually feel the pressure—through taxes, liability, financing, or growth limitations. Launch Your Business Legally is a clear, entrepreneur-friendly workshop designed to help you understand the major legal structures (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, partnership) and how to choose what fits your goals.
You’ll learn what changes when you form an entity, what protections it can provide, and what lenders and partners often expect to see as you grow. This session is ideal for new founders, side-hustlers becoming official, and existing business owners who formed quickly and want to revisit the foundation. Come for clarity, leave with confidence and a smarter next step.
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TARGET MARKET & CRAFTING YOUR MESSAGE
2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
If your marketing feels inconsistent, it’s usually not because you lack effort—it’s because your message isn’t clear enough to cut through. Target Market & Crafting Your Message is a practical workshop designed to help you define exactly who your business serves and how to communicate your value without overexplaining or sounding like everyone else. You’ll learn how to identify the audience most likely to buy, shape a message that actually resonates, and tighten the language you use across your social media, website, and sales conversations. This session is built for entrepreneurs at any stage who want less guesswork and more strategy. Leave with clarity you can use immediately—not “ideas,” but language and direction.
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Business, Beards, and Bourbon
2026-02-28 13:00 - 16:30 | 23 Cigar Bar, 23 Court Street, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Business, Beards, & Bourbon is a curated networking and conversation experience designed for men who are building, leading, and thinking long-term.
This event creates space for honest dialogue around entrepreneurship, leadership, finances, and legacy — without the fluff. Over good conversation and a shared pour, participants will engage with peers who understand the realities of business ownership and the responsibility that comes with it.
More than a mixer, Business, Beards, & Bourbon is about connection, accountability, and growth. It’s for entrepreneurs who value strategy, community, and meaningful conversation — and who understand that building a business also means building yourself.
Whether you’re just getting started or already established, this experience is designed to meet you where you are and challenge you to think differently about what’s next.
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Southside Church of Christ Entrepreneurship Summit
2026-02-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Southside Church of Christ – Montgomery, 3388 South Hull Street, Montgomery, AL, 36105, United States
From Vision to Venture Entrepreneurship Summit
Building What God Has Placed in You
Saturday, February 21 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Southside Church of Christ | Montgomery, Alabama
The From Vision to Venture Entrepreneurship Summit is a one-day, hands-on experience for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to stop holding ideas and start building them.
Why This Summit Matters
If you’ve been carrying an idea, questioning your next move, or waiting for the “right time,” this summit is designed for you.
In just four hours, you’ll gain:

Clear direction for the idea you’ve been sitting on
Practical insight into the real stages of building a business
Straightforward guidance on preparing before seeking funding
Access to local resources created to support entrepreneurs
A chance to apply what you learn — not just hear about it

What You’ll Experience

Faith-centered guidance on entrepreneurship as stewardship
A practical breakdown of business growth stages
A candid conversation with resource leaders and a financial expert on being bankable and loan-ready
A hands-on working lab to move your idea forward
An informal lunch conversation with an entrepreneur

Lunch will be provided.
Who Should Be in the Room

Aspiring entrepreneurs
Early-stage business owners
Anyone ready to move from idea to execution

Cost & Registration
This summit is free, but advance registration is required.
Space is limited, and once registration closes, it closes.
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Pricing For A Product-Based Business
2026-02-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Pricing for a Product-Based Business helps entrepreneurs confidently price products for profitability while remaining competitive.
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SBOSS Small Business Mixer: Beauty & Barbers Edition
2026-02-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
The SBOSS Small Business Mixer is an intentional networking experience designed for business owners who value meaningful connections, shared insight, and long-term growth.
This edition highlights beauty and barbering professionals — owners who understand what it takes to build clientele, manage operations, protect their brand, and sustain a business over time. While the focus is on the beauty and personal service industries, the room itself is intentionally diverse, bringing together business owners across backgrounds, industries, and experience levels.
This is not a panel and not a pitch event. It is a space for real conversation — where owners can exchange perspectives, learn from one another’s experience, and build relationships that extend beyond the evening.
Whether you are continuing to grow an established business or positioning yourself for the next stage of expansion, the SBOSS Small Business Mixer creates the environment to connect with people who take business seriously and value being in the right room.
REGISTER HERE

Understanding and Managing Cash Flow
2026-02-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Understanding & Managing Cash Flow is a foundational workshop designed to help entrepreneurs track, analyze, and forecast cash flow to support long-term business stability and growth.
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Next Level Think Tank III
2026-01-22 17:30 - 20:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
The Next Level Think Tank is a “Shark Tank”-inspired, strategy-focused session designed for entrepreneurs preparing to grow or scale their businesses. This facilitated discussion provides participants with an opportunity to gain insight, share challenges, and receive feedback in a supportive and confidential environment.

January Small Business Mixer: SET IT OFF
2026-01-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Kick off the year with SBOSS at our January Small Business Mixer: Set It Off. This event is designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to connect, learn, and engage with Montgomery’s small business ecosystem. Whether you are just starting out or looking to grow, this mixer provides a welcoming space to meet fellow business owners, connect with SBOSS leadership, and learn about resources available to support your business journey throughout 2026

Social Media: Tips & Tricks
2026-01-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Learn tips and tricks for creating and executing social media content, understanding algorithms, hashtags, and best practices for online engagement.

Business Plan 101: Start Your Business Plan
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Learn how to develop your business plan with Reach WBC Director Austin Goble as he guides participants through key components, tips, and strategies to create a clear roadmap for the future.

ENGAGE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
2026-01-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Begin building your community of support and discover the importance of communicating your business effectively. Whether you are just starting or already established, this workshop provides the assistance and resources needed to be successful at any stage of the business life cycle.
Participants will:

Gain insight into how Catalyst supports business goals
Learn the basic components of starting or growing a business
Identify areas of focus
Improve communication of their business
Build a roadmap to success
