SBOSS Montgomery

Understanding Competitive Analysis
2025-05-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Program Format: Online Meeting (Live)
Training Topics: Business Start-up/Preplanning
Description:
Discover the fundamentals of competitive analysis in our beginner-level workshops. Gain insights into understanding your market, identifying competitors, and developing strategies to outshine the competition. This workshop is perfect for those new to competitive analysis or looking to sharpen their skills in this essential small business practice.

Register Here

Alabama SBDC at ASU Entrepreneurship 101: How To Start A Business in Alabama and Write A Business Plan
2025-05-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
Celebrate National Small Business Week with Us!
In honor of National Small Business Week (May 4–10, 2025), the Alabama SBDC at Alabama State University invites you to attend a free, virtual 2.5-hour workshop designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners with the foundational tools for success.
Whether you’re just getting started or need a clear roadmap for your business journey, this session will walk you through the essential steps of launching a business and developing a business plan that sets you up for success.
Course Instructor: Andrea Rogers Mosley, Director, Alabama SBDC at ASU
Hosted by Alabama SBDC at Alabama State University

Strong Coffee, Strong Women: Crafted & Curated Edition
2025-05-06 08:30 - 23:00 | Dream Makers Studio, 39 Dexter Avenue, Suite 209, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
✨ Where Creativity Meets Caffeine ✨
Get ready to sip, savor, and spark some serious inspiration at this extra flavorful edition of Strong Coffee Strong Women — Crafted & Curated! We’re bringing together four fabulous entrepreneurs who know how to mix, plate, plan, and capture magic in Montgomery.
🎤 Meet the Makers:
🍸 Marcia Parker, the magnetic mixologist behind FoxyTenders, shaking up the local bar scene
🍽️ Alanna Dennis of Alanna’s Gourmet, dishing out bold flavors and elevated catering experiences
🎉 Ashley Jernigan of JDB Hospitality, the ultimate experience curator and event mastermind
📸 Adrienne Quick of Dreamers Photography, turning moments into memories with every snap
This lively morning panel is all about what it takes to build a brand, own your craft, and curate unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own creative venture or just love a good success story over your coffee, this event is for you.
Come for the coffee. Stay for the sparkle. Leave with inspiration.

SBDC Surviving Tariffs: Smart Moves for Small Business
2025-05-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
When the cost of products from other countries goes up, small businesses can lose money fast.
If you run a store, sell items online, or buy your products from overseas, this workshop is for you.
Join the Alabama SBDC at ASU for a free 1-hour online training during National Small Business Week.
You’ll learn what tariffs are, how they affect your business, and simple ways to deal with rising prices. We’ll do a short risk checklist, talk about smart ways to manage suppliers and money, and give you tools you can use right away to protect your business.
This session is great for store owners, online sellers, and small manufacturers who buy or sell goods from other countries.
Course Instructed by Taisha “Tai” Aracen, J.D., Corporate Sponsorship Strategist and Social Enterprise Architect Consultant, founder of AracenCo, a real estate development firm, and SocialSynergy818 (SS818), which is a social enterprise consulting firm.

Business, Beards, & Bourbon
2025-05-03 12:00 - 16:00 | 23 Cigar Bar, 23 Court Street, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Failure & Grit: The Grind Behind Growth
Presented by SBOSS Montgomery,
Step into an afternoon of bold conversations, refined energy, and powerful connections.
Business, Beards, & Bourbon is an exclusive networking experience designed for male entrepreneurs, professionals, and civic leaders who are ready to engage in real dialogue about the challenges and triumphs of business ownership.
This year’s theme — Failure & Grit: The Grind Behind Growth — highlights the untold stories of setbacks, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of success. Attendees will hear firsthand from a panel of seasoned business owners who’ve faced failure and emerged stronger, offering lessons that inspire and strategies that work.
Set in the upscale ambiance of a cigar lounge, this experience includes:

Your choice of 1 bourbon & cigar or 2 bourbon pours
The Grind Talk Panel featuring local entrepreneurs
Lounge-style networking with business leaders, resource partners, and city stakeholders
A relaxed, masculine-leaning environment designed to spark connection and community

This event is open to men at every stage of entrepreneurship — from barbershop owners and realtors to nonprofit leaders, city officials, and aspiring founders.
Come for the bourbon. Stay for the brotherhood. Leave with a better business mindset.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PMLocation: 23 Court, Montgomery, AL🎟️ RSVP Required: Register Now

Accounting for Small Businesses: WaveApp 101
2025-05-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Program Format: Online Meeting (Live)
Training Topics: Accounting/Budget
Description:
In this part of our Accounting series, join The Catalyst’s Operations Manager and CPA, Sandy Edwards, as she goes through the basics of WaveApps. This online accounting platform offers its basic service for free, with the ability to add payments and payroll features. Ms. Edwards will help highlight how to set up company books, how to enter expenses and payments, and how to set up products and services among other topics.
Join us for this introductory walk-through of a free resource you can utilize for your small business accounting!
Register Here

Small Business Certifications
2025-04-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
This foundational class is designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through the complex landscape of business certifications. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the various certification programs available to small businesses, including federal, state, and local certifications.
Key Topics:

Understanding Certifications: Learn the importance of certifications and how they can enhance your business credibility, open doors to new markets, and provide access to exclusive contracts and opportunities.
Types of Certifications: Gain insights into the most common small business certifications, such as the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications.
Eligibility Requirements: Understand the specific criteria and documentation required for each certification, ensuring you know what to prepare before starting the application process.
Benefits and Opportunities: Discover how certifications can help you gain a competitive edge, access government contracts, and network with larger corporations looking to diversify their supplier base.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the value of obtaining small business certifications.
Identify and differentiate between various certification programs.
Prepare and submit complete and accurate certification applications.
Maintain and leverage certifications for business growth and development.

Register Here

Small Business Mixer: Food & Beverage Edition
2025-04-16 17:30 - 19:30 | 39 Dexter Avenue, 1st Floor, 39 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Calling all chefs, bakers, food truck owners, and restaurant dreamers! Join SBOSS for our Small Business Mixer: Food & Beverage Edition on Tuesday, April 16 from 5:30–7:30 PM at the SBOSS Dream Makers Studio.
This month’s mixer, “Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers,” brings together Montgomery’s food entrepreneurs for an inspiring panel discussion, open networking, and real talk about what it takes to thrive in the industry. Panelists include Chef Shawn Nelson (ISpeakFood), Fedelia Coleman (Cakeology), and Councilman Andrew Szymanski (Hilltop Public House)
Event Purpose
To spotlight the unique experiences of local food and beverage entrepreneurs in Montgomery while creating an open space to address the policies, systems, and support that impact their ability to grow and succeed. This mixer aims to uplift real voices, break down barriers, and build stronger support networks for businesses in the food ecosystem.
Who Should Attend
Food entrepreneurs in Montgomery including personal chefs, bakers, caterers, restaurant owners, food truck operators, pop-up vendors, and aspiring business owners in the food & beverage industry.
Registration Opens: APRIL 4th

Make Better Decisions with Google Analytics
2025-04-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Learn best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions.
In this session, we’ll cover:

An introduction to Google Analytics
Creating and understanding reports
Making goals
Using Analytics with other Google tools

Register Here

Ask the Expert: Buying a Business
2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Thinking about purchasing an existing business? This interactive session is your opportunity to get expert insights on what it takes to buy a business and set yourself up for success. Whether you’re exploring business ownership for the first time or looking to expand, this workshop will cover the key steps in the business buying process.
Key Topics Covered:

How to find businesses for sale
What to look for when evaluating a business
Understanding business valuations and pricing
Financing options for purchasing a business
Questions to ask during due diligence
Tips for a smooth transition after purchase

Bring your questions for a live Q&A with our expert, Ken Penn, to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to take the next step toward business ownership.
Who Should Attend:
Aspiring business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in purchasing an existing business.
