Start Your Business Series: Taxes & Financial Reporting
2026-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Stay compliant and informed. Understand your basic tax responsibilities as a small business owner, including estimated taxes, sales tax, and key deductions. You’ll also learn the importance of financial statements and recordkeeping to stay audit-ready and make data-driven decisions.
You’ll learn:

Key tax obligations for small business owners
The difference between personal and business taxes
Common deductions and how to track them
Basics of financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
Best practices for bookkeeping and staying audit-ready

Cooperatively Funded By:

Instructions:
Once you register, you will receive the Zoom meeting information for the event

Start Your Business Series: Marketing & Branding
2026-07-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Stand out and attract your ideal customer. This session covers the basics of branding, market positioning, and crafting your unique value proposition. Learn how to identify your target audience, create compelling messaging, and choose the right marketing channels to launch and grow your presence effectively.

You’ll learn:

How to define your brand identity and value proposition
How to identify and understand your target market
Basic marketing strategies for new businesses
How to use social media, websites, and content effectively
Low-cost ways to build visibility and attract customers

Cooperatively Funded by:

Instructions:
Once you register, you will receive the Zoom meeting information for the event

Start Your Business Series: Finalizing Your Business Plan & Growth Strategies
2026-07-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Pull it all together with confidence. In this capstone session, you’ll refine your business plan and learn how to use it as a living tool for decision-making, funding, and scaling. We’ll also cover goal-setting frameworks, growth strategies, and how to stay resilient as your business evolves.
You’ll learn:

How to write or refine a simple, effective business plan
What lenders and investors look for in a plan
How to set goals and measure your progress
Growth strategies for sales, marketing, and operations
How to adapt and evolve as your business grows

Cooperatively Funded By:

Instructions:
Once you register, you will receive the Zoom meeting information for the event

2026 Small Business Awards Ceremony
2026-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Museum Drive, Montgomery, AL, 36117, United States
The City of Montgomery and the Montgomery County Commission, in partnership with Access Montgomery, SBOSS Montgomery, and Economic Development, proudly present the 2026 Small Business Awards Ceremony — a signature celebration honoring the entrepreneurs, small business owners, and local leaders helping shape Montgomery’s economic future.
Hosted at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, this annual awards ceremony recognizes the businesses that continue to create jobs, serve residents, strengthen neighborhoods, and bring new energy to Montgomery’s small business community.
The evening will begin with an opening reception at 5:00 PM, giving guests, nominees, community partners, and local leaders an opportunity to mingle, connect, and celebrate Montgomery’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. The formal awards ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM and is expected to conclude at 8:00 PM.
More than an awards program, the 2026 Small Business Awards Ceremony is a community celebration of resilience, excellence, innovation, and impact. From emerging entrepreneurs to established business owners, this event shines a spotlight on the people and businesses helping Montgomery grow, compete, and thrive.
Guests are invited to join us for an evening of recognition, connection, and celebration as we honor the businesses and leaders making Montgomery a stronger place to live, work, and grow.
RSVP for the Ceremony →
