Eastern NC Business Events and Networking Oct. 2017

Business Happenings
Business Happenings

By Kay Whatley, Editor

Area Chambers of Commerce, business groups, and local businesses/organizations hold educational events and provide free business training or networking opportunities.

Note that regular Chamber member meetings or semi-closed leads groups, are not included in this list. Check with, or join, your local Chamber to find out more about regular meetings near your business. A list of five-county area chambers, and beyond, is included at the end of this article.

In addition to opportunities listed below, North Carolina’s community colleges offer free business workshops across the state. Find free “Small Business Center Network” classes by searching at www.ncsbc.net. Topics cover finance, marketing, fundraising, and general business/nonprofit issues alongside specialized classes such as food business creation.

Tuesday Morning Coffee Break

Join the Business Alliance of NC for a cup of coffee, conversation, and networking. Scheduled for Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 8-10am, at Lorraine’s Coffee House, 101 Timber Pointe Lane, Garner NC. Build referral relationships and brainstorm with other businesses/entrepreneurs. This is a free-flowing networking event. Find out more about the Business Alliance of NC by visiting businessalliancenc.com, or see their Meetup Group events here. This “coffee break” event is held throughout the month on Tuesdays.

Business Tax Essentials

The NC Department of Revenue’s Business Tax Essentials seminar will be held at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC, on October 3, 2017, 5:15-7:15pm. Source: Braswell Memorial Library, Rocky Mount NC

Register via the NCDoR website at www.dor.state.nc.us/business/seminar.php.

SCORE — the Service Corps of Retired Executives — is a nonprofit association dedicated to “helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.”  More information about SCORE is online at www.score.org.

For more information on Braswell Memorial Library’s SCORE events or registration, call Joetta Pittman at 252.442.1942 x.239.

Ribbon Cutting

Come and celebrate this ribbon cutting with the Wilson Chamber of Commerce at Farmer’s Home Furniture. Held on October 5, 2017, 11am-noon, at 1301 Suite C Ward Boulevard, Wilson NC.

Ribbon Cutting

Join the Knightdale Chamber of Commerce for this Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony with Joshua Harris (Financial Advisor) of Edward Jones. Scheduled for October 5, 2017, noon-1pm, the location is Edward Jones, Suite 105, 6845 Knightdale Blvd, Knightdale NC. For more information, contact the Knightdale Chamber Office at 919.266.4603. This is a free event.

First Friday Coffee

Join the Nashville NC Chamber of Commerce on Friday, October 6, 2017, starting at 8am, for a cup of coffee and network with local Chamber members and area residents. This event recurs on the first Friday of most months, with most gatherings held at the Nashville Exchange, W Washington Street, Nashville NC. A sponsoring business covers coffee costs at each event. This Chamber’s calendar is online at nashvillencchamber.org/calendar. (The next First Friday Coffee is currently planned for November 3, 2017.)

2017 Eggs & Issues

On October 10, 2017, 7:45-9:30am, gather for breakfast and to hear legislators speak on policy issues related to business and the economy. Q&A session at the end. Held at the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, 200 Nash Street NE, Wilson NC. Presented by The Action Group.

Pre-registration is required; admission is $20 for Chamber members who preregister by October 3. See details here.

Business Boot Camp

On October 10, 2017, 6-7:30pm, this seminar is being held by Global 1 Consulting, LLC and is designed to help those interested in starting their own business.Reserve a spot ($50 admission) on this link. Held at the Upper Coastal Business Development Center, 121 Nash Street NW, Wilson NC. See more about the organizers at www.global1consulting.org.

2017 NC Institute of Political Leadership Hometown Debate

A “Hometown Debate” on the state’s education policy will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 6:30-8pm. This event is organized by the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce and The North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership. Join the discussions, as questions from the public will be addressed. Held at the Booker T. Washington Theater, 170 W Thomas Street, Rocky Mount NC.

Send questions in advance to Desiree Dolberry with the e-mail subject line “Hometown Debate Question”. This is a free event; register for a space via this event page.

Being An Alpha Among Betas

You’ve heard “big fish, small pond” but what if your small pond is full of colorful fish, how do you stand out and take risks? Learn how to swim against the current, when it’s easier to ride the tide. This seminar would discuss how to confidently endeavor upon something new that you put yourself out there for.

The workshop is part of the “Slate of Eight” series presented by the Young Professionals of the Twin Counties and is scheduled for Friday, October 13, 2017, 12:30-1:30pm. This seminar is being held at Gateway Technology Center, 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount NC. Register for this October seminar here.

Speakers are Desiree Dolberry, Marketing & Events Coordinator for the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce, and Kellianne Davis, Community Development Administrator for the City of Rocky Mount + Owner of Station Square Records

Find out more at www.twincountiesnc.com/yopro, or on their Facebook page.

Marketing Essentials for Entrepreneurs

This SCORE workshop will cover topics including crafting your marketing message, identifying your target market, determining your unique differentiators and marketing strategies for a tight budget. You will learn why customers should buy from you and how to position your products/services against your competitors. This workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm, at Cameron Village Library, 1930 Clark Avenue, Raleigh NC. List of available SCORE workshops, including links for registration, may be found by starting on this page. Speaker Biography Ken Wood is a top-performing Sales & Marketing Executive with 25+ years experience in Innovation Driven Technical Marketing, International Business Development, and Sales Leadership. With any questions, call 919.869.4151.

A Home Office that Works

An upcoming SCORE Workshop will be held October 24, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm, at the North Regional Library, 7009 Harps Mill Road, Raleigh NC.

This workshop offers insights to anyone who’s thinking about starting a business at home, already has a business at home, or is considering a telecommuting position. Get insights from a business entrepreneur who’s worked at home for almost 30 years, Dr. Joe Webb. Register here. For more information or with questions, contact Bill Wagner, Raleigh SCORE at 919.869.4151 or via email.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to “helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.”  More information about SCORE is online at www.score.org.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

If you’re considering becoming a small business owner, attend this seminar to learn what it takes, what challenges and pitfalls you can expect, and what proven steps you can take to greatly increase your chance of success. In this two-hour SCORE seminar, you’ll explore how to test the feasibility of your idea to ensure it’s the right one.

This seminar is Thursday, October 26, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm, at Southeast Regional Library, 908 7th Avenue, Garner NC. The registration page is here.

Business Expo 2017

The Smithfield-Selma Chamber will hold its annual Expo on Thursday, October 26, 2017, 11am-3pm. The event will be at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, 2736 NC Hwy 210, Smithfield NC. This Expo is open to the public Businesses may reserve a booth via this Chamber web page.

Marketing Essentials for Entrepreneurs

This SCORE workshop “will cover topics including crafting your marketing message, identifying your target market, determining your unique differentiators and marketing strategies for a tight budget. You will learn why customers should buy from you and how to position your products/services against your competitors.”

Scheduled for Tuesday, October 31, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm, the location is East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC. Register here.

 

Area Chambers/Organizations

Links are included for business organizations in or near the five-county area of North Carolina:

 

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About Kay Whatley 2309 Articles
Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.