We're excited to announce the launch of our new business resource initiative, "SPARK Hours," by Stafford County Department of Economic Development. SPARK Hours offers "office hours" for our local business community, providing an opportunity to connect with a member of our team to discuss a variety of business-related topics. SPARK, which stands for “Strategic Pop-Up Advisory & Resource Knowledge,” is designed to support the growth and success of both aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners.
What makes SPARK Hours unique is its flexibility. With sessions held at different locations, on varying days and times, we’re making it easier than ever to meet you where you are, offering dynamic "pop-up" mentoring right in your community.
Don’t miss our first SPARK Hours session on Monday, September 9th, at Zibibbo 73. We look forward to seeing you there!
Event Details: - Date: Monday, September 9th
- Location: Zibibbo 73, 2757 Richmond Highway #101, Stafford, VA 22554
- Time: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
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Title: How to Do Business with Stafford County When: Thursday, September 26, from 9am - 12pm
Where: Stafford County Government Center - ABC Conference Room
Event Description: Are you a local business looking to contract your services with Stafford County Government? Join us for an information session on "How to Do Business with Stafford County."
You will have the chance to meet and engage directly with the Stafford Procurement and Economic Development offices who will help you navigate the process of doing business with the county.
Agenda (Tentative):
- Registering Your Business
- Gaining and Optimizing Your EVA Profile
- Supporting Certifications
- Commodity Codes
- Understanding Bid Requirements
- Becoming a Vendor with Stafford County
- Resources You Should Know
- In-Person Q&A with Stafford Procurement
Why Attend? This is a unique opportunity to network, gain valuable knowledge, and enhance your business's opportunity to contract with government localities like Stafford County. Whether you're a new startup or an established company, there's something for everyone. |
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The University of Mary Washington's Continuing & Professional Studies Department has announced the return of the highly successful Business Acumen Series! This series of one-day seminars is aimed at building leadership and business skills in the Fredericksburg region. The Business Acumen Series (BAS) will combine university knowledge and the practical application of innovative tools to drive your organization’s mission and deliver results. This year’s theme centers around Dynamic Leadership. Dynamic Mind for Dynamic Times: Agile Leadership in the Age of Change will focus on building leadership skills for times of change.
The Stafford EDA has invested in 50 seats to the Business Acumen Series to support the Stafford Business Community with educational resources. You may be eligible to attend these educational sessions on behalf of the Stafford EDA. Each seminar is valued at $275. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts! If you are a Stafford business, a limited supply of seats are available to you at no cost. We encourage you to apply to these sessions for the opportunity to be selected in this Stafford EDA provided educational resource.
Location: University Hall, UMW - Stafford Campus, 125 University Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA 22406* Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Lunch is Included *Leading from Every Seat will be held at UMW - Dahlgren Campus, 4224 University Drive, King George, VA 22485 Learn more about the courses offered:
Leading and Managing Hybrid Teams - NEW DATE! September 13, 2024 *Leading from Every Seat - October 16, 2024
Building a Growth Mindset in Your Team - November 14, 2024 |
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What's Happening in Stafford, Virginia |
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Wednesday, November 6th | 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM | Adventure Brewing Co. Get to know your local business community through the Beer & Business Networking Series!
Presented by the Stafford County Economic Development Authority, the Stafford Beer & Business Series is a quarterly event that brings together professionals from various industries. Don't miss out on the opportunity to network and gain valuable insights at our next event!
On November 6th, come and network with business professionals at one of Stafford's great breweries - Adventure Brewing Co. - for November Beer & Business.
Sponsored by Aquia Realty Inc., this Beer & Business event promises an exceptional evening filled with networking opportunities, exceptional brews, and engaging conversations.
Save the date for November Beer & Business! Join us on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at Adventure Brewing Co. Don't miss out—register today for an evening of insights and connections!
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V-TOP Workshop: Developing Our Workforce Through Internships
Join us for a free workshop designed to help local organizations learn how to develop high-quality, mutually beneficial internship experiences, satisfy the training prerequisite to qualify for state-funded support for creating or expanding an internship program, and network with other business professionals from your region. Benefits of the Workshop - Organizations of any size will gain valuable information about how to develop an effective internship program in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s standards
• Organizations with 250 or fewer employees will satisfy a key requirement for accessing free support from a state-appointed staffing agency to hire interns
• Organizations with 150 or fewer employees will satisfy a key requirement for accessing free support from a state-appointed staffing agency to hire interns and a 50% funding match to pay interns
• Participants will have the opportunity to learn and network with representatives of other organizations in the region
Event Details: - Cost: Free
- Dates & Locations:
- Wednesday, September 11th | 9:00 am to 11:00 am | University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center
- Friday, September 20th | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | University of Mary Washington - Stafford Campus
- Monday, October 28th | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Zoom
- Friday, November 15th | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | University of Mary Washington - Stafford Campus
- Tuesday, December 10th | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Zoom
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The RFP: Who? What? When? | 12:00 PM Organizer: UMW SBDC Location: Virtual
Many bid requests are written by different people, with different knowledge and interests, with no two bid requests exactly the same. To be successful in your bid submission you should follow the organizational priority set by those who manage the evaluation process. This training will outline the bid request structure for major competitive and negotiated procurements to simplify proposal preparation and evaluation for offerors, contractors, and contract administrators. Based on the RFP, you will successfully develop a proposal in accordance with the Government instructions and expectations.
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September Coffee Talk | 8:00 AM
Organizer: Women's Leadership Colloquium at UMW
Location: 718 Venue
Join us at September's Coffee Talk as we discuss "The Art of Navigating Difficult Conversations." During this presentation, we’ll discuss valuable insights and strategies to shift your perspective and approach difficult conversations with confidence and grace. We will learn practical tips and insights to gain the perspective needed for the conversation, to prepare for it, and to skillfully deliver it. This Coffee Talk will be facilitated by Alicia Turner, CEO & President at North Compass Solutions LLC.
Networking is the best thing you can do for your own professional development! Share, learn and grow from other professionals in the Fredericksburg area. |
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Blue Print Business Plan Workshop | 9:00 AM
Organizer: UMW SBDC Location: Virtual
This four-hour workshop covers the development of the business plan and financial forecasting of the business plan. Please be prepared to begin working on your business plan during the class. We will start by opening a Microsoft Word or Google Doc for you to add information to as we proceed through the workshop. By the end of the workshop you will have completed a rough draft of a portion of the business plan and have clear direction which areas you need to conduct research and add additional information to in order to complete.
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Understanding your Personal Credit | 12:00 PM
Organizer: UMW SBDC Location: UMW SBDC
Understanding your personal credit can be daunting, but it is also an integral factor to the success of your small business. This session is being offered only in person with lunch provided.
Lunch will be provided by C&F Bank. Registration will close ONE WEEK BEFORE the event in order to give us time to order food for the event. Register early and save your seat for our first fully in person event! |
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Available 24/7: First Steps to Starting a Business Online Learning Module Organizer: UMW SBDC Location: Virtual
This is a self-guided online learning module that covers the First Steps to Starting a Business webinar. You will receive the link to the module within 1 business day upon receiving your payment. You will have three weeks to go through the online module and it does not need to be completed before the end of the month.
The module will provide you with information about the services offered by the SBDC, business research sources available, an overview of various business entities, local requirements for starting a business, and insurance requirements. |
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