Registration at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-virtual-womens-business-conference-tickets-488083048537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Seminars for Monday, March 6th

Grant Writing Basics: How to Secure Institutional Funding for Your Nonprofit | 10AM CST
With Stephanie Cory

Grant research and writing can be time consuming, but they do not have to be complicated. This session will teach you how to position your organization for funding success as it covers the grant writing process from identifying prospective funders through writing your strongest application and maintaining positive relationships with funders. Gain the skills you need to secure corporate and foundation support for your nonprofit organization in today’s competitive environment.

At the conclusion of this session, you will be able to:

• Identify prospective funding matches

• Organize your grant-seeking efforts

• Describe a quality proposal

• Explain why proposals are denied

Learn more about Stephanie:
Stephanie is an experienced fundraising generalist with specific experience as a grant writer. First as a staff member then as a consultant, she has helped start-up, small, and mid-sized nonprofits secure funding from corporations and foundations as well as county, state, and federal agencies. Stephanie is an adjunct faculty member for Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies where she teaches a variety of fundraising topics. Stephanie is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and earned her designation as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) from the American College of Financial Services. Recognized for her excellence in teaching and facilitation, she was named a Master Trainer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Demonstrating her commitment to helping organizations strengthen their governance and employ best practices, Stephanie is a Certified Governance Consultant through BoardSource and a licensed consultant through the Standards for Excellence® Institute. She is a past board member of AFP’s global board and currently serves as president of the AFP Brandywine Chapter in Wilmington, Del.

Lending for All | 12PM CST
with Michaela Schell
Join us for a seminar on fair, responsible financing options and alternative borrowing sources for small businesses.

Learn more about Michaela:
For Michaela, it’s all about the big picture. She has been involved in business and entrepreneurship for the majority of her career and has founded and managed several small businesses. As Dakota Business Lending’s Entrepreneurial Development Director, she is responsible for developing, managing, and delivering new small business lending programs and resources to our service area.

Michaela thrives on change and newness. She can learn a new subject quickly, offer new ideas, and find ways to make it better…all with confidence and courage.

Michaela lives in rural ND near Fargo with her husband and three kids.

Tax Considerations for Home-based Small Businesses | 1PM CST
with Charles Yacoobian
Operating a home-based small business and need some tax related tips/guidelines? The webinar covers tax considerations for a sole proprietorship, LLC and S-Corporation.
Highlighted topics will include:

Special Business Expense Deductions
Self-employment Taxes
Quarterly Estimated Taxes and More

Learn more about Charles:
Charles G. Yacoobian, an SBDC Business Advisor since 2010, assists clients with accounting, business plans, business financing, entity formation business startup, general business, global trade, management, and distribution and warehousing. Charles brings a unique combination of hands-on financial and operational skills that enable him to solve complex business problems and uncover opportunities to maximize cash flow, profits and working capital. He has over 30 years of experience in wholesale distribution of consumer products, manufacturing, food processing, import/export, startups, retail, service, franchising and licensed products, as well as mergers, acquisitions and business sales. Charles started his first business in college and has been owner/partner in a mail-order camping products business, an arts and crafts distribution business and a licensed products business. A CPA since 1975, he has also worked as Controller/CFO for companies in a variety of industries. “Helping business owners grow their companies and achieve their dreams” is what Charles most enjoys about working with the SBDC. Charles is a member of the California Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He has a B.S. in Economics (emphasis in accounting) from UCLA.

Developing an Optimistic Attitude | 3PM CST
with Sara Oliveri
This workshop builds upon Sara’s TED talk “The Two Steps to Happiness.” The number one step is developing an optimistic attitude. Based on nearly 20 years of recent research in the field of positive psychology, we now know that individuals who operate with an optimistic explanatory style do better than their less optimistic counterparts in every realm of life including their careers and their relationships.

Outcomes
Learn the science behind optimism and how to measure your current level.
Learn proven techniques to help you become more optimistic.
Learn how to decrease self-blame and feelings of worry or helplessness.
Learn how to increase self-efficacy and belief in your own capabilities.
Learn more about Sara:
Sara Oliveri coaches people to live happier lives and to operate happier organizations. She is a life coach & speaker based in Washington, D.C. and one of fewer than 300 people in the world to earn her master’s degree in positive psychology. Sara was recently voted Best Life Coach in Washington DC for the fourth time! She is a former faculty member at George Mason University where she taught “Understanding Human Happiness and Well-being.” Sara gave a popular TEDx talk on “The Two Steps to Lifelong Happiness.” And in 2015, She helped launch the American School of Professional Life Coaching DC, where she now trains others to become certified life coaches! Sara’s life coaching practice is part of the Moksha Living Team.

Seminars for Tuesday, March 7th

Hiring Your First Employee | 10AM CST
with Ian Rogers and Michigan SBDC
Do you need help planning to hire your first employees?

This webinar will cover areas such as: defining employees and independent contractors, financial planning and projections for hiring, interview strategies, and employee reporting requirements. If you are new to the hiring process and interested in learning some best practices, please join us for this fast-paced 60-minute introduction to hiring your first employees.

Learn more about Ian:
Ian Rogers manages the strategy and implementation of the Michigan SBDC’s statewide business education programs, focusing primarily on online education. Ian holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University. The majority of Ian’s career has focused on developing and implementing innovative, outcomes-based approaches to learning and development in fields including philanthropy, healthcare, information technology, and entrepreneurship.

How to Write a Dynamic Business Plan | 1PM CST
with Kathy Plisko and GA SBDC

Course Outline

Sections of a Business Plan
Format of a Business Plan
Balance Sheet
Financial Projections
Capital Equipment List
Sources of Capital
Learner Outcomes

Use the business plan tool or template that works for you.
Have a clear understanding of who your customer is.
Start with your company description and proceed step-by-step.
It’s OK if you don’t have all the information for each section. You can go back and fill in missing parts later.
Start with a strong financial foundation. Projections are key!

Learn more about Kathy:

Kathy Plisko is the area director of the UGA SBDC at Georgia State University. She brings a wealth of experience in financial services and process improvement to the organization. She spent 25+ years in the financial services industry, specifically underwriting and analyzing companies and negotiating legal documents for corporate asset-based transactions as an underwriter, underwriting manager, and portfolio manager. Kathy has extensive experience in analyzing financial trends, running sensitivity analysis on cash flows, mentoring and training junior employees, process improvement, developing underwriting tools, and developing training programs for underwriters and portfolio managers. She also spent 7 years with a large multinational conglomerate as an auditor, process improvement facilitator, underwriter, and portfolio manager within their financial services division. Her experience spans across a broad range of industries including healthcare, transportation and shipping, manufacturing, service, and technology.

Learn more about UGA Small Business Development Center:
The UGA Small Business Development Center is a Public Service and Outreach Unit of the University of Georgia. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

SBA Services and Programs | 2:15PM CST
With Ben Deetz
Join us for an overview of the US Small Business Administration’s services and programs.

More about Ben:
Ben Deetz is an Outreach and Marketing Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In this role, Ben trains and connects entrepreneurs and small business owners with the services they need to confidently start, grow, expand and recover their businesses. He also works with SBA resource partners, chambers, economic developers, and lenders to support entrepreneurship in North Dakota. A graduate of Concordia College, Ben received his Master of Business Administration degree from North Dakota State University. Ben can be reached at benjamin.deetz@sba.gov.

Seminars for Wednesday, March 8th

Government Contracting 101 | 9AM CST
with Nicolette Kallias & Cathy Lindquist
Want to expand your sales into a new market sector? Interested in understanding the requirements to sell to the government? Join the Procurement Specialists from the North Dakota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (ND PTAC) as they provide why, what, and how to sell to a government agency.

Learn more about Nicolette:
Nicolette Kallias is the PTAC Procurement Specialist and serves ND PTAC program clients across North Dakota from a Minot office location.

Learn more about Cathy:
Cathy Lindquist serves ND PTAC program clients across North Dakota from a Fargo office location. She is designated as a Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) Certified Verification Assistance Counselor as well as a Certified Procurement Professional (CPP).

An Introduction to the Women’s Business Center | 10AM CST
Join us for an introduction to the programs and services provided by the North Dakota Women’s Business Center

More about the ND Women’s Business Center:
The North Dakota Women’s Business Center (NDWBC) is the leading voice, resource, and partner for women business owners throughout the state. They work hard to amplify the collective voice and economic impact of their clients through advocacy and access to critical resources. With offices in Fargo, Bismarck, Wahpeton, and Williston the team is accessible to the state’s women-owned businesses through in-person and virtual one-on-one business coaching services, technical training, and leadership development programs.

Regional Economic Conditions | 11AM CST
with Erick Garcia Luna
Join Erick for an overview of Regional Trends – employment, tax, and economic variables in the regional and North Dakota economy.

Learn more about Erick Garcia Luna:
Erick Garcia Luna is a Regional Outreach director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. His main responsibilities involve tracking, analyzing, and reporting on several aspects of the Ninth District’s economy. Garcia Luna’s recent work has focused on the dynamics of the labor market in the post-pandemic economy of the region. Before joining the Minneapolis Fed, he worked for the U.S. Senate, the City of Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota. Erick completed coursework in economics at the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City and holds a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota.

How Can Social Media Help My Business? | 2PM CST
With Cecelia Henderson
Many small business owners struggle with how to use social media for their businesses. There are popular platforms that appear to be attractive, but working with them can be frustrating and may not yield the expected results. How do business owners optimize their social platform choices? What are realistic expectations a business owner should have?

What will be covered:

How to select the right social media channel for your audience. (FB, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Other)
What’s good content?
How to deal with hot new features that are always coming out. Some tools you can use to help you post on social media.
Performance expectations:

Which would you expect in terms of organic (non-paid) performance?
The role of paid ads in social media
How social media works with your website to help you be found by your target audience
Learn more about Cecelia:
Cecelia Henderson is the owner of WSI Marketing Edge, a digital marketing agency focused on helping businesses leverage their online presence for growth. She works with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations developing and executing their digital marketing strategies. She has over 25 years of marketing experience in Fortune 500 companies. She founded WSI Marketing Edge over 7 years ago and is passionate about helping her clients reap the benefits of digital marketing.

Seminars for Thursday, March 9th

Changing the World is Our Business. The Journey of a Female Founder. | 10AM CST
with Heather McDougall
Topics explored in keynote are:

From idea to mass market
Empowered Leadership decisions can impact the world
Lessons in believing in ourself
Facing the odds, standing on the legacy of women before
Letting go
Learn more about Heather:
Heather is a global change maker, speaker, and entrepreneur. After recently selling her sustainable products company, Heather is rolling up her sleeves to support other leaders in their missions for a better future. Currently, Heather is a partner in the 701 venture capital fund in North Dakota, and serves as the Head of Experiential Learning and Community for entrepreneurial education company, ILT Academy. Heather is a frequent executive and organizational consultant on sustainability, networking, problem-solving, and leadership wellbeing. She mentors for national startup accelerator, Gener8tor, in its sustainability cohorts in Chicago.

Heather earned her JD from Mitchell Hamline College of Law. She worked for a venture capital attorney, where she found her passion for entrepreneurship as a vehicle for change. Heather resides in Jamestown, ND. In the last 10 years, she and her husband have lived in the Middle East, Europe, and Detroit, MI. Heather is a certified yoga teacher, and anytime she is not working or speaking, you can find her in nature soaking up the sun with her rescue pup, Nali.

Developing an Optimistic Attitude | 12:30PM CST
with Sara Oliveri
This workshop builds upon Sara’s TED talk “The Two Steps to Happiness.” The number one step is developing an optimistic attitude. Based on nearly 20 years of recent research in the field of positive psychology, we now know that individuals who operate with an optimistic explanatory style do better than their less optimistic counterparts in every realm of life including their careers and their relationships.

Outcomes

Learn the science behind optimism and how to measure your current level.
Learn proven techniques to help you become more optimistic.
Learn how to decrease self-blame and feelings of worry or helplessness.
Learn how to increase self-efficacy and belief in your own capabilities.
Learn more about Sara:
Sara Oliveri coaches people to live happier lives and to operate happier organizations. She is a life coach & speaker based in Washington, D.C. and one of fewer than 300 people in the world to earn her master’s degree in positive psychology. Sara was recently voted Best Life Coach in Washington DC for the fourth time! She is a former faculty member at George Mason University where she taught “Understanding Human Happiness and Well-being.” Sara gave a popular TEDx talk on “The Two Steps to Lifelong Happiness.” And in 2015, she helped launch the American School of Professional Life Coaching DC, where she now trains others to become certified life coaches! Sara’s life coaching practice is part of the Moksha Living Team.

Is Wholesale right for me? | 3PM CST
with Heather McDougall
Topics explored in Breakout session are:

What is wholesale?
What types of wholesale exist?
Questions to ask about my business before entering wholesale.
Business Model, supply chain, scalability, pricing, team, fulfillment, and technology
Learn more about Heather:
Heather is a global change maker, speaker, and entrepreneur. After recently selling her sustainable products company, Heather is rolling up her sleeves to support other leaders in their missions for a better future. Currently, Heather is a partner in the 701 venture capital fund in North Dakota, and serves as the Head of Experiential Learning and Community for entrepreneurial education company, ILT Academy. Heather is a frequent executive and organizational consultant on sustainability, networking, problem-solving, and leadership wellbeing. She mentors for national startup accelerator, Gener8tor, in its sustainability cohorts in Chicago.

Heather earned her JD from Mitchell Hamline College of Law. She worked for a venture capital attorney, where she found her passion for entrepreneurship as a vehicle for change. Heather resides in Jamestown, ND. In the last 10 years, she and her husband have lived in the Middle East, Europe, and Detroit, MI. Heather is a certified yoga teacher, and anytime she is not working or speaking, you can find her in nature soaking up the sun with her rescue pup, Nali.

Seminars for Friday, March 10th

Meeting Them Where They’re At: One-On-One Employee Training | 9:30AM CST
with Sue L. Hamilton & Geremy Olson
Learn about the history of apprenticeship and the value of knowing how to use it. Understand the art of selecting the right employees and how to train them in a way that they will never want to leave.

Learn how to hire the employees that fit.
Learn how to provide a foundation for employees to stand on
Let them fail safely while having their back
Learn more about Geremy:
Geremy Olson has 17 years of wildfire training and mentorship in addition to direct customer service experience in business ownership.

Learn more about Sue:
Sue L. Hamilton has been a successful leader in encouraging and motivating employees to achieve the organizations goals. Learn from Sue’s 30 years of experience in the business world to get the results you desire from your employees.

Don’t Get Stuck Alone – Leadership | 1:30PM CST
with Sue L. Hamilton & Geremy Olson
Learn an achievable definition of leadership.

Learn how to get out of a sticky situation in business and personal situations. Examine the actions that got you into the mess and what steps need to be taken to get unstuck.​
Examine the type of leadership styles and determine what areas need improvement. Discuss people skills, individual personality, communication, humility, and integrity
Determine ways to become an effective leader around your style of leadership with characteristics that will determine success.

Learn more about Sue:
For over 30 years Sue L. Hamilton has led organizations to meet goals and objectives with straight forward leadership and people skills.

Learn more about Geremy:
Geremy Olson has 30 years of broadcast television, live event work, and has owned his sound, video, and lighting company business for over 20 years. Additionally, he brings 17 years of wildfire training and mentorship experience to the mix.

Thank you for your interest in the 2023 Women’s Business Conference, we hope to see you there!