Small Business Energy Workshop
2025-09-18 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Hutch Chamber, 117 N Walnut St,, Hutchinson, KS, 67501, United States
Thursday, September 18, 2025
9am-3pm (lunch provided)
Hutch Chamber
117 N Walnut St, Hutchinson KS
No cost to attend…Seating limited to 30
Can your business save energy and reduce operational expenses by making energy-related upgrades? How can jobs be created or retained at your facility or within your city or county? Attend this free workshop to learn more about energy upgrades, the Kansas Energy Program and the USDA Rural Energy for America Program grants and guaranteed loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Who:

Small Business Owners
Ag Producers
Economic Developers

Topics:

HVAC
Refrigeration
Lighting
Solar PV Systems
Evergy Programs
USDA Programs
And More

Guest Speakers:

Greater Hutch
USDA Rural Development
Kruse Corp
King Solar
Evergy
And Others

More Information: ksenergyprog@ksu.edu (785) 532-4998

Intro Into Intellectual Properties - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-09-18 12:30 - 13:30 | Online Event
Inventions, designs, original works of authorship, and trade secrets can provide you with economic benefits. Learn the basics of intellectual property protection. Jessica Pierpoint with the USPTO Kansas Patent and Trademark Resource Center will present.
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday September 15th, 2025.

GROWING RURAL BUSINESSES SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
2025-09-18 17:30 - 2025-11-06 20:30 | Cowley Community College (Sumner Campus), 2208 Davis-White Loop, Wellington, KS, 67152, United States
Growing Rural Businesses 2025 FlyerGrowing Rural Businesses is an eight-week, in-person certificate
program for rural business owners operating for 5 to 15 years who are
ready to spark new momentum and drive growth. Delivered by Wichita
State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with
NetWork Kansas, the training provides practical, applied strategies
tailored to rural business challenges.
Participants learn in a dynamic, collaborative environment that blends
expert-led instruction with facilitated peer discussions creating space
for shared learning, fresh perspectives, and real-time problem solving.
Whether plateaued or preparing to scale, business owners leave with
actionable tools, renewed focus, and a clear plan to strengthen their
business and community.

Trademark basics: What every small business should know now, not later - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-09-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Event
Join us for a discussion about what all entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-ups should know about trademarks. We’ll discuss what trademarks are, the benefits of federal trademark registration, and the basics of the registration process. We’ll also talk about why it’s so important for any new business to select a trademark that is both federally registrable and legally protectable. We’ll close out the discussion with a question-and-answer session and direct you to free resources from the USPTO.
Difference between TM, SM, and ®
Importance of selecting a strong trademark
Importance of conducting clearance searching before filing
Fundamentals of the federal trademark application requirements
How to find free and reduced-price legal services
Date: Tuesday, September 23rd 2025
Time 10:00 am -11:30 am
Cost: None.
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, September 22nd.

So, You’re Thinking about Selling Your Business - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-09-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Event
Whether you’re planning an exit by 2025 or a comfortable retirement a decade from now, this webinar is designed to help you navigate the business sale process.
Kansas SBDC Business Advisor and Small Business Owner, David Keller, has been involved with multiple business sales, including several of his own. He will share his insights and experience on:
-Identifying the Right Time to Sell: Key factors to consider when deciding if selling is your best move.
-Building a Winning Strategy: Essential elements for a successful sale, maximizing your return on investment.
-Taking Action Today: Actionable steps you can take right now to get your business sale-ready.
-Assembling Your A-Team: Critical team members you need by your side to ensure a smooth transition.
-A Step-by-Step Guide: A clear picture of the entire sales process, from initial discussions to closing the deal.
-Beyond the Finish Line: Important considerations for the post-sale period.
Privacy: We understand the sensitive nature of this topic. Reminder emails will include instructions for customizing your Zoom name, and for added security, only the trainer and their screen will be recorded. Join us and ask any questions you have.
Cost: $25.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.

Fundraising for Non-Profits - Basics
2025-09-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
This WEBINAR provides an overview of Fundraising fundamentals to give participants an insight into which fundraising techniques should be part of their overall strategy. Designed for small non-profits, the workshop covers grant writing, special events and major giving. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques to help attendees begin choosing the methods best suited for their individual needs.
Faculty: Alex Shapiro. Alex Shapiro has worked at non-profits for almost 30 years. He is the current Chief Philanthropy Officer for the St. Louis Symphony, supervising a team of sixteen staff members. Previously, he was Vice President of Philanthropy for the Kansas City Symphony, where he supervised a team of eight staff members who were responsible for raising more than $10 million annually. In 2017, he oversaw the successful completion of the Symphony’s $55 million endowment campaign. Previously, he served as Director of Institutional Advancement at the Institute of American Indian Arts, a 4-year arts college, in Santa Fe, N.M. Additionally, he was Director of Development for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Shapiro has a passion for classical music and played French horn in his youth.

Social Media 101
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
Discover the power of social media to unlock new customer bases, expand your online presence, and drive unprecedented growth. Learn how to boost your follower count, enhance engagement through likes, shares, comments, and retweets.
This workshop will cover:

Essential Guidelines: What to Do and What to Avoid
Effective Strategies: Tips and Techniques
Optimal Approaches: Best Practices for Social Media
Balanced Insight: Advantages and Challenges in Business Social Media Usage
Synergy with SEO: Understanding Social Media’s Influence on Search Engine Rankings

Presenter’s Bio: Donna Amos, Certified Social & Community Manager, is the Founder of Solopreneur Solutions a successful digital marketing agency with a team of six. As a speaker and trainer she has trained hundreds of Solopreneurs and micro business owners in sales and marketing strategies.
Registration Information:
> Upon registering you will receive a confirmation email with the SCORE Zoom link to attend.
> You do not need a Zoom account to participate.
> Please connect 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The workshop begins promptly at 12PM and concludes by 1PM Central Time.
SCORE strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact: Score St Louis Chapter Admin, ch.admin0021@scorevolunteer.org, 866 726-7340.

The Power of Pinterest - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
Heard of Pinterest? Maybe you have already started pinning, but did you know that Pinterest is actually really helpful for driving traffic to your website? Attend this webinar to learn the benefits of using Pinterest as part of your small business social media strategy. This session aims to cover the “often overlooked” way of using Pinterest in a more “hands on” approach.
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, September 22nd 2025

Search Engine Optimization Part 1: The Basics
2025-09-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a powerful way for you to help more potential customers find out about your business. We will cover basic SEO concepts & techniques this workshop. This is part 1 of 2 workshops. Part 2 will be presented in October.
Topics will include:
> How search engines work
> Local business SEO
> Ranking factors
> Basic SEO techniques
If you would like to learn more about SEO you can register for part 2 of this series next month.
Presenter’s Bio: Dick Slackman is a Score Mentor & Subject Matter Expert focused on helping small and medium sized businesses with their web site design and digital marketing, including social media. He is also a small business owner of a local web design and internet marketing company, has taught web design at SIU Edwardsville, and worked for several Fortune 500 companies. He holds 4 patents in the areas of Search Engine algorithms and Records Management. He is excited to help you succeed.
Registration Information:
> Upon registering you will receive a confirmation email with the SCORE Zoom link to attend.
> You do not need a Zoom account to participate.
> Please connect 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The workshop begins promptly at 12PM and concludes by 1PM Central Time.
SCORE strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact: Score St Louis Chapter Admin, ch.admin0021@scorevolunteer.org, 866 726-7340.

Startup and Start Right - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-09-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
Ready to turn your business idea into reality? This webinar untangles the startup process and guides you through 10 essential steps. We’ll navigate licenses, taxes, business structure, funding, and more with clear explanations and actions to take!
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, September 29th 2025

Intro To Patents: An Introduction to Patents and Business Considerations - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-09-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
Join us for a discussion on patents, including the different types of patents, the application process, what to do after a patent is granted (or not granted), the rights of patent owners, and other business considerations.
-What is a patent?
-Types of patents
-The patent application process
-I got my patent … now what? Post-grant requirements and considerations
-Business resources
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday September 29th, 2025.

2025 Kansas Economic Outlook Conference
2025-10-02 07:30 - 11:30 | Century II Convention Center, 225 W Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS, 67202
Join us for the 2025 Kansas Economic Outlook Conference as we fast-forward 50 years to explore the future of Kansas industry, innovation, and economic opportunity. Hosted by the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University’s Barton School of Business, this year’s event brings together thought leaders from aerospace, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and energy—alongside CEDBR’s own expert economic insights.
Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, educator, or curious citizen, this is your chance to gain forward-thinking perspectives and actionable takeaways on the trends already shaping our long-term trajectory. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation—and the future.
Secure your spot today and help shape what’s next for Kansas.

Grant Writing Workshop
2025-10-07 09:30 - 15:30 | Stafford County Annex, 210 E 3rd Ave, St John, KS, 67576, United States
Grants are a vital piece in your community’s funding puzzle…and you can do it.
October 7th
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
210 E 3rd Ave
St. John, KS
Registration Fee $60

What you will learn:
• Sources of data for community needs.
• Where to find grants.
• Elements of a great grant proposal.
• Practicing the grant elements.
Presented by: Nancy Daniels
Community Vitality Specialist
K-State Research and Extension
To register or for more information:
Ryan Russell
ryan@staffordecodevo.com
620-314-5561
Make checks payable to:
Stafford County Economic Development
Registration Deadline: Sept. 30th
Co – Sponsors:
Golden Belt Community Foundation
South Central Community Foundation
21 Central Extension District

SBDC Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Implementation
2025-10-10 08:30 - 10:30 | Johnson County Community College, RC, Regnier Center, 234 , 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS, 66210
Providing EOS implementation training for Founders ready to implement.
You can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of EOS, a powerful framework designed to help business leaders achieve greater clarity, alignment and growth within your organization. We will delve into EOS’s key components, including Vision, Traction, and Healthy, High-Performing Teams through Foundational Tools and Data, Issues & Process. Through interactive discussions, case studies and hands-on exercises, you will create a compelling company vision, set clear objectives and develop practical strategies for execution. This series will be led by EOS Certified Implementers.
This course is not eligible for the Take 3 discount.
Session Topics:
Session 1 – Foundational Tools: Accountability Chart, Level 10 Meeting, Rocks
Session 2 – VISION: The 8 Questions
Session 3 – DATA, ISSUES & PROCESS: Scorecard & IDS
Session 4 – TRACTION: Pulling it all together and getting started on your EOS journey
Days F
Dates 10/10/2025 – 11/21/2025
Times 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Class will meet 10/10, 10/24, 11/7 & 11/21

Ready. Set. Be Well: Small Business Benefits & Wellness Expo - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-10-30 09:00 - 16:00 | Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS, 67220
Ready to invest in your business and your wellbeing? Join us for the second annual Ready. Set. Be Well: Small Business Benefits and Wellness Expo, an event designed to empower small business owners, solopreneurs, and aspiring individuals looking to start a business with tools to grow stronger in both business and wellbeing!
This year, we’re expanding our event with brand-new educational sessions and a live expert panel to give you even more tools and insights to grow stronger in both business and life.
Attendees will also be able to connect directly with local providers offering valuable resources, including:
-Healthcare: Direct primary care, concierge medicine, mental health services, insurance brokers
-Financial Wellness: Financial planning, retirement account coordination, HR consulting
-Wellness: Physical therapy, fitness programs, preventive care
-And much more!
Whether you’re well established or just exploring your options, this event is packed with practical support and meaningful connections!
Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 30th 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
**Note: This is a come-and-go event.
Cost to attend: None
Location: WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E 29th St. North. Wichita, KS 67220
Registration will close at Noon on October 29th, 2025.
***Food trucks will be on-site from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to purchase lunch.
Please contact trainwithsbdc@wichita.edu with any questions.

Social Media the Smart Way: Paid Search with Google
2025-10-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Online Event
In this 75-minute webinar, designed specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs, you’ll discover how to effectively use Google Ads to enhance your online presence and attract potential customers. We’ll cover the essentials of setting up and managing paid search campaigns, providing you with the tools and knowledge to create ads that resonate with your target audience and convert clicks into sales.
Key Topics Covered:

Introduction to Google: Understand the fundamentals of Google, including how it works and why it’s crucial for small businesses.

Budgeting and Bidding Strategies: Get tips on how to set a budget that aligns with your business goals and understand the different bidding strategies available.

Monitoring and Optimizing Campaigns: Discover how to track your campaign’s performance using key metrics, and learn techniques to optimize your ads for better results.

By the end of this webinar, you’ll be equipped with practical knowledge and actionable insights to launch and manage successful Google campaigns that can drive measurable growth for your small business. Whether you’re new to paid search or looking to refine your existing strategy, this session will provide valuable guidance to help you maximize your advertising investment.
Faculty: Kim Beer, Midnight Productions. Kim is a national speaker and advocate for entrepreneurship and small business marketing. She has been an entrepreneur for over 25 years, soon to celebrate her 20th year as president of the small business marketing firm Midnight Productions, Inc. Kim’s mission is to inspire and educate entrepreneurs to create results-oriented marketing tactics that will carry their business to the next level. Her seminars on marketing are honest, enlightening and packed with great action steps and technical instruction.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar starts promptly at 10:00 AM and concludes by 11:15 AM.

Feeding Ourselves: Networks, Data and Policy for Just and Sustainable Food Systems
2025-10-30 11:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
Who Should Attend?
This session is ideal for anyone interested in social change, equitable wellbeing, and new ways of building stronger communities, grounded in trust, alignment, and distributed action in the service of sustainability, equity, and justice. If you can’t attend live, this session will be recorded.

Why This Matters Now
COVID-19 revealed what many communities had long known: our global food supply chain is fragile, consolidated, and dominated by a precarious concentration of power. At the same time, food insecurity is rising, and more people are asking: how can we create “food solutions” that ensure no one goes hungry?
For over a decade, IISC has supported the launch and growth of local and regional food system networks that build resilience and equity. From the Vermont Farm to Plate Network, credited with strengthening the state’s agricultural economy, to the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, pioneering equitable and inclusive processes to advance food justice, we’ve seen how networks can shift policy, practice, and imagination around what’s possible.
Join us for an interactive webinar with two special guests and partners:

Ellen Kahler, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Nessa Richman, Rhode Island Food Policy Council

Together, we will explore strategies to weave diverse cross-sector networks, track and share helpful user-friendly data, and design participatory processes to help people understand and advocate for policy.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What You’ll Learn

The Power of Networks: What are they, how do they work, and how can we tap their potential?
The Art and Science of Data Capture and Sharing: How can we ensure that the right people have good information to support action and decision-making?
Processes for Creating People-Focused Policy: How can we make policy and policy-making more accessible to more people so they reflect community values and needs?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Facilitator

Curtis Ogden is a Senior Associate with the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC), where he has worked for two decades supporting social change leaders, organizations, and networks as a coach, consultant, facilitator, trainer, and network weaver. He has helped to start the Food Solutions New England Network, Vermont Farm to Plate Network, Cancer Free Economy Network, Digital Navigators Network, Diverse Teacher Workforce Coalition, DC Social Justice Transformations Network, and supported numerous other local, state-wide, regional, national, and international collaborative efforts. In addition to his work at IISC, Curtis is an advisor to The Transformations Community, Rural Communities Rising, FLOW Public Trust for the Great Lakes, and the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership. He also writes regularly on the IISC Blog. He lives in the Connecticut River Watershed in Western Massachusetts with his wife, teenage daughters, and a flock of laying hens.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Choosing your ticket type

If you are an individual who works in a grassroots organization or is otherwise affiliated with a racial justice group, and you are paying for the workshop yourself, please register as Grassroots*
If you are an individual with a social or public sector organization, please register as Nonprofit.
If you are an individual with a grantmaking or philanthropic organization, please register as a Foundation.
If you are an individual with a social venture organization, please register as a For-Profit/Social Venture.

*The number of these tickets is limited, so we invite those who are BIPOC, systematically marginalized or excluded, and have the highest level of financial need to register with this ticket type. If this is the only ticket type that works for you and it’s sold out, please sign up for the waitlist, and we’ll contact you if a spot becomes available.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have a question? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and don’t hesitate to reach out!

Social Media the Smart Way: Paid Search with Facebook & Instagram
2025-10-30 11:30 - 13:00 | Online Event
In this 90-minute webinar tailored for small business owners, we’ll dive into the world of paid social media advertising on Facebook and Instagram. These powerful platforms offer unparalleled opportunities to connect with your target audience, boost brand visibility, and drive sales. Whether you’re new to social media advertising or looking to enhance your current efforts, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to succeed.
Key Topics Covered:

Introduction to Paid Social Media Advertising: Understand the basics of paid social media, why it’s crucial for small businesses, and how Facebook and Instagram ads can help you achieve your business goals.

Setting Up Effective Campaigns: Learn how to create and structure ad campaigns that align with your business objectives. We’ll walk you through the process of choosing the right campaign type, setting up ad sets, and crafting compelling ad creatives.

Audience Targeting and Segmentation: Discover how to reach the right people by leveraging Facebook and Instagram’s robust targeting options. We’ll cover audience segmentation, custom audiences, and lookalike audiences to help you maximize your ad spend.

Budgeting and Bidding Techniques: Get insights into setting an appropriate budget and choosing the right bidding strategies to ensure you get the best return on investment (ROI) for your ad spend.

Analyzing and Optimizing Performance: Learn how to monitor your ad performance using Facebook’s Ads Manager and Instagram’s insights. We’ll discuss key metrics, how to interpret them, and actionable tips for optimizing your campaigns to achieve better results.

Best Practices and Tips for Success: Gain practical tips and tricks to avoid common mistakes and enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns. We’ll share examples of successful ads and discuss how you can apply these strategies to your business.

By the end of this webinar, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to create, manage, and optimize paid social media campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to attract more customers, increase engagement, and grow your small business through effective social media advertising.
Faculty: Kim Beer, Midnight Productions. Kim is a national speaker and advocate for entrepreneurship and small business marketing. She has been an entrepreneur for over 25 years, soon to celebrate her 20th year as president of the small business marketing firm Midnight Productions, Inc. Kim’s mission is to inspire and educate entrepreneurs to create results-oriented marketing tactics that will carry their business to the next level. Her seminars on marketing are honest, enlightening and packed with great action steps and technical instruction.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar starts promptly at 11:30 AM and concludes by 1:00 PM.

Lunch and Learn: 5 Ways to Use ChatGPT (AI) for small business
2025-10-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
AI (Artificial Intelligence) can make you a more efficient marketer. Learn to use ChatGPT (AI) for marketing your small business, starting with your own information for:
1. Condensing/Expanding Messages: ChatGPT assists in summarizing complex ideas for social media/email, and elaborating on brief concepts for blogs/newsletters/presentations.
2. Understanding Consumer Problems: By analyzing vast online data, ChatGPT aids in consumer research, identifying sentiments/preferences, and simulating customer interactions.
3. Filling Branding Gaps: ChatGPT helps you strengthen your branding by ensuring consistency in tone/messaging, suggesting refinements, and generating ideas for unique selling propositions.
4. Technical Quick Reference: ChatGPT provides step-by-step instructions for technical tasks, eliminating barriers to technical competency.
5. Social Media Post Generation: ChatGPT can automate social media post creation, streamlining marketing efforts for solopreneurs and small businesses.
Faculty: KIm Beer. Kim is a multi-talented Growth Facilitator, national speaker and advocate for small business. She is cohost of the popular podcast “The Business Animal” and the author of “The Little Book of Big Sales Moves.” Her mission is to inspire and educate entrepreneurs to create results-oriented tactics that will carry their business and their creativity to the next level. Kim’s seminars and workshops on entrepreneurial strategy, marketing, and personal development are honest, enlightening and packed with great action steps and technical instruction garnered from over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience. She offers experiential opportunities for personal development and growth through her Synchronicity Sessions. Kim is also an award-winning writer, graphic designer and photographer. She holds a certification as an Equine Gestaltist from Touched by a Horse and is a certified Hypnotist through the International Association of Counselors and Therapists.

November WIBA Women Luncheon 2025
2025-11-04 11:00 - 13:00 | The Ninth Floor Club + Venue, 100 North Broadway, Suite 900, Wichita, KS, 67202, United States
Our WIBA Women’s Luncheon is a great time to network with other like-minded women and leaders.

Hear from WIBA member, Anita Greenwood, Founder, CEO & Executive Coach at Powerhouse Leaders.
Anita will tell her story, talk about her career journey and share what she learned on a month-long business trip that she took to Africa. She will also talk about how to leverage partnerships and relationships to generate business.
Anita Greenwood is a British-born CEO and Executive Coach who’s lived in three countries and led teams across many more. After a 20+ year global career growing billion-dollar brands, she founded Powerhouse Leaders, her Wichita-based company that helps game-changing leaders elevate their executive presence and influence in today’s complex world.
A master of turning discomfort into growth, Anita has built relationships that landed multimillion-dollar deals, unforgettable adventures, and—no joke—saved her own life.
Known for her straight talk, wit, and fearless approach to growth, fresh back from a solo trip to Africa practicing what she teaches, Anita aspires to inspire leaders to challenge norms, lead bolder, create impact, and have fun doing it—because serious impact doesn’t have to mean taking yourself seriously too.

Location
The Ninth Floor Club + Venue

Parking is available on the upper levels of the parking garage located west of Broadway.
Any space not marked RESERVED is available for your use.
Access the building through the covered walkway on the 3rd level of the garage.
There is a $1.00 parking fee (cash only) when exiting the parking garage.

Pricing
$25 Members
$50 Non members
*Tickets are non-refundable or transferrable

Contact Information
Wichita Independent Business Association
Name: Jennifer Willits
Phone: (316) 201-3264
Email: jennifer@wiba.org

eMail Marketing
2025-11-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
eMail marketing, driven by your CRM (customer relationship management) software is the most cost-effective tool in your marketing kit. In this class we will cover how to utilize email to turn prospects into customers and how to utilize your CRM to tailor the customer journey from inquiry to sale.
Faculty: Kim Beer. Kim is a national speaker and advocate for entrepreneurship and small business marketing. She has been an entrepreneur for over 25 years, soon to celebrate her 20th year as president of the small business marketing firm Midnight Productions, Inc. Kim’s mission is to inspire and educate entrepreneurs to create results-oriented marketing tactics that will carry their business to the next level. Her seminars on marketing are honest, enlightening and packed with great action steps and technical instruction. Kim is a Certified Authorized Local Expert and Platinum Solution Provider with the online marketing software company Constant Contact.

Small Business Success: Mastering the Essentials
2025-11-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Event
Running a business requires more than just a great idea—it takes strategy, financial literacy, and operational know-how. This workshop will provide new and existing entrepreneurs with an understanding of what is needed to build a sustainable business. We’ll cover essential topics such as business planning, marketing, and financial management to ensure long-term success.
Key Takeaways:

Learn how to create a business model that works
Understand branding and marketing fundamentals
Discover key financial tools for profitability
Identify common challenges and how to navigate them
Understand how to develop a strategy for long-term business growth

This is the first Workshop in the three part series Small Business Success: Mastering the Essentials. Session 2 – Polishing Your Business Idea, Marketing Strategy & Social Media Marketing and Session 3 – Demystifying Financial Foundations, Funding Your Businesss Dream & Creating Realistic Financial Projections.

Content that Connects: Planning for Performance & Success in 2026 Workshop
2025-11-17 13:00 - 14:30 | WSU Woosley Hall, 2060 N Mid-Campus Drive, Wichita, KS, 67208
Learn tactics that help you thoughtfully execute on your 2026 social media vision!

Join Wichita State University and NXTUS for a FREE workshop on “Content that Connects: Planning for Performance & Success in 2026″, led by Angela Breer with Dot Strategies.
In this interactive session, learn tactics that help you thoughtfully execute on your 2026 social media vision from generating ideas and planning content to analyzing performance with data metrics and refining your approach. This workshop will help you structure your social media to fit what you can realistically manage for your startup.
Free parking is available in the lot outside of Woolsey Hall.

About the Speaker: Angela Breer
Angela Breer is a strategic communications and marketing professional. As the Founder and Chief Dot Connector for Dot Strategies, she helps clients connect the dots with a strategic and creative focus in the areas of marketing and communications. She applies her empathy and organizational skills to the many community causes she is involved with. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in strategic communications. She enjoys reading, finding the perfect treasure, time in nature and binging a good show!

Grant Writing Basics
2025-11-17 13:30 - 16:30 | Online Event
The Grant Writing Basics course is suitable for people who have never written a grant (more than 50% of our students), and those who have a lot of experience and want to take a fresh look at their current practices.
More than 3,400 Kansans have been trained and found confidence and writing skills, resulting in more than $100 million of successful grants written in the first 18 months after they took this class. They wrote grants to support park improvements, walking trails, building restoration, leadership programs, arts, programming, festivals, and other community infrastructure.
Consisting of two (3-hour) online live sessions with many additional resources, this format allows writers to formulate their grant ideas into a grant proposal. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share. Time for interaction with other participants is an important aspect of the class; even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after consulting with peers.
You will learn:

Sources of data for community needs
Where to find grants
Elements of a great grant proposal
Practicing the grant elements: Problem, Outcome, Activity, Evaluation, Budget

Additional information:

This online course has two synchronous classes. The class resource materials are available the week before and several weeks afterwards.
Enrollment is limited for each class, but we want to meet all needs; if the class is filled, please register on the waiting list.
Classes are recorded for later reference or classes missed.

For more information, please contact:
Nancy Daniels
nkdaniels@ksu.edu

Webinar-Food Security, Access, and Health Outcomes in Rural America: Challenges and Policy Pathways
2025-11-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
This webinar will focus on the everyday challenges rural communities face in accessing healthy and affordable food, and how these challenges affect health and well-being. We will discuss the impact of policy reforms, unique challenges such as food deserts, and strategies to strengthen rural food systems through partnerships, education, and innovation. Presenters: Bhagyashree Katare, Berdine Martin Food Economics Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University Krystal Hodge, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign NCRCRD webinars are open to all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate or need an interpreter or translator, please contact Mary Breidenbach (mabreide@purdue.edu) no later than 5 days prior to the event. Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University.

Accessing Capital for Small Business
2025-12-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
Join Brande Stitt, Program Director for the Women’s Business Center, as she walks us through where entrepreneurs get their money. Learn what types of businesses are launched, and how they were funded.
You will learn to ask yourself these important questions:
How much money do I need?
What type of business do I have?
What type of capital is most appropriate?
You will learn how to prepare to raise debt (borrow money) or equity capital (give up a share of your business.)
Brande Stitt currently serves as Program Director for the Women’s Business Center in Fairway, Kansas. The WBC helps develop, mentor and fund women led businesses. She previously served as the Network Builder for KCSourceLink and Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Brande received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Drury University in Springfield, Mo., and a Masters of Education in community/agency counseling from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar begins promptly at 10:00 AM CT/ 9AM MT/ 8AM PT and concludes by 12:00 PM CT/ 11AM MT/ 10AM PT.

Rural Grocery Specialist
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
Supporting rural grocers in business transition planning is essential to keeping the benefits of hometown grocery stores in rural communities. The Rural Grocery Transition Specialist program trains and deploys resource professionals across the country to better serve rural grocers through business transitions.

Who: This course is designed for Extension professionals, economic developers and other resource providers who support rural grocers and rural community vitality across the country.
Participants will gain: Strategies for building relationships with grocery store owners and managers, understanding of transition planning and business valuation concepts, and tools to support grocery store transitions. In addition, participants will join a national network of professionals dedicated to supporting rural communities.
Format: This course contains seven online modules that include homework assignments and interactive discussion boards, paired with guided learning through four required 1.5 to 2-hour synchronous virtual meetings.
Taught by: Composed of 18 professionals from across the country, the teaching team has a wide a range of expertise related to business transition planning and rural grocery.
