Understanding your numbers: How to read financial reports
2025-01-28 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Learn about the software you can use to build profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports. Plus, how to interpret your financial data in general.

2025 Hottest Business Ideas, Trends & Markets
2025-01-28 12:00 - 13:00
Don’t get left behind in 2025. If you’re looking to start or expand your business, staying up to date with the latest business trends is key to your success.
In this webinar, you will discover the latest business trends, startup ideas and consumer behaviors. Our expert presenter will share insights on how existing businesses can transform their products and services to better reach today’s consumers.
You will learn about:

America’s ever-changing demographics
The emergence of Gen Z as a powerful consumer force
The breakout star of the 2024 holiday shopping season & how that will impact the future of retail

Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.

Social Media the Smart Way: Paid Search with Google
2025-01-30 09:00 - 10:30
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 9:00 AM and concludes by 10:15 AM.

Social Media the Smart Way: Paid Search with Facebook & Instagram
2025-01-30 10:30 - 12:00
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 10:30 AM and concludes by 12:00 PM.

Why your digital ads aren’t working and how to fix them
2025-01-30 11:00 - 13:00
Good advertising fuels growth. But a bad strategy can make it unsuccessful. Learn how to find and overcome these challenges.

Sustainability 101: Practical Steps for Small Businesses – Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Event
This workshop introduces small businesses to the basics of sustainability, focusing on Pollution Prevention (P2) strategies and the principles of Environmental Justice (EJ). Learn how implementing sustainable practices can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and support underserved communities. We’ll also touch on compliance considerations relevant to small businesses, leveraging resources from the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP). Join us to discover actionable steps to build a greener and more equitable future for your business and community.
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, February 3rd 2025

Sustainability 101: Practical Steps for Small Businesses - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-04 10:00 - 11:00

Hiring Your First Employee - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
Your small business is growing! Let’s get you ready to successfully hire and retain your first employee. Join us as we discuss required employee documentation, payroll and whether you can handle in-house or outsource, necessary tax reporting, and other human resource points you should consider. This webinar will also help current employers review and improve their processes
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, February 3rd, 2025

CliftonStrengths: Essentials
2025-02-06 13:00 - 17:00
Is it best to spend time utilizing your strengths or is it more productive to work on your weaknesses? Gallup’s Strengths theory claims people should spend the majority of their time doing what they do best; using their already existing natural talents to become more productive and profitable in the workplace and at home. In this workshop, we will explore your natural talents and how to turn those talents into strengths, while also learning how to recognize talents in others and utilize them for the success of the team. This workshop requires some pre-work.
Registration discounts are available for FHSU Alumni and Hays Chamber Members!

Startup and Start Right - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-11 12:00 - 13:00
Ready to turn your business idea into reality? This webinar untangles the startup process and guides you through ten 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, February 10th 2025

Midwest Growers Collaborative: Farmers & Flyers Marketing Webinar Series
2025-02-13 17:30 - 19:30
Join us for an online marketing webinar series designed specifically for farmers, ranchers, and growers! Hosted by the Midwest Growers Collaborative and with presenters from Be More Business and The Toolbox KC, “Farmers & Flyers” provides the knowledge you need to establish your brand, promote your products and events, and connect with your customers.
When: 2nd Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.5:30 – 7:00 p.m.: Live Instruction!7:00 – 7:30 p.m.: Q&A and TA (Technical Assistance)
Presenters:
Kimberly Beer, Be More Business
Webinar Topics:

February 13: Canva Features, Account Set-Up, Costs, Trademark, Copyright, etc.
March 13: Email Marketing Tools & Basics
April 10: Branding & Logos, Business Cards, & Banners
May 8: Google Forms & QR Codes
June 12: Marketing & Promotions – Social Media, Events, Flyers
July 10: Website & Google MyBusiness – Google MyBusiness, Website Options

Why Attend?

Expert Guidance: Learn the latest marketing tools and strategies from industry experts.
Hands-On Practice: Interactive sessions that allow you to apply your learning in real time.
Comprehensive Topics: Each month covers a new, vital aspect of marketing to help your business grow.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow growers and marketers to share insights and experiences.

Registration:
Register for one session or the whole series and take your marketing efforts to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or rancher, or just starting out, this webinar series will have helpful information for everyone! This webinar series is FREE and will be recorded for use by our members in the future.

How to do Business with the City of Wichita - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-18 10:00 - 11:00
Are you a local small business curious about working with the City of Wichita? The Kansas SBDC at WSU hosts Chris Haislett, Contract Compliance Officer, in this session to gain firsthand knowledge on how to become a vendor with the City of Wichita, the City’s procurement processes, requirements, and more.
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect. ]
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday February 17th 2025.

Weighing Your Options: The Pros and Cons of Franchise Ownership - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-20 11:00 - 12:00
Buying a franchise is a popular path to entrepreneurship, offering a proven business model and support system.
In this webinar, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of:

The Franchise Model: Explore the advantages and disadvantages of franchise ownership compared to starting a business from scratch.
The Franchise Market: Discover the diverse range of franchise opportunities available across various industries.
Key Considerations: Learn about crucial factors to evaluate when choosing a franchise, such as franchise fees, royalties, training, and support systems.
Due Diligence: Understand the importance of thorough research and due diligence before making a franchise investment.

By the end of this webinar, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the franchise model and be better equipped to determine if franchise ownership is the right path for you.
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday February 17th 2025.

Social Media Analytics - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-20 13:00 - 14:00
Struggling to understand your social media data? This course clarifies how to find valuable insights on Meta, Pinterest, and TikTok. We’ll decode key metrics within each platform’s analytics suite, empowering you to pinpoint winning content and refine your targeting strategy.
Cost: $10.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, February 2025

QuickBooks Online for Beginners - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-25 09:00 - 12:00
Learn how to use QuickBooks Online software to help manage your company’s finances from anywhere using the cloud. This webinar covers setting up your company account, navigating the user interface, recording common transactions, and running reports to assess your company’s performance. Learn how to set up products and services, customers, vendors, sales tax, and more. Presenter Charnea Bell is a Master Accountant, Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, alumna of Wichita State University, and local business owner.
Cost: $199.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, February 24th 2025.

QuickBooks Online for Intermediate Users - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-27 09:00 - 12:00
Build on the skills learned in the Beginners course and learn how to make the most of this cloud-based accounting software to manage your company’s finances more efficiently. This webinar covers more complex concepts including setting up sales tax, creating estimates, recurring transactions, inventory management, journal entries, and payroll. Also learn how to manage accounts receivable and accounts payable, reconcile accounts, and analyze reports. Presenter Charnea Bell is a Master Accountant, Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, alumna of Wichita State University, and local business owner.
Cost: $199.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Wednesday February 26th, 2025

The Power of Pinterest - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-27 13:00 - 14:00
“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 Wednesday, February 26th 2025

Building Your Brand Story: Workshop - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-04 09:00 - 12:00
Ready to move beyond traditional marketing? Join us for an intensive, hands-on workshop where you’ll discover how to champion your company through purpose-driven storytelling. This exclusive 3-hour session builds on our virtual training, taking you from theory to action.”
Cost: $25.00
Location: In Person. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. 5015 E 29th Street N. Wichita, KS 67220.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, March 3rd 2025
*Note: This in depth , in person training course is limited to 20 participants.

Marketing Workshop with AI - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Event
Learning how to market with AI will not only allow you to iterate faster, but also create real-world photos with stunning results and effects. Explore AI-driven tools that generate copy, design visuals, and automate ad placements to speed up your marketing efforts. Learn how midwestern businesses are using AI to craft social media campaigns and boost online engagement without extra hours. Then we will dive into interactive session where you’ll learn how to use AI content generators.
Cost: $10.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, March 10, 2025

Manage Your Own Social Media - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00
Developing a strategy, creating content, and managing your social media can seem like a daunting undertaking. Paying someone to do all of that can ALSO be challenging or out of budget. Join us to learn budget friendly tips and tricks for being your own social media manager.
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, March 10th, 2025

Woman-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:00
Join the Small Business Administration for an in-depth discussion about the WOSB certification program. The Federal Government’s goal is to award at least five percent of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned businesses each year.
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, March 17th 2025

Build Your Brand on Social Media - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-20 12:00 - 13:00
You’ve started your business and created social media accounts- fantastic! Now, how do you build an online presence, following, and an overall brand? We will go over the basics and share some valuable tips and tricks to make this process simpler.
Cost: $10.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Wednesday, March 19th 2025

Startup Plus
2025-03-25 08:00 - 17:00
Growing a business is challenging, and finding the right resources to scale can make all the difference. That’s why WIBA created Startup PLUS—a community built for entrepreneurs like you who are ready to grow, scale, and take their business to the next level.

Startup and Start Right - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-25 12:00 - 13:00
Ready to turn your business idea into reality? This webinar untangles the startup process and guides you through 10 essential steps. Together 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, March 24th 2025.

State Sales Tax for Retailers - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-27 09:00 - 12:00
This webinar is presented in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Revenue and is devoted to explaining the differences between the Kansas Retailers’ Sales Tax, the Kansas Retailers’ Compensating Use Tax, and the Kansas Consumers Compensating Use Tax. You will gain a basic understanding of the goods and services subject to sales tax. It will also explain the record keeping and filing requirements, form preparation, how to use exemption certificates, and Withholding Tax.
Cost: None
Location: In Person. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. 5015 E 29th Street N. Wichita, KS 67220.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday March 24th 2025.

State Sales Tax for Construction Contractors - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-03-27 13:00 - 15:00
If you provide plumbing, carpentry, electrical, roofing, heating/air conditioning, landscaping, oil field services, etc., you’ll want to attend this specialized webinar. Presented in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Revenue, we’ll focus exclusively on sales tax issues for construction contractors, and subcontractors. We’ll cover how sales tax applies to materials and labor, Project Exemption Certificates, sales tax returns, billings, etc.
Cost: None
Location: In Person. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. 5015 E 29th Street N. Wichita, KS 67220.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, March 24th 2025.

Safe capital to keep your business secure
2025-03-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
It can be tough to figure out which lenders are safe to trust. Learn to navigate the choppy waters of capital.

NEW! From creating personas to using them (Part 3 of 4: Crafting campaigns that resonate)
2025-03-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Online Event
Join The Brand Amplifiers to learn marketing strategies that will help you create campaigns that align with your customers.

Supervisor Bootcamp
2025-04-01 13:00 - 17:00 | Fort Hays State University Memorial Union – Stouffer Lounge, 700 College Drive, Hays, KS, 67601, United States
This program is designed for current and aspiring supervisors who seek to foster a positive and productive work environment through effective team management and support. Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and real-world scenarios, participants will explore key topics such as Setting Expectations, Goal Setting, Delegating Work, Providing Feedback, and Conflict Resolution.
By the end of the program, participants will build the confidence and skills necessary to supervise others with clarity and purpose, driving success for both individuals and the organization. Join us to enhance your leadership abilities and make a meaningful impact in your workplace!
Registration discounts are available for FHSU Alumni and Hays Chamber Members!
