Network Kansas

Startup and Start Right - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
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

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Understanding your numbers: How to read financial reports
2025-01-28 11:00 - 13:00
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.

Business Solutions Seminar- Health & Wellness Expo
2025-01-28 08:00 - 11:00
Come learn about the latest trends in health & wellness that you can incorporate into your business to improve the health of yourself and your employees.
You can stop by over two dozen interactive booths and hear from each health & wellness expert as they share the latest information. Check out the list below!
Please register to attend this FREE seminar to find out what’s new in the health & wellness industry to improve the well-being of your business and your employees.

Registration, coffee and a light breakfast starts at 8 am.
Health & Wellness Interactive Booths:

Brave Restoration
Kansas Pelvic Health & Wellness
ICT Insurance Group
Comfortcare Homes
Jeuje Aesthetics & Wellness
ICT Therapyworks
Full Circle Chiropractic
Coming Together For A Cure
316 Health Insurance
The Heat with Jenna

Is your business in the health and wellness field? If so, this event is for you!
We will turn the lower level of the Ruffing Building into a space for companies to set up and show and tell people what they do, PLUS you will receive stage time to present your area of expertise to all attendees.
We are asking our booths to be ready before 7:45 am. You will be provided a 6 foot table and plain table cloth. We encourage YOU to bring signage, samples, marketing materials, etc. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.
Please send us a question for our question & answer page that will encourage interaction with your booth three separate times during the event.

NEW! Create a thriving team culture: Microaggressions and inclusive communication
2025-01-27 14:00 - 16:00
Learn how business owners address microaggressions and foster a respectful workplace through communication, empathy, and accountability.

NEW! From creating personas to using them
2025-01-27 11:00 - 13:00
In this four-part series, The Brand Amplifiers will teach you how to create personas, understand your audience’s behaviors, and collect data to help build better strategies.

Social Media Marketing
2025-01-25 14:00 - 15:30
You will learn the basics of Social Media Marketing, and how it fits into your overall marketing strategy.
At the end of this webinar, you’ll learn:
* The steps it takes to get a business presence online
* How your online presence affects your marketing
* Ways you can get a website, social media and email marketing set up for your business
* The basics of developing an online marketing strategy
Faculty: Janet Elie. Janet has over 30 years’ experience in management, marketing and sales within the Financial Services Industry. In the last 4 years, Janet has dedicated her services to coaching small business owners with online marketing, social media, email marketing, and consulting on what improvements need to be made to attract the right audience to their business. The current focus of Janet and her partner Gillian’s business, Launch4Life, is SEO DIY coaching. Janet lives locally in KC and is a SCORE Mentor. Her favorite motto is “have laptop will travel” so she can be anywhere while helping her clients, by a beach, sipping wine, or hiking in a forest.
This is part of the second Workshop Group (Polishing Your Business Idea, Marketing Strategy & Social Media Marketing) in SCORE’s three-part series “Simple Steps to Starting Your Business.” Workshop 1 – Startup Basics and Workshop Group 3 – Demystifying Financial Foundations, Funding Your Dream & Creating Realistic Financial Projections.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar starts promptly at 2:00 PM and concludes by 3:30 PM.

Marketing Strategy
2025-01-25 12:30 - 14:00
Marketing is more than advertising. Marketing Strategy provides you with an introduction to marketing methods & tools to maximize your customer reach.
This session covers pricing strategies, positioning, the difference between features and benefits, and different marketing strategies.
At the end of this session, you will know how to:
* Outline your marketing strategy
* Test your marketing message
* Choose the right sales channel
* Implement your marketing strategy
Faculty: Terese Grossnickle. After a 25+ years in operations and training in several industries, Terese
embarked on a new career as a freelance graphic designer with her business, Strategic Renaissance. Embodying the moniker “modern Renaissance woman” with a multifaceted business skill set, she lends her
voice and talent to solopreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. Her business focus is on visual identities, crafting logos and other branding assets, as well as traditional print marketing and larger
publications such as catalogs, presentations, and annual reports. In addition to her business, she is also active in several KC-area networking groups and is the current Special Events Director for The Freelance
Exchange.
This is part of the second Workshop Group (Polishing Your Business Idea, Marketing Strategy & Social Media Marketing) in SCORE’s three-part series “Simple Steps to Starting Your Business.” Workshop 1 – Startup Basics and Workshop Group 3 – Demystifying Financial Foundations, Funding Your Dream & Creating Realistic Financial Projections.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar starts promptly at 12:30 PM and concludes by 1:45 PM.

MWBEs: What your certification can do for you
2025-01-23 14:00 - 16:00
Are you an MWBE aiming to work with government agencies or large corporations? See what it takes to become contract-ready and learn best practices.

Social Media for Service Based Business - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-01-22 12:00 - 13:00
Service-based businesses; this one is for you! Join us as we dive into different ways to not only promote your services, but also learn which platforms might suit you best, which might surprise you. Spoiler alert- Pinterest is one of these!
Cost: $10.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on January 20th , 2024.

January Simply Social
2025-01-21 16:00 - 18:00
Get together with other WIBA members for an afternoon of networking and socializing.

Come check out the gorgeous Apex Outdoors Executive Club at 700 N. St. Francis, Wichita 67214

Here are some amazing photos of the interior of the club.

The best conversions: Email marketing, lead magnets, and landing pages
2025-01-21 15:00 - 16:30
Learn how to build and grow an email list, craft compelling content, and help boost sales.

State Sales Tax for Construction Contractors - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-01-21 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: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on January 20th , 2024

Identifying customer objections to perfect your sales pitch
2025-01-21 12:00 - 14:00
Struggling with sales? You’re not alone. This session will help improve your skills and overcome fear of rejection.

State Sales Tax for Retailers - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-01-21 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: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on January 20th, 2025

Lunch and Learn: 5 Ways to Use ChatGPT (AI) for small business
2025-01-13 12:00 - 13:00
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.

HUBZone Program: Good for Small Businesses and Communities - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2024-12-19 12:00 - 13:00
Chances are you’ve never heard of the HUBZone Program for government contracting, even though there are more than 22,000 HUBZone designations across the U.S. with more being added each year. Despite this expanding footprint, very few small businesses are taking advantage of this valuable certification that can include a 10% price preference when competing for contracts. In this webinar we’ll cover:
– The HUBZone program mission,
– Benefits of certification, and
– The application process
Date: Thursday, December 19th 2024
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, December 16th, 2024

Business Financial Literacy
2024-12-19 11:30 - 13:00
In this webinar, you will learn what Financial Management is, and why each business needs it.
Learn how to answer these important questions:
· Are you making a profit?
· Is there enough cash to run the business?
· Is the business building wealth or destroying it?
This is a high-level introduction to the language of business-the financial terms and financial statements that provide a dashboard of your business results. Whether you are just starting out or years into your business, it’s important to be familiar and comfortable with the numbers of your business. Learn about financial statements, cash flow and what tools you can use to improve your business financials. If at some point you are looking for an investment or loan, you will need financial information about your business.
Take this webinar to start your business financial education and follow up with our Finance Series next month for more in-depth learning on Financial Statements, Sources of Funding and Financial Projections.

Turning Feedback into Opportunity: Handling Comments on Social Media - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2024-12-19 10:00 - 11:00
Turn negative into positive with this training all about handling the negativity that sometimes comes with using social media. We will discuss when and how to respond to a negative comment or review, and how to use those experiences to your advantage.
Date: Thursday, December 19th
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at 12:00 pm on Monday, December 16th, 2024

Last-Minute Holiday Market - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2024-12-18 12:00 - 18:00
Are you a last-minute shopper or just don’t have time to focus on the holidays yet?? Don’t stress! Our Last-Minute Holiday Market is the perfect place to find unique gifts for everyone on your list.
What to Expect:
✪ Unique Gifts: Discover something for everyone on your list from over 50 local small businesses offering products, treats and gift certificates.
✪ Meet Santa! He’s coming by for a photo op and those last-minute wish list additions.
✪ Delicious Foods: Vendors will be popping up for lunch and dinner.
Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Time: Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Cost to Attend: None (Vendor Costs Vary)
Location: WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 East 29th St N, Wichita, Kansas 67220

Solopreneurship 101
2024-12-12 13:00 - 15:00
Working for yourself is amazing … provided you know how to make it work. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve got a great idea or are good at your craft yet don’t know exactly what you’re doing in running a business, you’re not alone.
In this session, you’ll learn the basics of what you need to know in order to set yourself
up for success, including:
• Mindset & Motivation
• Policies & Procedures
• Branding & Promotions
• And more!
Whether you’re looking to make the jump, are just starting out, or needing a kickstart … and whether you call it freelancing, consulting, solopreneurship or the like, this session will give you the tools you need to rock the self-employed life.
Faculty: Julie Cortés. Copywriter by day, Freelance Rockstar by night, Julie Cortés has run her own business for more than 25 years. Best known as the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC—a professional
organization for self-employed advertising / marketing professionals, Julie created her own much-needed college-level course, Freelancing 101, and teaches as an adjunct professor at the KC Art Institute. Recognized with awards dozens of times over for her work, leadership, volunteerism and community involvement, she’s regularly sought out for media interviews, public speaking, and business coaching. Julie is loving life, living out her passion of helping solopreneurs succeed. Learn more at juliecortes.com.

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business - Basics
2024-12-07 09:30 - 11:30
This LIVE virtual workshop provides you with: * An overview of the skills and tools you need when deciding to start a business * The advantages and disadvantages of owning a business * The most profitable form for your business * The fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources.
This is the first Workshop in the three part series “Simple Steps to Starting Your Business”. Session 2 – Polishing Your Business Idea, Marketing Strategy & Social Media Marketing and Session 3 – Demystifying Financial Foundations, Funding Your Dream & Creating Realistic Financial Projections.

NSF/NIH SBIR Webinar
2024-12-06 10:00 - 11:30
Join us to learn about a uniquefunding initiative designed to bridgethe gap between groundbreakingresearch and real-world application.
The NSF and NIH SBIR/STTR programs are designed to empower small businesses in transforming innovative ideas into impactful solutions for society. If you have groundbreaking concepts grounded in rigorous science and engineering, poised to revolutionize existing solutions and grow into thriving ventures, this webinar is tailored for you!
You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and, on a first-come, first-served basis, schedule a one-on-one meeting with two program directors overseeing the program’s portfolios. Whether your idea has the potential to become a transformative product or a service that addresses critical challenges, we’re eager to help you bring your vision to life. Join us to discover how to turn your research into meaningful impact.
