WWU's Small Business Development Center and SCORE Partner to Promote Small Business Week Programs May 6-8

Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Bellingham Chapter of SCORE are co-sponsoring a number of events May 6-8 to celebrate National Small Business Week.

All events are free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, May 6 there will be two workshops on Government Contracting. These programs are designed to take the mystery out of selling to the government and help you learn the basics about what it takes to become a successful government contractor. Jean Hales, of the Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Jeanie James of Shorebird Creativewill present“Government Contracting Essentials” from 9-11:30 a.m.; and “Strategies and Techniques for Successful Proposals” from 1-3 p.m. Both events will be held at the Bellingham SBDC Office located at 115 Unity St., Suite 101.

For more information contact: Jean Hales at (425) 248-4223. To register online go to www.washingtonptac.org and click on Events and Workshops.

On Thursday, May 7,Rick Hogan of Constant Contact will present “Social Media 101 and 201.”  This seminar will give participants a closer look at the popular social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+. Hogan will show the benefits of using each, how other organizations are marketing with them, and some do's and don’ts of each channel. This event will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Gateway Centre’s Rainier Room at 1313 E. Maple St. To register, call the SBDC at (360) 778-1762.

On Friday, May 8, Charlie Magee of FranNet will present “Buyer’s Guide to Business and Franchise Ownership.” In this hands-on workshop, Magee will discuss business and franchise ownership as a potential vehicle for reaching larger personal and financial goals. Potential benefits include more time with family and friends, control over schedules, personal fulfillment or financial security. This event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Squalicum Boathouse at 2600 N. Harbor Loop Dr. To register, call the SBDC at (360) 778-1762.

Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center is part of the most comprehensive small-business alliance in the U.S., with more than 1,000 active SBDC programs across the country. Western’s SBDC receives support from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham, and the City of Bellingham. Since 1983, Western’s Small Business Development Center has given back to the business community and helped to shape the economic future of Whatcom County by providing free, confidential advising, technical assistance, and research to business owners and managers in an effort to help businesses thrive.

Bellingham SCORE Chapter 591 serves Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties through counseling offices located in Bellingham and Coupeville. SCORE Chapter 591 mentors are comprised of 14 active and retired business men and women, who provide clients with free and confidential business counseling.

For more information on the events above, contact CJ Seitz, interim director of Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center, at (360) 778-1762; or Jack Kimmes, SCORE advisor, at (360) 685-4259.