Urban League of Louisiana

Built to Last: Uncovering the Financial Potential of Black-owned Businesses
2021-08-10 - 2021-08-26
During this special online series, Black-owned small businesses will gain insights and learn concrete steps that can be taken to reach the full financial potential of their businesses.

The Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation understands that one of the keys to closing the racial wealth gap in the Black community is through entrepreneurship and other pathways that yield economic independence and prosperity. The COVID-19 pandemic, social injustice, and the economic downturn have presented challenges that have stunted the growth of many Black-owned small businesses, and some have even closed their doors.

This means:

rethinking your business model towards scalability, agility and resilience;
examining your revenue model and growth metrics to ensure profitability;
optimizing your pricing strategy for profit and cash flow; and
leveraging the right financial resources to meet your growth needs.

Thank you to our community supporters – Liberty Bank, Greater New Orleans, Inc., and the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce!

Session 1: Building Scalable, Agile, and Resilient Small Businesses
Tuesday, August 10 | 1:00pm-3:00pmFacilitator: Desiree Young

Session 2: Revenue Models and Metrics
Thursday, August 12 | 1:00pm-3:00pmFacilitator: Lori Jackson

Session 3: Pricing for Profit
Tuesday, August 24 | 1:00pm-3:00pmFacilitator: Desiree Young

Session 4: Leveraging the Right Financial Resources for Growth
Thursday, August 26 | 1:00pm-3:00pmFacilitator: Lori Jackson

COVID-19 Perspectives: Session 2 - Reposition, Restructure, Recalibrate
2021-09-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted small businesses. Many businesses have had to close or limit operations, lost revenue, and terminate or furlough employees. While these are challenging times, small businesses have an opportunity to deliberately pivot their business to meet the needs of a changing world.
What You Will Learn:
• How to finalize your new opportunity including the business model and revenue streams
• How to explore changes to your financial, operational, marketing, and staffing
• Best practices in brainstorming goals, priorities, and actions to be taken
Once participants have identified and assessed the feasibility of their new opportunity, it is imperative that a strategy is developed to reposition the business by building a new and improved foundation including confirming the new financial, operational, marketing, and staffing models. This also includes new processes and revenue streams for the business. This session will include best practices for recalibrating their business strategy by aligning goals, priorities, and actions.
The facilitator for this series will be Malaika Moran, Owner and Lead Strategist of SocialStep Marketing and Consulting.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2972537799335554317 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Construction Law: S1- Understanding and Negotiating Contract Terms
2021-09-14 17:30 - 19:30
During this session, participants will learn some of the most common pitfalls in contract management and obtain guidance on how to avoid them through due diligence, preparation, and effective communications. Topics discussed include: Change Orders, Abandonment, Warranties, Termination, Unenforceable, etc.
The facilitator for this session will be Denise C. Puente – Partner at Simon, Peragine, Smith, & Redfearn, L.L.P.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1787849204798320653. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Construction Law: S2 - Increasing Capacity through Partnering Agreements
2021-09-15 17:30 - 19:30
During this session, attendees will gain insights into the dynamics of partnering agreements, as well as the specific types of partnering agreements, which include joint ventures and mentor-protégé relationships. Attendees will walk away with new perspectives on risk mitigation, including the key elements of a partnering contract that must be considered.
The facilitator for this session will be Daya Naef, Attorney and Legal Consultant, Daya Naef, LLC
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5349822676095012365. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Hurricane Ida Assistance for Small Businesses with the SBA
2021-09-15 18:00 - 19:00
Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Ida are now able to register for disaster assistance with FEMA and to obtain needed support from the SBA. Disaster assistance is available to renters, homeowners, private non-profits, and small businesses in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vernon parishes affected by the hurricane effective Aug. 26th.
Disaster assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. In addition, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to homeowners, renters and businesses.
Please join us on Wednesday, September 15th to learn more! During this session, those impacted and seeking assistance will learn how to obtain FEMA and SBA assistance, including:
• FEMA Registration Requirements and the Process to Receive Assistance
• SBA Loan Eligibility and Application Process
• Denials and Requests for Reconsideration
Guest speakers include:
• Susheel Kumar, Public Information Officer, Office of Disaster Assistance, Field Operations Center – West, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Jo Ann Lawrence, Deputy District Director, Louisiana District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
There is no cost to attend this session, however, registration is required. Register today to attend!
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar, however, you must be registered for the webinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1964062436290333707 .

Construction Law: S3 - What Contractors Need to Know about Employment Law
2021-09-16 17:30 - 19:00
It is vitally important that entrepreneurs in construction become aware of and comply with employment laws that are relevant to the industry. During this session, hear from an experienced employment law attorney about updates to employment law and how your business may be impacted. This session will also help to dispel the many employment law myths that exist, particularly relating to contractors vs. employees, and overtime and minimum wage laws.
The facilitator for this session will be E. Fredrick Preis, Jr. – Partner at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P., New Orleans
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1697842083437064205 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

COVID-19 Perspectives: Session 3 - Reorganize, Retool, Recharge
2021-09-21 13:00 - 15:30
Please register for “COVID-19 Perspectives: Session 3 – Reorganize, Retool, Recharge” by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3872764044088802573 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted small businesses. Many businesses have had to close or limit operations, lost revenue, and terminate or furlough employees. While these are challenging times, small businesses have an opportunity to deliberately pivot their business to meet the needs of a changing world.
What You Will Learn:
• How to evaluate the needs, opportunities, and gaps within the new business model
• How to map the new business support model, training, and counseling needs
• How to determine the tools and operational supports needed to ensure success
Pivoting ones business to meet the changing needs of the market can require an operational overhaul. During this session, participants will learn: 1) how to reorganize one’s business support model, including employees, suppliers, consultants, mentors, accountability partners, and others, with risk management in mind, and 2) how to assess and pivot the business’ structure, operations, staff, and 3) the tools being used to create efficiency, increase productivity and meet the needs of its customers. The session will include how entrepreneurs can recharge their mindsets and become energized about their pivot towards resilience.
The facilitator for this series will be Malaika Moran, Owner and Lead Strategist of SocialStep Marketing and Consulting.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3872764044088802573 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

LADOTD: Government Contracting 101 + DBE Certification
2021-09-22 10:00 - 12:00
For small, women, minority, and disadvantaged businesses seeking government contracts and understanding the basics of how local, state and federal agencies procure products and services are critical. Understanding the bidding, award, performance, and contract management processes that support government procurement activities can be a game-changer and time-saver for your business.
During this session, small business owners will obtain key information on the procurement processes of local, state, and federal government agencies and insights on how to best position the business for successful bids and subsequent awards.
All current and aspiring DBE contractors are welcomed to attend. There is no cost to participate, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your seat!
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7797723687260311565. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Marketing Your Business in the New Normal
2021-09-30 15:30 - 17:00
Even with the world slowly opening back up, many small businesses are still struggling to successfully rebuild. This panel discussion, led by Courvoisier Curators and moderated by ULLA’s CEI VP Klassi Duncan and National Urban League, will provide marketing strategies and social media guidance to help Black small business owners and entrepreneurs re-engage with their community and their customers post-COVID-19. As part of the session, Courvoisier will host a live pitch competition for pre-selected small business finalists. Attendees will be able to watch the pitch competition live and learn the ins-and-outs of successfully presenting a business plan to an esteemed judging panel made up of industry leaders.
You must be 21 years or older to attend this session.

COVID-19 Perspectives: Session 1 - Respond, Rethink, Reimagine
2021-10-12 13:00 - 15:00
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted small businesses. Many businesses have had to close or limit operations, lost revenue, and terminate or furlough employees. While these are challenging times, small businesses have an opportunity to deliberately pivot their business to meet the needs of a changing world.
What You Will Learn:
• How to assess the impact of COVID-19 and other disasters on your businesses
• Gain insights on new market opportunities that exist for your business
• How to assess the feasibility, profitability, and scalability of new business opportunities
During this session, participants will explore and evaluate what they have learned during the Covid-19 pandemic and other disasters. Participants will then identify and assess the new opportunities that exist for their business within their market and industry. Participants will also identify at least three opportunities to pivot towards that create a more profitable, scalable, and resilient business.
The facilitator for this series will be Malaika Moran, Owner and Lead Strategist of SocialStep Marketing and Consulting.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6525343543303863312 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

COVID-19 Perspectives: Session 2 - Reposition, Restructure, Recalibrate
2021-10-19 13:00 - 15:00
Pivoting one’s business to meet the changing needs of the market can require an operational overhaul. During this session, participants will learn: 1) how to reorganize one’s business support model, including employees, suppliers, consultants, mentors, accountability partners, and others, with risk management in mind, and 2) how to assess and pivot the business’ structure, operations, staff, and 3) the tools being used to create efficiency, increase productivity and meet the needs of its customers. The session will include how entrepreneurs can recharge their mindsets and become energized about their pivot towards resilience.
What You Will Learn
• How to evaluate the needs, opportunities, and gaps within the new business model
• How to map the new business support model, training, and counseling needs
• How to determine the tools and operational supports needed to ensure success
There is no cost to attend this session, however, registration is required. Reserve your spot today! https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4752129255352283408

COVID-19 Perspectives: Session 3 - Reorganize, Retool, Recharge
2021-10-26 13:00 - 15:00
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted small businesses. Many businesses have had to close or limit operations, lost revenue, and terminate or furlough employees. While these are challenging times, small businesses have an opportunity to deliberately pivot their business to meet the needs of a changing world.
What You Will Learn:
• How to evaluate the needs, opportunities, and gaps within the new business model
• How to map the new business support model, training, and counseling needs
• How to determine the tools and operational supports needed to ensure success
Pivoting ones business to meet the changing needs of the market can require an operational overhaul. During this session, participants will learn: 1) how to reorganize one’s business support model, including employees, suppliers, consultants, mentors, accountability partners, and others, with risk management in mind, and 2) how to assess and pivot the business’ structure, operations, staff, and 3) the tools being used to create efficiency, increase productivity and meet the needs of its customers. The session will include how entrepreneurs can recharge their mindsets and become energized about their pivot towards resilience.
The facilitator for this series will be Malaika Moran, Owner and Lead Strategist of SocialStep Marketing and Consulting.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3872764044088802573 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

LADOTD: Leveraging Small Business Certifications for Contractors
2021-10-27 10:00 - 12:00
There are a number of business certifications that can assist small businesses with gaining access to public and private contracting opportunities. Understanding which certifications are right for your construction firm is essential to leveraging these resources to support your business growth and capacity-building.
During this session, contractors will learn about the various business certifications that are available and gain valuable insights on how they can be best leveraged. Certifications covered include: SEBD, WBE, MBE, DBE, LAUCP, SLDBE, WSOB, EDWSOB, VSOB, SDVSOB, SBA 8(a) Program, HubZone, Hudson Initiative.
All current and aspiring DBE contractors are welcomed to attend. There is no cost to participate, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your seat!
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5386018599012812045. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

2021 Veterans Small Business Resources Summit
2021-11-04 10:00 - 12:00
The Urban League of Louisiana is pleased to host its 2021 Veterans Small Business Resources Summit in celebration of veterans entrepreneurship and as an extension of National Veterans Small Business Week (November 1-5). This year’s event will take place on Friday, November 4, 10:00am-12:00pm, and will be hosted online.

During this event, we will shine a light on veteran entrepreneurship across the state of Louisiana by sharing the many resources that are available to veterans and their spouses to start and grow their businesses. This year’s event is sponsored by AARP Louisiana and hosted in association with the Small Business Administration, Louisiana District Office, the Veterans Business Outreach Center – Mississippi State University, and Louisiana Economic Development.

Veterans and the general public are welcome to attend: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6527495288328296716

LADOTD: Access Capital for Transportation and Dev. Projects + DBE Cert.
2021-11-18 10:00 - 12:00
During this workshop, existing and aspiring DBE firms will learn the principles of estimating for developing winning bids, best practices in financial statements analysis, and important steps on how to best prepare to access capital.
This session will also include an overview of the LAUCP DBE Certification including eligibility requirements and the application process. All current and aspiring DBE contractors are welcomed to attend.
There is no cost to participate, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your seat!
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6068667985303647501. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

LADOTD: Contracting Requirements for LADOTD Projects + DBE Certification
2021-12-08 10:00 - 12:00
Contractors doing business with the LADOTD must ensure compliance to the awarded construction contract. In addition, is also important to be aware of and understand the Construction Contract Administration Manual (CCA). The CCA Manual provides guidelines, regulations, references to standard specifications, Department Policies and Procedures, and other supporting documents that contractors should know in the bid and performance stages of the contracting process.
During this session, participants will learn about the most common components of a construction contract, highlights of the CCA Manual, and a review of the following documents: CS-6AAA commitment documentation, DBE/SBE supplier’s agreement, DBE/SBE trucker’s agreement, OMF-1a & OMF-2a forms, and the CP-1A. This session will also include an overview of the LAUCP DBE Certification including eligibility requirements and the application process.
All current and aspiring DBE contractors are welcomed to attend. There is no cost to participate, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your seat!
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6714183565389560589 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Chase Advancing Black Entrepreneurs - Marketing in a Digital World
2021-12-09 18:00 - 19:30
Advancing Black Entrepreneurs by Chase for Business provides a collection of practical resources to help Black business owners grow and scale their businesses. In partnership with Black Enterprise, the National Urban League, the U.S. Black Chambers, the National Minority Supplier Development Council, and the Boss Network, Advancing Black Entrepreneurs is launching a new education session — Marketing in a Digital World — to bring you insights into how you can help increase your brand awareness and build your online community.
In this 90-minute guided digital session, hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana, you’ll learn how to:
• Position your business so it stands out in a saturated marketplace
• Integrate effective strategies for targeting your core audience
• Maximize your digital reach across your website, mobile apps, social media, and more
• Plan, measure, and optimize the impact of your digital marketing
Facilitator: Krystal Allen, Founder & CEO of K. Allen Consulting™
There is no cost to attend this session. Register today!
For Informational/Educational Purposes Only: These views may differ from other employees and departments of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone, and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions, and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. Deposit products and services provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Building a Scalable, Agile, and Resilient Small Business
2022-03-11 10:00 - 12:00
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on small, minority-owned firms in our most vulnerable communities. While businesses seek to obtain critical resources such as emergency funding to survive during these crises, the need for minority-owned businesses to reconsider “what” business they should be doing and “how” they should be doing business is of the utmost importance.
Now, more than ever, small businesses have an opportunity to re-imagine, re-position, and re-charge their business models and operations towards becoming more scalable, agile, and resilient. During this session, entrepreneurs will gain insights on how to develop a strategy and plan of action to build operational leverage, flexibility, and sustainability.
Participants will learn:
– What scalability means related to growth and operational capacity
– Best practices for evaluating new business models and revenue streams that are responsive to changing market needs
– Considerations for new and improved processes and technology
– Insights on how to reorganize one’s business support model, including employees, suppliers, consultants, mentors, accountability partners, etc.
– How to best integrate risk management and continuous improvement strategies to increase organizational resilience
The session is funded by Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Facilitator: Desiree Young, Founder, VentureWalk
Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1685980555468291851

2021-22 Women in Business Challenge
2022-03-21 14:00 - 16:30
The Urban League of Louisiana is proud to host its 2021-22 Women in Business Challenge: Scale Up! on Monday, March 21, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm CST, sponsored by Fidelity Bank, Chevron, and AARP Louisiana. This year’s event is being held virtually during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), March 21-25, 2022. NOEW the premier event celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in all its forms across the great city of New Orleans.

This annual pitch event is designed to prepare women-owned businesses with the education, tools, and resources needed to scale their businesses towards profitability and sustainability. The event will showcase the business potential of several of ULLA’s women-owned business clients to bankers, equity investors, and other potential resources.

This year’s event will feature four finalists who will pitch their plans to grow and scale their businesses for a chance to win $10,000 in funding. Congratulations to the finalists!

Sierra Dee, SugarLove Bakery
Twila McGee, NOLAs Finest Pets
Sherilyn Hayward, Leroy’s Lipsmack’n Lemonade
AnaMaria Bech, Viva NOLA Magazine

Register today to join us for this special event!

Register for Scale Up Summer 2022
2022-04-12 - 2022-05-03
The Urban League of Louisiana, in partnership with Capital One, will host its sixth cohort of Scale Up! Louisiana. This cohort is designated for small businesses in Terrebonne parish.

Scale Up! Louisiana is a statewide entrepreneurial education intensive hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The program provides early-stage entrepreneurs with the education and resources that are critical to creating a scalable and profitable business. This is a transition program that guides existing, early-stage small business owners towards becoming high-growth, sustainable ventures.

This modular program will be delivered in-person 11, 6-hour sessions, and 5 pre-recorded web sessions adhering to CDC, state, and city guidelines. Participants will receive technical assistance and other support services throughout the program.

Scale Up! Louisiana Cohort 6 is sponsored by Capital One, AARP, and Louisiana Economic Development.

Interested entrepreneurs must apply for the Scale Up! Louisiana program. The application deadline is Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 5:00p.m. CST and must be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/2p8ce93m. For more information about the program and the full schedule, visit https://urbanleaguela.org/scale-up-la/.

Resilient Restart EBR Grant Information Sessions
2022-04-26 - 2022-05-26
To meet the short-term financial needs of microenterprises and small businesses, the Resilient Restart EBR Program offers one-time, micro-grants of $2,500 to eligible entities that have been impacted by COVID-19.

Interested in applying for the Resilient Restart $2,500 grant? This program is activated by the federal CARES Act and administered through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program. As a federally funded program, in order to apply, eligible small businesses are required to have a DUNS number and must be registered on SAM.gov.

Join the Urban League of Louisiana starting next week for a special webinar to get step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a government DUNS number and how to register your business on SAM.gov.

Please note that all eligibility requirements must be met and all other supporting documents must be submitted in addition to the DUNS number and verification of the SAM registration.

For more information about the Resilient Restart EBR program, including eligibility requirements and required documents, please visit https://urbanleaguela.org/restartebr/.

Register for the Upcoming Informational Sessions (DAY – 12:00pm -1:00pm)
April 26: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8336247994891648271
May 24: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2331257543211699726

Register for the Upcoming Informational Sessions (EVENING – 5:15pm – 6:15pm)
May 5: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3665930518913129231
May 12: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/[REDACTED]
May 26: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/891796711336679184

QuickBooks Online – Session 1: Foundations – Get Started and Set Up the Right Way
2022-06-14 17:30 - 19:30
As a business owner, having your financials in order is the most important step to running your business effectively and profitability. Now is the time to get the education and support that you need to set up your accounting system and processes the right way.
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation for this special 3-part series to learn the foundations for setting up QuickBooks online, managing everyday transactions and financial reports, and the key concepts and tasks that you must know for ongoing maintenance. This series is sponsored by Wells Fargo – Open for Business.
Sessions will take place on Tuesdays, June 14, 21, and 28, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Registration is required for each session.
Session 1: Foundations – Get Started and Setup the Right Way
Get started with QuickBooks Online and receive guidance on the setup process. Learn how to add your business information, which accounting method to use, how to setup and pull data in from your bank, and so much more! This is a foundational course that will help you to establish a solid baseline for your accounting system.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8721012194045974541. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Preparing to Access Disaster Assistance with the SBA and FEMA
2022-06-15 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Urban League of Louisiana, the SBA Louisiana District Office and FEMA, on Tuesday, June 21st, 10:00am-12:00pm to learn what it takes to successfully apply for disaster assistance should the need arise.
Hurricane season is here! The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster. Join this session to learn more about applying for disaster assistance in the event of an emergency.
Speakers include:

Jo Ann Lawrence – Deputy District Director, Louisiana District Office, U.S. Small Business Administrator
Local Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency

There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8721012194045974541. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

QuickBooks Online – Session 2: Everyday Transactions and Financial Reports
2022-06-21 17:30 - 19:30
As a business owner, having your financials in order is the most important step to running your business effectively and profitability. Now is the time to get the education and support that you need to set up your accounting system and processes the right way.
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation for this special 3-part series to learn the foundations for setting up QuickBooks online, managing everyday transactions and financial reports, and the key concepts and tasks that you must know for ongoing maintenance. This series is sponsored by Wells Fargo – Open for Business.
Please join us for the second session of QuickBooks Online, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Registration is required for each session.
Session 2: Everyday Transactions and Financial Reports
Learn how to process transactions in QuickBooks Online to better understand your sales/expenses, and manage your cash flow. Participants will learn how to customize invoices, create sales receipts, receive and pay money. For those that sell products, learn how to use QBO to track inventory and sales taxes.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2201562450752854797. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Product Matters: Strategies for Managing Your Supply Chain During and After a Disruption
2022-06-24 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, on Friday, June 24th, 10:00am-12:00pm, to gain insights on the managing your supply chain before, during, and after a disruption. This online session is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
During a health or environmental crisis, supply chain disruptions create scary and uncertain times, especially for small business owners. These disruptions draw attention to supply chain dependencies that you may otherwise not be aware of when everything is operating under normal circumstances. The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused a major upheaval in the supply chains of many businesses in the United States and North America.
When supply chains are disrupted small businesses must have a plan to sustain operations and be able to access alternative sources of supply when possible. This session will provide product-based businesses with key learnings in managing before, during, and after a disruption, including: managing inventory, identifying alternative sources of supply or distributors, and strategies for transitioning to complimentary services when supplies are not available. Key topics include:

Understanding how supply chains work
6 types of supply chain disruptions
Uncovering your supply chain dependencies
10 tactics for preparing for disruptions
7 steps to take after a disruption as occurred

There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7657859216782382096. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

QuickBooks Online – Session 3: Ongoing Accounting Tasks and Maintenance
2022-06-28 17:30 - 19:30
As a business owner, having your financials in order is the most important step to running your business effectively and profitability. Now is the time to get the education and support that you need to set up your accounting system and processes the right way.
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation for this special 3-part series to learn the foundations for setting up QuickBooks online, managing everyday transactions and financial reports, and the key concepts and tasks that you must know for ongoing maintenance. This series is sponsored by Wells Fargo – Open for Business.
Please join us for the third session of QuickBooks Online, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Registration is required for each session.
Session 3: Ongoing Accounting Tasks and Maintenance
Be guided through a deeper understanding of the reporting process in QuickBooks Online and how to set up your Chart of Accounts for optimal clarity into your business financials. Participants will learn how to run and read the three primary financial reports, how to reconcile accounts, and create custom fields.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4920385325894127375. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

LADOTD: How to Find and Successfully Bid on LADOTD Projects
2022-07-20 10:00 - 12:00
Please register for “LADOTD: How to Find and Successfully Bid on LADOTD Projects + DBE Certification” by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/130578422076204811 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
DBE contractor firms seeking to do business with the Louisiana Department of Transportation must develop an internal process to identify, assess, and determine the firm’s capacity to meet the performance requirements of potential bid opportunities. In addition, DBE contractors must be proactive in identifying upcoming bid opportunities so that maximum time and effort can be put towards developing a winning proposal.
During this session, contractor firms will learn how to view upcoming LADOTD letting opportunities and the associated Construction Proposal Documents. Participants will also learn how to view LADOTD projects to be let in the next 12 months, how to read proposal documents, and how to ensure that you are ready to bid (Online Bidder Registration, List of Prospective Bidders, etc.).
This session will also include an overview of the LAUCP DBE Certification including eligibility requirements and the application process.
All existing and aspiring DBE contractors are encouraged to attend.
There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/130578422076204811. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Disaster Preparedness Series: Understanding and Managing Your Insurance Coverage
2022-07-21 10:00 - 11:00
As communities across the state of Louisiana begin to prepare for the potential impacts of a very active hurricane season, it is imperative that small businesses start now to evaluate risks and develop contingency plans to ensure the best outcomes for business recovery and continuity. To support small businesses across the state of Louisiana in preparing for the 2022 hurricane season, the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is hosting a 3-Part virtual series, “Disaster Recovery & Preparedness Series”.
During this series, representatives from the SBA Louisiana District, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, the Louisiana Department of Insurance, the SBA Office of Disaster Assistance, and many others will provide information on how to protect your business and gain access to the resources that you may need when recovering from a hurricane. This series is a part of the Urban League of Louisiana’s SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program in collaboration with the National Urban League.
Join the Urban League of Louisiana on Thursday, July 21st, 10:00am-12:00pm, for “Session 1: Understanding and Managing Your Insurance Coverage”. During this session, participants will gain an understanding of their insurance policy and legal rights, and key insights on the reassessment of property upgrades, recoverable depreciation, and personal vs. business interruption insurance. Please come with your questions as time as been allocated for Q&A.
Guest Speaker: Patrick Bell, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Diversity & Opportunity, Louisiana Department of Insurance
There is no cost to participate, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Disaster Preparedness Series: Emergency Funding Opportunities with the SBA and FEMA
2022-07-28 13:00 - 15:00
As communities across the state of Louisiana begin to prepare for the potential impacts of a very active hurricane season, it is imperative that small businesses start now to evaluate risks and develop contingency plans to ensure the best outcomes for business recovery and continuity. To support small businesses across the state of Louisiana in preparing for the 2022 hurricane season, the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is hosting a 3-Part virtual series, “Disaster Recovery & Preparedness Series”.
During this series, representatives from the SBA Louisiana District, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, the Louisiana Department of Insurance, the SBA Office of Disaster Assistance, and many others will provide information on how to protect your business and gain access to the resources that you may need when recovering from a hurricane. This series is a part of the Urban League of Louisiana’s SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program in collaboration with the National Urban League.
Join the Urban League of Louisiana on Thursday, July 28th, 1:00pm-3:00pm, for “Session 2: Emergency Funding Opportunities with the SBA and FEMA”. During this session, participants will learn about FEMA assistance, SBA mitigation funding, SBA disaster funding, non-traditional funding sources, and the financial management documents that you need to have available to access emergency funds if the need arises. Please come with your questions as time as been allocated for Q&A.
Guest Speakers include:
· Rubby Douglas, Section Chief, Preparedness Section, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
· Jo Ann Lawrence, Deputy Director, Louisiana District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
· Susheel Kumar, Public Information Officer, Office of Disaster Assistance, Field Operations Center – West, U.S. Small Business Administration
· Moderator: Lori Jackson, Director, Women’s Business Resource Center, ULLA

There’s An App for That!: The Best Business Apps for Entrepreneurs
2022-07-29 10:00 - 11:30
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, on Friday, July 29th, 10:00am-11:30am, to gain insights on the best apps and tools to use in managing your small business! This online session is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Growth-oriented entrepreneurs are always exploring new and innovate ways to increase customer satisfaction and improve internal efficiency and productivity for long term sustainability and profitability. With increased competition, workforce challenges, and ever-changing market dynamics, entrepreneurs must understand the importance of utilizing the latest, most effective technologies in increasing efficiency and boosting customer interactions.
During this webinar, participants will learn how to determine what key processes they need to focus on improving within their businesses. This session will also address the following questions :

Why is it so important to use apps and other software in running my business?
What are some of the best apps available for various business processes?
How do I go about assessing which app is best for my business?

There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7307029245614944523. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
