Product Matters: Strategies for Managing Your Supply Chain During and After a Disruption

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 […]

QuickBooks Online – Session 3: Ongoing Accounting Tasks and Maintenance

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. […]

LADOTD: How to Find and Successfully Bid on LADOTD Projects

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 […]

Disaster Preparedness Series: Understanding and Managing Your Insurance Coverage

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 […]

Disaster Preparedness Series: Emergency Funding Opportunities with the SBA and FEMA

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 […]

There’s An App for That!: The Best Business Apps for Entrepreneurs

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 […]

2022 Start Up! Louisiana (9-Session Series)

Please note that this is a multiple-day online training series via GoToTraining and cannot be split. Start Up! Louisiana is a 9-part, online entrepreneurial training program hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana's Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Classes take place August 1st through August 29th, Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. See class schedule below. This series is sponsored by Wells Fargo. During the program, new business owners will learn how to start and grow their businesses the right way! Participants will learn best practices and gain key insights on building a solid foundation for business success. Topics include: Developing your entrepreneurial mindset Using the 'Lean Start-up Model' to develop your business model Understanding and utilizing your business financials Effectively marketing to your target customer Preparing to access capital and more! Participants are also eligible to receive individual business counseling and access to other support services and resources needed to launch and grow successfully. There is no cost to attend this series. Once registered, participants, will receive join links for each session from GoToTraining. Ready to get started? Register today to reserve your spot! Start Up! Louisiana - Fall 2022 Class Schedule (5:30pm -8:00pm) Monday, August 1 […]

Disaster Preparedness Series: Identify and Respond to Disaster-related Contracting Opportunities

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, August 4th, 1:00pm-3:00pm, for “Session 3: How to Identify and Respond to Disaster-related Contracting Opportunities”. During this session, participants will learn how to identify industry-specific disaster contracts, SBA disaster contracts, DOTD disaster contracts, and […]

SBA: Business, Procurement, and Funding Matters Roundtable

The Building 1427 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA

Join us for a special roundtable discussion with SBA’s Region VI Administrator, Ted James, to discuss business challenges, procurement opportunities, and funding matters that impact small businesses in the Greater New Orleans region. The event will take place on Tuesday, August 9th, 11:30am-1:30pm, at The Building, 1427 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70113. The session will include information on the many SBA and partner programs and resources that are available to our small business community. Please bring your questions, concerns, and feedback for this important discussion. We want to hear from you! Featured Speakers: Ted James, Regional Administration, Small Business Administration Region VI Jo Ann Lawrence, Deputy District Director, Louisiana District Office, Small Business Administration Supporting Organizations: Urban League of Louisiana Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation Louisiana Small Business Development Center, Bayou Region Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

Best Practices in Corporate Contracting: Capacity-building and Entrepreneurial Leadership Training for Small Businesses

Join the Urban League of Louisiana's Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation for its 3-part, signature series, the "Best Practices in Corporate Contracting" sponsored by Chevron. This series will provide entrepreneurs who are seeking corporate clients with best practices for building the financial and operational capacity required to do business with medium- to large-sized corporations. Session 1: Capacity Building for Corporate Contracts – Part 1 Friday, August 12 | 10:00am-11:30am Facilitator: Lakeisha Robichaux, Lakeisha Robichaux, LLC As small businesses set their site on growth, it is imperative that capacity building strategies be deployed to ensure that your firm can effectively and efficiently manage larger contracts. Access to these larger contracting opportunities is important, but the benefit is null and void if you do not have the capacity to meet the expectations of larger, more complex opportunities. During this session, learn specific strategies for building financial and operational capacity, including: -Attracting and retaining high-quality workers -Controlling operating costs and scalability -Improving internal controls such as financial systems, inventory and human resource management platforms Register For Session One Session 2: Capacity Building for Corporate Contracts – Part 2 Friday, August 19 | 10:00am-11:30am Facilitator: Nenette Gray, Lemonade Creative Marketing During Part 2 of […]

Voice of the Community Small Business Roundtables

Join the Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA) as we host a series of “Voice of the Community” (VOC) Roundtables in select cities across the state! These community-based events will be used to gain valuable insights on the challenges impacting small businesses across the state of Louisiana. The goal of these convenings is to hear directly from entrepreneurs about challenges, gaps, opportunities, and resource needs and to leverage this information to create, mobilize, and enhance ULLA’s small business support services across the state. These meetings are hosted as a part of the Urban League of Louisiana’s SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program in collaboration with the National Urban League. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Masks are highly encouraged. Refreshments will be provided at each session. Register for Hammond Thursday, August 18th | 12:00pm-2:00pm The Safe Haven Community Center 700 Martin Luther King Avenue Hammond, LA 70401 Register for Lake Charles Tuesday, August 23rd | 12:00pm-2:00pm SEED Center Business Incubator 4310 Ryan St., Lake Charles, LA 70605 Register for Shreveport Wednesday, August 24th | 6:00pm-8:00pm The Office Hub 331 Milam Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 Register for Baton Rouge Tuesday, August 30th | 6:00pm-8:00pm Miss Vicki's Southern Kitchen 7323 […]

Marketing in a Digital World

Marketing in a Digital World provides a collection of practical resources to help Black business owners grow and scale their business. In partnership with Black Enterprise, the National Urban League, the U.S. Black Chambers, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Advancing Black Entrepreneurs is hosting its signature education session — Marketing in a Digital World — for insights into how you can help increase brand awareness and build your community — both in-person and online. Please join the National Urban League on Thursday, August 25th, 5:00-6:30pm CST, for this 90-minute guided digital session and 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 There is no cost to attend; however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your seat!