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 […]

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 […]

Register for Scale Up

The Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation will host the seventh cohort of Scale Up! Louisiana. This cohort is designated for small businesses in North Louisiana! Scale Up! Louisiana Cohort 7 is hosted in collaboration with the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program and the National Urban League and sponsored by Wells Fargo, AARP Louisiana, and Mastercard. Scale Up! Louisiana is a statewide entrepreneurial education intensive that 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 via: •2, In-Person Class Sessions (Orientation and Final Session) •8, 2.5-hour web class sessions, and •5, 45-minute pre-recorded web sessions. All in-person sessions will adhere to CDC, state, and city guidelines. Participants will receive one-on-one and small group counseling and other support services throughout the program. Interested entrepreneurs must apply for the Scale Up! Louisiana program. The application deadline is Wednesday, September 7 2022, at 5:00p.m. CST. Register here.

LADOTD: Developing a Business Development Plan for Construction Business

Please register for "LADOTD: Developing a Business Development Plan for Construction Business" by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2819950878267535883 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Business development in construction management refers to a strategic and actionable plan for pursuing new business and fostering relationships with your most preferred clients. Your business development plan outlines how you identify prospects, share your capabilities, and nurture business relationships so that prospects become clients when the time is right. Business development is strategic integration of marketing, sales and customer service efforts. It also is most successful when everyone in the business understands and works towards a common goal for bringing on new business. During this session, contractors will learn how to increase profitability and scalability, by creating and managing a business development strategy – one that maximizes its strengths and experience and one that targets and converts its most preferred client types. The goal is to convert prospects to clients and to turn bids into awards! This session will also include an overview of the LAUCP DBE Certification including eligibility requirements and the application process. There is no cost to attend this session, however, registration is required. Register today […]

Financial Fitness: Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order

Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, on Friday, September 23rd, 10:00am-12:00pm, to gain insights on getting your business finances in order! This online session is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. So you’ve launched your business! Congratulations! But now you realize that you don’t quite have the financial know-how to really make your business successful. There’s so much that you don’t understand, and you don’t know what you don’t know. No worries though! Now is the time to get your finances in order! During this session, small business owners will learn: The basics of how money works The importance of understanding your financial statements How to make better business decisions using your financial data How to build your personal and business credit Why it is imperative that you build a solid financial management system now Facilitator: Jordain Franklin, BetterBooks Accounting Solutions, 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/3899862613462756366. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Construction Law: S3 – What Contractors Need to Know about Employment Law

Join the Urban League of Louisiana's Contractor's Resource Center for its signature 3-part series, the "Construction Law Academy", sponsored by Chevron. As a construction contractor, it is imperative that you understand the key elements of contract law that may impact your business. This series will focus on understanding contract terms, partnering agreements and employment law. The Construction Law Academy will take place virtually on Tuesdays, September 13, 20, and 27, 5:30pm-7:30pm. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot! Registration must be completed separately for each session. Session 3: What Contractors Need to Know about Employment Law Tuesday, September 27 | 5:30pm-7:30pm | Register for Session 3 Session Presenter: E. Fredrick Preis, Jr. - Partner at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P., New Orleans It is vitally important that entrepreneurs in construction become aware of and comply with the 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 […]

Apply for Young Adult Reentry Program

Are you a justice-involved young adult (age 18-24) looking for employment or a fresh start? This is the program for you! The Young Adult Reentry Program (YARP) is designed to provide young adults with employment and training services. The program consists of: Job preparatory, case management, legal assistance services, social service assistance, and post-secondary education enrollment to prepare young adults for careers in high-demand sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing, Construction/Building Trades, Healthcare, Technology, Transportation, Logistics, and Registered Apprenticeships. When applicable, expungement opportunities will be offered to participants to help provide them with the ability to change behaviors and obtain a second chance to achieve their goals. For more information, visit urbanleaguela.org/yarp

QuickBooks Online – Session 1: Get Started and Setup the Right Way

As a business owner, having your financials in order is the most important step to running your business effectively and profitability. Now is a great time to get your accounting system and processes set up the right way! Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation 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 3-part series is sponsored by Wells Fargo – Open for Business. QuickBooks Online – Session 1: Foundations – Get Started and Setup the Right Way Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | 5:30pm-7:30pm During this session, learn how to get started with QuickBooks Online and receive guidance on the entire setup process. Participants will learn how to 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 establish a solid baseline for your accounting system. Course Facilitator: Lori Jackson, MSC Financial Services There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. […]

LADOTD: Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining an All Star Team

Please register for "LADOTD: Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining an All Star Team" by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6726156151453439504 . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 2022 is expected to yield an increase in public and private construction projects across the U.S. This is great for the industry, however, this also means that small business contractors must be prepared for the competitive landscape that is sure to impact how you recruit, hire, and train a best-in-class crew. It is critical that owners have a strategic plan to efficiently manage and retain your field crew. This is essential to staying on budget and on schedule, and can lead to increased profitability. During this session, construction managers and owners will learn how to build a foundation for a successful field crew which requires processes, discipline and the proper resources. This session will dive into best practices for recruiting, hiring, developing, managing, and retaining an all-star team! This session will also include an overview of the LAUCP DBE Certification including eligibility requirements and the application process. There is no cost to attend this session, however, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot! All existing and aspiring DBE […]

QuickBooks Online – Session 2: Everyday Transactions and Financial Reports

As a business owner, having your financials in order is the most important step to running your business effectively and profitability. Now is a great time to get your accounting system and processes set up the right way! Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation 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 3-part series is sponsored by Wells Fargo – Open for Business. QuickBooks Online – Session 2: Everyday Transactions and Financial Reports Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | 5:30pm-7:30pm During this session, participants will learn how to process transactions QuickBooks Online. As a business owner, this is imperative in understanding your sales and expenses, and managing your cash flow. Participants will learn how to customize invoices, create sales receipts, receive and pay money. For those that sell products, this session will also cover how to use QuickBooks Online to track inventory and sales taxes. Course Facilitator: Lori Jackson, MSC Financial Services There is no cost to attend this informational webinar; however, you must be registered on GoToWebinar to participate. Please secure your spot today […]

QuickBooks Online – Session 3: Ongoing Accounting Concepts 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 a great time to get your accounting system and processes set up the right way! Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation 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 3-part series is sponsored by Wells Fargo – Open for Business. QuickBooks Online – Session 3: Ongoing Accounting Concepts and Maintenance Tasks You Must Know Thursday, October 20, 2022 | 5:30pm-7:30pm During this session, participants will 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 the three primary financial reports (income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows), how to read these reports, how to reconcile accounts and how to create custom fields to track income/expenses. Attendees will also learn how to run other reports that are specific to your business that will help with optimizing […]

Early Voting Begins

Q: I think I’m registered, but I’m not sure. How can I find out? A: Double check to make sure you are registered or to update your information at https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/VoterLogin Q: I am registered, but I’m not sure where my polling location is. A: Some polling locations may change due to the pandemic. Find your polling location at https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/VoterLogin Q: I can’t wait to vote, but I’m not sure what will be on the ballot. Can I see it ahead of time so that I can be prepared? A: Yes! You can view your sample ballot for your precinct at https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/VoterLogin