Durham Tech Small Business Center Seminars
These two- to three-hour seminars are held on one evening and cover a wide range of small business topics. Most of these seminars are held at the Durham Tech’s Corporate Education and Small Business Center, located at the SOUTHBank Building in downtown Durham or at the Orange County Campus in Hillsborough.
Important Note: Our Small Business seminars are now free, and there is no preregistration. However, we strongly encourage you to come early to secure your seat!
Durham County seminars are offered in partnership with the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce.
Orange County seminars are offered in partnership with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber, the Hillsborough/Orange Chamber, and Chapel Hill SCORE.
FREE! Business Over Lunch (BOL) Seminars
Next Level Growth Series (GB) sessions are offered in partnership with the City of Durham Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC), and the NC Women's Business Center.
NEW! Introduction to Securities for Entrepreneurs Seeking to Raise Business Capital
Are you trying to raise business capital? Are you seeking others to invest in your business (including family and friends)? Before you raise that money or ask for investments, you need to attend this seminar. If you ask people to provide investment funds to your business, as a general rule, you are considered to be “making a securities offering” which is regulated under state and federal law. The Securities Division of NC Secretary of the State administers North Carolina’s securities law. Come find out more about this division, securities offerings, and answers to frequently asked questions. Taught by John Moran, Securities Division of NC Secretary of State.
| 36383 | W | 6/5 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | SBB 312 | 36399 | W | 8/7 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | OCC 110 |
NEW! Two City of Durham Programs for Small Businesses
This seminar will discuss two small business programs offered by the City of Durham through its Department of Equal Opportunity/Equity Assurance. The Equal Business Opportunity Program seeks to provide equal opportunities for City contracting for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons doing business in the City's Contracting Marketplace. The new Small Local Business Enterprise Program is a race and gender- neutral program that seeks to enhance contracting opportunities for construction, architectural, engineering, and surveying firms in Durham, Orange, Person, and Chatham Counties. Entrepreneurs will receive a full description, eligibility criteria, and application process for both programs. Taught by Deborah Giles, City of Durham’s Department of Equal Opportunity/Equity Assurance.
| 36389 | Th | 6/27 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | SBB 312 |
NEW! Five Human Resource Issues That Challenge Entrepreneurs
This seminar will address five human resource issues that challenge entrepreneurs. Using real life stories, participants will gain an understanding of the importance of complying with employment regulations and the outcomes of those businesses which did not comply. Taught by Lynn Unsworth, Regional Trainer at NC Department of Community Colleges.
| 36392 | Th | 7/11 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | SBB 312 |
NEW! Introduction to State Contracting Opportunities
Want to become a vendor doing business with the state of North Carolina? Entrepreneurs will learn how to find and identify state contracting opportunities. Come learn what you need to do to get registered and ready to bid and begin taking advantage of those state procurement opportunities. Taught by Tony Vinogradov, State of North Carolina Department of Administration.
| 36397 | Th | 8/5 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | SBB 312 |
FEDERAL AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SERIES
Federal and Department of Defense Series seminars are offered in partnership with the NC Military Business Center.
NEW! Introduction to Federal and Department of Defense Business Opportunities
Want to participate in North Carolina’s military procurement boom? Learn how to look up and identify federal procurement opportunities. Understand the next steps needed to position your business to get registered and ready to bid on federal/Department of Defense contracting opportunities. Get started taking advantage of the sizeable federal dollars being spent in the state. Taught by Bill Greuling, NC Military Business Center.
| 36387 | T | 6/11 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | SBB 312 |
NEW! Introduction to Federal and Department of Defense Proposals
Learn the baseline of how to review and prepare Federal and Department of Defense proposals. Session addresses understanding the Federal Solicitation format (Uniform Contract Format), the rule of "shall," a sequential view of proposaling activities from corporate "capture" management onward, constructing and controlling your proposaling team, pulling everything together for final proposal review and submittal, and the "aftermath." Some would say it is easier said than done, but it is doable! Taught by Bill Greuling, NC Military Business Center.
| 36391 | T | 7/9 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | SBB 312 |
NEW! Introduction to Federal and Department of Defense Cost Estimating Techniques
At the Federal and DOD level there are three basic purchasing groups that the Feds buy from: (1) manufactured goods (something someone can touch such as blankets, cars, food, etc.); (2) professional services (labor such as program management, financial services, research and development, landscape, janitorial, food services, etc.); and (3) A/E – general construction services (construction). Each category has different cost elements and, if you don't know of them or their costs, how can you calculate a profit? This seminar covers cost elements for each of the three categories and provides examples of how to calculate costs and rates. You have to know "your cost" before calculating "your profit"!! It is as simple as that . . . not really!! Taught by Bill Greuling, NC Military Business Center.
| 36402 | T | 8/13 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | SBB 312 |
Evening Seminars
Thinking of Starting a Business?
This seminar provides information, including but not limited to, are you ready, questions to answer prior to starting the business, where business ideas come from, governmental requirements, and available resources. This session is the perfect place to bring all of your business start-up questions.
| 36340 | T | 6/4 | 6–8 p.m. | SBB 312 |
NEW! Independent Contractor or Employee & More
This seminar will define an Independent Contractor and an employee and explain the importance of knowing the difference between the two. Entrepreneurs will leave with an understanding of what is required when hiring an independent contractor or an employee as it relates to federal taxes. Taught by Internal Revenue Service.
Participants will receive a packet of information for each session attended at no cost. The following publications will be covered:
- Publication 1779, Independent Contractor or Employee;
- Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business;
- Publication 1518, Tax Calendar for SB/SE;
- Publication 4591, Small Business Federal Tax Responsibilities; and
- Publication 4667, IRS Tax Information for SB/SE Taxpayers.
| 36385 | M | 6/10 | 6–9 p.m. | OCC 110 |
| 36386 | T | 6/11 | 6–9 p.m. | SBB 312 |
NEW! Employment Tax and Business Expenses
Entrepreneurs will learn about the Employment Tax filing and payment requirements for the various business entities (Sole Proprietors, Partnerships, and Corporations). This seminar will also discuss various business expenses that may be deducted in the course of the entrepreneur's business. Taught by Internal Revenue Service.
Participants will receive a packet of information for each session attended at no cost. The following publications will be covered:
- Publication 1779, Independent Contractor or Employee;
- Publication 535, Business Expenses;
- Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home;
- Publication 15, Employer’s Tax Guide (Circular E);
- Publication 1518, Tax Calendar for SB/SE;
- Publication 4591, Small Business Federal Tax Responsibilities; and
- Publication 4667, IRS Tax Information for SB/SE Taxpayers.
| 36394 | M | 7/15 | 6–9 p.m. | OCC 110 |
| 36395 | T | 7/16 | 6–9 p.m. | SBB 312 |
Thinking of Starting a Non-Profit?
This seminar provides information including, but not limited to, are you ready, questions to answer prior to starting the business, where business ideas come from, governmental requirements, and available resources. This session is the perfect place to bring all your start-up questions..
| 36341 | T | 7/23 | 6–8 p.m. | OCC 110 |
NEW! Let’s Recap – Putting It All Together
This seminar will briefly review tax responsibility basics essential to every small business owner, from start to finish. Seminar will also briefly discuss business structure, record keeping requirements, and independent contractor vs. employee and business expenses. Taught by Internal Revenue Service.
Participants will receive a packet of information for each session attended at no cost. The following publications will be covered:
- Publication 1518, Tax Calendar for SB/SE;
- Publication 4591, Small Business Federal Tax Responsibilities; and
- Publication 4667, IRS Tax Information for SB/SE Taxpayers.
| 36401 | M | 8/12 | 6–9 p.m. | OCC 110 |
| 36403 | T | 8/13 | 6–9 p.m. | SBB 312 |