Free Seminars/Webinars
Lee
Please check each individual seminar to see its location and registration information. Attend any 5 seminars with the Core Business Seminar (CBS) designation, and you will receive an Entrepreneurial Foundation Certificate.
Call 919-718-7544 to pre-register or for more information about Lee seminars.
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Contract Ready Cohort: Institutional Vendor Certification Program
May21Are you interested in becoming a vendor to large institutions? Join our Contract Ready Cohort to learn how to navigate the paperwork, get your finances in order, and successfully secure contracts with government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, and other anchor institutions in our region. Upon completion of the 6-session program, cohort members will earn their Contract Ready - Institutional Vendor Certification. Dates- May 21, 2025; June 18, 2025; July 16, 2025; August 20, 2025; September 17, 2025; October 15, 2025 First Session- Understanding and Finding Contract Opportunities - May 21, 530-730pm This introductory session establishes relationships among participants while providing a comprehensive overview of how to find and interpret solicitation opportunities with the federal government and with local institutions, namely counties, municipalities, universities. Participants will also learn about essential certifications needed to qualify as vendors. Other topics the program will cover include: Financial Readiness and Funding Resources: Preparing your financial documents, understanding contract payment terms, exploring and getting ready for external funding options through CDFIs and other financial partners. Insurance and Bonding Essentials - Learn the critical insurance coverages and bonding requirements that institutions demand, plus strategies to obtain them affordably while meeting all compliance standards. Marketing Your Business to Institutions - Develop targeted marketing strategies that showcase your capabilities to procurement officers, including effective networking approaches and creating compelling capability statements that stand out. Strategic Hiring and Team Development - Assess your readiness to expand your workforce, develop effective hiring and onboarding systems, and learn strategies for finding qualified talent to support your business as you take on institutional contracts.
- Start • End Date: 05/21/2025 • 10/15/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: NC Growth, FSU Entrepreneurship HUB, CCCC SBC
- Location Code: DWCC (Dennis Wicker Civic Center)
- Building Location: 111
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Contract Ready Cohort: Institutional Vendor Certification Program - Part 3
Jul16Join our Contract Ready Cohort to learn how to navigate the paperwork, get your finances in order, and successfully secure contracts with government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, and other anchor institutions in our region. Upon completion of the 6-session program, cohort members will earn their Contract Ready:Institutional Vendor Certification. Insurance and Bonding Essentials - Learn the critical insurance coverages and bonding requirements that institutions demand, plus strategies to obtain them affordably while meeting all compliance standards. Participants will also learn about essential certifications needed to qualify as vendors.
- Start • End Date: 07/16/2025 • 07/16/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: TBD
- Location Code: DWCC (Dennis Wicker Civic Center)
- Building Location:
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Contract Ready Cohort: Institutional Vendor Certification Program - Part 4
Aug20Join our Contract Ready Cohort to learn how to navigate the paperwork, get your finances in order, and successfully secure contracts with government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, and other anchor institutions in our region. Upon completion of the 6-session program, cohort members will earn their Contract Ready: Institutional Vendor Certification. Marketing Your Business to Institutions - Develop targeted marketing strategies that showcase your capabilities to procurement officers, including effective networking approaches and creating compelling capability statements that stand out.
- Start • End Date: 08/20/2025 • 08/20/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: TBD
- Location Code: DWCC (Dennis Wicker Civic Center)
- Building Location:
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The Business of Childcare Conference - How to Start or Grow a Successful Family Childcare Home Bus.
Sep15Are you passionate about caring for children and ready to turn that passion into a successful home-based business? Join us for a free, half-day conference designed to help you start or grow your own Family Child Care Home in Lee, Chatham, or Harnett County. What you will learn: -Business Planning Basics " Get the tools to set up your child care business for success. -Licensing & Regulations �" Understand what it takes to operate legally and safely. -Meet Local Support Organizations �" Connect with resources, mentors, and ongoing assistance. -Free Materials & Guidance �" Take home checklists, planning guides, and contact lists. Free On-Site Child Care Provided! Bring your children with peace of mind�"we’ve got activities and qualified caregivers ready to keep them happy and safe while you focus. Who Should Attend? Aspiring child care providers, early education advocates, and anyone interested in launching a home-based child care business. Hosted by: Central Carolina Community College, Harnett Smart Start, Chatham Kids, and Lee County Partnership for Children
- Start • End Date: 09/15/2025 • 09/15/2025
- Day: M
- Time: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor:
- Location Code: DWCC (Dennis Wicker Civic Center)
- Building Location:
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Contract Ready Cohort: Institutional Vendor Certification Program - Part 5
Sep17Join our Contract Ready Cohort to learn how to navigate the paperwork, get your finances in order, and successfully secure contracts with government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, and other anchor institutions in our region. Upon completion of the 6-session program, cohort members will earn their Contract Ready: Institutional Vendor Certification. Strategic Hiring and Team Development - Assess your readiness to expand your workforce, develop effective hiring and onboarding systems, and learn strategies for finding qualified talent to support your business as you take on institutional contracts.
- Start • End Date: 09/17/2025 • 09/17/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: TBD
- Location Code: DWCC (Dennis Wicker Civic Center)
- Building Location:
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Contract Ready Cohort: Institutional Vendor Certification Program - Part 6
Oct15Join our Contract Ready Cohort to learn how to navigate the paperwork, get your finances in order, and successfully secure contracts with government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, and other anchor institutions in our region. Upon completion of the 6-session program, cohort members will earn their Contract Ready:Institutional Vendor Certification. This session will cover the various certifications for federal, state, and local government contracts.
- Start • End Date: 10/15/2025 • 10/15/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: TBD
- Location Code: DWCC (Dennis Wicker Civic Center)
- Building Location:
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Smart Content Marketing Lab 4 - Edit Your First Video - Add Text, Trim and Finish It
Nov05Your raw footage is just the beginning. In this lab, you’ll learn how to turn it into a polished, shareable video. We’ll cover the basics of trimming clips, adding text or subtitles, and finalizing your video for platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or your website
- Start • End Date: 11/05/2025 • 11/05/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Katie Stokes
- Location Code: CWI (Center for Workforce Innovation (Sanford))
- Building Location:
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Smart Content Marketing Lab 5 - Make a Scroll-Stopping Social Video - Create a Short, Engaging Clip
Nov12Short-form video dominates social media. This lab focuses on strategy and creativity: you’ll craft a 15"30 second video that grabs attention fast. Learn what makes content go viral, how to structure a quick story, and how to align the video with your brand voice.
- Start • End Date: 11/12/2025 • 11/12/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Katie Stokes
- Location Code: CWI (Center for Workforce Innovation (Sanford))
- Building Location:
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Smart Content Marketing Lab 6: Build a Landing Page - Capture Leads with a Simple Page
Nov19If your content is working, you need somewhere to send people. In this lab, you’ll build a simple landing page designed to convert visitors into leads or customers. We’ll walk through page structure, copywriting tips, and how to connect your page to email lists or offers"no web design experience needed.
- Start • End Date: 11/19/2025 • 11/19/2025
- Day: W
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Katie Stokes
- Location Code: CWI (Center for Workforce Innovation (Sanford))
- Building Location: