The DeKalb Chamber Membership Committee helps to plan and evaluate the Chamber's overall programs and membership offerings including, but not limited to, workshops, seminars, and networking events. Also works to recruit and retain current and new members by managing and auditing the Member Contact Timeline, offer innovative ideas, and ensure all members are having a valuable experience.
This committee meets monthly on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Some meetings may have been adjusted from their original schedule due to holidays or Chamber events. This Live Online Workshop is a beginner level course and is a must for anyone thinking about or already doing business with the government.
The workshop provides a general overview of how the government purchases goods and services. This ?Intro? class outlines seven steps that are essential to achieving success in the government marketplace.
The seven steps that will be discussed are:
Registering in Government Databases
Creating a Marketing Plan
Knowing the Right People
Developing a Reference Library
Searching for Opportunities
Bidding and Performing
Marketing to State and Local Governments SBDC StartSmart provides the resources, support, and motivation to put your dream within reach.
StartSmart is tailored to be held virtually to facilitate virtual discussion, class engagement, & mastery of content. Participation in StartSmart will also allow access to LivePlan, an online business planning software. The program is facilitated by specially trained SBDC consultants and a long-term relationship with the SBDC and follow-up consulting is available and encouraged following the program.
Whether you are a new business (in business 2 years or less), or are still in the planning phase, building a business takes the right tools?and a lot of hard work. SBDC StartSmart will equip you to be successful!
SBDC StartSmart helps attendees to:
Evaluate & refine your business concept
Improve your knowledge of business concepts
Research markets and competition
Develop a financial forecast to improve chances of success
Develop a thorough, practical business plan
SBDC StartSmart includes 16 hours of instruction delivered over a period of 4 weeks. Sessions will be held twice a week for 2 hours.
LEARN HOW TO:
Evaluate your concept and develop plans to move forward.
Improve knowledge of business fundamentals.
Build an infrastructure for business operations and processes.
SBDC StartSmart graduates acquire:
An actionable business plan and access to business planning software
Access to financial and business resources.
A network of entrepreneurial peers and professionals
Eight modules cover critical issues for new businesses:
MODULE 1: Business Success ? How do we get there?
MODULE 2: Opportunity & Solutions
MODULE 3: Marketing for Success
MODULE 4: Digital Marketing & Online Strategies
MODULE 5: Navigating Human Resources
MODULE 6: Operations & Managing by the Numbers
MODULE 7: Management with a Plan
MODULE 8: Plan, Run, Review, Revise Starting a business can be overwhelming, especially when you don?t know what you don?t know.
Whether you?re just starting to brainstorm your idea or ready to turn your passion into a profitable venture, this class will give you a roadmap to success. You?ll learn what you need to start a business in Georgia, from assessing the feasibility of your idea to marketing, finding financing, building a team, and operating legally. You?ll leave with actionable steps, essential tools, and resources to start your business on a strong foundation. Small businesses are the backbone of America; this class will help you start yours.
LEARN HOW TO:
Determine the feasibility of your business idea using market research and competitive analysis
Estimate start-up expenses for your business and identify requirements for pursuing start-up financing options
Differentiate between different legal structure options for business formation
Identify who you should include on your team when making plans and executing business formation
Navigate the steps to start your business in the State of Georgia The DeKalb Chamber Economic Development Committee works with DeKalb County to recruit and retain industry. Its mission is to advocate, partner, and engage to ensure a vibrant business community in DeKalb County.
This committee meets quarterly on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Ready to grow your small business beyond borders?
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Exporting Essentials is your step-by-step introduction to the world of international trade. Designed specifically for small business owners, this course breaks down the exporting process into clear, manageable steps?no prior experience required. Whether you're exploring your first overseas opportunity or looking to scale your operations globally, this course will give you the tools and confidence to take your business to the next level.
LEARN HOW TO:
Identify global markets for your products
Navigate export regulations and documentation
Understand shipping, logistics, and payment methods
Avoid common pitfalls and reduce risk How Small Business Owners Are Using AI to Save Hours Every Week
Small business owners wear many hats. You?re the CEO, the marketer, and the customer service representative ?all at the same time.
Because of this, many entrepreneurs spend more time working in their business instead of on it, losing valuable hours each week to tasks like writing emails, creating social media posts, researching competitors, and searching for new customers.
What if you could do it all faster?
In this Live Online Workshop, you'll discover how small business owners are using free and low-cost AI tools to work faster, market smarter, and grow their business without hiring a team.
During this workshop, you'll receive instruction on how to:
Research competitors, identify market opportunities, and target customers in less than 10 minutes using AI
Quickly find and build a list of potential leads instead of hours of manual searching
Turn one idea into a full week of social media posts, complete with captions and hashtags
Write emails, follow-ups, and sales messages that sound natural and engaging
Train AI to sound like your brand and voice
No technical background required?just bring your business idea and leave with practical tools you can use immediately.
You'll also receive a ready-to-use AI Prompt Guide so you can continue using these tools long after the workshop ends. Discover the right financing path for your small business in our 40-minute webinar, Finding the Financing Fit for Your Small Business.
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Delve into the array of funding options available, from traditional funding to alternative options. This session guides you through these choices, providing actionable insights and expert advice to help you make informed decisions. Gain clarity on navigating the complexities of financing, empowering you to drive your business toward financial success in the upcoming year. This session will help you identify potential pitfalls and learn proactive measures to overcome obstacles, ensuring a smoother financing process for your small business.
LEARN HOW TO:
Distinguish between traditional and emerging funding models, enabling better decision-making for your business's financial health.
Analyze and align specific financing solutions with your business's unique requirements.
Assess the feasibility of different options and select the most suitable financing fit to fuel your business growth.
Navigate the complexities and challenges associated with securing funding The DeKalb Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee speaks on behalf of the business interests of DeKalb County industry ensuring that DeKalb County remains a place that is competitive locally and statewide.
This committee meets monthly on the 1st Thursday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The DeKalb Chamber Finance Committee meets to provide monthly oversight of financial transactions to help ensure transparency and accountability in safeguarding all funds and resources of the Chamber.
Membership Committee Meeting
Workshop - Introduction to Government Contracting
Workshop - StartSmart (8-class series)
Workshop - How to Start a Business in Georgia
Economic Development Committee Meeting
Workshop - Exporting Essentials: Master the Basics of Exporting
Workshop - How Small Business Owners Are Using AI to Get Their Time Back
Workshop - Finding the Financing Fit for Your Small Business
Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting
Finance Committee Meeting
