networking, potential partnerships at the Entrepreneur Hub Power Hour Are you getting the most out of your membership?
Did you realize that your Chamber membership comes with a whole host of FREE marketing tools for your business--all in one easy-to-access location? The Chamber's powerful member-focused software provides members with an event tool, a press release tool, a job posting board, and a hot deals/sales/specials tool--all free with your basic membership.
LEARN HOW TO:
Take advantage of the benefits you receive as a Chamber member
Create and update your business's Enhanced Listing in the website business directory
Appear in our Membership Matters newsletter
Create a hot deal (discount) to appear on your listing
Submit a job posting / volunteer opportunity
We'll be hosting an in-person Chamber 101 class the fourth Tuesday of every other month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM to teach you how to use these new features!
New and existing members are invited to attend.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. A business plan is more than just a document ? it?s your roadmap to success.
A strong business plan helps keep you focused, reach your goals and is critical if you plan to seek financing for your business. Many business owners don?t have a business plan because they just don?t know where to start. This class breaks down each section of the business plan, from the executive summary to financial projections, with tools and resources to guide you along the way. Whether you?re just starting a business, need funding, or just finally have time to focus, this class will help you create an effective business plan to guide your business for years to come.
LEARN HOW TO:
Use the business plan tool or template that works for you
Understand and explain who your target customer is
Start with your company description and proceed step-by-step to finish your business plan
Strategically position your business using a written plan
Incorporate a strong financial foundation into your business plan Hiring someone to work in your business comes with important tax and payroll decisions, and getting them wrong can be costly. Whether you?re bringing on an employee, working with an independent contractor or hiring a family member, understanding the rules can help you avoid unexpected taxes, penalties and compliance issues while identifying potential tax benefits available to your business.
In this webinar, experts from Block Advisors by H&R Block will break down what small business owners need to know about worker classification and family hires. You?ll learn how to distinguish between employees and independent contractors, understand the factors that can affect classification and explore special considerations when hiring a spouse or child so you can make more informed decisions as your team grows.
Block Advisors will help you learn how to:
Understand the differences between employees and independent contractors
Recognize the factors that can determine how a worker should be classified
Understand the potential tax, payroll and compliance consequences of misclassifying workers
Explore potential tax and payroll benefits and requirements when employing children or other family members
Understand key considerations when hiring a spouse or operating a business together This webinar introduces GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?the simple, modern way to make sure AI search tools actively recommend your business to local customers.
We will break down exactly how this new technology works and provide you with a step-by-step game plan you can start using right away. The way consumers find businesses has fundamentally changed. Instead of typing short keywords into a search bar and clicking through websites, they are holding full conversations with AI assistants to get instant recommendations. We will step away from the confusing tech jargon and simplify it to help business owners understand how to adapt their current marketing tactics and strategy so that when a customer asks AI for the ''best options near me,'' your business is the top suggestion.
LEARN HOW TO:
Understand the Zero-Click Era and how generative AI is shifting consumer behavior
Help your business become an ''AI-approved'' entity
Optimize for the Bots (Without Losing the Humans)
Implement a GEO action plan to optimize your business for this digital landscape 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. In today?s competitive digital landscape, small businesses need every advantage to stand out locally.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how businesses optimize for local search, making it easier to attract nearby customers and improve visibility. This webinar will demystify AI-powered tools and techniques that can enhance your local SEO strategy. You?ll learn practical, cost-effective ways to use AI for keyword research, content creation, reputation management, and data-driven decision-making?without needing a technical background.
LEARN HOW TO:
Recognize the role of AI in local SEO
Identify AI tools for local SEO optimization such as keyword research, content generation, and customer engagement.
Apply AI strategies to improve local visibility
Measure and analyze SEO performance using AI insights and make data-informed improvements 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 Join Stars & Strikes Stone Mountain and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for a Taste of The Holidays, bringing together business leaders from across DeKalb County for an afternoon of networking and to get a sneak peek of what Stars & Strikes has to offer for your holiday needs.
This event is designed to connect entrepreneurs, executives, small business owners, corporate professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders who believe that strong relationships drive business growth.
Whether you're looking to expand your network, discover new business opportunities, or strengthen existing partnerships, Landing at Six provides the perfect setting to make meaningful connections in a relaxed rooftop atmosphere. AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can help you create marketing content in seconds, but when the results sound generic or off-brand, the time spent reprompting and rewriting turn a time-saving tool into another time-consuming task. The problem isn?t AI itself. It is how you are using it.
In this webinar, AI consultant and educator Robyn ?Jam? Anderson will show you how to improve your AI-generated marketing by building a personalized AI marketing agent. During a live demonstration, you?ll learn how to train the agent to create on-brand content, establish a simple weekly marketing system and keep your campaigns organized.
In this webinar, you'll learn:
The three mistakes that make AI spit out generic, useless marketing, and the fix for each
How to teach AI your business and your voice, so everything it writes sounds like you
How to create a personalized AI marketing agent that helps plan, write and organize your marketing
How to turn one idea into a month of content, emails, and promotions in a single sitting
A repeatable weekly AI marketing routine you can start the next morning
The Entrepreneur Hour @ The Virtual Office Group - First Tuesday Monthly
Chamber 101 - In-Person
Workshop - Writing a Business Plan
Workshop - Hiring Employees, Contractors or Family – Avoid Costly Tax and Payroll Mistakes
Workshop - Marketing After Hours: SEO vs. GEO
Membership Committee Meeting
Workshop - Leveraging AI to Boost Your Local SEO Strategy
Workshop - How to Start a Business in Georgia
Taste of the Holidays: Co-Hosted by Stars and Strikes Stone Mountain & the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
Workshop - How to Build an AI Marketing Agent That Produces Better Content
