Shop Your City

Webinar, Developing a Marketing Strategy | UM-BSC | 5/7/2024
2024-05-07 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Webinar
Many business owners spend significant money on marketing. But few have a research-based marketing strategy that ensures every one of those dollars is well spent.
The goal of this course is to help entrepreneurs at any stage build a foundational marketing strategy that will inform every marketing tactic they use.
During this course, you will:

Define the “why” behind why you are in business
Map out your customer using a customer persona
Develop your unique value proposition (UVP)
Write and deliver an elevator pitch
Understand the value and role of digital marketing in a business strategy

This course is the first module in the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ (SBS) six-module Digital Marketing series. It is followed by the second module, “Creating Content Your Customers Value.”

Boost Your Money Management Skills for Your Small Business (Part 2)
2024-05-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Whether you’re starting a new business or already managing one, it’s important to understand how to manage your business finances. Having good money management skills will help increase your business’ opportunity for success.
Part 2 will help you understand cash flow and profit & loss. Plus, you’ll learn about money management mistakes to avoid.

Meet the Lender: Grow America
2024-05-09 06:00 - 07:00 | Webinar
Have you been wondering how to get money to start or grow your business? Do you know how to ask for financing?
If you have been asking yourself these questions and are not sure where to find the answers, then you need to attend our Meet the Lender workshop and meet with one of our local lending partners.
There will also be time for you to speak with the lender individually about your business needs.

Getting Your Books in Order, QuickBooks 101
2024-05-09 08:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Business owners need to monitor their spending and expenses in order to maintain a healthy profit. QuickBooks can help you keep track of daily transactions, as well as develop financial reports such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. This course will teach you how this software program can help you track your business financials effectively and efficiently.
You will learn about:

Setting up your chart of accounts
Recording purchases, bills and accounts payable
Recording your sales, receive payments and make deposits
Creating reports that help you understand business performance

NOTE: This course is designed to teach owners of existing businesses how to use the software application. To benefit from this course, you must have a basic knowledge of business financials and computer applications. You should also have a working knowledge of: categorizing revenues and expenses on an income statement, using a balance sheet, creating and using a cash flow statement, and accounting and bookkeeping methodology. If you do not, please take our Business Financial Management course first.

Get M/WBE Certified with NYC!
2024-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | The Canvas 3.0, 185 Greenwich Street, New York, NY, 10007, United States
Join the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Westfield at Canvas 3.0 to learn about the benefits of becoming a NYC-certified minority and/or woman-owned enterprise (M/WBE).
The SBS team will also share tools and resources to help you start and grow your business in NYC.
How to get there:
South Concourse, Lower Level (C2)
From the main Oculus floor, remain on the same level and follow the signs to the South Concourse. The venue (Canvas 3.0) is located on the corner halfway along the concourse, just beyond Sephora and opposite M.A.C Cosmetics.

Programming will include:
5:00 PM: Check-in
5:15 PM: Welcoming remarks
5:20 PM: M/WBE Overview by David Coreas, Executive Director, Outreach and M/WBE Recruitment
6:00 PM: SBS Financial Assistance by NYC Business Solutions Center
6:15 PM: Q&A
6:20 PM: Closing Remarks

Thriving as a Small Business - Small Business Workshop
2024-05-23 14:00 - 16:30 | CHASE BANK, 55 West 125th Street, Harlem, 10027
The “Thriving as a Small Business: Strategies for Success” workshop will be held at the Chase Bank Harlem Community Center Branch.
In this engaging session, you’ll learn how to:

Master operations management for maximum efficiency
Implement effective cash flow management for financial stability
Network with fellow entrepreneurs and industry experts

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! Scan the QR code on the attached flyer, use this link to register, or call 212-862-7200 to secure your place.
Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the secrets to achieving your business goals. We look forward to seeing you on May 23rd!

Choosing the Right Legal Structure
2024-05-15 09:00 - 10:30 | Webinar
One of the most crucial decisions you’ll make when starting a business is selecting its structure.
Your choice of structure will depend on the size and type of business, your personal circumstances and how much you plan to grow the business.
Your selection may impact tax liabilities, potential personal liability, asset protection, your responsibilities as a business owner and more.
This workshop includes an in-depth discussion about the pros and cons of the available options in New York State, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, “c” or “s” corporation, and the limited liability company (LLC), so you can determine which one is best for you.

*IN PERSON* Social Media Marketing| LM 5/15
2024-05-15 10:00 - 12:00 | NYC Business Solutions Lower Manhattan Center, 14 Wall Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY, 10005, United States
Social media has become an essential tool of every modern business. The challenge for entrepreneurs, however, is knowing how to create the right content on the right platform for their target customers.
This course will teach you how to navigate the modern social media platforms as an entrepreneur. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Determine the social media platforms that your target customers use
Operate these platforms as a business according to best practices
Create “repurposed content” that attracts social media users and links them to your website
Choose a social media management tool for your business

A computer is recommended, but not required, for this course.
This course is the sixth and final module in the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ (SBS) six-module Digital Marketing series. We encourage you to complete the five prior modules – “Developing a Marketing Strategy,” “Creating Content Your Customers Value,” “Building Your Own Business Website,” “Search Engine Optimization (SEO),” and “Email Marketing” – before you take this course.

Business Finances 1: Getting Started
2024-05-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
Financial management can be the most intimidating part of running a business. This course – intended for entrepreneurs unfamiliar with business financial management – introduces key terms and concepts in everyday language.
During this course, you will:

Develop an understanding of basic business financial terms, such as profit, cash flow, and gross margin
Work with basic financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
Define the common business expenses at both the startup and operating stages
Calculate gross margins, breakeven points, and profit goals using a case study business

This course is the fourth module in the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ (SBS) five-course Introduction to Entrepreneurship series.
If you are a pre-startup, we recommend that you complete the first three modules in this series – “First Step to Starting a Business,” “Creating a Business Idea that Works,” and “Building Your Business Operations” – before taking this course.

New York Women's Chamber of Commerce - Networking Resource Fair
2024-05-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Harlem Hops, 2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, New York, New York, 10030, United States
Join us for FREE at our Chamber On the Go Networking Resource event on May 15th! We have partnered with NYC Department of Small Business Services to network and provide free services to you and your business, with a side of refreshments to enjoy the day!

Growing Your Business as AAPI Entrepreneurs in NYC
2024-05-23 07:00 - 09:00 | Korean Cultural Center New York, 122 East 32nd Street, New York, 10016
Join the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY) to celebrate NYC Small Business Month and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) month.
SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim will share personal insights about his journey as an AAPI entrepreneur and the SBS team will share tools and resources to help you start and grow your business in NYC.

NYC Small Business Month Expo
2024-05-29 05:00 - 11:00 | Pier 36, 299 South Street, New York, New York, 10002, United States
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is hosting the first-ever NYC Small Business Month Expo to provide a variety of free information, resources, and direct services that address the needs of small business owners of all stages, industries, and boroughs.

Access 100+ free city programs, agencies, and partner resources – all under one roof:

Faster city permits and licenses

Financing and legal assistance

Hire workers

Contract with NYC through the M/WBE Borough Forum

Free consultations, workshops, and networking

… and much more!

Manhattan Business Conference: Empowering Grassroots Entrepreneurs
2025-05-03 05:00 - 12:00 | The Forum at Columbia University, 601 West 125th Street, New York, New York, 10027, United States
Learn how to grow, adapt, and thrive – now and in the future!

Topics include:

funding opportunities

credit repair

legal and licensing requirements

business disaster relief

building powerful community partnerships

Light breakfast and lunch will be served.

NYC Small Business Month Expo 2025
2025-05-29 05:00 - 12:00 | Center415, 415 5th Avenue, New York, New York, 10016, United States
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is hosting the NYC Small Business Month Expo to provide a variety of free information, resources, and direct services* that address the needs of small business owners of all stages, industries, and boroughs.

Access 100+ free city programs, agencies, and partner resources – all under one roof:

Faster city permits and licenses

Financing and legal assistance

Hire workers

Government contracting

Free resource fair, consultations, workshops, and networking

… and much more!

*NEW THIS YEAR! Make an appointment for an on-site consultation (i.e. financing, legal, M/WBE certification, winning government contracts, and more). Make sure to check your Expo confirmation email for details and a link to register for a timeslot.

Manhattan Chamber of Commerce: Safe Speed - Scaling Business Efficiency through Governed AI
2026-05-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Microsoft Experience Center, 677 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10022, United States
Join the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Microsoft for an intensive, high-level briefing on navigating the intersection of rapid innovation and rigorous data security.
This session is designed for business leaders, IT directors, and operations heads who want to harness the power of Microsoft Copilot while maintaining a “Security-First” posture.
What You’ll Learn:

The Governance Framework
Copilot in Action
The Experience Learning Center

This event is supported by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) as part of NYC Small Business Month.

Prepare and Open a Storefront in NYC with Westfield x NYC SBS
2026-05-18 11:30 - 14:00 | NYC Department of Small Business Services, 1 Liberty Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY, 10006, United States
Learn to prepare and open a storefront in NYC with the NYC Department of Small Business Services and Westfield!
Join the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Westfield for an in-person session on preparing and opening a storefront in New York City, along with a group tour of Westfield’s traditional/non-traditional retail spaces.

New York Women's Chamber of Commerce: Chamber On the Go Networking Resource Event
2026-05-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Le Du Wines and Spirits, 600 Washington Street, New York, NY, 10014, United States
We are having a pop-up Networking Resource Event in Manhattan! Join us for refreshments and business services!
Attention NYC small business owners & entrepreneurs! Join us and our partners at the NYC Department of Small Business Services for our free upcoming Chamber On The Go Networking Resource event!
Come and enjoy some nice refreshments in downtown NYC, where you will be able to meet with us for FREE business assistance and services, while getting to network with other small business owners and entrepreneurs in a relaxed setting.
Invited guest speaker & financial expert Sue Fearless will join us to address the need of financial growth, entrepreneurship, and money management for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Network and mingle while enjoying some wine, from Le Du Wines & Spirits, a women-owned wine shop in Manhattan. Don’t miss it!

NYC Small Business Month Expo 2026
2026-05-28 09:00 - 16:00 | 60 Pine Street, 60 Pine Street, New York, NY, 10006, United States
Small business owners of all stages, industries, and boroughs will be able to access free resources, consultations, workshops, and networking to help solve the 6 top challenges NYC small business owners face – all in one place!

Fund Your Business

Grow Your Business

Find & Retain Great Talent

Build Your Customer Base

Save Time & Money

Access Legal Services

…and more!
