Workshop - StartSmart (8-class series)

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......More

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

Virtual

Workshop - How to Start a Business in Georgia

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......More

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

Virtual

Economic Development Committee Meeting

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 Thursday of ......More

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 Thursday 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.

VIRTUAL - Zoom link will be sent upon registration.

Workshop - Exporting Essentials: Master the Basics of Exporting

Ready to grow your small business beyond borders? 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—......More

Ready to grow your small business beyond borders? 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

Virtual

Workshop - How Small Business Owners Are Using AI to Get Their Time Back

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......More

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.

Virtual

Workshop - Finding the Financing Fit for Your Small Business

Discover the right financing path for your small business in our 40-minute webinar, Finding the Financing Fit for Your Small Business. Delve into the array of funding options available, from traditional funding to alternative options. This session guides you through ......More

Discover the right financing path for your small business in our 40-minute webinar, Finding the Financing Fit for Your Small Business. 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 

Virtual

Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting

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 2nd Tuesday of each month......More

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 2nd Tuesday of each month from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Some meetings may have been adjusted from their original schedule due to holidays or Chamber events.

VIRTUAL - Zoom link will be sent upon registration.

Finance Committee Meeting

This meeting is a CLOSED MEETING. 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. 

Virtual

Workshop - Automate Business Tasks Using Google Gemini AI

Automate Business Tasks Using Google Gemini AI As a small business owner, you are skilled at wearing many hats but there are not enough hours in the day to deal with the administrative side and still put in the time you would like to spend on increasing revenues.  ......More

Automate Business Tasks Using Google Gemini AI As a small business owner, you are skilled at wearing many hats but there are not enough hours in the day to deal with the administrative side and still put in the time you would like to spend on increasing revenues.  This Live Online Workshop will show how you can be more productive so you can focus on growth instead of repetitive tasks. Gemini is able to quickly automate: Communications - drafting emails, generating proposals Operations - creating SOPs (standard operating procedures) Organization - entry of customer information, tracking expenses You will be instructed in how to use Gemini through the demonstration of some typical real-world examples of how entrepreneurs free up their time. You’ll leave with repeatable prompts, workflow templates, and a clearer understanding of how to integrate AI into your daily operations all without needing to be a technical expert.

Virtual

Workshop - Access to Capital: Loan Application Mastery

In today's dynamic business landscape, securing the right funding is crucial for growth and sustainability. This specialized course is designed to empower small business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex world of loan applications succe......More

In today's dynamic business landscape, securing the right funding is crucial for growth and sustainability. This specialized course is designed to empower small business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex world of loan applications successfully. Presenter Antonio Barrios, UGA SBDC Business Consultant and former loan officer, will demystify the loan application process and share insight into what lenders look for and how to present your business in the best light. Discussion includes: the importance of risk management in the lending process how to assess your business's risk profile key financial concepts essential for loan approval.    This workshop will explore traditional loans, SBA loans, and non-traditional funding sources and guide you through the pros and cons of each. Join us and learn how to master the loan application process.

Virtual

DeKalb Chamber Executive Committee Meeting

This meeting is a CLOSED MEETING. The DeKalb Chamber Executive Committee meets to discuss the important issues impacting the Chamber and the business community as well as approve upcoming business.

Virtual

Education & Workforce Development Committee Meeting

The DeKalb Chamber Education & Workforce Development Committee develops partnerships with educational institutions and workforce development organizations in DeKalb County and Georgia to strengthen educational opportunities for the region; helps build a strong workforce......More

The DeKalb Chamber Education & Workforce Development Committee develops partnerships with educational institutions and workforce development organizations in DeKalb County and Georgia to strengthen educational opportunities for the region; helps build a strong workforce making DeKalb County an attractive location for business and industry.  This committee meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday 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.

VIRTUAL - Zoom link will be sent upon registration.

Women's Business Network Luncheon - Burnout and Balance: The Path to Sustainable Success

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Women carry many roles: leader, entrepreneur, executive, mother, partner, friend, caregiver, and more. These roles can be deeply meaningful and rewarding, yet the constant demands of showing up for everyone else often leave little space to ......More

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Women carry many roles: leader, entrepreneur, executive, mother, partner, friend, caregiver, and more. These roles can be deeply meaningful and rewarding, yet the constant demands of showing up for everyone else often leave little space to care for ourselves. Over time, this imbalance can quietly evolve into chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout.   In this engaging and interactive presentation, licensed psychotherapist Autumn Collier will help participants identify the signs of burnout and understand how it shows up in everyday life. Attendees will learn how internal pressure and difficulty setting boundaries contribute to burnout, especially among high-achieving women.   Participants will leave with practical strategies to: • Recognize emotional and physical signs of burnout • Reframe “self-care” as a leadership and performance strategy • Create a plan for balance that aligns with their values This presentation is designed to be reflective, empowering, and actionable, equipping women to create sustainable balance so success doesn’t come at the expense of well-being. Autumn Collier's Bio Autumn Collier, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and founder of The Well Woman, a group private practice providing mental health counseling throughout Georgia. The Well Woman specializes in supporting adult women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, perinatal challenges, and relationship concerns, as well as couples seeking stronger, healthier partnerships. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Autumn previously served in child welfare and community mental health, including as Clinical Director of a community agency serving underserved populations experiencing moderate to severe mental health concerns. She is extensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy and is deeply committed to helping women thrive emotionally, relationally, and professionally. Autumn believes that when one woman is well, families and communities are strengthened, because the impact of one woman extends far beyond herself. Autumn is President of the Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work, where she advocates for, mentors, and educates clinical social workers across the state. She also provides clinical supervision to mental health therapists working toward licensure. A PhD Candidate at the University of Georgia School of Social Work, Autumn’s research focuses on African American well-being, particularly the intersections of mental health, financial security, and social relationships. She has presented her research nationally, including at the American Public Health Association and the Society for Social Work and Research annual conferences. Outside of her professional life, Autumn enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, exploring new restaurants with friends, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs as a proud University of Georgia alum. The Women's Business Network program is presented in partnership with the Greater Perimeter Chamber and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. This program is designed to honor and celebrate women as influential leaders within our community. 

Vino Venue 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30338

Workshop - How to Start a Business in Georgia

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......More

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

Virtual