The DeKalb County Small Business Summit is sponsored by the Office of the CEO, along with partners the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the Decide DeKalb Development Authority. This important summit will feature four informative panels, each focusing on key areas of interest for small businesses. 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 This workshop is designed to help businesses and nonprofits navigate the grant landscape.
Learn where to find funding opportunities
Craft compelling applications
Implement strategies to increase chances of success
Key areas to be covered:
Ensuring your mission statement and funder priorities align
Developing measurable goals
Preparing for application submission
Networking
Tracking and reporting performance
Structuring for sustainability
For clarity's sake:
Please be aware the great majority of grants are awarded to nonprofits.
Registrants who have for profit businesses will learn how the same steps are generally applicable to be best prepared to approach financial institutions. The DeKalb Chamber Executive Committee meets to discuss the important issues impacting the Chamber and the business community as well as approve upcoming business. Optimal pricing drives increased business and profitability.
Setting your pricing is the most important decision you will make. Your prices create a value perception in your customers? minds and will determine if you will be profitable. In this webinar you will learn the key factors that go into your pricing decisions, the factors that affect customers? price sensitivity, and the how to calculate pricing that is right for your business. Many business owners don?t understand the true value they provide, and what customers are willing to pay for that value. After this class you will have a path to pricing that allows you to profitably compete and win.
LEARN HOW TO:
Understand and define your business value
Identify your target audience
Analyze your competitors? value
Build a marketing strategy that accelerates your business growth
DeKalb County Small Business Summit 2026
Workshop - StartSmart (8-class series)
Workshop - Grants 101: How to Find, Apply For, and Win Grants
DeKalb Chamber Executive Committee Meeting
Workshop - The Power of Price to Drive Growth and Profits!
