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 If you’re only calling your IT team when something breaks, you’re not just playing catch-up—you’re risking downtime, data loss, and customer trust. Let’s talk about what a proactive IT strategy actually looks like—and how to start shifting today.
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 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. 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 a virtual Chamber 101 class the fourth Tuesday of every other month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM via Zoom to teach you how to use these new features!
New and existing members are invited to attend. Have an Idea? Turn it into a business!
Starting a successful business requires more than a great idea, conviction, and ceaseless energy to make it happen. A thorough Self-Assessment will identify your readiness to begin the journey to Start Your Own Business.
In this Live Online Workshop you will:
evaluate your preparedness to start a business
identify financial and other necessary resources
learn about business legal structures
collect data to build your business plan
You will have the opportunity to have your questions answered both during and at the conclusion of the Workshop.
About Our Instructor
User advocate Peter Hildebrandt has been helping companies make sound business decisions for 35 years. He is the principal in Covetability, a consulting firm specializing in bringing customer data into the design of product offerings. His clients range from high technology Fortune 500 companies to startup businesses. He is on three non-profit boards and plays the string bass professionally in his spare time. Mr. Hildebrandt has been a SCORE mentor for more than five years and has helped thousands of small business owners succeed. The look and feel of the QuickBooks Online interface is undergoing dramatic changes.
If your platform has not changed already, it will soon. By October 1, 2025 all subscribers will be on the new platform. Along with the platform changes, QuickBooks has introduced a significant amount of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into QuickBooks Online. There are five ?AI agents? performing different tasks within QuickBooks. This session will introduce the differences between the new platform and the old one as well as explaining how the AI agents work.
LEARN HOW TO:
Understand the new platform and layout
Navigate the new experience
Become more efficient with the AI Agents
Understand the purpose of the Business Feed
Workshop - How to Start a Business in Georgia
Business @ Breakfast - How to Move from Reactive to Proactive IT—Without Overhauling Everything
Workshop - Writing Your Business Plan
Membership Committee Meeting
Chamber 101 - Virtual
Workshop - Starting a Business - Are You Ready?
Workshop - Navigating the New QuickBooks Online Platform and AI Agents
