free small business resources

COVID-19 Small Business Webinar Series

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Learn tips & strategies on applying for state and federal small business resources. Webinars will be held every Wednesday during the month of April at 3pm with Zoom video conferencing. Click here for more info.

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at 3PM

  • H.E.L.P Hospitality Emergency Loan Program

  • Speaker: Damian DeStefano, Delaware Division of Small Business

  • Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/473149076

  • Meeting ID: 473 149 076

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 at 3PM

  • SBA Disaster Relief Program for Small Businesses

  • Speaker John Fleming, Small Business Administration

  • Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/915176488

  • Meeting ID: 915 176 488

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 at 3PM

  • Services to Assist with Application Documentation

  • Speaker: TBD, DE Small Business Development Center

  • Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/646763385

  • Meeting ID: 646 763 385

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 at 3PM

  • How to Restructure Debt

  • Speaker: Clinton Tymes, True Access Capital & Women's Business Center

  • Login: https://zoom.us/j/507676069

  • Meeting ID: 507 676 069

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 at 3PM

  • Rent Relief due to Revenue Decreases

  • Speaker: Greg Ellis, Patterson-Woos Commercial Properties

  • Login: HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/333930183

  • Meeting ID: 333 930 183

Free Resources for Small Businesses

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Downtown Visions mission is to create, manage, and promote a quality environment for business development within our neighborhood by providing small business assistance through various initiatives. We strive to inform our community of the free resources available to them by a number of local and national agencies. If you have any questions on starting, or growing, your businesses in Downtown Wilmington DE, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Delaware Division of Small Business

The Delaware Division of Small Business, part of the Delaware Department of State, is a service-focused agency committed to supporting businesses starting and growing in Delaware. Small businesses can reach out to the Division for assistance in connecting to the resources and advice to succeed. The Division is a champion for Delaware small businesses and is here to help take companies to the next level.

The Division of Small Business also EDGE grants to eligible businesses to encourage development, growth, and expansion. The EDGE Grant program gives qualified small businesses in Delaware an edge by offering access to significant capital like never before. The business must have been in operation less than 5 years. This will give them access to capital up to $50,000 for the Entrepreneur Class and $100,000 for Stem based companies!

  • The deadline is Friday, February 28, 2020.

  • For more information, click here.

New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

NCCCC hosts “Open For Business” sessions on the fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30 am - 11:30 am for small business owners to meet with representatives from their partner organizations. Collectively, these organizations provide a range of services that help start-ups advance their business model, reach potential customers, land government contracts, secure loans, meet state regulatory requirements and generally mentor entrepreneurs striking out on their own for the first time.

  • Next event is Tuesday, February 25, 2020 located at 920 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE.

  • The event is free, registration is suggested. To register, click here.

Downtown Merchant Meetings

Downtown Visions also hosts Downtown Merchant Meetings one Tuesday a month for business owners within the Central Business District share ideas and connect with each other.

  • The next Merchant Meeting is at 9:30 am on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Stitch House Brewery.

America Express Future of Shopping Small Grant Program

American Express® is teaming up with Main Street America to give 10 small business owners $10,000 each to help their businesses innovate in this evolving retail landscape. The American Express Future of Shopping Small Grant Program will celebrate small businesses across the country that are a vital part of their community. The program is intended to support small businesses that have demonstrated new approaches to traditional business strategies and those businesses looking to try out creative techniques, while also helping to revitalize and strengthen older and historic commercial districts.

  • The deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

  • For more information, click here.

  • To see if your businesses is location within one of Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts (DDD), click here.

Learn from Successful Entrepreneurs at Delaware Libraries!

Small business Assistance at Delaware Libraries

Locations:

All the workshops are available simultaneously using their video conferencing system at the six participating libraries:

  • Bear Public Library, 101 Governors Pl, Bear, DE 19701

  • Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901

  • Georgetown Public Library, 123 W. Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947

  • Milton Public Library, 121 Union St, Milton, DE 19968

  • Wilmington Public Library, 10 & Market Streets, Wilmington, DE 19801

  • Woodlawn Public Library, 2020 W 9th St, Wilmington, DE 19805

 *There is an anomaly that the October 18 workshop: So, You Want to be an Entrepreneur will not be available at Georgetown and Milton due to a county-wide library staff training session that will close all the Sussex County libraries.

Maintain Your Sanity Through Your Workday!
October 11, 10:30 AM - 12:00 pm 

Take a few deep breaths while you practice some efficient and effective mental hygiene exercises to make the quick mental adjustment that will maintain your sanity through the ups and downs of the typical workday. Identify the state of mind that offers you the power, ease and freedom to be at your best and learn how to make it your default setting. Whether you regularly practice meditation or are a beginner, tips from Mia Muratori, MFA, RTA, Behavioral Dynamics Consultant will help you maintain your meditation muscle to improve your day. 


So, You Want to be an Entrepreneur 
 October 18, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
(Georgetown and Milton Libraries closed)

This introduction to small business ownership is part of the series SCORE at the Inspiration Space to assist aspiring entrepreneurs anticipating the start of a new venture. SCORE volunteer, Tom Ziemianski will test to see if you’re cut out to be an entrepreneur and explore the viability and challenges associated with starting a business.
 


Numbers You Need to Know
October 25, 10:30 AM - 12:00 pm 


Budget, break-even point and cash flow. You have probably heard those terms but may not understand what they mean, why they are important and how to compute them. Knowing these numbers can make the difference between a successful or failing business. Join Jim Whisman of Colonial Financial & Tax Services, LLC to learn why you need to know these numbers to manage your business and get step-by-step instructions for the calculations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Janet Wurtzel.