CDBE Virtual Workshop
2021-11-01 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | SC
Please join the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities on November 1st at 10:00 A.M. to learn more about the Columbia Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (CDBE) program and how it’s designed to build the capacity of minority, women-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Recent changes have been made to the CDBE policy to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in meeting the procurement needs of the City of Columbia and small minority-owned enterprises in the water and sewer industry.
To register for this event, click here to be directed to our Eventbrite page! If you have questions, please contact the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities at (803)545-3950.

Preparing Your Business For Year-End Taxes Webinar
2021-11-11 10:00 - 11:30 | SC
Tax prep can be time consuming, but your business could face penalties if you fall out of compliance with the U.S. tax code. Join the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities on Thursday, November 11th to learn more about common end-of-year practices prior to tax season! Guest speaker Shelia K. Tutwieler-Dawkins will discuss topics that are important when filing taxes for small businesses such as organizational structure, business income and expenses, and timely filing. To register for this event, click here to go to our Eventbrite page!

The Creative Entrepreneur: Monetizing Your Craft and Creative Skills Part II
2021-11-12 11:30 - 13:00 | SC
In the second part of this series that began in August, Dr. Kasie Whitener will further explore critical issues for creative entrepreneurs:

How to “Be like the Chefs” when building your audience?
How to quantify your inventory?
How to calculate cost of goods per unit?
How to monetize digital platforms (like YouTube)?

This session is a deeper “how-to” that builds on general concepts discussed earlier. Attendees will leave with applicable tasks and skills for growing their artistic venture.
Please join us on Friday, November 12th at 11:30AM! To register, click here to go to our Eventbrite page!

How to Prepare for a Small Business Loan: Necessary Paperwork Virtual Webinar
2021-11-16 10:00 - 12:00 | SC
The SC Commission for Minority Affairs, U.S. Small Business Administration and the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities present How to Prepare for a Small Business Loan: Necessary Paperwork webinar on Tuesday, November 16th at 10:00AM. In this small business webinar, Bret Whiting, Commercial Loan Officer for the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities, will discuss the documents needed to receive a small business loan. Participants will learn not only about the necessary documents needed to receive a small business loan, but also the information lending institutions utilize when they make business financing determinations.
To register for this webinar, click here to go to the SC Commission for Minority Affairs website!
For more information, contact Anthony Brockington, SCCMA Small & Minority Business Program Manager at (803)832-8165.

City of Columbia's Office of Business Opportunities Winter Wonderland Virtual Holiday Market
2021-12-14 19:00 - 20:00 | SC
Do you have more shopping to do for the holidays? If so, join the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities for their 2021 Winter Wonderland Virtual Holiday Market on Tuesday, December 14th at 7:00 pm. Celebrate the holiday season, shop safely with local vendors, and enjoy holiday performances by local artists. All are invited to participate in this virtually holiday shopping experience on December 14th at 7:00 P.M.!
To register for the 2021 Winter Wonderland Virtual Holiday Market, click here to go to the Eventbrite page!
We Are Resilient Columbia!

City of Columbia's Virtual Minority Business Opportunity Conference
2022-02-23 10:00 - 12:30 | SC
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities is inviting you to our 2022 City of Columbia’s Virtual Minority Business Opportunity Conference on Wednesday, February 23rd beginning at 10:00AM. Our keynote speaker for this year’s event is Dr. Nika White, President and CEO of Nika White Consulting. Additional guests speakers are Mrs. Dominique Milton (Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council), Mr. Lance Brown (Rhino Medical Supply), and Ms. Christi Jordan (AT&T Services, Inc.).
The purpose of this event is to provide information and resources to minority and women-owned businesses that are interested in doing business with the City of Columbia and our partnering agencies. Participants will also learn the value of diversity and inclusion and the importance of supplier diversity in the public and private sector and how to strategically position your business to seize contracting opportunities!
For more information, please contact Kalenna Ginyard at (803)545-3960 or email her at Kalenna.Ginyard@columbiasc.gov.
To register for this event, click here to go to our Eventbrite page!

Creative Entrepreneur 101 Workshop: Understanding the Basics to Monetize Your Talents
2022-03-05 10:00 - 15:00 | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, 29201
Calling all creative entrepreneurs!
Join us to learn the tools you need to move your creative talents forward! The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities in partnership with Benedict College Women’s Business Center is excited to announce the Creative Entrepreneur 101 Workshop: Understanding the Basics to Monetize Your Talents! Participants will receive tools and resources to get started on their path to becoming a creative entrepreneur! Guest speakers include: Naida Rutherford, Katera, Rod King, Marcus Gullen, Shannon N. O’Berry Hammond, and Jeremy Polley. Also, special guest for this event, South Carolina native and finalist from NBC’s The Voice CammWess!
For more information and to register for this event, click here to register on our Eventbrite page!

Women in Contracting Conference
2022-03-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities will be participating in a Women in Contracting Conference on Tuesday, March 22nd beginning at 9:00AM! This virtual conference will provide tips, best practices, and upcoming opportunities from featured panelists who are women who own successful contracting businesses, procurement office managers, technical assistance providers and more! To register for this event, click here to go to the Women in Contracting Conference webpage!
Women in Contracting Conference Flyer

Tax Credits For Small Business Owners Webinar
2022-03-30 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Did you know tax credits can directly reduce your tax bill? Join the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities on Wednesday, March 30th to learn how your small business can take advantage of those credits! Presenter Shelia K. Tutwieler-Dawkins will provides tools and resources for small business owners on topics such as employee retention credit, general business tax credit, work opportunity tax credit, and investment tax credit. For more information and to register, click here to go to our Eventbrite page!

Business Plan Boot Camp (4-part Series)
2022-04-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-04-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-04-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-04-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual Event
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities in collaboration with the Benedict College Women’s Business Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, USC Columbia Technology Incubator, SC Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), and TutwielerDawkins, LLC is giving a Business Plan Boot Camp workshop! This four-part series will assist small business owners in refining your ideas and strategies, and structuring them into a viable business. We will also help you fill the gaps in your plan and discuss the importance of independent research and analysis while helping you formulate business models, tactics, and strategies! For more information and to register, click here to go to the Eventbrite page!

Industry Day for Minority Contractors
2022-04-29 09:00 - 13:00 | Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities in partnership with the SC Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) and ForeSight Communications is sponsoring a Industry Day for Minority Contractors on Friday, April 29th from 9:00AM – 1:00PM!
During this event, participants will learn more on certification best practices and upcoming bids and opportunities along with information from minority men and women who own successful contracting businesses, procurement office managers, technical assistance providers, and more! For more information or to register, click here to go to the Eventbrite page!

City of Columbia's 2022 Small Business Week Celebration
2022-05-05 11:00 - 14:00 | The Medallion Conference Center, 7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC, 29209, United States
Join the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities on Thursday, May 5th for the 2022 Small Business Week Celebration! Our theme for this year is We’re Open for Business: Celebrating Our Small Business Community! During this year’s event, participants will learn more on understanding the importance of perservering and being committed in starting, growing, and sustaining their businesses! Also, we will recognize local business owners who found opportunities out of crisis. This year’s keynote speaker is former WBC Heavyweight Championship boxer and entrepreneur, Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett! Due to COVID, space is limited. For more information and to register, click here to go to our Eventbrite page!

The COMET DBE Public Participation Meeting
2022-06-16 12:00 - 13:30 | The COMET, 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The COMET in partnership with Central Midlands Council of Government will be having a DBE Public Participation Meeting on Thursday, June 16th beginning at 12:00PM. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, upcoming contracting opportunities, and DBE Certification. If you would like to attend, please register here by Tuesday, June 14th. For additional information, call The COMET at (803)255-7129 or email them at compliance@thecometsc.gov!

Richland Library EiR Presents: Sidepreneurship: Carving Out a New Business While Working a Job
2022-07-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Richland Library Main – Auditorium, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Sidepreneurship is all about working your hustle or carving out a new business while working a job. It’s fascinating because you’re creating something new and figuring out how to capitalize on your talents and skills all while maintaining a job and getting a paycheck. Come join Richland Library’s 2022 Summer Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Lasenta Lewis-Ellis, as she explores the various options of becoming a Sidepreneur!
This event will be held on Thursday, July 14th at the Richland Library Auditorium. The guest speaker for this event is Kitwanda “Kiki” Smith Cyrus, founder of Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles. Kiki will share her journey from working a fulltime job to building her business and brand!
To register for this event, click here to go to the Richland Library website!

U.S. Small Business Administration presents: Financing Your Small Business Webinar
2022-09-08 10:00 - 11:30 | SC
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration on Thursday, September 8th for a weekly seminar about SBA loan programs offered through various lenders! SBA resource partners will be attending who can assist you in developing your business plan and financial statements for your loan package! To register for this webinar, click here to go to the SBA webpage!

3rd Annual Engage Richland: Opportunity Day at Richland County
2022-09-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Richland Two Institute Of Innovation (R2i2), 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC, 29229, United States
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities will be participating in the 3rd Annual Engage Richland: Opportunity Day at Richland County on Wednesday, September 14th beginning at 10:00AM. During this event, participants will learn and gain contractual, employment, and financial opportunities as well as learning about programs that are available for workforce development and retention. For more information and to register, click here to go to Richland County’s Eventbrite page!

All Access Columbia
2022-09-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The City of Columbia’s Community Development and Office of Business Opportunities will be hosting their quarterly All Access Columbia event on Thursday, September 15th! During this event, Community Development and the Office of Business Opportunities will provide sessions that focus on resources for small businesses and CDBG grants for your neighborhood and non-profit organization. The purpose of the All Access Columbia event is to help develop strong and diverse neighborhoods by providing information and resources to citizens. For more information and to register for this event, click here to go to the registration page!

8th Annual Women's Empowerment Expo
2022-10-08 09:00 - 16:00 | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, 29201
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities is partnering with The Big DM 101.3 FM to host the 2022 Women’s Empowerment Expo! This expo will be filled with informative sessions and special guests! For more information, go to the Women’s Empowerment 2022 website or to the Eventbrite page to purchase tickets!

Financing Your Small Business - Virtual Event
2022-10-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) online for a free information session on financing your small business! During the seminar, participants will learn about the different SBA loan programs and the SBA’s role in assisting small businesses and more! This live webinar will be held on the 2nd Thursday of the month with the exception of holidays. To register for this event, click here for more!

Columbia Neighborhood Awards After Work Biz Mixer
2022-10-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Optus Bank, 1241 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities, Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity, Optus Bank, and KISS 103.1 on Thursday, October 13th for the After Work Biz Mixer! During this event, small business owners will have the opportunity to meet and network with local business owners and others. For more information, click here to go to the Eventbrite page to register!

Small Business Tax Workshop
2022-10-19 09:00 - 14:00 | SC
The South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be hosting a Small Business Tax Workshop on Tuesday, October 19th beginning at 9:00AM. This online meeting will focus on tax information for small business owners! From 9:00AM – 12:00PM focuses on federal taxes and from 12:00PM – 2:00PM focuses on state taxes. For more information and to register, go to the SBDC website for more information or contact Kostas Ioannidis at (864)370-1545!

Make That Dough: Small Business & Nonprofit Collaborations In Food Access
2022-10-20 08:30 - 10:00 | Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The City of Columbia’s Food Policy Committee will be hosting Make That Dough: Small Business & Nonprofit Collaborations in Food Access on Thursday, October 20th beginning at 8:30AM. Join non profit organizations and small businesses who are engaged in the work of expanding food access for our communities and network! This is a free event and space is limited so click here to register!

SBA Cyber Summit
2022-10-26 12:00 - 17:00 | SC
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration’s convening of cybersecurity and business experts on October 26th to learn practical tips, cyber-hygiene best practices, and more!
During this virtual summit, experts from the public sector, major technology platforms, award-winning business coaches, and small business owners will share the best approaches to defend against and combat cyber-attacks. This summit is comprised of ten (10) segments that showcase practical tips, problem solving strategies, case studies, and more! For more information and to register, click here to go to the SBA’s Eventbrite page!

SBA Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
2022-10-27 13:00 - 14:00 | SC
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration on Thursday, October 27th for a webinar in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month to learn about disability awareness, inclusion, hiring employees with disabilities, and the importance of equity and opportunity to help uplift and support entrepreneurs with disabilities. For more information and to register, click here to to the SBA Eventbrite page!

Starting a Business? Let's Make a Plan
2022-11-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Join the SC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consultant Brent Hoover along with the USCA Pacer Center as they discuss the benefits of creating a business plan and leveraging it to get loans, understanding your market, focusing your business strategy, checking financial numbers, and more!
For more information, click here to register or contact Robert Jones at (843)740-6180. The last day to register is Tuesday, November 29th!

Navigating Digitization as a Small Business Owner
2022-12-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration on Thursday, December 1st for their webinar Navigating Digitization as a Small Business Owner. Hear from special guest speakers as they provide information on how you can navigate understanding and implementing digital transformation that will help your small business! For more information and to register, click here to be redirected to SBA’s Zoom webinar registration page!

Doing Business With GSA - Accessing Procurement Opportunities: The Tools Available For You!
2022-12-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s General Services Administration (GSA) advocates, within each Federal Executive Agency, for the maximum practicable opportunities for designated small business categories within the Federal Acquisition process. This webinar will cover an over of Federal Procurement Data System FPDS, USAspending.gov, and more!
This webinar is open to all small businesses looking for additional information and guidance on GSA contracting opportunities. To register for this event, click here to go to the SBA’s Zoom webinar webpage!
