AI is transforming business at breakneck speed-but the true winners won’t be those who simply automate or cut the workforce. The future belongs to leaders who harness AI to amplify human potential, foster innovation, and build organizations where people thrive.
Join our exclusive workshop, “People First Hearts & AI Smarts,” designed specifically for small business executives ready to future-fit their companies for the Intelligence Age.
You’ll discover: • How to use AI as a strategy engine, not just a cost-cutter-unlocking new value by empowering your team, not replacing them. • The six levers of a people-first mindset: purpose, leadership, engagement, well-being, opportunity, and appreciation-proven drivers of retention, innovation, and growth. • Practical frameworks for integrating AI into your operations, HR, and customer experience while maintaining ethical, responsible practices. • Actionable steps to build an “AI Factory,” launch an AI Academy, and create a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.
Walk away with a roadmap to lead your business through change, outpace competitors, and ensure your organization is not just more intelligent, but more human.
Ready to lead the way? Secure your spot and future-proof your business-because in the age of AI, people are still your greatest asset.
This session is built for early-stage founders who want to set their startups up for long-term success. We’ll break down the essential accounting, tax, financial, and HR strategies you need to get right from the beginning—whether you’re gearing up for your first raise or just getting started. Learn how to build a back office that supports growth, avoids costly missteps, and earns investor confidence. Expect practical advice, real-world examples, and a chance to ask your burning questions.
Cut Through the Noise – Accelerate Your Next Quality Hire Struggling to find top talent fast? Discover proven hiring strategies that actually work. Get tools, insights, and real-world success stories. Join us – and hire smarter, faster.
Curious about AI but feeling overwhelmed by the tech lingo? This session is designed for small business owners who want practical, approachable ways to use artificial intelligence—no coding, no jargon, no prior experience needed.
In just 60 minutes, you’ll get a clear understanding of what AI is (and isn’t), how it fits into your day-to-day operations, and how to confidently begin using it. We'll walk through five easy-to-use AI tools that can help with tasks like content creation, scheduling, email writing, customer communication, and more.
You’ll learn:
How AI can work with you (not replace you)
What tools are worth trying first—and why
Live demos of each tool with real-world small business examples
Tips for using AI while keeping your voice authentic and human
By the end of the session, you’ll leave with simple next steps, no stress, and a better understanding of how AI can support your business today—not someday.
Amy Calder is the founder of Golden Innovation Group and a business optimization consultant who helps small business owners and solopreneurs streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and reclaim their time. Drawing from over two decades of corporate leadership in life sciences... Read More →
Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CDT Virtual
When taking your business from idea to reality, you’ll likely have a lot of questions that need answered in order to get your business off to a strong start. For example: What do you need to know about patents for the product you’re trying to create? What legal resources are available? What can local demographics tell you about potential customers? How strong is the industry you’re looking to enter? Who are potential competitors?
Luckily, there are FREE databases, resources, and specialized experts available to help you answer these and many other questions – all found in your local libraries! Want to learn more? Put this session on your Holds List, and “check out” some great resources from your local libraries.
In 40+ years of working with entrepreneurs, we have regularly observed that “the money part” of business planning is often what causes many business owners and would-be business owners alike the most anxiety and confusion. Yet the numbers don’t have to intimidate you. Instead, understanding a clear financial plan for your business will give you the confidence to make educated decisions about the viability of your business idea, access needed capital and actively manage cash flow as your business grows.
This live-virtual introductory session – designed for new and prospective business owners in any industry – will help you understand:
• The purpose (and power!) of a pro forma in business planning, management and in accessing capital • The fundamental “inputs” to building solid projections, including: • Identification of your business models key revenue streams, and how to translate to your projections • Synthesis of customer, competitive and industry knowledge into reasoned market size and share estimates • The impact of pricing decisions, buyer behavior and capacity on projected revenue • Types of key cost estimates needed for your projections • Resources for pulling it all together!
By joining us for this overview session, you will build a solid foundation of concepts that can help you understand how to put real numbers to your dreams and learn the path to projections. Whether you plan to seek funding from a bank, determine the feasibility of your business idea, or explore new directions for your business, following the ideas we’ll cover in this session will help you build success based on knowledge.
Explore what can be done with vibe coding - automate tasks or talk with your developer without the overwhelm In this 1-hour session, you'll explore simple tools that require no coding experience. We’ll introduce you to the world of "vibe coding" – where creativity meets tech. Get hands-on and start turning ideas into action with ease. Perfect for beginners ready to explore what’s possible.
You’ve heard plenty about Artificial Intelligence being a “game changer” across industries – but what does that mean for your day-to-day work? We asked ourselves this question – and how AI could level the playing field for small businesses – and did some investigating.
We know that as a small business owner, manager, or employee, there’s so much you need to keep up on – so when do you have time to learn how to use AI? Today is the day! In this beginner-focused session, join us as “AI Explorers” as we discuss the basics of Artificial Intelligence. In this “AI 101” session, we will:
• Give you a foundational understanding of how AI “thinks,” including common drawbacks and areas where the tools excel. • Teach a framework for how to talk to AI using prompt engineering (and suggestions for improving prompts when something goes wonky!) • Give you examples of how you might use a variety of free or low-cost tools – including, but not limited to ChatGPT! – to increase efficiency in tasks ranging from marketing to administrative tasks to operational planning
You will leave this session with sample prompts to try, tools and resources to explore, and the confidence to embrace being an AI Explorer – starting today!
In April 2024, the Department of Justice finalized long-awaited updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, setting specific standards for the accessibility of websites, applications, and digital documents. This session provides a clear, actionable overview of the new requirements and what they mean for public-facing digital content. We’ll cover the intersection of legal compliance and inclusive design—what’s now required, how these rules are being enforced, and why it matters not just for state and local governments, but also for nonprofits and federally funded organizations that may be impacted down the line.
Director - Usability + Web Development, Earthling Interactive
People will hear me talking about dogs, food, knitting, Fallout 4, and polymer clay. But I'm also passionate about building usable digital experiences for both customers and administrators. Having been no stranger to repetitive stress disorders, I live to automate repetitive processes... Read More →
Thursday August 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT Virtual
This session provides practical strategies for determining the right pricing for your product or service to optimize profitability and sustain business growth. Participants will explore how to evaluate competitors, brand value, and customer segmentation to create pricing strategies that align with their business goals. Through an interactive approach, attendees will gain insights into the financial and psychological aspects of pricing, empowering them to make informed decisions that drive success.
90 minutes (Includes a 60-minute presentation and a 30-minute interactive workshop on pricing strategies using Excel) Key Takeaways:
1. Develop Strategic Pricing Skills – Learn how to determine the right price for your product or service. – Understand how to factor in competitors, perceived/brand value, and personal experience when setting prices. – Explore how to account for overhead and other indirect costs when direct costs are minimal. – Compare different pricing models, such as bundled pricing or subscription-based pricing, beyond the traditional price-per-product model.
2. Price for Customer Segmentation – Discover strategies for pricing tailored to different customer segments. – Evaluate whether listing your pricing publicly (e.g., on a website) is appropriate for your business model.
3. Maximize Profitability through Pricing – Identify methods for increasing profit margins through optimized pricing strategies. – Balance competitive pricing with maintaining perceived value and brand integrity.
Hosted by WEDC via the Main Street Bounceback Program
Stepping into the world of business ownership brings with it the critical responsibility of understanding and managing business taxes. Whether you’re a fledgling entrepreneur, a freelancer transitioning to a formal business entity, or a small business owner, grasping the basics of business taxation is essential for legal compliance and financial optimization. This foundational webinar is tailored to demystify the basic concepts of business and self-employment taxes.
From determining your tax obligations based on your business structure to exploring potential deductions that can minimize your tax liability, we cover the essentials that every business owner needs to know. Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions, set aside the appropriate funds for taxes, and maintain the financial health of your business.
Topics covered will include: • Understanding Business Tax Concepts: Learn the tax vocabulary and basic concepts related to federal and state taxes. • Understanding your Obligations: Identify the tax obligations specific to different types of business entities and understand the threshold for self-employment taxes. • Calculating Taxable Income for Businesses: Learn how to determine your business’s taxable income and implement strategies for tax planning and savings. • Recognizing Tax Responsibilities: Gain insights into the spectrum of taxes your business may be responsible for, including federal income tax, self-employment tax, employment taxes (if applicable), and state taxes. • Mastering Business Deductions: Discover key business deductions that can lower your taxable income and learn how to effectively leverage them for tax benefits. • Navigating the Tax Filing Process: Understand the step-by-step process of filing your business taxes, including where to file, what information and documents are needed, and deadlines to be aware of. • Implementing Effective Record-Keeping Strategies: Learn the importance of maintaining accurate financial records for tax purposes, what records to keep, and for how long, to ensure compliance and facilitate tax preparation.
Please note: This session is NOT intended to be an individual tax planning session. For personalized 1040 advice, please consult with your tax professional
