Mason Small Business Development Center

09/03/2026

❗Seats are going fast!
Join the 12-week, Start SMART Small Business Series (2026) exclusively for William County.
📅September 22nd - December 15, 2026
🕕6 PM - 8 PM
▶️ 9733 Buchanan Loop, Manassas, VA 20110
👉In-Person; No-cost program

Do not sleep on this opportunity!. Participants get weekly time with business experts from Mason SBDC and Prince William County. Your business plans can move forward with expert-led sessions, advice, and resources to help make your startup plans a reality.

Bonus - A Pitch Competition on the final day (startup funding for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners)
Details - https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=110460053

09/01/2026

UPCOMING SBA Event:

Small Business Compliance Toolbox for the Food Service Industry
September 2, 2026 - 10 AM - 11:30 AM (TOMORROW!)

A joint webinar presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

Details - https://ow.ly/3Zcs50ZHILh

09/01/2026

Connect with lenders, financial institutions, and fellow business owners at the upcoming 'Small Business Finance Forum' by Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity & MOVE Chamber of Commerce.

When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (8:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
Where : GMU -Mason Square Campus (Arlington).

Details: https://ow.ly/JtH750ZHIa8

Stop by the Mason SBDC table and say hello!

Learn practical steps to prepare your business finances and connect directly with lenders to secure the money you need to grow.

08/27/2026

Join Mason Small Business Development Center at George Mason University and the Town of Herndon Lunch and Learn workshop on Sept. 15, 2026 (12-2:30 PM).
A must-attend session featuring speakers from the SBA Washington Metropolitan Area District Office, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, GENEDGE and Mason Small Business Development Center at George Mason University!

Details -
▶️Powering Your Business: Connections, Funding & Partnerships with the SBA
📅September 15, 2026 (12-2:30 PM) at 🏛️Office Evolution (Herndon)
💲Cost- FREE (Registration Required)

Limited spots. Get yours here - https://ow.ly/6ROj50ZGa5K

08/26/2026

Mason SBDC Senior Business Counselor and GMU Adjunct Professor, George Siragusa was the featured speaker Prince William Chamber Young Professionals Council meeting which was held yesterday.

George shared valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey at the interactive session.

The Young Professional Council meets monthly with a goal of providing valuable professional experience, fostering authentic connections and inspiring active engagement that drives personal growth and community impact.

08/25/2026

Hey , launching your business does not have to be a distant dream.
The 12-week Start SMART Small Business Series may just be your ticket to business ownership!

-11 weeks of expert guidance, mentorship & resources culminating in a Pitch Competition. (Start-up funding for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners)
ALL of it AT NO COST TO YOU!

REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN for the 2026 cohort, which runs from Sep 22nd - Dec 15th.
Meeting Time is 6-8 PM at Prince William Chamber of Commerce HQ in Manassas.

Don't wait! Seats are filling up.
Reserve your spot - https://ow.ly/7A5I50ZFbPj

08/21/2026

As you prepare your marketing plans and content, be sure to monitor and build accordingly.

Track and Measure Content engagement.
Monitor and build your engagement based on performance. Some important numbers that will help you assess are:
-Email & Social Engagement Rates
-Customer Retention Rates
-Conversion Rates
-Website Traffic

Check out our previous posts on fall marketing prep

- Content Planning tips - https://ow.ly/Qota50ZCwEU

- Strengthening Customer Engagement -
https://ow.ly/4u4r50ZCwET

08/20/2026

🥳 Congrats to our amazing friends!! 🥳

Prince William Economic Development and Tourism, who have been named the 2026 Economic Development Organization of the Year by the International Economic Development Council the world's largest association for economic development professionals!

Read full announcement here -

Prince William County took the top honor in 2026's IEDC's awards recognizing organizations serving communities of 500,000+ people.

08/12/2026

(Partner Event)

Small Business Legal Summit
Sept 10, 2026 (10:00AM -1:00 PM)
Location: Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C.
2311 Wilson Boulevard, 2nd floor Arlington, VA 22201

Learn practical steps to minimize risks, secure contracts, and navigate local business laws.

REGISTER👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-legal-summit-tickets-1994364701509?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

An event by the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity in partnership with Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C.

08/11/2026

SBA Mid- Atlantic Region is launching the Mid-Atlantic Matchmaker Prep Series for government contractors. This four-part training initiative is designed to prepare small businesses for competitive contracting opportunities! (Offered in a hybrid format)

Check out the links below for more events:
www.sba.gov/district/washington-dc
www.sba.gov/district/richmond
www.sba.gov/district/west-virginia
www.sba.gov/district/baltimore