UMW SBDC

08/24/2026

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization—basically, how your customers find you online. But here's the thing: search is changing because of AI, and a lot of small business owners are falling behind.
If you advise small business owners, you need to understand this. Join us for AI U Live with Robbie Parks from Georgia SBDC to learn how to help your clients stay visible online.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PPEx8qSjTs2ZEaeqdFUNlg

08/24/2026

This week’s virtual Virginia SBDC training covers mobile apps, cottage food businesses, talent management, business credit, AI safety, craft beverage operations, access to capital and startup finances.

Find the class that can help move your business forward and register at https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/events.aspx

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

08/05/2026

Have an AI idea for your business? Amazon Web Services wants to fund it!

Submit your pitch by August 10th for the Eficens AWS Virtual Pitch Week competition.

- Up to $100K in AWS funds for winning pitches
- Up to $25K in PoC funds for every qualifying submission
- Expert feedback from AWS partners and industry judges
- Fast-track your AI product with real cloud infrastructure backing

Open to businesses in every state and at every stage!

Learn more here: https://www.eficens.ai/aws-pitch-week

08/05/2026

📢 Attention SBDC Advisors: Are you looking for a practical, jargon-free method for teaching clients how to read their core financial statements?

Colin King, CEO of Profit Mastery, has a training session tailored for you!

This workshop is designed for advisors at all levels of experience. New advisors will get a solid foundation and experienced advisors will pick up techniques for making financial conversations stick with clients who have historically tuned out.

If you're already registered for the Annual Training Event, add this session to your schedule! Tracking demand helps us add repeat sessions - and we have a feeling this one will need an additional time slot 👏

Check out the full agenda and session details using the link in the comments.

07/31/2026

This month, we focused on readiness.

Readiness for exporting

Readiness to use AI thoughtfully

Readiness to share impact

Readiness to prepare for growth opportunities

The common thread is advising.

Workshops, events, surveys, and resources all create useful information. Advising helps business owners decide what to do with it.

If July raised a question for your business, do not leave it in your notes. Bring it to your advisor and turn it into a next step.

07/29/2026

The right opportunity should fit your capacity, not just your ambition.

Exporting can create growth. It can also create pressure.

Before pursuing an opportunity ask:

Do we have the cash flow to manage timing gaps?

Are our costs clear enough to rpice correctly for the market?

Do we have systems to document, manage the invoicing, and follow through?

Would exporting move us toward the business we want to build?

This is where our International Business Development team is especially valuable. We can connect you to an advisor who will help you think through the operational and financial side of the growth opportunity, explore potential markets, and connect you to resources that are worth your time.

Export readiness is not just a wish, once prepared, it can mean substantial growth.

07/24/2026

Virginia SBDC is sponsoring and attending the Southwest Virginia Manufacturers Expo on August 19 in Abington.

Manufacturers are making complex decisions right now: workforce, supply chain, technology, capital, contracting, exporting, process improvement, and growth planning.

Events like this are valuable because they bring the ecosystem together. Advising helps business owners turn those conversations into a plan.

If you are a manufacturer in Southwest Virginia, mark your calendar and start thinking about the questions you want to bring:

What is limiting production?

What investment is next?

What support would help you grow?

What opportunity are you preparing for?

We look forward to connecting in Abingdon! Learn more about the Expo here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southwest-virginia-manufacturers-expo-tickets-1991108656591?aff=oddtdtcreator