Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center

09/03/2026

Resilience isn’t just about weathering challenges—it’s about building the mindset to keep moving, adapting and growing.

Join the Hampton Roads SBDC and Home-Based Business Network for the next virtual Lunch & Learn: Building Resilience and Growth Mindset in Entrepreneurship

Led by Cheryl Harris Sutton of Harris Sutton Enterprises, this session will help home-based business owners strengthen their confidence, adaptability and forward-thinking mindset as they navigate entrepreneurship.

📅 Thursday, September 17
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom
📌 Advance registration required

Invest an hour in yourself—and in building a stronger, more resilient business.

https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=50460036

08/31/2026

Military-connected entrepreneurs, this one’s for you! 🇺🇸

Join the Hampton Roads Military Business Network TOMORROW, September 1, from 8:30–9:30 AM at The HIVE in Virginia Beach.

Connect with fellow veterans, military spouses and supporters of our military business community while gaining practical insights from the Hampton Roads SBDC team of experienced Business Advisors.

☕ Light refreshments
🤝 Meaningful connections
💡 Business insights
🎟️ No cost to attend

Start your September by building your business AND your network.

https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=50460039

08/19/2026

Calling all veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs!

Join us for the next Military Business Network breakfast on Tuesday, September 1 from 8:30–9:30 AM at The HIVE in Virginia Beach.

This FREE event is an opportunity to connect with fellow veterans, military spouses and supporters of the military business community while gaining practical insights from our experienced SBDC Business Advisors.

☕ Light refreshments
🤝 Meaningful connections
💡 Business insights
🇺🇸 A community built to support military-connected entrepreneurs

Whether you're growing an existing business, exploring entrepreneurship or looking to expand your network, we’d love to have you in the room.

👉 https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=50460039

08/18/2026

High Street is calling its next great retailers!

Bloom Market is looking for businesses ready to bring something new to the heart of Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Selected retailers will have the opportunity to launch on High Street with:

🏢 Below-market rent
🤝 Business support
📍 A prime Olde Towne location
🌱 An opportunity to grow your business in a thriving local community

Have a retail concept you’ve been ready to take to the next level? This could be your opportunity.

Applications close August 21 — don’t wait!

👉 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTF3FZHbY6nEbJQ5LZMUFR1J6ZiGGuLebaeNkenArxJVcQBw/viewform

08/13/2026

Are you charging what you're worth?

One of the biggest challenges small business owners face is pricing products and services confidently. Price too low, and you leave money on the table. Price too high, and you worry about losing customers.

Join the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center for their next Lunch & Learn, Pricing for Profit, as Jerry Mathis shares a practical pricing framework to help you:
• Understand your true costs
• Price based on value—not guesswork
• Stay competitive while improving profitability
• Build confidence in your pricing strategy

Whether you're just starting out or looking to increase your margins, this FREE session will provide practical tools you can put to work immediately.

📅 Thursday, August 20
⏰ 12:00–1:00 p.m.
📍 Virtual via Zoom

Advance registration required here: https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=50460035

08/13/2026

Are you pricing for profit or just pricing to compete?

Join the Hampton Roads SBDC and the Home-Based Business Network for the next Lunch & Learn session, Pricing for Profit, on Thursday, August 20 from 12–1 PM via Zoom.

Led by Jerry Mathis of Mathis Management Group, this practical session will help small business owners build a stronger pricing strategy by considering costs, time, value and market positioning.

Walk away with the tools to price your products or services with greater confidence—and make sure your pricing is actually working for your business.

Reserve your spot today at: https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=50460035

08/11/2026

Small tasks can add up quickly but AI can help you work smarter!

This Tech Tip Tuesday is all about putting tools like ChatGPT to work on the everyday tasks that take up valuable time.

From drafting emails and brainstorming marketing ideas to simplifying research and organizing information, AI can be a powerful tool for small business owners looking to boost productivity and focus more time on growing their business.

Start small. Find one routine task you can streamline with AI and build from there!

How are you using AI for your business?

08/06/2026

Small group. Big ideas.

This week’s Military Business Network brought together veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs for an interactive discussion focused on one of the most important drivers of business growth: marketing.

From building a strong brand to reaching the right audience, attendees shared ideas, asked questions, and walked away with practical strategies they can put into action right away.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for another great morning of learning, collaboration, and connection!

08/06/2026

Ready to fund your next stage of growth?

Understanding your financing options can make all the difference when you're ready to expand, purchase equipment, or strengthen your business.

Join us for a Small Business Administration Loan Programs Workshop and learn how SBA-backed financing can help you achieve your business goals.

August 12
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Hampton History Museum

In this informative session, you'll learn:
✅ The differences between SBA 7(a), 504, and Microloan programs
✅ What lenders look for in a strong loan application
✅ How to prepare before approaching a lender
✅ Where to find SBA-approved lenders

Whether you're launching a new business or planning your next phase of growth, this workshop will help you better understand your financing options and prepare for success.

Reserve your spot today (free) and take the next step toward funding your business! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992927151759?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/04/2026

Want to compete for federal contracts?

Your capability statement is often your first impression and a strong one can open the door to conversations with federal agency decision-makers.

Join the U.S. Small Business Administration VA-Richmond District Office and its partners for the Mid-Atlantic Matchmaker Prep Series to learn how to create an effective capability statement that helps position your business for government contracting opportunities.

Whether you're new to federal contracting or looking to strengthen your competitive edge, this session will provide practical guidance to help you prepare for success.

Reserve your spot today!

U.S. Small Business Administration for the Mid-Atlantic Matchmaker Prep Series. Opening doors to federal agency decision-makers is easier when you have an effective capability statement. Join the U.S. Small Business Administration VA-Richmond District Office and its partners for our upcoming Matchma...