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03/27/2026 12:18 pm

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Small Business Event Calendar

Events held by local small business partners

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

The City of Raleigh enjoys an ecosystem of support organizations that focus on the success of small business owners. This calendar highlights small business-related events offered by these partners in the City of Raleigh. Event types include:

  • Training & resources
  • Public affairs, annual meetings & expos
  • Grant & funding application dates
  • Vendor or foot traffic opportunities
  • Networking events

  • Apr
    27

    Partner Event: Beyond the Badge: Designing Your Next Act as a Consultant and Coach

    Add to Calendar 2026-04-27 19:00:00 2026-04-27 20:00:00 Partner Event: Beyond the Badge: Designing Your Next Act as a Consultant and Coach Hosted by Wake Tech For many, a "badge" represents years of identity and authority. This session provides the tactical blueprint to bridge the gap between that corporate identity and a profitable, independent practice. We will move beyond theory to focus on the V.I.A. Framework (Values, Integration, and Achievement): • Values (The Identity Shift): Transitioning from "Employee" to "Expert" by auditing their intellectual property • Integration (The Success Team): How to build a lean "Success Ecosystem" • Achievement (The Sustainable Number): A transparent breakdown of the math of consulting. We will calculate their "Bridge Number" to ensure they are pricing for profit, taxes, and the lifestyle they’ve earned. This webinar will be presented via Microsoft Teams platform. If you've never used Teams it will ask you to download onto your computer. We ask that you go ahead and complete this step, utilizing the same First Name, Last Name and Email address used during registration. Once you do this it will allow you access to the webinar. We recommend that you sign in to the webinar at least five minutes prior to the start of the session to ensure you don't have any technical issues. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Apr
    29

    Partner Event: Master Your Digital Presence & Brand Story (online)

    Add to Calendar 2026-04-29 11:00:00 2026-04-29 12:00:00 Partner Event: Master Your Digital Presence & Brand Story (online) Hosted by Wake TechJoin this interactive webinar to learn how to control your narrative and build a professional, polished brand that resonates with your ideal customers. The CYC will guide you through the essential building blocks of a unique business story, help you identify the best beginner-friendly marketing channels, and share "easy win" SEO tactics to ensure your business stands out on Google. Whether you are refining your core message or looking to boost your online visibility, this session provides the strategic tools and professional support needed to grow your small business with confidence. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Apr
    29

    Partner Event: FAQ for Tax Pros: Starting a Business as a Side Hustle (in-person)

    Add to Calendar 2026-04-29 13:00:00 2026-04-29 15:00:00 Partner Event: FAQ for Tax Pros: Starting a Business as a Side Hustle (in-person) Hosted by Wake TechStarting a side hustle is exciting — but understanding the tax impact is critical from day one. Whether you're freelancing, selling products online, consulting, or providing services, the IRS considers this business income, even if it’s part-time. That means proper reporting, tracking expenses, and planning for self-employment taxes are essential. Key tax considerations include: Choosing the right business structure (Sole Proprietor, LLC, S-Corp) Tracking deductible expenses (home office, mileage, software, supplies) Understanding self-employment tax obligations Making quarterly estimated tax payments Keeping clean records to avoid penalties City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Apr
    29

    Partner Event: FAQ for Tax Pros: Starting a Business as a Side Hustle (in-person)

    Add to Calendar 2026-04-29 13:00:00 2026-04-29 15:00:00 Partner Event: FAQ for Tax Pros: Starting a Business as a Side Hustle (in-person) Hosted by Wake Tech Starting a side hustle is exciting — but understanding the tax impact is critical from day one. Whether you're freelancing, selling products online, consulting, or providing services, the IRS considers this business income, even if it’s part-time. That means proper reporting, tracking expenses, and planning for self-employment taxes are essential. Key tax considerations include: Choosing the right business structure (Sole Proprietor, LLC, S-Corp) Tracking deductible expenses (home office, mileage, software, supplies) Understanding self-employment tax obligations Making quarterly estimated tax payments Keeping clean records to avoid penalties For additional Wake Tech offerings, click on this link: WTCC City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    4

    Partner Event: Government Contracting 101 #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-04 09:00:00 2026-05-04 11:00:00 Partner Event: Government Contracting 101 #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This comprehensive training will guide participants through the essential steps of doing business with government agencies. We will cover the basic requirements for both state and federal contracting, including how to register your business, obtain relevant certifications, and identify opportunities that align with your capabilities. Building on these fundamentals, the session will also focus on the critical skill of preparing written proposal responses—a key factor in successfully securing government contracts. Participants will learn strategies to navigate the proposal process and increase their chances of winning contracts, addressing one of the most common challenges business owners face in government contracting. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    4

    Partner Event: Practical Operations for Small Businesses #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-04 18:00:00 2026-05-04 20:00:00 Partner Event: Practical Operations for Small Businesses #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This event is taking place during the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week! Running a small business can feel like juggling a dozen tasks at once, orders, inventory, staff, and customer demands, all while trying to grow. This workshop is designed to help small business owners take charge of their operations. Learn practical strategies for workflow management, inventory tracking, team coordination, and operational planning, leaving with actionable steps to move from reactive chaos to structured control. Whether you’re looking to optimize daily operations or scale your business effectively, this session equips you with the operational know-how to succeed. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: Turn Networking Connections into Action #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 08:30:00 2026-05-05 11:00:00 Partner Event: Turn Networking Connections into Action #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University Celebrate National Small Business Week by turning your ideas into action. This interactive networking experience is designed to help you build meaningful connections, share experiences, and gain real solutions to the challenges you’re facing in your business. During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs who are navigating similar business challenges, whether it’s hiring, marketing, managing finances, or operations. You’ll also have the chance to share your own expertise, offering guidance to others who could benefit from your experience The event will be structured to maximize engagement: Opening Networking: Start by meeting fellow business owners and building new connections in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Breakout Discussions (Optional): Join focused groups to discuss specific business challenges with peers who are facing similar issues or who have experience solving them. These sessions provide an opportunity for deeper conversation, idea-sharing, and practical problem-solving. Continued Networking & Wrap-Up: Return to open networking to follow up on conversations, exchange contact information, and leave with actionable connections and insights. Whether you’re looking to solve a challenge, share your expertise, or simply expand your professional network, this event is designed to help you connect, collaborate, and leave with strategies and relationships that can help your business thrive. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: 7-Week nector Brand Innovation Masterclass (***Application Process***)

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 09:00:00 2026-05-05 11:00:00 Partner Event: 7-Week nector Brand Innovation Masterclass (***Application Process***) Hosted by Women's Business Center of NC  Level up your business in this marketing & branding cohort focused on strategy, storytelling, and sustainable growth. This is the application phase only**** The NECTAR Brand Innovation Masterclass is a 7-week marketing and branding cohort designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners build stronger, more impactful brands. This program is offered in collaboration with Hummingbird Creative Group, a leading agency in brand strategy and innovation, who celebrated their 30 year anniversary in 2025. Throughout the cohort, participants will gain hands-on experience in key areas such as brand strategy, defining mission and values, understanding target audiences, developing messaging, strengthening brand identity, and creating marketing plans that drive real results. Sessions will also explore topics like SEO, customer experience, brand awareness, and using AI to support marketing efforts. This is the application phase only. We are currently accepting applications and will be reviewing submissions on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by the 13th of April. Requirements: 2-years plus as a registered business & active Min. $25,000 annual revenue in 2025 If selected, agree to pay the cost of $75 for the 6-week cohort ***If selected, participants will be invited to join the cohort at a cost of $75 for the 7-week cohort (that's $10.71 per session). Don't let this small fee stop you from applying and joining if selected. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: Starting Your Small Business in North Carolina #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 10:00:00 2026-05-05 12:00:00 Partner Event: Starting Your Small Business in North Carolina #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This event is taking place during the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week! Navigating the requirements for starting a business in North Carolina can be confusing and sometimes the information friends and websites offer isn’t completely accurate. We’ll discuss the state, local, and federal requirements for doing business in our state and where to find resources our state offers to help you succeed. I have an EIN, what now? What’s the difference between a DBA, Sole Proprietorship, LLC, Corporation, and an S-Corp? How much will this cost? How long does it take? Where do I go to register? How do I get a license? Can I do this from home? Do I need a State Tax Number? Speaker: Sharon Walker is a Sr. Small Business Advisor with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. She is a business consultant with experience in customer service, technical support, and project management. Prior to coming to EDPNC, she has worked with government agencies, NC Department of Health & Human Services and NC Department of Revenue, and with large corporations, Kodak and WorldCom. City of Raleigh America/New_York public

Contact

 

Jocelyn Sanchez
Small Business and Workforce Development Analyst
jocelyn.sanchez@raleighnc.gov
984-220-2958

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Lead Department:
Economic and Social Advancement
Service Categories:
Small Business Development