Event Schedule

12:00 – 12:30 

Registration / Log-in

Check-in and user registration

12:30 – 1:00 

Opening Session

Featuring guest speakers, elected officials, sponsors and community partners.

12:30 – 3:00 

Free 1-on-1 Small Business Technical Assistance

Please join representatives from Score Boston and members of the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce for a 30-minute 1-on-1 FREE Business Consultation.

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01:00 – 2:00

WORKSHOP 1: Supplier Diversity Pre-Certification Overview

The pre-certification workshop provides an overview of the State certification criteria and process, the SDO portal platform and the required documents that must be submitted when applying for certification.  The workshop also provides a brief introduction to COMMBUYS (the Commonwealth’s procurement platform where bidding opportunities occur), the Small Business Purchasing Program, and the Supplier Diversity Program.

WORKSHOP 2: SBA Resources and Opportunities for Small Businesses

Please join Nadine Boone, Business Opportunity Specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration Massachusetts District Office and the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce to answer your questions regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other SBA resources that are available for small businesses.

2:00 – 4:00

WORKSHOP 3: Connecting Your Business to the Commonwealth

Come meet representatives from the Commonwealth’s Operational Service Division (OSD) to learn more about how you can officially certify your business as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) or Portuguese Business Enterprise (PBE).

Designed for businesses who are new to state procurement and interested in learning how to do business with the Commonwealth, this workshop includes a summary of the State’s goods and services procurement process; an overview of OSD programs and services, including Supplier Diversity Certification, the Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), and Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP); and live demonstration of where to find bidding opportunities in COMMBUYS, the state’s e-procurement market center.

Getting certified as a MBE, WBE, VBE or PBE gives you access to opportunities to sell to local government.

2:00 – 3:00

WORKSHOP 4: Connecting Your Business with the City of Boston

Come meet representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to learn more about how you can officially certify your business as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) or Portuguese Business Enterprise (PBE).

3:00 – 4:00

WORKSHOP 5: Steps to start a business

If you are planning to start a business or are in the early stages of launching one, then this workshop is for you.   In this workshop, you will learn to:

• Develop your business idea and planning
• Review the importance of a business plan
• Gain an understanding of the process and requirements for starting a business, including:
  • Legal structures
  • How to obtain an employer identification number, licenses, permits and insurance
  • Determining your financing needs
  • Understanding employer responsibilities
  • Learn about available resources and training
  • How to choose and register a business name and entity

Leave the session with an A-to-Z overview and specific tools and tips that will help you get started quickly.

4:00 – 5:00

CONFERENCE: Systemic Inequality and COVID-19

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protest movement against racism that has transpired over the past few months, the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, Inc. will host a Virtual Roundtable discussion on the systemic inequality and Covid-19’s mental health impact on people of color and minority groups in America.

The conversation will explore the societal inequities that existed for communities of color in the United States, long before the disease became a pandemic, challenges facing minority-owned businesses, mental health impact and more.

Panelists:

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12:00 – 12:30

Registration / Log-in

Check-in and user registration

12:30 – 1:30

WORKSHOP 1: Steps to Get Your SBA PPP Loan Forgiven

Please join members of the U.S. Small Business Administration Massachusetts District Office for a presentation on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application process.

This webinar will cover the SBA requirements including SBA Form 3508 (PPP Loan Forgiveness Application) and Form 3508 EZ, the eligible expenses that can be forgiven, and the supporting documentation required.

12:30 – 3:30

Office Hours with Robert Clark Williams, Jr.

A conversation with Robert Clark Williams, Jr., Director of Diverse and Small Business Engagement at Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

More information about this session will be published soon!

FREE 1-on-1 Small Business Technical Assistance

Please join representatives from Score Boston and members of the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce for a 30-minute 1-on-1 FREE Business Consultation.

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1:00 – 2:00

WORKSHOP 2: Workforce Training Fund Information Session

The Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Program provides Massachusetts businesses with training grants of up to $250,000 to invest in workforce development, improve employee skills, and maintain the economic strength and viability of the Commonwealth’s businesses.

This information session will provide an overview of the features and benefits of each Workforce Training Fund grant program, including the amount of available funding, program guidelines, and how to apply for each grant.

Topics covered include: the features and requirements of each program, funding availability, and application process. Following the information session, participants should be able to determine which grants are best suited for their business needs and know how to begin the application process.

1:00 – 2:00

WORKSHOP 3: Alternative Financing for Small Businesses

Not every small business needs a standard term loan. In this workshop, learn about different kinds of financing that can help your business grow. Boston Impact Initiative is an impact investor that uses integrated capital to stabilize and grow BIPOC-led businesses in the Boston area. We will share examples from our own portfolio that demonstrate that there are financing alternatives that can serve small businesses as they struggle with uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2:00 – 3:00

WORKSHOP 4: How to Pivot Your Small Business During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for small businesses in the Boston area and all over the country.  Consumer habits have changed and small businesses have to be able to adapt to the new dynamic.  At the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE), we know that entrepreneurs are resilient and ready to face those challenges with innovative solutions.  Join Beth Ann Dahan, Project Manager for COVID Business Recovery at CWE as she shares ways that you can pivot your small business and survive during difficult times.  Topics will include:

• Identifying new target markets
• Finding new streams of revenue
• Maximizing digital tools such as e-commerce and social media
• Partnering with other business to cross promote goods and services
• Delivering services remotely

Facilitated by:

3:00 – 4:00

WORKSHOP 5: Uptima Presents: Design & Reimagine Your Business

Whether your a freelancer, starting a new business, or had to pivot due to the pandemic the business model canvas will help you focus and get clarity on what you are trying to achieve. This session will help you clearly re-define/define how you are going to do business in this new world. In this session, you will get an overview of the business model canvas methodology and you will learn how to use the canvas and apply it to your individual business.

Facilitated by:

WORKSHOP 6: Start A Food Business

CommonWealth Kitchen’s Start-A-Food-Business workshop is perfect for aspiring food business entrepreneurs in the idea-stage and the about-to-launch phase of food business growth. This workshop covers a broad array of topics important for those preparing to launch a food business. We’ll talk through regulatory requirements and discuss best practices for packaging, food safety, branding and more for those starting food trucks, catering companies and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies.

Facilitated by: