Celebrate Small Business Week in Birmingham with FREE events + more

Local businesses may be small in size, but they’re HUGE in entrepreneurial spirit. You know Bham Now *hearts* local biz and we’re here to celebrate National Small Business Week with you by pulling together the ultimate ways to show up and support.

Looking for more local businesses to support? Check out our database featuring over 560 local restaurants, shops, services and more! Don’t forget to sign yours up too.

What is National Small Business Week?

National Small Business Week, or NSBW, has been celebrated for over 50 years. It recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners—we think Birmingham has some of the best around!

So does Mayor Woodfin and the City of Birmingham, which is why they have a host of programs that support small businesses year-round. Mayor Woodfin even developed the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO).

The goal of the IEO is to be a, “hub of qualified and diverse talent and a premier destination for small businesses, startups and businesses looking to expand, propelling shared prosperity through innovation and inclusive growth.” I think we’re well on our way to that, don’t you?

Who’s helping small biz around the city?

Phew, let’s just say we have a strong community when it comes to supporting local—here are only a few organizations to start:

• Bham Now is always trying to promote small biz support, which is why we created a local database where business can be featured on our site for free! Sign up yours today.
• Create Birmingham is another awesome resource spotlighting and celebrating local business from tech companies to the arts.
• Be Bham is Birmingham’s newest platform and a 20-week program, “designed to empower Black entrepreneurs with the business knowledge, encouragement, social networks and resources needed to be competitive in Birmingham’s changing and expanding marketplace.”
• Bham Strong has been vital in strengthening small businesses during COVID-19 including offering loans, resources and more.
• The Birmingham Business Alliance has always offered help to local businesses and been especially vital during COVID-19.

Who should I support?

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Supporting local means something as simple as switching where you stop for coffee from a corporate chain to O’Henrys or Revelator. With the help of our small business database, we made it super easy! If you’re looking to expand your list, take a look at our most recent guides (we have thousands, be sure to head to our website for more):

Food:

• Welcome back! The Pizitz Food Hall is open for dine-in service
• Support 17 Black-owned Birmingham retail shops + creative services NOW
• 15 Black-owned bakeries + dessert shops cooking up something sweet in Birmingham
• Your ultimate guide to Birmingham’s craft breweries (VIDEO)
• Where to get Latin American + Caribbean food in Birmingham

Shops:

• 5 local businesses bringing beauty + skincare products to you
• It’s national camping month! ⛺️Where to get your gear + go in Birmingham
• Biking in Birmingham: Trails, shops and local groups to join

Services:

• Convert gift cards to cash with Prepaid2Cash in Birmingham
• Urgent Dental Care offered by Magic City Dentistry and Vestavia Family Dentistry
• 3 riders share what really goes on inside the walls of Ignite Cycle

Free workshops for local business all week

Know before you go: All events are free to the public, but space is limited. Attendees are encouraged to register for this virtual experience online at bw2020.eventbrite.com. All events are online and hosted from 12-1PM.

Monday, July 13

Ideation Workshop: Innovating your business for future growth

• What is it: A workshop is designed to help you innovate your business for future growth. It helps answer the question, “Why is innovation important to your small business?”
• Who’s the expert? Taylor Clark of REV Bham. With over 20 years of experience, Taylor supports hundreds of entrepreneurs annually in growing their small business dream.
• Register

Tuesday, July 14

Creating Meaningful Collaboration & Engagement Amongst Entrepreneurs

• What is it: A workshop to help you build connections and learn how to engage with others to improve your business, including how to trust others with responsibilities.
• Who’s the expert? Virginia Sauer of Birmingham Biz Hub & Elijah Davis and Kerry Freeman of BlackLSTd. Elijah is responsible for a portfolio of small business programs and initiatives is committed to the betterment of Birmingham communities.
• Register

Wednesday, July 15

So, you think you can pitch? How to effectively present and share your business utilizing improv techniques.

• What is it: Could you throw out a pitch on Shark Tank? This event aims to help you determine who you are as a business so you can share your business story in an engaging, confident and accurate way on the fly.
• Who’s the expert? Birmingham Improv Theatre & Black Girl Ventures
• Register

Thursday, July 16

How to Scale: Build Teams, Systems, & Processes for Success

• What is it: Knowing when to delegate, build teams and scale your business can be tricky if you’re not sure what stage it’s at. Learn how to help your business thrive beyond you.
• Who’s the expert? Melva Tate of Tate & Associates & Annie Allen of iSeek Solutions. Annie has over 30 years of experience in the corporate and entrepreneur sectors, including holding executive leadership roles in several Fortune 500 companies.
• Register

Friday, July 17

Community x Customer Service: Growing a healthy inclusive customer base

• What is it: In the age of the internet, negative customer reviews are not only bound to happen, they’re visible everywhere. Not to worry, because this workshop will teach you how to respond and form a base of loyal customers.
• Who’s the expert? Alondio Hill of UpHill Consulting & Ace Graham of Alchemy
• Register

Which event will you be attending during Small Business Week and what small business will you be supporting? Tell us on social @BhamNow on Facebook and Instagram, or @Now_Bham on Twitter.