Biz2Grow

Practical AI for Small Business: Financial Management
2025-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Staying on top of your business finances doesn’t have to be overwhelming. AI-powered tools can help small business owners automate invoicing, track expenses, and predict cash flow, so you can focus on growth instead of spreadsheets. Ramona Cedeno, CPA, CGMA, and CEO of FiBrick, brings over 20 years of financial expertise to break down how AI can:
-Speed up payments by automating invoicing and reducing delays
-Simplify expense tracking so you always know where your money is going
-Improve cash flow forecasting to make smarter financial decisions
This session is part of Mastercard’s Practical AI for Small Business, a four-part series focused on practical, tactical AI applications for small business owners.
Register Here

Protecting Your Business in a Data-Driven World
2025-04-28 12:00 - 13:30
In today’s digital marketplace, small businesses and nonprofits face growing challenges around data security, online advertising, and customer trust. Join us for an engaging panel discussion designed to help you make sense of data privacy — and what it means for your business.
Hear from national experts in privacy, cybersecurity, and advertising transparency as they share practical tips and real-world examples that small business owners can use right away.
Register Here
What You’ll Learn:

How to protect your business and customers with smart privacy and cybersecurity practices
The most common (and costly) pitfalls in online advertising
How data privacy can give small businesses a competitive edge
What current and emerging privacy laws could mean for your operations

Panelists:

Theodora Skeadas, Advisory Board Member, Cambridge Local First
Melanie Ensign, Founder & CEO, Discernible
Kimberly Lancaster, Founder & CEO, Avalon Privacy & Compliance
Arielle Garcia, Chief Operating Officer, Check My Ads
Moderator: Gwen Pokalo Hart

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, this session will equip you with the knowledge to better navigate the evolving digital landscape — and protect what you’ve built.

Using Local Resources to Grow Your Business
2025-04-24 15:00 - 16:00
There’s a little-known secret in your town – hidden within universities, libraries, trade associations, and many other local groups, teams are ready to help you grow your business with special resources, guidance, and programs. Learn what these local resources typically have to offer, how to find them in your area, and how to get started.
In this Ask the Expert session, hear from a small business expert who has worked with local groups, schools, and associations to create lasting, impactful partnerships. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

The Customer Journey
2025-04-24 11:30 - 12:30
For all business owners, customers are central to your success. How does your business come across at each step, as your potential customer encounters your brand, communications, or products? In this Ask the Expert session, learn how to enhance your customers’ journey from first impression, to first interaction, to loyal advocacy.
Our expert will share practical strategies and tips to optimize every touchpoint, enhancing customer satisfaction to drive your business’ growth. Are you ready to refine your customer-centric approach and elevate your business to new heights? Sign up now!
To Register For the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Social Media Made Simple: How to Connect, Engage & Grow
2025-04-24 10:00 - 11:00
Learn to leverage social media marketing effectively by creating engaging content, developing a consistent strategy, and driving business growth.
To Register for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Funding Q&A Session: Ask Your Funding Questions
2025-04-23 17:30 - 18:00, 2025-04-17 14:00 - 14:30, 2025-04-08 12:00 - 12:30
HOPE2Women Funding Center Q&A Open Sessions are open to anyone that is exploring funding for their small business and have questions about the process.
Our team is ready to talk with you about all things capital, from loan types, business plans, financial projections, or getting connected to a Women’s Business Center. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll find you someone who does! All are welcome.
Register Here

Grow Your LinkedIn Network
2025-04-21 11:00 - 12:00
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for small business owners, whether you’re connecting with potential clients, collaborators, or industry influencers. For B2B businesses, it’s especially crucial to build professional relationships and attract the right partners.
In this session, you’ll learn how to grow your LinkedIn network strategically, expand your reach, and build valuable relationships that help your business thrive. Discover best practices for optimizing your profile, engaging with the right audience, and using LinkedIn’s features to open doors to new opportunities. Whether you’re new to LinkedIn, looking to enhance your presence, or aiming to strengthen your B2B connections, this webinar will give you the tools to turn your LinkedIn network into a key asset for your business. Sign up now to start growing your connections!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
2025-04-17 12:00 - 13:00
For small business owners, strong workplace relationships and a positive culture are essential to success. In this session, you’ll learn how emotional intelligence can help you improve communication with your team, build trust, and create a more productive work environment.
Our expert will break down the core components of emotional intelligence and share strategies for managing conflicts and strengthening connections within your business. By developing these skills, you’ll foster collaboration, boost morale, and set your small business up for long-term success. Sign up now to take your leadership and team dynamics to the next level!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Unlocking Government Contracts: Part 1
2025-04-15 13:30 - 14:30
Getting started with government contracts doesn’t have to be complicated, and they can open the door to long-term growth opportunities for small businesses.
In this Ask the Expert session, learn the basics of government procurement works. Our expert will break down the main parts of government solicitations, show you what to look for, and explain why compliance is so important. Whether you’re new to government contracting or just want to understand it better, this session will give you the tools you need to take the first step. Sign up now and discover how government contracts can help grow your business!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Building a Scalable Business: Mastering Processes & Onboarding
2025-04-14 13:00 - 14:00
Ready to unlock your business’s full potential? During this webinar, guests will learn how to build a strong foundation for growth by mastering essential business processes. We’ll explore practical strategies for onboarding new employees, streamlining workflows, and creating a more organized and productive business environment.
Discover how to avoid common pitfalls and create a system that supports your growth as you scale. By attending, guests will take the first step towards a more efficient and successful future!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Assertive Communication for Entrepreneurs
2025-04-10 12:30 - 13:30
Clear and confident communication is essential for every small business owner. As a small business owner, assertive communication is key to setting boundaries, explaining pricing, and effectively supervising employees—all while staying connected and professional.
In this session, you’ll learn how to own your voice, confidently articulate your decisions, and foster a sense of authority and trust in your business relationships. Mastering assertive communication isn’t just a skill—it’s a game-changer for growing and sustaining your business. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your leadership and build better connections. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Research Techniques with AI: Finding, Sourcing, and Synthesizing Information
2025-04-07 15:00 - 16:00
Are you overwhelmed by the vast sea of information online? Struggling to find reliable data or organize your research efficiently? In today’s fast-paced world, leveraging AI tools can give your small business a competitive edge.
In this session, you’ll learn how to use AI as a powerful research assistant to gather, source, and synthesize information for reports, market research, and content creation. Discover techniques to ensure the data you rely on is both accurate and actionable. Don’t let information overload slow you down—master the art of AI-powered research and take your business to the next level. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Live Funding Q&A Session
2025-04-01 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-21 12:00 - 13:00
HOPE2Women Funding Center Q&A Open Sessions are open to anyone that is exploring funding for their small business and have questions about the process.
Our team is ready to talk with you about all things capital, from loan types, business plans, financial projections, or getting connected to a Women’s Business Center. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll find you someone who does! All are welcome.
Click Here to Register

Growing Your Profit Margins
2025-04-01 12:00 - 13:00
In this Ask the Expert session, entrepreneurs will learn practical strategies to increase their profitability and achieve sustainable growth as a result. This course dives into key financial principles such as cost management, pricing strategies, and revenue optimization.
Participants will explore ways to upsell product, streamline operations, reduce expenses, and improve efficiency without compromising quality. Techniques for maximizing sales through effective marketing and customer relationship management will also be discussed.
By the end of the session, small business owners will have a toolkit of actionable insights and best practices to enhance their profit margins and ensure long-term financial health. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Launch and Scale Through Strategic Planning
2025-03-20 15:00 - 16:30
Do you have a vision for your business, but need a plan to put it into action? In this Ask the Expert session, gain insights into creating an effective strategic plan that drives growth, ensuring sustainable scaling. Our expert will provide practical tools for aligning business objectives, resources, and market changes. Sign up today to learn the strategies needed to thrive as your business takes off!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Building a Sustainable Business: Strategies for Prioritizing Wellness and Well-being
2025-03-20 12:00 - 14:00
Join us for a webinar focused on building a sustainable and successful business by prioritizing your own well-being. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the demands of running a business and neglect your own health and happiness. In this webinar, we’ll discuss essential strategies for time management, stress reduction, and work-life balance. Learn how to avoid burnout, enhance your productivity, and achieve long-term success while prioritizing your own well-being.
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Mastercard Digital Doors: Practical AI for Small Business: Marketing
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00
AI is changing the way small businesses market their products and services. In this practical, hands-on session, Jacqui Jones, CEO of One Degree Marketing, will walk you through specific AI tools that can help you:
-Automate content creation to save time and keep a consistent online presence
-Optimize ad campaigns to improve targeting and maximize your budget
-Personalize outreach to attract and retain customers more effectively
Designed specifically for small business owners, this webinar will focus on tactical, real-world applications of AI. You’ll leave with clear, actionable steps and easy-to-use tools to make AI work for you.
Click Here to Register

Women & Financial Empowerment: A Conversation on Tax Policy Insights
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:00
Join the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), and HOPE2Women for an educational webinar on the latest tax policy updates and how the system uniquely impacts women. This training will equip women business owners with essential tax knowledge to enhance financial stability, leverage tax savings for growth, plan for retirement, and navigate digital tax risks effectively.
Learn best practices and strategies from Professor Caroline Bruckner from American University in Washington, D.C who has released ground-breaking research on the gig economy, women business owners, small business tax literacy, and issues with AI in tax administration.
Key Takeaways:

Tax Literacy Drives Success – Understanding taxes boosts financial stability and access to capital.
Tax Planning Fuels Growth – Smart tax strategies free up capital and improve borrowing power.
Plan for Tax-Efficient Retirement – Women entrepreneurs must optimize retirement savings for security.
Avoid Digital Tax Traps – Verify AI and social media tax advice to prevent costly mistakes.

Date: Tuesday, March 18
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Click here to register
This webinar training is open to Women’s Business Centers and Small Business Owners.

Business Plan Bootcamp
2025-03-13 12:00 - 14:00
The process of thinking about and crafting your business plan provides clarity and a “north star” for your business, while also demonstrating a solid understanding and vision for the operating model. Your business plan helps prioritize what is important, critical tasks, as well as a timeline. With growth, the business plan offers a common understanding of the vision to new team members, potential investors, financial institutions, etc. After spending close to two decades building businesses with the banking industry, Cate Luzio founded Luminary. She wrote a business plan in a week and launched 8 months later. Cate will be hosting this Business Plan Boot Camp, breaking down each point and the basis for eight essential elements founders should include in a business plan, and why they matter.
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Establishing Business Credit
2025-03-11 14:30 - 16:30
Money and credit may not buy happiness but it sure makes starting and growing a business a little easier. In this Ask the Expert session, we will discuss the options for securing capital and lines of credit to start or grow your business, key considerations for raising capital and accessing lines, and to balance the sometimes fuzzy lines of personal and business finances for the entrepreneur. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

What Goes Into a Marketing Plan?
2025-03-10 10:00 - 12:00
Want to boost your visibility and attract new customers? This session is tailored just for you! Join an expert and a small group of peers to explore the essential components of a successful marketing plan. You’ll learn which marketing strategies are best suited for your business and which to avoid, how to effectively communicate your business story, identify your potential customers and discover where to find them, and determine where to focus your marketing efforts.
Your expert will guide you through a straightforward, question-and-answer framework to help you create a clear, actionable marketing plan by the end of the session.
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!
Who should register:
-Business owners who want to better understand all aspects of marketing
-Business owners developing a comprehensive marketing plan including target demographics, advertising, social media, and more
-Business owners who are or will be seeking capital
-Business owners who are struggling to be profitable

Access to Capital 101
2025-03-04 17:00 - 18:30
Do you want to grow your business, but need funding (like a loan) to make it happen? Having access to funding is important when building or growing your business. In this live session, hear from a seasoned expert who will share options for capital, key considerations for raising capital, and what you need to do to be funding-ready. We will also discuss strategies for making your dollars stretch in the event that accessing capital is not in the cards. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Ecommerce: The Fundamentals of Selling Online
2025-03-03 14:00 - 16:00
As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the small business community. Those that were able to grow online sales generally fared better than those that did not. Selling online creates an opportunity to reach more people and enables you to do business from anywhere with computer and internet access. While there are a lot of ecommerce platforms and tools, selecting the right one(s) and getting set up can feel overwhelming.
In this Ask the Expert session, we will provide an overview of the most widely used platforms, walk through the fundamentals of selling online, and discuss the path to profitability through ecommerce. Whether you are new to selling online or looking to expand your online sales, this session is a must. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

From Creating Personas to Using Them
2025-02-27 15:00 - 17:00
Our exploration of crafting personas and implementing them continues with The Brand Amplifiers! Learn how to transform raw data into detailed audience personas. This session covers how to segment your audience effectively and build personas that resonate and guide your marketing efforts.
In this Ask the Expert session, we will go over audience segmentation strategies, creating detailed and actionable personas, and how to leverage personas in marketing effectively. Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

The Customer Journey: How to Inspire Customer Loyalty
2025-02-27 12:00 - 14:00
For all business owners, customers are central to your success. How does your business come across at each step, as your potential customer encounters your brand, communications, or products?
In this Ask the Expert session, learn how to enhance your customers’ journey from first impression, to first interaction, to loyal advocacy. Our expert will share practical strategies and tips to optimize every touchpoint, enhancing customer satisfaction to drive your business’ growth. Are you ready to refine your customer-centric approach and elevate your business to new heights? Sign up now!
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!

Ask an Accountant: Live Q&A on Small Business Taxes
2025-02-26 18:00 - 19:00
Filing taxes as a small business owner can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Join Ramona Cedeno, CPA and CEO of FiBrick, for a live Q&A session where you’ll get expert answers to your biggest tax questions.
Learn how to maximize deductions, avoid common mistakes, and simplify your tax filing process. Whether you need guidance on bookkeeping, tax planning, or filing strategies, this is your opportunity to get trusted advice and save time.
Bring your questions and leave with clarity and confidence!
REGISTER HERE

Mindful CEO: Leading with Intention and Clarity
2025-02-24 14:00 - 15:30
Running a startup can feel like a constant whirlwind. This session focuses on
mindful entrepreneurship—how to lead your business with intention and resilience without burning out. Learn how to manage chaos with clarity, cultivate a growth mindset, and set boundaries to protect your energy while still scaling. We’ll explore actionable strategies to stay connected to your vision and lead your team and brand with purpose.
In this Ask the Expert session, attendees will cultivate a CEO mindset rooted in mindfulness, learn techniques to balance growth and wellness, get tools to stay connected to your vision in a fast-paced startup world, and learn steps to implement mindfulness into everyday leadership. Sign up now.
To Sign up for the Event:
-Visit hope2women.org/verizon
-Create a free account
-Search for this webinar under “events”
-Register!
