Thursday
Crowd Funding – An Alternative Source of Financing:
Small businesses are turning to crowd funding as an alternative source of financing, where you can borrow as little as $500 or as much as $1,000,000. It is easier than applying for a bank loan, and the typical interest rate you pay is based on your credit-worthiness. SCORE will host a free webinar, presented by SoMoLend CEO Candace Klein. SoMoLend is a new technology platform that connects business borrowers seeking loans with lenders looking to make a return on investment. 1-2 p.m. Details: www.score.org.
CMBCC Monthly Meeting:
Join the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce for their monthly meeting. 6-7:30 p.m. Charlotte Chamber Belk Action Center, 330 S. Tryon St. Free. Details: www.cmbcc.org.
Business After Hours:
Matthews Chamber of Commerce hosts networking and fellowship, co-sponsored by the Southern Gourmet and the Matthews Historical Foundation. 5:30-7 p.m. Reid House, 134 W. John St. in Matthews. Details: www.matthewschamber.org.
Welcome to Wake event:
This Welcome to Wake “drop-in” event offers prospective students a tour of the Uptown Wake Forest University Charlotte Center as well as an opportunity to learn about the evening and Saturday MBA programs, the admissions process and career management. Staff will be onsite to greet prospects and answer questions. 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. WFU Charlotte Center, 200 N. College St. Free; registration required. http://bit.ly/ThMZhe.
Register now
Continuing education information sessions:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte has several continuing education information sessions scheduled in January. These free sessions outline expectations in upcoming winter courses, including business analysis, web design and publishing, forensic accounting, meeting and event planning, and others. Sessions are at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E. Ninth St. Registration required. http://continuinged.uncc.edu/.
CPCC Small Business Center seminars:
Upcoming free seminars in January include: The DNA of an Entrepreneur, Jan. 8 at Central Campus; Start Your Business Now, Jan. 10 at University City Regional Library; Business Plan Basics, Jan. 15 at Central; Choosing Your Legal Structure, Jan. 24 at Morrison Regional Library; Funding Your Business, Jan.17 at Beatties Ford Road Regional; and Getting the Word Out About Your Business, Jan. 23 at Central. Call 704-330-4223 to register.
Wake Forest GMAT workshop:
Prepare for the GMAT at this session on Jan. 9, 5:30 – 9 p.m. Review GMAT questions and learn test-taking tips. An entire quantitative section of the GMAT is covered during this three-hour workshop. Free; open to prospective students interested in any of the university’s graduate business programs. Wake Forest Charlotte Center, 200 N. College St., Suite 150. Registration required: http://bit.ly/U0BXiG.
Graduate Roundtable Information Session:
Join Northeastern University Charlotte faculty members Jan. 9, noon to 1 p.m., for lunch and discussion on how the school’s programs align with your goals. Meet one-on-one with faculty members. Validated parking will be provided in the 101 Independence Center garage. Free; registration required. http://bit.ly/TZj4eW.
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