CCC Small Business Center

Did you know?
All applicants accepted into the SBCN Startup Showdown Powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation get access to the 8-week Pitch It! online training — FREE.

Build your plan. Strengthen your story. Prepare to pitch.
🔗 www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/sbcnstartupshowdown
NC SBCN

📘 Pro tip: A clear problem + a simple solution = a strong business idea. Start shaping yours now for the NC SBCN Startup Showdown Powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation.

📅 Apply March 1–April 7
North Carolina Community Colleges and Wells Fargo

SBCN Start Up Showdown - NCCCS SBCN Startup Showdown, compete for up to $30,000 in unrestricted startup funds. Small Business Center Network

Applications for the SBCN Startup Showdown Powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation open injust ONE month.

Now’s the time to refine your idea and get ready.

🔗

SBCN Start Up Showdown - NCCCS SBCN Startup Showdown, compete for up to $30,000 in unrestricted startup funds. Small Business Center Network

Tip Tuesday 💡 Thinking About Starting a Food Truck?

A food truck can be a great business idea, but it comes with pros and cons.

✅ Advantages:
Lower Startup Costs – Usually less expensive than opening a restaurant.
Mobility – You can go where the crowds are (construction sites, tourist spots, city centers).
Broad Customer Reach – Move to different areas to attract more customers.

⚠️ Disadvantages:
Competition – Many food trucks may cluster in the same spots.
Parking Challenges – Limited space can make it hard to maximize sales.
Pricing Pressure – Customers expect affordable food, limiting how much you can charge.
Work Hours – Nights and weekends are often the busiest (and required) times.

🔐 Calling all local business owners!
Looking to strengthen your cybersecurity without the tech overwhelm? Our FREE Cyber Workshop is the perfect place to start!

Join us on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM at the Moore Advanced Technology Center for a hands-on session led by students from Cleveland Community College.

You’ll learn how to:
✔ Break down cybersecurity basics in easy-to-understand language
✔ Put smart, practical safety steps in place for your business
✔ Get a rapid cyber risk assessment
✔ Connect with CCC students and local experts helping keep our community secure

🍽️ Bonus: Free lunch for registered participants!
📅 Registration deadline: November 26
🔗 Spots are limited. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeFhHDXUueH-CPlnHnltI9XD580ALmnRDIh8nxmKaFulbqSA/viewform?pli=1

Have questions? Email [email protected]

Let’s keep our small businesses safe, strong, and cyber-ready! 🧊💻

Retiree Spotlight 🌟 Honoring Steve Padgett’s incredible journey of learning, leadership, and service at CCC!

Read the article👇
https://clevelandcc.edu/a-lifelong-learner-and-leader-celebrating-steve-padgetts-journey-at-ccc/

Tip Tuesday 💡 Thinking About Starting a Home-Based Business?

It’s a great way to begin your business journey! But keep in mind that most counties and cities have planning and zoning rules you must follow:

Key Rules to Know:
🏠Your business can’t change the residential feel of your home.
🏠No outside buildings or storage of business materials/equipment are allowed.
🏠Your business can only use up to 25% of your home’s finished living space (you can also use part of an attached garage or basement).
🏠Products or displays should not be visible from the street or your neighbors’ property.
🏠Only regular passenger vehicles (cars, vans, pickups) can be used for business purposes.
🏠No equipment that creates odors, noise, bright lights, or interferes with radio/TV signals outside the home.

Tip Tuesday 💡

Do I Really Need a Business Plan for My Small Business?
YES! A business plan is your roadmap to success. It helps you stay focused, organized, and prepared.

Key parts of a business plan include:
✔️ Background – Who owns and manages the business? Share your experience.
✔️Business Description – What products or services will you offer? What will customers get?
✔️Competition – Who are your competitors? How will your business stand out?
✔️Marketing Plan – Who is your target audience? How will you promote your business?
✔️Financial Plan – Estimate your first-year income and expenses, outline startup costs, and create a budget.

Free Webinar
ABCs of Starting a Small Business on a Limited Budget
📅 Thursday, September 18 | ⏰ 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM

Starting a small business doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Discover practical steps to launch your business on a limited budget and explore proven strategies for creating successful low-cost startups.

👉 Register here: https://bit.ly/4fJuUIn

The Small Business Center offers FREE online seminars each month. Pre-registration is required. Here is the September schedule:

Sept 11 | 6–8 PM – Website Development for Small Businesses

Sept 18 | 2–3 PM or 6:30–7:30 PM – ABCs of Starting a Small Business on a Budget

Sept 25 | 2–3 PM or 6:30–7:30 PM – Finding Your Customer & Creating a Marketing Plan

How to Register:
Register online through the Small Business Center Network
🔗 https://bit.ly/4fJuUIn
📞 704-669-4146
📧 [email protected]

Tip Tuesday 💡

Do you run a retail or wholesale business?
If yes, you need to get a Certificate of Registration.

Also, if your business buys taxable items (like physical goods, certain digital products, or specific services) for use in North Carolina—and you didn’t pay sales tax when you bought them—you are required to get a Certificate of Registration (Form E-595E, Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption).