SCORE Bucks County to Offer 'Where's the Money?' Workshop for Startups and Small Business

If you have a business or are planning to start one, you will, at some point be in need of funding. With everything from grants to various types of borrowing options available, it can be difficult for a small business owner to determine which choice is best.

SCORE Bucks County, in conjunction with a multitude of funding experts, will present an informative and interactive “Where’s the Money?” workshop on Sept. 12 at Homewood Suites in Warrington.

“Most companies don’t worry about funding until it’s the last minute,” SCORE Bucks County mentor Seth Shapiro said, adding that attendees will leave with a better understanding of the various funding options and which may be best-suited for their business. “Sooner or later you will want to consider starting your own business or expanding your business. Here’s a way to get smart about the fundraising options available to you.”

In a survey of 50 SCORE clients who expressed interest in the workshop, learning more about grants topped the list, closely followed by micro lending, crowdfunding, angel investors and banks. In addition to those hot topics, speakers will provide a 10-minute-long overview of other funding choices, including guerilla financing, peer to peer, factoring, venture capital, 401K rollovers and private placement offers. Attendees will also be able to participate in breakout sessions of their choice and will have time to meet and talk to speakers.

SCORE Bucks County mentor workshop organizer Don Brown, who will be discussing guerilla financing, said that in addition to determining the best funding option, entrepreneurs “need to be very well prepared” and have a completed business plan, financing plan, management team, known customers as well as other materials in place before a lender will get serious about helping to finance the business venture.

SCORE mentors, through free one-on-one counseling sessions, can help business owners prepare everything needed to meet and work with lenders, he said.

The workshop, Brown said, is an opportunity to “evaluate the landscape of options and sit down and start the conversation.”

To get the conversation underway, Kevin Farley, a grant writing and instruction librarian at the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library will provide an overview of the grant application process and shed light on what is needed to apply for and be considered for a grant.

Larry Poppert, of Poppert & Company, LLC who will be discussing micro-loans, has extensive experience in accounting, tax and business operations. He previously served as a bank controller, and was responsible for all financial reporting, tax compliance, and risk management, as well as human resources.

Aaron DiCaprio, Esq., founder of fundraising organization SupportLocalStuff.com, will discuss crowdfunding. Since its founding in 2009, SupportLocalStuff.com helps people create fundraising events or campaigns.

Other speakers include:

· Sonia Smith of the Small Business Administration

· Liz Sigety, Esq. of Fox Rothschild, will discuss angel investors and venture capital

· Kim Tulio of Bucks County Bank

If you go

SCORE Bucks County will present its “Where’s the Money?” workshop on Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Homewood Suites, 2650 Kelly Road in Warrington. Cost is $25, which includes lunch. The workshop is free to students with a valid student ID. To register or to learn more, click here: http://form.jotform.us/form/52226941587159

The workshop is being sponsored by SCORE Bucks County, Homewood Suites, Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce and Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce.

About SCORE Bucks County

SCORE Bucks County is a small business counseling service that is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. With offices in Fairless Hills, Doylestown, Perkasie and Quakertown, SCORE provides free counseling for local businesses. To learn more visit https://buckscounty.score.org/ or click here to get involved.