Join FCL for this six-part Lunch & Learn Small Business Series February 18 through March 25, 2025! We will meet each Tuesday for lunch, networking, and an opportunity to learn from local industry experts on a variety of topics that will help you start or grow your small business.
*Lunch is generously sponsored by the Farmington Friends of the Library.
**Registration is required for each session.
Events
Starting a Business
Tuesday, February 18, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Auditorium
Speaker: Lee Flaherty, Attorney at Wright Beamer
While starting a business is an exciting venture, it can be daunting to navigate without proper planning and execution. This session will cover the legal and practical elements of starting a business. You will learn how to select the appropriate type of entity for your business, the formation requirements specific to each type of business entity, and how to maintain your business in good standing.
Free Business Assistance
Tuesday, February 25, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Auditorium
Speakers:
Brandon Adolph, Outreach & Marketing Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration
Cristia Brockway, City of Farmington Hills Economic Development Director
Tom Raymond, SCORE Business Mentor
Chris Weber, City of Farmington Assistant City Manager
Learn about the process, incentives, and grant opportunities for starting or maintaining a business with an emphasis on the Cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills.
Local Small Business Owners Panel Q & A
Tuesday, March 4, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Auditorium
Speakers:
Annette Compo (Keller Williams, Comp Medema Group)
Danette Duron-Willner (Clearheaded LLC)
Monica Ingles (Kitchen Creations and Sorella's Cake Studio)
Trevor Medema (Keller Williams, Compo Medema Group)
Larry Powe Esq. (SCORE Business Mentor)
Hear from local business owners who have successfully started their own business and learn tips to navigate the process.
Speed Networking
Tuesday, March 11, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Auditorium
Speaker: Erica Lewis, Business Development Coordinator, Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce
Come network in a fun and dynamic way!
Have you attended multiple networking events to only come home and throw business cards in your drawer? Do you often feel that nothing comes from your networking time and efforts? Don’t miss this chance to garner a fresh take on networking skills that you can easily implement immediately. What you will learn can help build lasting, sustainable relationships that, when done correctly, can exponentially grow your business and the businesses of those connected to you. Don’t forget your business cards and your 30 second elevator pitch.
Financing Your Business
Tuesday, March 18, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Auditorium
Speakers:
Belinda Dubois, Director, Ceed Lending
George Ghareeb, SCORE Business Mentor
Thomas P. McFadden, Lender Relations Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration
Tom Raymond, SCORE Business Mentor
Join us for an informative session featuring a panel of representatives from various financial institutions and organizations dedicated to supporting small businesses, including those offering loans and grants. Discover the range of services and resources available to help you start, grow, and sustain your business.
Social Media Essentials: Building Your Brand and Boosting Your Business
Tuesday, March 25, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Auditorium
Speaker: Vita Kawashima, Founder, Custom Advantage Marketing LLC
In today's digital landscape, mastering social media is no longer an option--it's a necessity for any business' success. Join us for an engaging and actionable course where you'll learn how to harness the power of social media to build a compelling brand and drive real business growth. This workshop will be for new small business owners eager to grow their online presence, entrepreneurs looking to build and strengthen their brands, and anyone interested in mastering the basics of social media marketing.