Burlington launches workshop series to support small businesses

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Burlington will host a series of technical assistance workshops beginning April 22nd.

The sessions are aimed at helping local businesses grow and adapt to current market conditions. 

Each workshop will focus on different topics, including: business strategy, marketing, financial management and leadership. A city spokesperson said the goal is to give small business owners tools to expand and remain competitive.

Michael Littell, Burlington’s Business and Retention Manager, said the city is seeing mixed conditions for small businesses but highlights strong signs of growth.

“We’re seeing a number of businesses who are either already in the community and they’re moving to a bigger facility so that they can expand and they can grow in the opportunity,” he said.

Littell also emphasized the importance of helping businesses reach customers through marketing and outreach.

“You’re gonna start having efforts that are going targeting towards individuals and towards communities.” Littell said.

At Grove Juice Bar in Downtown Burlington, owner Claudia Mendez said rising costs for supplies are putting pressure on small businesses.

“We just had a delivery this morning of produce and the person that delivered the products explained to me how everything {is} going to increase. The bag of beets went up three dollars. The case of oranges went up five dollars,” she said.

Mendez said she is currently absorbing the increased costs to keep prices affordable for customers.

“We source it locally, we look for farmers around the area and most of our product is organic,” she said.

She said she hopes to expand her business in the future, including adding hot food options to the menu.

Links to register for the individual sessions are available here. 

The series includes the following workshops:

Business Marketing Strategies & Techniques – April 22 & May 14 – 10am to noon

Financial Management & Planning Strategies – June 10 – 11am to noon

Leadership & Effective Management Techniques – August 12 – 11am to noon

Business Legal Considerations & Planning – October 8 – 10am to noon