Small businesses have taken a hit during the Great Recession, and many are still suffering.
As an answer to this problem, Allée, a consulting and design firm, will present its B4: Small Business Workshops series starting on Tuesday, August 9 at the Country Inn & Suites in Albertville.
The series includes four workshops in
- business planning,
- business marketing,
- business development and
- business environment.
According to Allée’s press release:
This new workshop series presents a tremendous opportunity for business leaders, owners and decision makers to take time and hone the skills they may not concentrate on every day due to the demands of daily business operations. The workshops are also designed for individuals who may be thinking of starting their own business.
It may not be in the hub of the metro, but the city of Albertville has well over 50 small businesses in town; some that have stuck it out during the Great Recession, some that have taken over where others have been left behind. Combine that with the amount of small business owners in neighboring towns like Rogers, Maple Grove, St. Michael and Monticello, and it’s a smorgasbord of positive economic potential.
“I’ve lived in Albertville for eight years and for the past five, have been a small business owner,” said Melissa Harrison, principal at Allée. “Unfortunately, I have seen a growing number of businesses come in to town only to be gone six months later. At Allée, we pride ourselves on being able to help others and to sustain small businesses. Someone who runs a pizza place or second-hand clothing store may not understand the importance of continuously updating a business plan let alone have time to keep up with the newest marketing trends. This is where we come in—offering skills and education to give small business owners an edge and a better handle on their own operations. To help them succeed and make a positive impact on the state’s economy and their own future.”
B4: Small Business Workshops Location
The first B4: Small Business Workshops series will be held at the Country Inn & Suites, 6554 Lamplight Drive, in Albertville, Minn. The series will move to other locations throughout the Twin Cities metro in 2012.
B4: Small Business Workshops Cost and Registration
Attendees can choose single workshop tickets ($79) or purchase the series for four workshops ($269). Registration is online at: http://b4planningworkshop.eventbrite.com/.
Workshop Speaker
Melissa Harrison, principal at Allée, will present the series. As a small business owner, Harrison knows first-hand the heartache and joy that comes with maintaining a business. Her candid presentations have been enjoyed by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Greening Your Business Conference and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Melissa Harrison has a decade of experience working with businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs in the areas of strategic planning, marketing and communications. She has served on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Women in Marketing and Communications, is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and has received multiple awards from the Association of Women in Communications, CASE and the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
About Allée
Allée is a strategic communications consulting and design firm located in Albertville, Minn. Allée works with small to mid-size businesses as well as nonprofit organizations to help craft messages, brand identities and marketing strategies. The firm’s focus is on brand strategy, design and project management. For more information, visit www.alleecreative.com.
Social Media Channels
- Website: www.alleecreative.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alleecreative
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/alleecreative
- Blog: www.alleecreative.com/blog
- Event registration: http://b4planningworkshop.eventbrite.com/
B4: Small Business Workshops Schedule
All workshops start at 7:30 a.m. (check-in at 7 a.m.), include breakfast and a workbook, and are held at the Country Inn & Suites in Albertville. Specific topics to be covered in the first series of workshops include:
- August 9| Business Planning: Key elements of business planning, documentation and execution.
- September 13 | Business Marketing: Social media and new media trends for business.
- October 11 | Business Development: Lead generation and new business development ideas.
- November 15 | Business Environment: Retain employees; create meaningful, fun work environments.
