Events
2018 BUSINESS BASICS SERIES
This is an essential workshop for Entrepreneurs and small business owners
Business Basics-Financing Your Business
February 15, 2018 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
October 18, 2018 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Mark your calendar now!
Cost is $20.00
Join us for a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge of financing options for start-ups and small businesses
Looking for financing for your business? The Launch Pad FT, REI Women’s Business Center, Oklahoma City Small Business Development Center and SCORE are offering this workshop which will cover approaches for getting your business financed. Both new and existing small business owners could benefit from this workshop.
Topics include how to shop for a bank, what a lender wants in an application and what a lender is looking for in a business plan. Other lending options and sources of funding are also addressed including alternative lenders, equity investors, and crowdfunding.
For additional information or registration, visit their website or contact Jennifer Edwards at 405-319-8190.
Francis Tuttle Corporate Training Center
12777 Rockwell
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This is an essential workshop for Entrepreneurs starting a new business
Business Basics-Starting & Running Your Own Business
January 18, 2018 FTTC Edmond Business Innovation Center 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
March 15, 2018 FTTC Rockwell 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
May 17, 2018 FTTC Reno 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
July 19, 2018 FTTC Edmond Business Innovation Center 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
September 20, 2018 FTTC Rockwell 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
November 15, 2018 FTTC Reno 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mark your calendar now!
Cost is $20.00
Want to start your own business? The Francis Tuttle Launch Pad, REI Women’s Business Center, Oklahoma City Small Business Development Center and SCORE are offering this workshop to help you decide if starting a business is right for you and, if so, how to go about it. Existing small business owners could benefit from several of the topics in this workshop as well.
Topics include what questions to ask before starting a business, how to analyze and decide on which business structure to use, how to register the business in Oklahoma, how to develop a simple but meaningful business plan, how to understand basic business financials and finally, where to find financing. Additionally, available federal, state and local resources to assist you will be discussed.
For additional information or registration, visit their website or contact Jennifer Edwards at 405-319-8190.
Francis Tuttle locations:
Rockwell Campus, 12777 Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
Business Innovation Center, 2824 Progressive Dr, Edmond, OK
Reno Campus, 7310 W. Reno, Oklahoma City, OK
2018 LAUNCH N LEARN SEMINAR SERIES
A JET TOUR FOR SCALING YOUR BUSINESS IN 2018
February 16, 2018 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
“Rob Garibay is going to give you a jet tour of how you can create an actionable business plan for scaling your business in 2018, that fits on one page, and includes all team members’ priorities and goals. As a result, employee engagement and performance soar!” In this introductory session, you and your leadership team can gain clarity in the four critical decisions facing every business leader:
• People: Are all stake holders happy and engaged? Would you rehire all of them?
• Strategy: Can you simply state your firms strategy? Is it driving sustainable growth?
• Execution: Are all the processes in your company running smoothly without drama? Are they driving industry leading profitability?
• Cash: Do you have consistent sources of cash to fuel growth?
Rob Garibay is a business growth expert and owner of Clarity Pro, a business coaching company. He is a certified business coach with Gazelles International, ActionCOACH, Engage and Grow, and a John Maxwell Founding Partner Leadership Coach. Rob is the author of the book Energize Your Profits and contributing author to Roadmap to Success, both available on Amazon.com. He has achieved #3 ranking in the USA and #15 in the world among over 1400 ActionCOACH business coaches.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Always Hiring? Reconsider!
How to set your company up for long term success by always being in hiring mode.
March 16, 2018 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
There are two things that are the key for finding and keeping the right people, and those are; knowing who you are trying to attract to your company, and pursuing those people regardless of when you are actually ready to hire them. In a small business, timing is everything. We may not necessarily know when we are going to be ready to hire, until we are ready to hire. Then, all too often we become prisoners of the calendar and hire the first warm body that walks through the door.
The counter to this type of potentially costly decision making is having a pool of people with whom you’ve already communicated with, and who already know something about you and your company. If you already know the answers to the questions you should ask, you can get away from being reactionary every time you have an opening and actually have a good starting point for your hiring process.
Learn the questions you need to ask yourself and your employees to better understand how to attract the right people to your company. Learn how to have a “dream Team” list of names of people you know well enough you would consider adding them to your team.
Our speaker is Caleb Martin, Founder and CRO of Alliant HR Outsourcing. He has a wonderful wife, Shannon, of 12 years and three energetic boys; Isaac (8), Sam (6) and Blake (3). He is surrounded by amazing people at Alliant, which is what allows their company to do great work for business owners across several states. Caleb has a passion for business and loves to learn about all of the different ways entrepreneurs carve out their place in the marketplace.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
DEMYSTIFY CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Key Factors to Become Breakthrough
August 17, 2018 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
We will demystify all the buzz words and realize that continuous improvement helps companies to: 1) Clearly understand the current process (in all its glory and ugliness). 2) Paint the picture for the future by establishing what the process needs to be. 3) And then close the gap. In this one-hour session, we will explore what separates OK organizations that face everyday issues to those that are a breeze to work for and with. We will unpack the elements for success, namely driving strategic alignment, identifying the constraints and systematically improving problematic processes while effectively navigating personalities and leading change. Even most important, we will understand how and why this approach drives improved culture and servant leadership from top to bottom.
Throughout, we will show how continuous improvement can lead your organization to breakthrough, and spend time action planning for steps you can take right away as you start your own journey…
AGENDA
Define Continuous Improvement
Discuss key attributes of CI driven organizations
Consider CI at your company
-What are the current challenges facing you?
-What processes drive you crazy?
-What is holding you back?
-What happens if you don’t improve?
-How does Continuous Improvement fit your organization?
-What steps will you take to improve?
Chad Smith applies continuous improvement methodologies to help organizations leverage their scarce human and material resources through breakthrough improvements.
Chad has 21 years of Continuous Improvement experience in retail, manufacturing, refining, high- tech and food. He has led and guided process and product improvements for Wal-Mart, Gates, ExxonMobil and Black and Decker. Chad has helped many companies drive breakthroughs by helping organizations find their TruNorth through strategy deployment, uncover the major constraints through Value Stream Mapping and focus on the vital few improvements needed. Chad is an American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Six Sigma Master Black
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
2017 LAUNCH N LEARN SEMINAR SERIES
Are you jumping without a parachute? Do you have an Exit Strategy
Only around 30% of family businesses survive into the second generation.
November 16, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
A large reason for the lack of success when the founder leaves the business is due to a failure to adequately plan. We will discuss the key components of a business succession plan. We will also point out various pitfalls many successful business owners should be aware of in protecting what is typically their most valuable asset. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of planning for all individuals and the unintended consequences and effects that a lack of planning can have on loved ones.
Our guest speaker is John David Weaver. John is a life-long “Okie” who has his law degree and MBA from the University of Oklahoma. He practices law with the firm of Evans & Davis PLLC, headquartered in Edmond. His primary focus is on working with families and small businesses to assist them with answering all of the tough “What if” questions and ultimately formulating a plan to protect both their businesses and family.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Employee/Client Rewards = Retention
October 19, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
It is an increasing challenge getting employers to recognize that employees are the only truly sustainable competitive advantage and the key to business growth. As the workplace generations change, the employer must also adapt to the needs of a younger worker. The goal is to make employer/manager aware that offering a wide variety of wellness programs to keep them healthy and engaged is good. However, most traditional programs fail to address the single biggest factor that erodes productivity, creativity, and loyalty – STRESS. Proven to maximize employee productivity, vacations significantly decrease stress, while enhancing overall happiness and well-being. We will discuss how to engage the employer/manager with means to improve morale, productivity, and lower healthcare cost by reducing stress in employees. We will show the money that is currently spent replacing employees can be redirected to a few simple things that will save the company thousands of dollars by reducing turnover.
Our guest speaker is Jan Smith. Jan has owned JDL & Associates, Inc for 20 years and loves helping people. She recruits, staffs, and consults. Her favorite part of working with employers is showing them how to reward employees – bringing about loyalty, increased productivity, and reduced health care cost. Jan mentored at White Fields Boys Home for six years, and in the last year, she has been involved with CLC (changing lives creatively). In the past, Jan has worked raising money for the Arthritis Foundation, and Citizens Caring for Children. Jan has also been a volunteer with big brothers and big sisters.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
PUTTING THE “SHOW” IN TRADE SHOWS
September 21, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
How to Get the Best Return from Trade Shows
In this session, we will be discussing strategies to make your next Trade Show experience the best and most productive use of your time and budget. We will look at factors that make a trade show experience successful such as ROI, Effective Experience Strategies, and Branding Solutions to enhance presentation, follow up and ultimately objective achievement. This will be a fun filled, upbeat and fast-paced session with Les Love, CAS.
Les Love is a Branding Consultant for Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group. He is a 10 year veteran of the Promotional Products industry with over 300 clients across Oklahoma and surrounding States. Les is originally from Anadarko Oklahoma. He met and married his high school sweetheart there and then attended the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He currently lives in Edmond with his wife Tammy and son Hayden. Les is a top performer in the Promotional Products and Ad Specialty business. Since 2008 he has been in the top 5 percent of sales people in the industry and a “million dollar club” member having sold more than a million dollars in promotional items each year for the last 8 years. Les loves spending time with his family, traveling, and just about any outdoor activity you can think of!!
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Health Insurance Options for Small Business Owners
Are You Experiencing the Health Insurance Dilemma?
September 25, 2017 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE event from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
Many small business owners are unable to consider health insurance benefits for their employees due to the cost of the Affordable Health Care Act provides many cannot even afford their own individual coverage.
Small business owners may not be aware of other options available. We have assembled a number of agents representing providers that have affordable options available today in Oklahoma. You are invited to attend this matchmaking event and discuss your health insurance needs and evaluate current programs on the market.
So, if you are suffering from the Health Insurance Dilemma, plan to join us for the health insurance matchmaking event at the Francis Tuttle Business Innovation Center. From 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM on September 25th, You will have the opportunity to visit with multiple agents in a one on one situation to see what options are available to you and your small business.
The Francis Tuttle Business Innovation Center is located at the Covell and I-35 intersection in the Cross Timbers Office Park, 2824 Progressive Drive, Edmond.
Register Today!
The Launch Pad FT Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Tax Strategies for Small Business or Can you avoid Death and Taxes?
January 19, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a FREE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
Tax Strategies for Small Business
You have heard the old adage about taxes and death. It’s true, these are two things in life that we cannot avoid. However, many small business owners are not aware that the tax codes allow you to legally reduce your tax liability.
In this session, you will learn strategies for effectively managing your taxes. Learn how your choice of legal structure can affect your taxes as well as your capital structure. Learn ways to manage tax payments to avoid penalties and maximize cash flow. Learn about common business deductions, required record keeping and how retirement plans can be used to reduce your tax.
Our guest speaker is Amber D. Hite, CPA, Director of Client Services at Larry K Anderson, PC. Amber began working for Larry K. Anderson P.C. in September 2013 as the Client Services Director. After nearly five years in public accounting and more than 15 years as a Controller for various types of small businesses, she has a broad perspective and unique qualifications to serve the firm’s clients. Amber graduated from William Jewell College in Missouri with a bachelor’s in Accounting.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Business Telecommunication, the World is Changing
February 16, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a FREE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
As the world keeps changing at record speed how do you stay connected in an already connected world without breaking your business model? In this session, we will analyze some of the trends in telecommunications to keep you on the leading edge and help you make future decisions whether you are a start-up, small business or a mature company. This will be an interactive presentation and we will spend some time on the following topics and any issues you are facing:
VOIP.
Cloud PBX.
Can you do that over a cable modem?
Is the POTS line dead?
The Internet, how much do I need?
How to negotiate the best price.
Over the Top Services.
Can’t I just use a cell Phone?
What if my point of sale (POS) goes down?
Business Continuity, who needs it?
Is my email backed up?
Why not just text?
Our guest speaker is Greg Blakely, Director of Business Development at Midcon.
Greg is a native of the Oklahoma City area and has more than 30 years of telecommunications experience. He has worked for Cox Communications, Gannett, and Multimedia. Greg is currently responsible for business development at MIDCON Data Services. He earned his bachelor of science in business administration from Oklahoma City University.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Sales Training 101
March 9, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a FREE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
Fixing the One thing in Sales
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a magic bullet to help you close more sales? Sales strategies matter but you may be surprised at what sales veteran, Catherine Brown, says will make all the difference in filling your sales pipeline.
Our guest speaker is Catherine Brown, CEO of Initial Call. In this workshop, Catherine will share her secret for consistent sales pipeline development and it’s not what you think. If you enjoy social science research, behavioral economics or business how-to books, this workshop is for you. We’ll apply social science principles to our life in sales to create unstoppable, effective sales activity.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Compliance and Discrimination Update for Small Businesses
April 20, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a FREE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, it is difficult for employers to keep up with changes in compliance to Human Resource regulations. Owners often do not understand how these changes affect their business. Discrimination and ethics are becoming inclusive and more far reaching than ever before. It is imperative that every business owner and manager be aware of the current status of discrimination regulations. We are likely to see more changes with the new administration, but for right now, look forward to Lori sharing with you how some changes will be affecting your business today. If you would like any information on benefit changes or Background-Check information, you may want to stay after the class and visit with Lori for those updates!
Our guest speaker is Lori Engel, CEO of Ultimate HR. Lori founded the company in 2008, realizing there was a need for small businesses to have an HR resource to help them with business issues surrounding the employment life cycle. Prior to that Lori was the VP of Human Resources for Dobson Communications. She has a passion for doing the right thing as evidenced by being the Chief Ethics officer for B. F. Goodrich and continues to teach ethics courses and conduct workplace investigations today.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Managing your Brand Message vs Your Personal Platforms
May 18, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
When you are a newcomer to the business, an entrepreneur or a small business owner, managing the social media and digital marketing is critical to your business success. However, what about your personal platforms. You have opinions; you should be able to say whatever you want!
However, having both a public face and a business face online can be tricky. Will your personal Twitter rants alienate potential customers? Could an interaction on Facebook end up in bad PR for your business? You will learn tips and strategies for this juggling act. You will walk away with peace of mind about all the content going out on social media – whether it is from you or your brand.
Our guest speaker is Mike Koehler, the president and chief strategist at Smirk New Media in Oklahoma City, a digital marketing firm launched in July 2010. At Smirk New Media, Mike and his team help companies connect with their audiences online using great content and proven strategies.
Mike is a noted speaker on how to use social media tools and integrate them into marketing and public relations plans. He recently spoke at the NCAA National Convention in Washington DC and the 140 Characters Conference in New York, the first national conference on the impact of Twitter on business.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Developing a Compensation Plan
June 15, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
In this session, we will cover common issues related to compensation plans ranging from start-ups to successful and established entities. Participants will learn about the differences in various legal entities and the impact these different legal entities can have on income and payroll taxes. For established entities, determining and defending reasonable compensation for IRS purposes will be discussed. Finally, participants will be exposed to common types of performance or incentive compensation plans.
Our speaker is Andy Cromer, PC, a partner with the Edmond-based accounting firm Arledge & Associates, P.C. Andy graduated from Oklahoma State University and has been with the firm since 1992 serving privately held entities across the state. He is a frequent speaker at events sponsored by the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants on various technical topics and has also authored and presented Ethics Matters! and Internal Controls.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Tax Tip for Professionals
July 20, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
The presentation discusses common issues facing many small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs:
• Payroll Taxes
• Tax liens
• Illegal Employment
• 1099 contractors vs employees
• what happens when you do not file your taxes
• what happens if you get audited
• relief from auditing
This is the second of our 2017 Launch n Learns addressing these increasingly important issues regarding taxes and employer responsibilities. This is a dynamic topic and every business owner should have regular updates to the changes, and how they can affect a small business.
Our presenter is S. Rachel Pappy, Partner, and Vice President of the Law Offices of Roderick H. Polston, P.C.
Rachel has been working in the accounting field since 1999. She began as an accounting assistant and then became an accountant moving into payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, auditing, tax preparation, budgets, and financial planning before going to law school. She earned her Juris Doctorate at Oklahoma City University School of Law and is currently the Partner and Vice President at Roderick H. Polston, P.C. where she oversees over 80 employees at 5 offices in 2 states.
The firm’s clients primarily consist of self-employed individuals and business owners who owe back taxes to the IRS and they fight on their behalf to protect their rights and put a reasonable resolution in place for their outstanding taxes. Rachel is licensed to practice in Oklahoma State Court, Federal Court, Bankruptcy Court, and United States Tax Court. When she is not at work, Rachel loves spending time with her three children and husband and traveling!
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
Your Brand and Your Website
August 17, 2017 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is a NO CHARGE seminar from The Launch Pad @ Francis Tuttle
In less than 90 seconds potential customers will make subconscious judgments about your brand based on colors, shapes, and typefaces.
Branding Your Company
At Launch n Learn, we will discuss branding creation:
• Where it must work — print, internet, mobile messages
• How to avoid basic design errors
• When to break the rules
• Logo design facts
• What typefaces to choose
The Importance of Your Website to Branding
What to ask before hiring a webmaster
The basic purpose of the internet was to provide people with easy access to information. Your site was created with one goal—to sell your company.
Now, it needs to provide useful, relevant, and current information or you may not show up in the search results. Who thought of this dumb idea?
More importantly, how do you hire the right webmaster who understands website design, customer experience and gets the site onto the first page? Hiring someone you think will do this can be a leap of faith or you can ask the 7 questions I will explain at the Launch n Learn.
Our guest speaker is Neal Hettinger, the owner of the Hettinger Design Group which creates websites with high search results, logos, ads, and brochures. With degrees in graphic arts and advertising, including a Masters in Mass Communications, he worked at ad agencies in Nashville and Birmingham before moving to Los Angeles. He gained valuable experience working for the movie studios and then became a partner in a design studio in Hollywood. After 20 years, he had to get back to civilization and moved to OKC where he opened up a website firm and gets to teach web and graphic design at OCCC.
To reserve your seat or for more information, call Connie Hamett at 405-717-7730.
You are welcome to brown-bag your lunch. We will provide Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water.
The Launch n Learn Seminar Series
2824 Progressive Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
