Government Contracting 101: Getting Started in the Government Marketplace

This workshop is geared toward aspiring entrepreneurs, new established businesses, & companies that haven't yet pursued government contracts HOW TO START A BUSINESS Got an idea? Let's turn it into a business. You've got the idea. But what comes next? LLC? EIN? Licenses? Bank account? Insurance? Sales tax? Starting a business can quickly feel like a maze of forms, acronyms and conflicting advice. This practical, interactive workshop will show you what to do — and in what order. YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO: • Turn your idea into a clear business concept • Choose the right business structure for you • Understand LLCs, EINs and business registration • Identify the licenses and permits you may need • Understand the basics of home-based business compliance • Separate your business and personal finances • Avoid common and costly start-up mistakes • Create a simple roadmap from IDEA → BUSINESS → FIRST CUSTOMER HOW TO START A BUSINESS No jargon. No 50-page business plan. Just practical guidance to help you get started. Whether you have an idea scribbled in a notebook, have already started selling, or simply don't know where to begin, this workshop will help you understand the steps needed to build your business on the right foundations. You'll leave with a clearer understanding of what you need to do, what order to do it in, and what your next step should be. MEET YOUR SPEAKER — PAULA SHORT Paula Short is an entrepreneur, business advisor and speaker who has experienced the entrepreneurial journey from both sides of the desk. She co-founded and grew a beauty brand in the UK, taking products from concept to market, appearing on BBC's Dragons' Den, selling through major retailers and expanding internationally before ultimately selling the business. After relocating to Virginia, Paula worked directly with entrepreneurs and small-business owners as a business advisor in Hampton Roads. Today, she combines that advisory experience with the lessons learned from building her own businesses to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into commercially viable businesses.