July 2026: Free Small Business Resources
Here’s your monthly drop of free small business education resources (local to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky) and virtual. If you notice any errors or have an event you’d like to add to this list feel free to add a comment or reach out to me here!
Which ones are you looking forward to?
VIRTUAL
Ohio Small Business Development Centers Events
Thu, Jul 16 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
In this workshop, you will learn the essential information you will need to get a head start on your business planning. Topics include understanding your market, learning how to validate who your customer really is, and feasibility of the business itself, and starting a business in Ohio. Don't miss out on this information packed course!
Recordkeeping for the Small Business Webinar
Thu, Jul 16 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The Recordkeeping for a Small Business workshop provides an overview of record keeping and is designed to help participants understand how record keeping can benefit their small business. We’ll explore the differences and connections between record keeping, accounting, and financial management and learn about the requirements of a record keeping system. We’ll discuss the sources of documentation: income, purchases and business expenses. Some of the challenges we’ll cover include separation of business and personal finances; bank and credit card account reconciliation; petty cash, and purchase authorization.
Social Media Branding for Entrepreneurs
Wed, Jul 22 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Ready to turn your social media into a powerful tool that attracts, engages, and converts your ideal clients? This high-impact, 90-minute virtual workshop is designed specifically for entrepreneurs who want to build a strong online presence and grow their business with intention.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your strategy, you’ll walk away with practical tools and clear direction to elevate your brand and increase visibility.
Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing
Wed, Jul 22 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Every business owner benefits from customer-focused marketing. When you tailor your efforts to where prospective customers are on the customer journey, you're more likely to get the results you want. Changing up your marketing strategy at different phases of the journey is better for your customers and better for your business.
Ohio SBDC Small Business Tax Workshop
Thu, Jul 23 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Business tax laws, legal structure, deductions and expenses explained by local CPAs and tax professionals.
Existing or prospective small business owners or the self-employed person can learn about their federal and state tax rights, requirements and responsibilities by attending the Ohio SBDC Small Business Tax Workshop. The workshop is designed to provide a general overview of business taxes.
Blueprint for Excellence: Delivering Best-in-Class Customer Service
Wed, Jul 29 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Stop losing customers you worked hard to win. This hands-on workshop - Blueprint for Excellence: Delivering Best-in-Class Customer Service Excellence - gives Ohio small business owners and leadership teams a complete, actionable framework for turning everyday interactions into lasting customer loyalty. In just one session, you'll map the friction points costing you repeat business, practice real recovery scenarios, build your team's service manifesto, and leave with a signed 30-day implementation plan.
SCORE Events
Paying Yourself as a Business Owner: Build a Sustainable Owner’s Salary
Online Live Event
July 14, 2026
1:00 pm EDT
In this webinar, Pilot co-founder and CEO Jessica McKellar will draw on years of experience working with small business finances to explain what it takes to build a business that can reliably pay its owner. You’ll learn how to evaluate your current financial position and make more intentional decisions about when and how much to pay yourself.
How to Find and Secure Sponsorship Opportunities for Your Business
Online Live Event
July 21, 2026
1:00 pm EDT
In this webinar, you’ll learn a practical approach to finding, researching and approaching potential sponsors. We’ll explore what businesses look for in sponsorship opportunities, how to present your organization or project professionally and how to build relationships that can lead to continued support.
SEO Has Seen Its Biggest Shift in 20 Years: How to Stay Visible in 2026
Online Live Event
July 23, 2026
1:00 pm EDT
This session is for businesses working to build an online presence, improve their search rankings, or trying to understand why their established visibility is slipping away. In this webinar, we’ll explain what has changed, which SEO fundamentals still matter and what you need to do differently in 2026 to remain visible online.
ECDI(Economic & Community Development Institute) Events
📅 July 7 | AI for Smarter Business Operations
Learn how to use AI beyond ChatGPT to automate tasks, improve decision-making, analyze risks, and run your business more efficiently.
📅 July 14 | Brand Protection for Entrepreneurs
Discover how to protect your business with trademarks, copyrights, contracts, and understand the legal implications of using AI in your branding and marketing.
LOCAL
Kenton County Library Events
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Covington Branch
In this class, we will explore the concept of cloud storage and how it works. You'll gain an understanding of mobile cloud storage, learn about the advantages and potential drawbacks, and cover the basic principles that make cloud storage an essential tool in today’s digital world.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Erlanger Branch
Interested in learning a fun and easy graphic design tool? Come learn how to use Canva!
Monday, July 27, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Covington Branch
This hands-on session will focus on applying advanced features of Excel to datasets. The following features of Excel will be reviewed: functions, vlookup, pivot tables, and data analysis. An understanding of the basic features of Excel is a prerequisite to this course.
How To Improve Your Efficiency with the Power of AI
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Erlanger Branch
Artificial intelligence is here to stay. Learn how to use AI wisely and safely to improve efficiency in your everyday life.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Erlanger Branch
Learn how to make a budget using Excel. You will learn how to navigate within a spreadsheet, utilize the basic features of Excel, and work with basic formulas.
Other FREE small business resources:
U.S. Small Business Administration Learning Hub
Verizon Small Business Education Hub
I am not affiliated with any of the organizations on this list. This is for awareness purposes only.
