Here's your monthly drop of free small business education resources, local to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and virtual, happening between now and early December. 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! Thank you to all the organizations who provide these amazing free business resources!
Sidekick Operations is not affiliated with any of the below organizations.
Which events are you attending?
VIRTUAL
Ohio Small Business Development Centers Events
Preparing for Tax Season: Get Ahead Before Year End
ONLINE - Wed, Nov 11, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Topic: Tax Planning
A practical walkthrough of what to gather and organize in the last month of the year so filing goes faster: reconciling accounts, organizing receipts, collecting W-9s before 1099 deadlines, and spotting year-end planning moves while there's still time. You'll leave with a checklist, whether you DIY your books or work with an accountant.
Recordkeeping for the Small Business Webinar
ONLINE - Thu, Nov 12, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Topic: Accounting/Budget/Inventory Setup
Learn how to set up a recordkeeping system that actually supports your business, including documenting income and expenses, separating business and personal finances, reconciling accounts, and handling petty cash and purchase approvals.
The Mindset Shift: Unlocking the Invisible Tool for Business Growth
ONLINE - Fri, Nov 13, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Topic: Strategic Planning
A look at the mindset habits that quietly fuel or limit growth: growth vs. fixed, abundance vs. scarcity, productive vs. "crazy busy," and how to set goals that help rather than stress you out.
Social Media Trends for Your Small Business
ONLINE - Wed, Nov 25, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Topic: Marketing Planning
A quick lunch-hour rundown of what's working on social right now for small businesses, from Instagram aesthetics and TikTok trends to the best Facebook groups. Content changes every session.
Brand Identity & Intro to Social Media
ONLINE - Wed, Dec 2, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Topic: Marketing Planning
Great for new businesses or anyone thinking about a rebrand. Covers the first steps of building a brand identity, plus what to post on which platform, who uses each one, and how the algorithms work.
New Business Information Webinar (Evening)
ONLINE - Wed, Dec 2, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Topic: Business Start Up
A two hour overview for anyone starting, buying, or expanding a small business, covering business and financial planning, market demand, and financing basics.
SCORE Events
How to Design High-Converting Landing Pages for Your Business
ONLINE - Thu, Nov 12, 1:00 PM EST
If people are landing on your website and leaving without booking or buying, this one's for you. Learn how to build landing pages that turn more visitors into leads, customers, and sales.
Before You Ask for Money: Build Your Startup Funding Plan
ONLINE - Tue, Nov 17, 1:00 PM EST
Before chasing any funding, get clear on what you actually need. This session walks through calculating startup costs, early cash shortfalls, what you need to pay yourself, and how much to hold in reserve.
Turn More Leads Into Paying Customers With This Simple Conversion System
ONLINE - Thu, Nov 19, 1:00 PM EST
Getting inquiries but not enough yeses? Learn a simple follow-up system that keeps prospects moving toward a sale instead of going cold.
Grant Opportunity
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready $10,000 Grant
Deadline to unlock your application: Mon, Dec 7
Verizon and LISC are awarding $10,000 grants to 10 small businesses every month through December. To unlock the application, create a free Digital Ready account and complete any two of their free courses or events by December 7. You only apply once and stay in the running for every remaining monthly selection, with final decisions by January 12, 2027.
LOCAL
Kenton County Library Events
Side Hustle Without the Hustle
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Covington Branch
Got a business idea you keep sitting on? Learn how to set up a side business in just 7 days by focusing only on what's necessary. Comes with a workbook and extra resources. Taught by Jill Morenz of Aviatra Accelerators. Registration closes Nov 9!
KCPL Small Business Resource Collaborative (SBRC)
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Covington Branch
The library's FREE monthly support group for regional small business owners and entrepreneurs. Connect, swap experiences, and find out how the library's resources and partners can help you. Heads up: the December meeting is canceled for the holidays, so this is the last one until January 14!
Public Speaking: Storytelling Methods for More Effective Communication
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Covington Branch
A 3 hour hands-on workshop on structuring stories for presentations, pitches, and networking, including the four stories that help move careers and businesses forward.
Build Your LinkedIn Profile Workshop
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Erlanger Branch
LinkedIn expert Carolyn Dickerson shows you how to make your profile actually work for you, a great tune-up if LinkedIn is part of how clients find you.
Use Data Axle to Build a Target Company List
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Online event
Learn to use the library's top business database (free with your library card!) to build a list of prospective companies and customers. You'll leave with a starter prospect list.
Positive Thoughts - Positive Results
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Online event
How your thoughts shape your actions and results, with practical steps for business owners around focus, self-management, and bouncing back from setbacks.
Who’s Behind The List?
Hi, I’m Ashleigh, owner of Sidekick Operations! I’m a business operations consultant and coach based in Northern Kentucky, and I ONLY work with small businesses, not corporations. That means I keep my pricing within reach for small biz budgets while the work is still personalized, not a generic one size fits all mold.
Think of me as your business sidekick! I work beside you to figure out where things feel messy, where you might be losing time, customers or money, and what improvements would let you stop doing everything the hard way. That can look like:
Writing your business playbook (the step-by-step “how we do things here” that makes delegating possible)
Smoothing out workflows so things stop slipping through the cracks
Mapping your customer experience to find where people drop off
Coaching you through the productivity shift from doing it all to actually running the business
If one of these workshops got you thinking about growing your business and revenue, let’s talk! No pressure and no sales pitch(I’m terrible at those anyways,) just a conversation about what’s going on in your business. Book time with me here
