Monday, August 9, 2021

Informational Webinar: FastTrac Start-Up Program

Apply Now for FastTrac Start-Up Program

Applications are being accepted now through August 22 at 11:59 p.m. for the City of Hollywood’s FastTrac® Start-Up Program, designed to guide aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs on the path to success. The free program will run from September through December and the classes will be held virtually via Webex. Click here to apply now!

As a Kauffman FastTrac® affiliate, the City hosts the FastTrac® Start-Up Program to help entrepreneurs refine their business concept, identify the components of a strong business plan, and access the appropriate resources for launch. All participants will receive a certificate of completion and the top three business plans may be eligible to compete for seed money grants through a pitch competition.

Interested participants must submit a complete application online by August 22 at 11:59 p.m. for this competitive process. Submit your online application here for the Fall 2021 FastTrac® Start-Up Program or learn more about the program here.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Taking The Plunge: Simple Steps for Starting Your Own Business

Free 4-Module Online Workshops To Help You Start Your Own Business

As part of the City of Hollywood's Backing Business initiative, this 4-module workshop series will take you through the basics of starting up a business. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and work with the instructors, you'll come away with a good understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities you will face. You will have a financial plan, a marketing plan, and an estimation of the funding you will need to get started. Conducted by Broward SCORE and sponsored by the City of Hollywood.

Workshop # 2: Got the Idea, Now What?
Wednesday, August 11 – Online – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• Refining your business idea - Steps to develop - Fine tune your business concept
• Doing market research - Steps to identify your target audience & learn how they buy
• Knowing your customer
• Doing competitive research - How to know what your competitors are up to

Workshop # 3: Effective Marketing
Wednesday, August 18 – Online – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• Branding your business - Steps to creating your brand
• Developing your marketing plan - Crafting a plan to communicate your marketing message
• Marketing your business with social media - What you need to know to use social media effectively
• Pricing your product or service - Learning to properly price your product for business success

Workshop # 4: Counting the Money
Wednesday, August 25 – Online – 6:00-8:30 p.m.
• Financial Planning - Why you need it - How to forecast your sales, costs, profits and assets
• Understanding and using financial statements – 3 primary financial statements you need to know about
• Finding financing

Wednesdays in August • 6PM • Free
REGISTER HERE

Coming Soon: Small Business Relief Program

Small Business Relief Program
for Hollywood Businesses

The City of Hollywood will be launching its Small Business Relief Program next Monday, August 16. Hollywood businesses are strongly encouraged to attend one of this week's Informational Webinars to learn about the eligibility criteria, application process, and required documentation for this grant program.

Register for an Informational Webinar:

Tomorrow, August 10 • 11AM • Register Here
Wednesday, August 11 • 4PM • Register Here

Got Any Bright Ideas? We Want to Hear Them!

Plans are officially underway for the annual SPARK Pitch Competition this October and applications are now being accepted for entrepreneurs at any stage of development to pitch their big idea. The ‘quick-pitch competition’ will feature entrepreneurs and new ventures competing for cash and in-kind prizes with a grand prize of $5,000. Contestants will give a three-minute presentation of their innovative business proposal to a panel of judges comprised of local investors and business professionals.

The City of Hollywood Office of Communications, Marketing and Economic Development and Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce have partnered to present this year’s SPARK Hollywood FL events, designed to support and grow entrepreneurship in our City.

If you have the next great idea or business, apply today! Applications must be submitted by this Sunday, August 15. The SPARK Pitch Competition will take place in person in October.

Apply Here by August 15: airtable.com/shrsYWY7An179dOk1

Learn More: sparkhollywoodfl.com

TEDx Young Circle Park • Innovate & Ideate

TEDx YoungCirclePark, South Florida's premier TEDx event, is seeking 8-10 speakers from South Florida with "ideas worth spreading" and a special focus on the areas of technology and the environment.

Online applications will be accepted until August 31, 2021. The event will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, FL.

Want to speak at TEDx YoungCirclePark?

APPLY HERE

Backing Business: City of Hollywood Partners With Broward SCORE

FREE personal remote mentoring sessions are available with local seasoned business professionals committed to helping our local business community overcome these difficult times.

Click here to schedule your FREE 1-hour consultation.

Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - August 2021 Planner

Broward UP Rapid Credentials Programs

All programs are FREE and take under one year to complete •
Eligible students will receive free laptops!

Click here to learn more and apply: BROWARD.EDU/RAPIDS

Upcoming Broward UP Programming

In addition to Broward College's popular health science courses, Broward UP is pleased to be offering upcoming remote/online classes in the following areas:

AWS Cloud Computing
Project Management
Process Improvement
Front Desk Representative
Supply Chain Customer Service Operations
And More!

New courses are continually being added. Visit the Broward UP website today!

Additional COVID-19 Resources For Hollywood Businesses Are Available Here

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