Greater Roanoke and NRV SBDC

07/22/2026

Many business owners first contact the SBDC with one question, such as:

Can I get funding?
How do I price this?
How can I better plan my cash flow?
What do I need before hiring?
Is this growth opportunity worth it?

That first conversation matters. But the bigger value often comes from what happens next.

Ongoing advising can help a business owner compare options, review numbers, prepare documents, adjust strategy, and make decisions with more confidence over time.

That is why we talk about the value of deeper advising relationships. Progress usually takes more than one touchpoint.

If you have worked with an advisor once, consider this your reminder to reconnect before the next big decision.

07/22/2026

Did you miss America's SBDC AI Day Virtual Summit?

Watch now at:

Information and resources for SBDC counselors and America's small businesses.

07/20/2026

If America’s SBDC AI Day gave you ideas, the next step is to narrow them.

Choose one practical use case:

🤖 Drafting first-pass marketing content
🤖 Building an operating list
🤖 Connecting to your bookkeeping software
🤖 Reviewing process gaps
🤖 Automating internal workflows

Then ask: What would success look like? What information is safe to use? Who reviews the output? How will this save time or improve quality?

Your advisor can help you think through how AI fits your local business, not just the trend of the moment.

07/16/2026

It's almost showtime! America's SBDC AI Day Virtual Summit starts at 2:00pm sharp. Register while there's still time:

https://americassbdc.org/aiday/

07/16/2026

Today is America’s SBDC AI Day, with a FREE AI Day Virtual Summit from 2-4pm.

If you are a small business owner exploring AI, use today to focus on practical application:

👩‍💻 What can help you save time?
👩‍💻 What can improve the way you serve customers”
👩‍💻 What can make your marketing and operations more consistent?
👩‍💻 What should stay human, confidential, or carefully reviewed?

AI can be useful, but it works best when it supports a clear business goal.

After the Summit, we can help you sort through the ideas and decide what belongs in your business plan.

Register: https://aiday.americassbdc.org/event-registration?_gl=1*8b71on*_ga*MTU3NzM1NjQxNS4xNzgwNDMwMjY5*_ga_FPDTHCN46G*czE3ODE2NDEwNjkkbzUkZzAkdDE3ODE2NDEwNjkkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=network+share&utm_medium=network+share&utm_campaign=AI+Day+Summit+Registration&utm_id=07162026

07/15/2026

America’s SBDC AI Day is tomorrow, July 16, and includes an AI Day Virtual Summit from 2-4pm.

For small business owners, AI can feel exciting, overwhelming, or both. The most useful conversation is not about chasing every new tool. It is about understanding where AI can support real business priorities, such as saving time, improving customer communication, organizing information, strengthening marketing, and making workflows easier to manage.

Join us at the Summit and then we’ll connect to think through what makes sense for your business, your team, your customers, and your risks.

Learning is step one. Applying it well is where advising is magic.

Pre Register for the Virtual Summit: https://aiday.americassbdc.org/event-registration?_gl=1*8b71on*_ga*MTU3NzM1NjQxNS4xNzgwNDMwMjY5*_ga_FPDTHCN46G*czE3ODE2NDEwNjkkbzUkZzAkdDE3ODE2NDEwNjkkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=network+share&utm_medium=network+share&utm_campaign=AI+Day+Summit+Registration&utm_id=07162026

Register for our AI Day Webinar, From Casual AI Use to Real Business Results: https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=130460062

07/14/2026

Summer storms are a reminder that business disruptions can happen with little warning. From flooding and extended power outages to unexpected closures, being financially prepared can make all the difference.

Join us on Tuesday, July 21st for Financial Resilience, the second session of our Ready For Anything workshop series, and learn how to protect your business before the next storm hits.

We'll cover:

💸cash flow planning
💸financial recovery strategies
💸how to prepare the records needed for SBA and FEMA disaster assistance.

Don't wait until after the damage is done—build your financial resilience today.

www.roanokesmallbusiness.org/readyforanything

07/13/2026

AI tools can help small businesses save time, improve marketing, organize information, and make better use of everyday workflows.

But the best starting point is not, “What tool should I use?”

It is:

🥷 What problem are we trying to solve?
🥷 What task takes too much time?
🥷 What information needs better organization?
🥷 What decisions still require human judgement?
🥷 What risks do we need to manage?
🥷 What are the biggest headaches?

As America’s SBDC AI Day approaches on July 16, think about one process in your business that could be clearer, faster, or better supported.

Then join us on July 16 at the America’s SBDC AI Day Summit. We’ll see you there 🙌

Register for the America's SBDC Virtual Summit:

https://aiday.americassbdc.org/event-registration?_gl=1*8b71on*_ga*MTU3NzM1NjQxNS4xNzgwNDMwMjY5*_ga_FPDTHCN46G*czE3ODE2NDEwNjkkbzUkZzAkdDE3ODE2NDEwNjkkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_source=network+share&utm_medium=network+share&utm_campaign=AI+Day+Summit+Registration&utm_id=07162026

Register for our webinar, From Casual AI Use to Real Business Results:

https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=130460062

07/11/2026

Our impact board needs an update!

Our mid-year survey is now live. 👏 Be sure to submit your progress; every response counts and every win is worth celebrating.

(All information is anonymous and only reported in aggregate.)

✨ Bonus: Comment if you can identify the extra thumbs-up coming in from the left! 👍

07/10/2026

Virginia is ranked No. 3 in America's Top States for Business for 2026.