Free Seminars/Webinars
Harnett
Please check each individual seminar to see its location and registration information. Attend any 5 seminars with the Core Business Seminar (CBS) designation, and you will receive an Entrepreneurial Foundation Certificate.
Call 910-892-2884 to pre-register or for more information about Harnett seminars.
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Marketing Your Business Through Storytelling
Jun18This session helps leaders, marketers, and creators cut through the noise by turning messages into meaningful moments. Grounded in behavioral science and narrative strategy, this session shows how to craft stories that connect emotionally, build trust, and inspire action. Participants will learn how to structure stories around audience motivations, use techniques like tension and authenticity, and apply storytelling across brands, presentations, and everyday communication to create lasting impact.
- Start • End Date: 06/18/2026 • 06/18/2026
- Day: Th
- Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Dr. Michael Barbera
- Location Code: Harnett County (Harnett County -See Details)
- Building Location: Harnett Regional Jetport
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How to Start a Business in Harnett County
Aug18Understand the basics of starting a business in this seminar that takes you from idea to opportunity. Learn key strategies for start-up, financing and marketing as well as important information about legal issues, licensing, zoning, operations and more. Realize the importance of a self-assessment and how to evaluate the feasibility of your business idea. Discover the resources available to help you start and successfully operate your business.
- Start • End Date: 08/18/2026 • 08/18/2026
- Day: Tu
- Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Terri Brown
- Location Code: Harnett County (see details below) (Harnett County)
- Building Location: Harnett County Public Library
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AI for Administrative Problem Solvers: Practical Tools for a More Productive Workday
Aug20Administrative professionals solve problems all day long. Artificial Intelligence can be a valuable tool for solving those problems faster, but only when it is used thoughtfully and responsibly. This interactive, hands-on workshop is designed for administrative assistants, executive assistants, office managers, and support professionals who want practical skills they can apply immediately. Participants will explore how AI can help draft emails, summarize meetings, create agendas, organize information, and streamline everyday administrative tasks. More importantly, they will learn how to evaluate AI-generated content, recognize common mistakes, verify information quickly, and determine when human judgment is essential. Beyond individual productivity, attendees will discover how AI can be used as a problem-solving partner to analyze workflows, identify repetitive tasks, uncover process bottlenecks, and generate ideas for improving efficiency. Through guided activities and real-world examples, participants will learn how to think critically about where AI can help and where it cannot. In this workshop, participants will learn how to: - Use AI to support common administrative responsibilities - Write effective prompts that produce more useful results - Recognize and quickly verify inaccurate or misleading AI outputs - Protect confidential information and use AI responsibly in the workplace - Analyze everyday workflows and identify opportunities for improvement - Use AI as a tool for problem-solving, planning, and decision support This session is designed for professionals who want to move beyond the hype and learn practical, real-world applications of AI. No technical background is required. Participants will leave with actionable techniques, reusable prompts, and a framework for using AI more confidently, effectively, and safely in their daily work.
- Start • End Date: 08/20/2026 • 08/20/2026
- Day: Tu
- Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Katie Stokes
- Location Code: Harnett County (see details below) (Harnett County)
- Building Location: Harnett Regional Jetport
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Treasure Hunt - Finding Funding for Your Small Business
Sep15Where will the capital for your dream business come from? Most entrepreneurs look in the wrong places"or give up too soon. The Treasure Hunt is a deep dive into a "rainbow" of funding sources you might have never considered. We’ll look at Creative Capital ranging from "coins-in-the-couch" (assets you can flip) to the world of crowdfunding and GoFundMe. Traditional and Alternative Paths such as Navigating the landscape of grants, family investments, and private loans will be explored. You will learn the secrets of The "Banker Whisperer” Method, what lenders are looking for, why they ask the tough questions "and they questions they will ask--and how to provide the answers that get you to "Yes.” The Treasure Hunt: Finding Funding for Your Small Business goes beyond the basics of where you might find funding and helps you understand the dialogue of money and how it supports your startup.
- Start • End Date: 09/15/2026 • 09/15/2026
- Day: Tu
- Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Mike Collins
- Location Code: Harnett County (see details below) (Harnett County)
- Building Location: Harnett County Public Library
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Canva for Beginners
Sep17Canva has become one of the most popular tools for creating marketing materials, social media graphics, presentations, and business documents, but getting started can feel overwhelming. This hands-on workshop is designed to help beginners build a strong foundation and gain confidence using Canva's most important features. Participants will learn how to navigate the Canva workspace, work with templates, customize text and images, use design elements effectively, and understand the tools available to create professional-looking content. Through guided practice, attendees will complete a simple project while learning the core skills needed to continue creating designs on their own. Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, or simply looking to improve your design skills, this class will help you understand the fundamentals of Canva and how to use it more effectively for your goals. Topics include: • Navigating the Canva interface • Finding and customizing templates • Working with text, images, and design elements • Basic design and layout principles • Uploading your own photos and assets • Downloading, sharing, and exporting designs No design experience required. Speaker(s): Katie Stokes
- Start • End Date: 09/17/2026 • 09/17/2026
- Day: Th
- Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Katie Stokes
- Location Code: Harnett County (see details below) (Harnett County)
- Building Location: Harnett Regional Jetport
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Introduction to Starting a Business (Harnett Lift-Off Lab)
Sep17This nine-class program will introduce entrepreneurs and existing business owners to the concepts and practices that will give interested individuals the tools necessary for business success. The evening classes will be held in Harnett County, and will run from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. At the end of the program, each participant should have produced a basic small business plan, and will have the opportunity to present their plan and business concept to a team of business professionals. For those participants who have not yet opened a brick and mortar location, there will be consideration for a small business grant assistance package. **There is no guarantee that a grant will be awarded**. If a participant is chosen, the winning business will receive up to a 5,000 reimbursable grant provided for rent, utilities, or building improvements (as funds are available), one annual Base Level membership to the local Chamber of Commerce, plus marketing, and business support. Additional details will be provided at the class. In order to qualify for grant funds, the selected business must locate within an approved, commercial or retail zoned location. 100% Attendance is mandatory for those interested in being eligible for the grant. The Liftoff Lab program is an entrepreneur-development program presented by the Central Carolina Community College Small Business Center and Harnett County with support from the Angier, Lillington, Dunn, and Coats Chambers of Commerce.
- Start • End Date: 09/17/2026 • 09/17/2026
- Day: Th
- Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Various
- Location Code: HHSC (Harnett Health Science Center)
- Building Location:
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Finding Your Customers (Market Research)
Oct06Market research isn't just for startups; it's an important ongoing process for every small business. Developing a focused and effective business plan requires up-to-date market analysis. Discover the variety of market research tools available through your library that will give you critical information about your industry and customers. Get the data you need to test the feasibility of a new business, find the competition, and potential customers interested in your proposed product or service.
- Start • End Date: 10/06/2026 • 10/06/2026
- Day: Tu
- Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Harnett County Public Library
- Location Code: Harnett County (see details below) (Harnett County)
- Building Location: Harnett County Public Lirbary
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How to Create a One-Page Business Plan for Existing Business Owners
Nov19This 90-minute class is designed for existing business owners who want to clarify their strategy and strengthen their direction with a simple, powerful tool: a one-page business plan. Participants will learn how to distill their vision, define clear goals, identify key priorities, and align operations on a single, easy-to-use document. The session focuses on practical guidance, real-world examples, and step-by-step instruction to help owners quickly create or refine a plan they can immediately put into action. By the end of the class, attendees will leave with a concise business roadmap that supports better decision-making, improved focus, and sustainable growth. Speaker(s): Terri Brown
- Start • End Date: 11/19/2026 • 11/19/2026
- Day: Th
- Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- Cost: Free
- Instructor: Terri Brown
- Location Code: Harnett County (see details below) (Harnett County)
- Building Location: Harnett Regional Jetport