It’s Game Time: Kansas City Workshops, Classes to Help You Start a Business
It’s time! Time to kick the tires on that business idea, and time to kick start your entrepreneurial journey in one of the best places in the country for entrepreneurs and small business owners. With KCSourceLink’s Resource Partners, you have access to the skills and info you need for business success.
In Kansas City, you’ll find a ton of free or low-cost classes and workshops designed to help you get the entrepreneurial show on the road. Whether you want to check your business concept, figure out financials or make the most of your marketing, our Resource Partners have you covered. Explore these upcoming events for new entrepreneurs.
SCORE KC | Simple Steps for Starting Your Business – Basics
Who’s it for? Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to explore business ownership.
What is it? This workshop will provide an overview of the skills and tools you need to start a business. You’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, as well as the most profitable form for your business. The session will also cover organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources.
When: Monday, May 13, 6 – 8 p.m. or Saturday, June 8, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Apply here for May 13. Apply here for June 8.
1 Million Cups Kansas City
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who want to connect with other business owners and gain insight on how to improve their ventures.
What is it? Local entrepreneurs give short presentations about their startups to potential partners, mentors and investors. Then, there’s a discussion with feedback and questions. The people presenting and those listening learn about what it takes to build a successful business.
When: Every Wednesday, 9-10 a.m.
Where: Online and Plexpod Westport Commons, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
1 Million Cups of Lawrence, Kansas | THE CRUNCH
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who want to connect with other people in the business community and learn how to improve their ventures.
What is it? Network, enjoy coffee and hear local entrepreneurs give short presentations about their businesses. Discussion, feedback and questions follow. Presenters and those listening all learn about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and what it takes to build a successful business.
When: Every Wednesday, 9-10 a.m.
Where: Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center, Lawrence, Kansas
Cost: Free
Keystone CoLAB | Keystone Sessions
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and community members interested in new ideas.
What is it? Network and learn from three 60-minute sessions on unique topics. Formats range from expert panels to dynamic speakers. This casual environment is designed to inspire and help people connect across industries, interests and talents.
When: Every Wednesday, 5 – 8 p.m.
Where: Keystone CoLAB, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Square One Small Business Services | Connect + Convert: Transform Your Online Presence with One Link
Who’s it for? Business owners who want to put multiple calls to action in one place.
What is it? Connect your business social channels, website, videos, events and more. This session will go through the process step by step. You’ll learn how to create a bio landing page that will help you attract and convert more customers.
When: Wednesday, May 15, 6-7 p.m.
Where: Online and Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath Library Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Business Financial Literacy
Who’s it for? Business owners who want to learn what financial management is and why every business needs it.
What is it? In this high-level workshop, you’ll learn how to determine if your business is making a profit, if it has enough cash and if it’s building wealth. The session will cover financial terms and statements and the tools you can use to improve your business’s financial outlook.
When: Thursday, May 16. 11, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Pathway Financial Education | Managing Debt
Who’s it for? People who want to establish healthy financial habits.
What is it? Your personal debt can have a huge impact on your small business. This monthly session is dedicated to effective debt management. Whether you’re dealing with credit card debt, student loans or other obligations, this class is designed to help you take control.
When: Third Thursday of the month, 12 – 1 p.m.
Where: Online and Pathway Financial Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
VetBiz | Activate
Who’s it for? Veterans who have a business or a business idea.
What is it? Jump-start your entrepreneurial journey with this virtual cohort. Weekly sessions offer formal instruction from industry leaders and guidance from guest speakers. Topics include cultivating a business mindset, understanding your target customer and small business financial management.
When: Thursdays, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Square One Small Business Services | Biz Action Plan Workshop
Who’s it for? People who want to see where their business idea might go.
What is it? This five-week, activity-based workshop will help you assess your business idea. During the class, you’ll put together a simple, actionable business plan. At the end, you’ll meet one-on-one with the instructor to discuss the next steps to reaching your goals.
When: Fridays, May 17 – June 14, Noon – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Online and Mid-Continent Public Library Colbern Road Library Center, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Polishing Your Business Idea
Who’s it for? Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to know if their idea can work.
What is it? This workshop will provide step-by-step guidance on researching a business idea, the market and the competition. At the end of the session, you’ll be able to identify target markets, describe products or services and know how to collect information for your feasibility plan.
When: Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – Noon
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Marketing Strategy
Who’s it for? Small business owners who want to maximize their customer reach.
What is it? This session will cover pricing strategies, different marketing strategies and the difference between features and benefits. You’ll learn how to outline your marketing strategy, test your marketing message, choose the right sales channel and implement your marketing plan.
When: Saturday, May 18, 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Social Media Marketing
Who’s it for? Small business owners who need an online presence.
What is it? In this session, you’ll learn the basics of social media marketing and how it fits into your overall marketing strategy. By the end of the workshop, you’ll know how online presence affects your marketing and how to set up a website, social media channels and email marketing.
When: Saturday, May 18, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Crafting Your Winning Pitch: A Hands-On Workshop for Pitch Contest
Who’s it for? Business owners who need to talk to potential investors.
What is it? This interactive meeting will cover the basic info covered in a pitch, how to structure your pitch deck, formatting your presentation and more. You’ll get the opportunity for direct dialogue with the presenter and other participants and leave with a basic pitch deck ready for your personal touches.
When: Monday, May 20, Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Square One Small Business Services | Canva Lab
Who’s it for? People who want to get started with this easy graphic design tool.
What is it? Canva is the graphic design platform for people who aren’t graphic designers. Take your marketing to the next level with the basics of this program. This class explores the tools within Canva, how to create new or edit existing designs and what design tricks can save you time.
When: Monday, May 20, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath Library Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Missouri SBDC at UMKC | Pitching to Investors
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who need to prepare for meeting investors.
What is it? In this workshop, you’ll learn what investors need to know and want to see before providing capital to a business.
When: Wednesday, May 22 or Thursday, July 18, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: $49
Pathway Financial Education |Building Business Credit
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who need to understand credit management and how it impacts their businesses.
What is it? Understanding business credit can unlock financial opportunities for your business. This workshop will cover the fundamentals of business credit as well as strategies for effective credit management. You’ll learn how to navigate credit challenges, too.
When: Wednesday, May 22, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Online and Pathway Financial Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Holy Rosary Credit Union | Marketing Fundamentals for Small Businesses
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who need to get the word out about their businesses.
What is it? Make sure people know about your venture. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn about brand positioning, targeted advertising and social media engagement. Participants will develop practical skills by developing a marketing plan to enhance business visibility.
When: Thursday, May 23, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Don Bosco Community Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | 5 Ways to Use ChatGPT (AI) for Small Business
Who’s it for? Business owners who need to market their businesses more efficiently.
What is it? Learn how to use artificial intelligence to better communicate with your current and prospective customers. This session will cover using AI to summarize complex ideas, understand consumer problems, create social media posts and more.
When: Thursday, May 23, Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Pathway Financial Education | Credit 101
Who’s it for? People new to the world of credit or those looking to repair or improve their credit.
What is it? Master the basics of credit and take control of your financial future. Learn how credit works and get guidance on how to navigate the complexities of credit with confidence. Topics include credit reports, credit scores and practical tips.
When: Fourth Thursday of the month, Noon – 1 p.m. or 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online and Pathway Financial Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Square One Small Business Services | Create Your 30-Day Social Media Calendar
Who’s it for? Business owners who need help with content creation and scheduling.
What is it? Learn how to brainstorm, create and schedule social media for your business. This class will explore the difference between content that provides value and content that has a call to action. You’ll brainstorm content ideas and organize and plan a content calendar.
When: Tuesday, May 28, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mid-Continent Public Library Colbern Road Library Center, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Everything HR — for new and existing businesses
Who’s it for? Business owners who need to prepare before making their first hire.
What is it? This session provides workable strategies to manage HR. Topics include when to hire, HR objectives and onboarding. You’ll learn about employee handbooks, discipline, discrimination, payroll, benefits and more.
When: Thursday, May 30, 9-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Square One Small Business Services | Creating Your Brand
Who’s it for? Business owners who need to get specific about who their customers are.
What is it? This session will explore the relationship between business and customers. You’ll learn how to determine your business story and how to effectively communicate it to your customers. After this workshop, you’ll be able to state exactly who your brand is, what you do and why you do it.
When: Wednesday, May 29, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: Online and Mid-Continent Public Library Withers Branch, Liberty, Missouri
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Access to Money
Who’s it for? Business owners who are ready to seek a loan or investment.
What is it? This daylong event will introduce you to resources in KC and answer your funding questions. More than 20 experts will offer keynotes as well as panel discussions. Interactive events will help you explore critical funding topics that most fit your needs. Pitch competitions are part of the day as well.
When: Friday, May 31, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: $39
Pathway Financial Education | Benefits 101: Retirement and Health Care
Who’s it for? Small business owners who need to plan for retirement.
What is it? Learn about the importance of retirement planning for small business owners. This session will explore various retirement plans and help you find the right fit for your business.
When: Tuesday, June 4, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online and Pathway Financial Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
The Toolbox | Essential Steps to Launching Your Business
Who’s it for? People thinking about starting a business.
What is it? This session will demystify the path to startup success. Learn the steps to get from concept to launch, as well as different legal structures, registering your business and tax responsibilities. You’ll also learn how to avoid common new business pitfalls.
When: Tuesday, June 4 or Tuesday, July 2, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Toolbox, Kansas City, Kansas
Cost: Free
Apply here for June 4. Apply here for July 2.
APEX Accelerators of Missouri – Kansas City | Government Contracting 101
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs interested in working with the government.
What is it? This session will cover the first steps to winning government contracts. Learn how to get started with federal, state and local government registrations and certifications. After attending this seminar, a business is eligible for services from APEX (formerly Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers).
When: Wednesday, June 5, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Business Credit
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who need capital.
What is it? Whether you’re paying business expenses out of your own pocket or just flat out need more funding, this webinar is for you. Learn how to set up and build your business credit. This session will discuss using business credit as leverage with investors and how to prepare for credit limits.
When: Thursday, June 6, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Pathway Financial Education | Accessing Capital & Building Banking Partners
Who’s it for? Small business owners who need to learn about the loan process.
What is it? This two-part series will prepare you to navigate the loan application process. You’ll understand lender criteria and risk assessments and be able to plan for capital access realistically.
When: Tuesday, June 11, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online and Pathway Financial Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Pathway Financial Education | Budgeting & Saving
Who’s it for? People who need to learn effective money management.
What is it? Budgeting and saving are essential skills for anyone who wants to take control of their finances or start a business. These reoccurring sessions provide practical advice on how to create a realistic spending plan and prioritize expenses.
When: Second Thursday of the month, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online and Pathway Financial Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Financial Statement Basics
Who’s it for? Small business owners who want to learn about basic financial concepts.
What is it? Use plain language to explore financial concepts. This workshop will discuss profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements and how they work together. You’ll also learn about software like QuickBooks and how to track business finances.
When: Saturday, June 15, 9:30 a.m. – Noon
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Sources of Funding
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who want to explore options for funding their businesses.
What is it? Learn about different sources of funding and the criteria for each. This session will cover traditional sources like bank loans and investors. It will also discuss nontraditional sources like equipment leasing, accounts receivable financing, crowdfunding and more.
When: Saturday, June 15, 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Financial Projections
Who’s it for? People who need to assess their business profitability and establish financial goals.
What is it? Financial projections can help you set goals and stay on track. This workshop will help you understand the process behind balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. Learn how these documents fit into a business plan and how they can help if you’re seeking funding.
When: Saturday, June 15, 2:15 – 4 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Business Law and Related Tax Topics for Emerging Business
Who’s it for? Business owners who need to know how and when to utilize legal advice.
What is it? This session will explore the legal considerations of forming, operating and expanding your business. Topics include tax law considerations, governing documents, employment issues, risk mitigation, sales tax and more.
When: Tuesday, June 18, 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Missouri SBDC at UMKC | IRS Resources for Small Businesses
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who want to be smart about taxes.
What is it? Learn about tax tools and resources designed to support small businesses. This workshop will cover how to avoid common tax mistakes, safeguard information and choose a paid tax preparer. A Q&A session will ensure your questions are addressed.
When: Thursday, June 20, 11 a.m. – Noon
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Grant Prep Boot Camp
Who’s it for? Business owners who want to know how to research, prepare, write and apply for grants.
What is it? Target and organize grants to further your mission. Topics in this webinar include how to access grant information for free, filter through 990 returns and get around “invite only” roadblocks. You’ll also learn how to create a system so you don’t have to start over with each application.
When: Friday, June 21, 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Market Research
Who’s it for? Current or future business owners who need to understand their ideal customer.
What is it? Save time and headaches by knowing exactly what your target market is. In this webinar, you’ll learn the basics of market research, how to conduct it with current and potential customers and how to use sources like industry reports and government statistics to get the info you need.
When: Tuesday, June 25, 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Pathway Financial Education | Building a Sales Pipeline
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who need a consistent flow of business.
What is it? Learn the art of building and maintaining a client base. This session will explore how referrals, positive interactions and strategic discounts can help you build your business. Gain confidence in managing client relationships effectively.
When: Tuesday, June 25, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online and Pathway Financial Education, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
SCORE KC | Email and CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Who’s it for? Leaders who want to turn prospects into customers.
What is it? This session will explore the most cost-effective marketing tool: email marketing. Learn how email and CRM work together and how your business can use them to build relationships and increase sales.
When: Thursday, June 27, 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Holy Rosary Credit Union | Mastering Business Financial Management: A Comprehensive Workshop
Who’s it for? Entrepreneurs who need to elevate their financial skills.
What is it? Protect and grow your business with key financial management techniques. In this session, you’ll learn about effective bookkeeping, loan application strategies and optimizing cash flow. You’ll leave with the tools to support the growth of your business.
When: Thursday, June 27, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Don Bosco Community Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Missouri SBDC at UMKC | Myth Busters: Entrepreneurial Edition
Who’s it for? Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to explore business ownership.
What is it? This session will answer pressing questions like “Are grants real?” and “Do I need a business plan?” Learn how to put your next steps in order. You’ll leave this class with an action plan to continue your journey to business ownership.
When: Tuesday, July 23, 9 a.m. – Noon
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Holy Rosary Credit Union | Navigating Social Media for Your Business
Who’s it for? Business owners who need to boost the online visibility of their ventures.
What is it? Explore strategies for effective social media management. This session will cover crafting compelling content, understanding analytics and other practical skills. You’ll leave understanding how to enhance the online presence of your business.
When: Thursday, July 25, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Don Bosco Community Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
More resources for KC small businesses
These classes are just the beginning! The entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kansas City is awesome. More than 230 organizations and programs are here to help you meet your business goals. And you can find them all at KCSourceLink:
- Classes & Events Calendar: This ever-expanding list includes all the area happenings for KC entrepreneurs. Classes are free or very low-cost.
- Personal Action Plan: Get a customized to-do list to help you research and open your venture or clear that next business hurdle. Our Network Navigators will create this priceless resource for you for free that will connect you with the KC experts who can help, no matter what stage you’re business is at.
- Resource Navigator: This tool includes 230+ organizations that can help you meet the people, gain the skills and get the funding your business needs.
Thumbnail image by 12photostory on Unsplash.
