The pandemic has forced many small businesses to pivot and readjust their business plan in order to stay afloat. Part of this re-adjustment process must include customer discovery because it is a vital factor of success among all businesses, established and new.

Sign up for this 90-minute Zoom training with Q&A on the topic of "Customer Discovery" to build the road to success for your new or re-invented business!

Instructor: Sharon N. Goldsmith, Acting Executive Dean, Entrepreneurship & Business Development, Hofstra University

Sharon Goldsmith, MBA is the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship and Business Development. She has twelve years of combined experience in the business management and entertainment industry and over four years in higher education. Sharon graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2003 with a degree in Public Relations and immediately joined LL Business Management, Inc. For almost three years, she was a business manager for recording artists, NBA players and other high net worth individuals. Her most famous client, 50 Cent, asked her to join G-Unit Records, Inc. in 2005 as the Director of Finance and later, the Director of Finance and Human Resources. During that time Sharon earned her M.A. in Speech Communication and Rhetoric Studies here at Hofstra University. Sharon spent over ten years contributing to the success of both multi-platinum music releases and supporting 50 Cent’s entrepreneurship. She helped him to achieve success in the tech, non-profit, entertainment and consumer electronic space. Sharon joined Hofstra’s Center for Entrepreneurship in 2015 and has completed the Lean Launchpad Educator’s Program and earned a Masters in Business Administration. At Hofstra’s Center for Entrepreneurship, Sharon provides students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community with skills and training necessary to become accomplished entrepreneurs through multiple programs and services. Sharon also advances the mission of the Scott Skodnek Business Development Center by designing and implementing new curriculum for the Empire State Development funded Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers. Sharon was a panelist at the 2020 United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship’s 2019 Conference and presented at the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Center’s 2019 Conference. Sharon is currently serving as an E-Advisory Council Member for The National Center for Disability Entrepreneurship (NCDE) at the Viscardi Center.

Need support to help you rebuild your business after Covid-19? 

WEDC is partnering with Mastercard to launch a 10 month strategic mentoring program to assist entrepreneurs to build back better after the pandemic.  

WEDC’s strategic mentoring program includes a self-guided business planning tune-up, one on one individualized mentoring monthly and virtual training and networking meetups on Zoom. The goal is strengthening your business post Covid through targeted support, accountability and a community of engaged entrepreneurs. 

Mentoring program dates: September 2020 – June 2021 

Location: Entrepreneur Ready learning platform and Zoom  

Interested? Apply now here: 

Space is limited to 50 people.  
Must have been in business at least a year.  
Applicants are not guaranteed entry.  
All applicants will be contacted for follow-up. 
Application process begins July 29, 2021 and runs through August 30, 2021
Notification of participation status is rolling and ends September 10, 2021. 

If you are in business…you are in sales. There’s more to entrepreneurship than just starting a business. You may be passionate about your new product or service, but unless you have hired a sales force to sell for you, it’s up to you to drive the business and make sales! Whether you’re new at sales, […]

COVID-19 and its continuing aftermath has made it necessary for small business owners to have strategic pro-active engagement in social media .

Join us for this 3-part bootcamp presented by experts in the field to up your social media game!

*Participants must register for all three sessions.

**There is a $15.00 flat fee for this three-part social media workshop.

Sharpen your brand, streamline your website and get found online with this branding and marketing bootcamp.  Developed specifically for businesses looking to make a comeback post-COVID, we’ll dive into your customers, your unique selling proposition, how well your website converts, and how to reach both those looking for you, and those who don’t know they’re looking for you online.

After these sessions, you’ll:

Know how to define your target customers and turn them into super-fans
Identify and emphasize your unique selling proposition
Implement cohesive brand practices
Improve the effectiveness of your website homepage
Apply proven tactics to deliver a better user experience on your website
Have a website and digital presence that converts
Feel prepared to dive into the world of Google ads and other digital advertising
Know what types of digital advertising will work best for your brand