Workshop Registration
Learn with an Expert
Join us for our FREE monthly workshop series for small businesses based in Eastern Kentucky. We will also feature experts via our blog throughout the year.
June Workshop:
Leading with Purpose: Strategies for Meaningful Employee Engagement
Join us on Thursday, June 11 from 1-2pm for an online workshop with Angie LeBlanc.
Employee engagement is critical to organizational success, yet many leaders struggle to create workplaces where people feel valued and motivated. This practical workshop will give you the tools and insights needed to build a thriving culture that attracts and retains top talent.
In this workshop, you’ll explore:
● The Internal Customer Mindset – Why your employees should be treated with the
same care and respect you’d give to any paying client
● Generational Differences in the Workplace – Understanding what Baby Boomers,
Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z each value in the workplace and expect from their leaders
● Defining Your Company Culture – Reflecting on your culture’s current state and
envisioning what you want it to become
● Strategic Hiring and Training – Finding the right people through effective hiring
practices and training them thoroughly with purpose
● Two-Way Communication – Creating genuine dialogue and feedback channels that go
beyond top-down directives
● The Power of Recognition – Using acknowledgment strategically to keep employees
engaged and aligned with your organizational values
This free workshop is designed for leaders and managers who want to create workplaces where employees feel connected, valued, and inspired to do their best work.
Questions? Contact Dayzaughn Graves at dayzaughn@mtassociation.org.
Miss a previous workshop? Watch recordings here:
May 2026
Business 101
Join us on Thursday, May 7 from 1-2pm for a free online workshop on the basics of business. Katie Startzman from the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (who also owns Native Bagel & Nightjar in Berea) will go over what is required to start a business in Kentucky, as well as the different business structures and how best to choose the one for you.
April 2026
Unlock AI-Powered Productivity and Ironclad Security for Your Business
On April 16, we held a workshop on Cyber Security and AI Productivity for Small Businesses with Bob Stamper of iSafe Complete.
We covered how AI can work for your business—without compromising security.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses operate, but without the right safeguards, it can also introduce serious security and compliance risks. In this webinar, you’ll discover how organizations can harness AI to streamline operations, boost employee productivity, and make smarter decisions while maintaining strong cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. Learn practical strategies for implementing AI tools safely, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring your business stays ahead of emerging threats.
About the speaker: Owner and CEO of iSAFE Complete, Bob Stamper has been providing IT support and consultation for over 20 years and is a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). Bob serves as an ambassador for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Commerce Lexington, and was awarded the 2023 Ambassador of the Year in Richmond and one of the top 25 leaders in Madison County for 2025.
March 2026
Personal Financial Management & Preparing for a Loan
Join us on Tuesday, March 10 from 11am-12pm for a webinar with James Caudill, director of Redbud Financial Alternatives based out of Hazard, on budgeting, credit, and loan readiness if you’re looking to borrow money via a personal or business loan. This workshop will help small business owners build clarity in their personal finances.
Redbud provides equitable consumer financial products that help our clients build pathways to personal assets (personal loans, auto loans, debt consolidation, and more).
We will also host an optional drop-in Q&A with James on March 18 at 11am.
February 2026
Topic: Finding Your Voice: Build a Business That Reflects Who You Are
Join us on Wednesday, February 4 from 2-4pm for a webinar featuring writer and small business owner Deedra Hanekamp.
This workshop guides entrepreneurs through a simple, powerful process for building a business rooted in authenticity. By exploring your personal values, skills, and resources, you’ll learn how to create a brand that attracts the customers who naturally connect with you.
Recording is available here.
We will also hold an optional follow-up drop-in Q&A with Deedra on Wednesday, February 11 from 2-3pm.
JANUARY 2026
Topic: Marketing Essentials: Identifying and Engaging with Your Ideal Customer
When: Saturday, January 10 from 12-1pm
What You’ll Learn: Are you tired of marketing to everyone and reaching no one? Join marketing expert Angie LeBlanc for this practical, hands-on workshop designed specifically for business owners who want to stop hoping and start growing.
In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to identify exactly who your ideal customers are and how to reach them effectively using proven marketing fundamentals. We’ll cut through the complexity and give you straightforward tools you can implement immediately.
Specifically, you will learn how to:
- Define Your Target Customer: Discover how to move beyond vague demographics and create a clear picture of your ideal customer. You’ll learn to identify their needs, preferences, pain points, and buying behaviors—so you can stop wasting time and money on people who aren’t likely to buy.
- Master the 4 Ps of Marketing: Learn how to align your entire marketing approach using the classic framework that still works.
4 P’s:
Product – Ensure what you’re offering matches what your target customer actually wants
Price – Set pricing that reflects value and appeals to your ideal buyer
Place – Determine where and how to make your product or service available to reach your customers
Promotion – Craft messages and choose channels that resonate with the people you want to reach
Who Should Attend: Business owners looking to sharpen their marketing strategy and attract the right customers.
Why Attend: This isn’t theory—it’s practical application. You’ll leave with a clear customer profile and marketing framework you can start using the next day. Bring your business challenges, and we’ll work through real examples together.
Recording is available here.
We also hosted optional follow-up drop-in Q&A with Angie on Wednesday, January 14 at noon.
Can’t make these, but want to be notified of future topics? Sign up for our monthly newsletter here.
