Small Business Resource Fair - Delaware, OH

Join ECDI, the City of Delaware, Main Street Delaware, and the Ohio Wesleyan University Entrepreneurial Center for a day of small business resources, training, and networking. This event is designed for both current small business owners and entrepreneurs considering opening a business in Delaware.

Whether you are building your first business plan, preparing to open a brick-and-mortar storefront, or looking for ways to expand your existing operations, this event connects you directly to the organizations and professionals who can help you succeed. Attendees will have the chance to meet with local entrepreneurial resource partners, explore free and affordable business support programs, and participate in interactive workshops designed to give you practical tools for growth.

This will be a day packed with small business resources, professional services, trainings, and more!

• Connect directly with the local organizations here to support your business journey
• Pick up practical tips from short, engaging workshops you can put to use right away
• Discover resources to help sharpen your operations, finances, and marketing
• Build connections with local entrepreneurs and community leaders
• Enjoy food and refreshments while growing your network

Come for the resources, stay for the connections, and leave with the tools to grow your small business like never before!

• ECDI
• ECDI Women's Business Center of Greater Cincinnati
• ECDI's Contractor Resource Center
• ECDI's Veteran Business Outreach Center of Ohio (VBOC)
• City of Delaware
• Columbus Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• COHatch
• Delaware Chamber of Commerce
• Huntington
• LegalShield
• Main Street Delaware
• OWU Delaware Entrepreneurial Center

More partners added weekly - check back soon!

3:30 p.m. - Business Planning Essentials

Speaker: Kevin Hammond, Business Advisor and Director for the Ohio SBDC at Columbus State Community College.

Learn how to build a solid foundation for your business with practical tools for creating, refining, and implementing an effective business plan. This session will help you map out your vision, set goals, and position your business for long-term success.

4:15 p.m. - Every Brand is a Story: The Simple Approach to Story-Based Marketing

Speaker: Ryan Wilkins, Founder of Wilkins Collective

Discover how storytelling can transform the way you connect with customers and market your business. Ryan will walk you through a simple, story-driven framework you can apply to strengthen your brand and grow your audience.

5:00 p.m. - Understanding Financial Statements

Speaker: Todd Daughenbaugh, Owner of Fresh Start Café

Gain a clear, hands-on understanding of how to read and use financial statements to make better decisions for your business. Todd will share insights from his own experience as a business owner to make the numbers work for you.

Since 2004, ECDI has assisted Ohio’s entrepreneurs through their one-stop-shop business services model, suited to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs, regardless of what business stage they’re in. From providing capital to entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses, to providing focused, business-specific educational opportunities to enhance entrepreneurial skill sets, ECDI works with their clients to meet their specific needs. Whether you merely have a business idea or are opening up your fifth location, we have helped more than 15,000 entrepreneurs to take advantage of the services we provide.

Host or Publisher Economic & Community Development Institute