Nevada SBDC

SBRC | Business Breakthroughs: Speed Advising & Networking
2026-05-05 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Vegas Chamber, 70 E. Bonneville Ave, Las Vegas, 89101, United States
Celebrate Small Business Week at the Vegas Chamber! Connect with trusted small business experts through fast-paced, one-on-one advising sessions designed to help you break through common business challenges. Stay after to network with fellow business owners and resource partners.

Nevada APEX Accelerator overview, plus The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Federal Government-Level Mentor-Protégé Program
2026-05-06 10:00 - 11:00 | ONLINE, STATEWIDE, NV, United States
The virtual presentation, which is presented at no charge, is designed for Nevada for-profit businesses, especially the small businesses, that are interested in selling their goods and/or services in the public sector (or government-related sector). Within the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), State of Nevada, the Nevada APEX Accelerator provides free government-related procurement technical assistance to established Nevada for-profit businesses. Aside from webinars, the Nevada APEX Accelerator provides other no-charge service offerings to its official clients who have been accepted into the program after completing a Client Questionnaire Form for consideration.
“Where’s The Contract?” is a no-charge monthly training program designed to put Nevada businesses on the path to securing government contracts and subcontracts and diversifying revenue sources.
Regarding the APEX Accelerator [formerly known as the Nevada Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)] (note: see the updated webpage at https://goed.nv.gov/programs-incentives/procurement-assistance-outreach/ to become a client and follow us on the updated LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com): This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.
Regarding the Nevada SBDC: The Nevada SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with mental or physical disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Nevada SBDC State Office at (800) 240-7094 to make arrangements. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or activities.

Make It Real: How to Fund, Launch & Get Paid
2026-05-11 10:00 - 11:00 | 8400 W. Sunset Rd #300, 8400 W Sunset Rd #300, Las Vegas, NV, 89113, United States
Interested in learning how to make money moves for your business? This training workshop will cover how to identify and access funding opportunities, prepare for a successful business launch, and set up pricing strategies and systems. You will learn how to take actionable steps to start generating income.
Rachel Gomez joins Nevada SBDC with 20 years of experience in executive recruitment, corporate talent acquisition, HR Consulting, and as a small business owner. Her most recent experiences have been in supporting our Las Vegas small business community. She has worked on a national level with consumer brand leaders, non-profit organizations, and in the arts and entertainment industry. As a small business owner for over 14 years, Rachel understands the necessary planning required to stay in compliance and strategize for growth, while utilizing modern technology to streamline processes, increase productivity and expand on branding and marketing efforts.
This event is co-sponsored by Nevada State Bank.

The Unfair Advantage - AI Marketing with Claude
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:00 | ONLINE, STATEWIDE, NV, United States
5/12/26: Session 1 — Claude as your marketing brain Learn to prompt Claude like a collaborator, not a search bar. You’ll teach it your voice, draft real content, and leave having already improved something you actually use.
5/19/26: Session 2 — Claude as your marketing strategist Turn Claude into a strategic partner. Build customer personas, research competitors, and walk away with a 30-day content plan you didn’t have to make alone.

5/26/26: Session 3 — Claude as your marketing operator Go beyond one-off prompts. Learn how agentic AI handles multi-step marketing work — and design a repeatable workflow you can run every week without starting from scratch.

Ethan Clift is a founder, designer, and strategist working at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and social impact. As CEO of Tonic Audio Labs, he leads the development of AI-powered songwriting tools and creative hardware, building on 15+ years of experience launching mission-driven ventures and brands. A Columbia University graduate with training in psychology and a background in music and design, Ethan brings a practical, human-centered approach to marketing. He’s a Techstars alum, public speaker, and educator who’s passionate about giving entrepreneurs and creatives hands-on tools to use AI in real-world ways.

Defining Your Product Advantage: What Sets You Apart
2026-05-16 11:00 - 12:00 | 814 S. 3rd St, 814 S. 3rd Street, Las Vegas, 89101, United States
What sets your business apart from competitors? This training workshop will help you identify and communicate your unique value proposition. You will explore what differentiates your business, target customer needs, and learn how to position your business in a competitive landscape.
Rachel Gomez joins Nevada SBDC with 20 years of experience in executive recruitment, corporate talent acquisition, HR Consulting, and as a small business owner. Her most recent experiences have been in supporting our Las Vegas small business community. She has worked on a national level with consumer brand leaders, non-profit organizations, and in the arts and entertainment industry. As a small business owner for over 14 years, Rachel understands the necessary planning required to stay in compliance and strategize for growth, while utilizing modern technology to streamline processes, increase productivity and expand on branding and marketing efforts.

SBRC | Building Business Credit
2026-05-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Vegas Chamber, 70 E. Bonneville Ave, Las Vegas, 89101, United States
Learn how to establish and strengthen business credit to better position your company for financing, growth, and vendor relationships. This session covers what lenders look for, common pitfalls to avoid, and steps you can take right away.

Healthcare: Pitfalls of Managing Your Practice
2026-05-26 07:00 - 08:00 | ONLINE, STATEWIDE, NV, United States
This training focuses on the real-world challenges of running a healthcare practice once the doors are open. Participants will unpack the myths of insurance reimbursement and gain a clearer understanding of cash flow, payer systems, and financial sustainability. The session also explores the operational and management realities that are rarely taught in business school. Attendees will learn to identify common structural and financial pitfalls that destabilize practices. This training is designed to help providers avoid costly mistakes and build stronger, more resilient operations. It is ideal for practice owners and clinicians navigating the complexities of management and growth.

Duke Nishimura, BS ME/AE, MBA, LEAN, CVC
Duke’s experience includes serial entrepreneurship launching 21 companies, CEO of 9 international companies in healthcare, biotech, and emerging technologies. Duke serves as strategic consultant for 25 years to C-Suites of over 400 public and private health systems, hospitals, group practices, private practices, and government healthcare administrations of the U.S., Canada, and Japan. Duke’s businesses include a global healthcare company with over 120 clinics in 24 countries, 129 articles in peer-reviewed medical/scientific journals, 29 Randomized Controlled Trials, and ongoing clinical trials with over 200,000 patients obtaining over 90% success rates among severe chronic patients. Other businesses include a practice management company for orthopedic and neurosurgical practices with 50% higher reimbursement rates over industry standards; Provider of CME/CNE/CEU programs for medical professionals and insurance industries; and Speaker at various international, national, and regional medical, scientific, and healthcare conferences. Duke has established over 60 clinics in 12 states as joint ventures through corporate clinics. Duke currently merged several technology companies into a single entity focused on Emerging Technologies as solutions for global issues. Some of these solutions include the High-G Loss of Consciousness Training program mandatory for all fighter pilots in the U.S. Air Force, Corps Fit Industrial Medicine Program and Academy for 34,000 and 12,000 personnel units, and industrial medicine programs for the U.S. Veterans Administration, Canadian Royal Forces, Japan Firefighters, and multiple Fortune 100 companies. Duke also gives back to the small business community working with the Nevada SBDC, College of Business, University of Nevada, Reno as a Business Advisor focused on healthcare, biotech, sciences, engineering, technologies, global businesses, strategic finance, mergers & acquisitions, and scalable IPs. Duke brings a no-nonsense, real-world, strategic consulting approach to his clients, peers, and colleagues. His life motto is, “When was the last time you did something for the first time in your life?”, his business view is, “‘Think outside The Box’? What Box?”, and his life outlook is that he has never met a stranger.

Business Licensing Info Session
2026-05-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-25 11:00 - 12:00 | 2250 N Las Vegas Blvd, 2250 N Las Vegas Blvd, North Las Vegas, 89030, United States
Starting a business in Nevada? Join our free info-sessions to learn the step by step process to get your business licensed and legally operating. You will learn how to choose the right business structure, required local and state licenses, where to apply and how, common fees and timelines, and tools and resources for your business journey.

Sesiones Informativas: Licencias De Negocios
2026-05-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 | 2250 N Las Vegas Blvd, 2250 N Las Vegas Blvd, North Las Vegas, 89030, United States
¿Estás por empezar tu negocio en Nevada?
Únete a nuestra sesión informativa gratuita para conocer el proceso paso a paso para obtener tus licencias y operar legalmente.
Aprenderás sobre:

Cómo elegir la estructura correcta (LLC, propietario único, etc.)
Licencias locales y estatales requeridas
Dónde y cómo aplicar
Costos comunes y tiempos de espera
Herramientas y recursos para ayudarte a crecer

Business Blueprint with Nevada SBDC - Spanish
2026-05-28 17:30 - 18:30 | ONLINE, STATEWIDE, NV, United States
Lanza tu negocio con claridad y confianza en Business Blueprint con Nevada SBDC. Esta clase interactiva te guiará a través de las decisiones esenciales que todo emprendedor debe tomar antes de invertir tiempo o dinero. Explorarás el problema que tu negocio resuelve, identificarás a tus clientes ideales, evaluarás a tu competencia y mapearás el entorno de tu industria. La sesión se centra en la aplicación en el mundo real; ayudándote a evaluar la viabilidad de tu idea y a entender lo que se necesitará para tener éxito. Espera salir con una visión más clara, próximos pasos accionables y una base más sólida para tu camino empresarial.

Miriam Yamileth Perez Aguilar es una profesional con formación en el área de negocios. Obtuvo su Licenciatura en Comercio Internacional, con especialidad en Sistemas de Calidad, en una universidad en México. Posteriormente, obtuvo una Maestría en Liderazgo Organizacional en Our Lady of the Lake University, en San Antonio, Texas.

Cuenta con experiencia en administración de empresas en diferentes industrias, incluyendo manufactura automotriz, instituciones educativas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro. A lo largo de su trayectoria, ha trabajado en áreas como coordinación financiera, recursos humanos y dirección de programas.

A Yamileth le motivan los retos y el servicio a la comunidad. Además, es propietaria de heladerías en México, lo que le permite mantener una conexión directa con el emprendimiento y los negocios.

How to Engage Your Customers in the Age of AI
2026-06-01 15:00 - 17:00 | 8400 W. Sunset Rd #300, 8400 W Sunset Rd #300, Las Vegas, NV, 89113, United States
This session is targeted toward small to medium size businesses looking to leverage AI in their marketing to increase customer engagement. We will share practical tips and workflows you can immediately use in your own business, to do more with less, and without a dedicated marketing team.
Sahar Arshad is a serial entrepreneur dedicated to turning AI into real-world advantage for businesses. With over 10+ years in AI, multiple award-winning product launches, and recognized leadership in data and innovation. More information can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahararshad
Ning Zhang is a founder and marketing executive with experience helping businesses achieve marketing success at some of the largest social platforms. Prior to OnVibe, he led teams at Facebook, TikTok, and Google helping businesses achieve business goals on each platform. More info here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ningzhang5

Nevada APEX Accelerator overview, plus “Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III”
2026-06-03 10:00 - 11:00 | ONLINE, STATEWIDE, NV, United States
The virtual presentation, which is presented at no charge, is designed for Nevada for-profit businesses, especially the small businesses, that are interested in selling their goods and/or services in the public sector (or government-related sector). Within the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), State of Nevada, the Nevada APEX Accelerator provides free government-related procurement technical assistance to established Nevada for-profit businesses. Aside from webinars, the Nevada APEX Accelerator provides other no-charge service offerings to its official clients who have been accepted into the program after completing a Client Questionnaire Form for consideration.
Regarding the APEX Accelerator [formerly known as the Nevada Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)] (note: see the updated webpage at https://goed.nv.gov/programs-incentives/procurement-assistance-outreach/ to become a client and follow us on the updated LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com): This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.
Regarding the Nevada SBDC: The Nevada SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with mental or physical disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Nevada SBDC State Office at (800) 240-7094 to make arrangements. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or activities.

Business Blueprint with Nevada SBDC
2026-06-09 17:30 - 18:30 | ONLINE, STATEWIDE, NV, United States
Launch your business with clarity and confidence in Business Blueprint with Nevada SBDC. This interactive class will guide you through the essential decisions every entrepreneur must make before investing time or money. You’ll explore the problem your business solves, pinpoint your ideal customers, assess your competition, and map out your industry environment. The session focuses on real-world application; helping you evaluate the viability of your idea and understand what it will take to succeed. Expect to leave with a sharper vision, actionable next steps, and a stronger foundation for your business journey.

Kelli Kelly once sailed away on a tallship, cooked on dive boats in the Bahamas, worked her way up through corporate coffee, and ultimately earned an Associate’s in the Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s in Organization and Project Management. After moving to Fallon, Nevada, Kelli found her calling in local and regional food systems while working at a farm-to-table restaurant. She was inspired to work with local farmers, ranchers, and value-added producers to promote sustainable agriculture and advocate for eating seasonally and within the foodshed. Kelli serves as the Agriculture and Food Systems Business Advisor for the Nevada Small Business Development Center housed at the Churchill Entrepreneur Development Association and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Urban Leadership at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kelli is an avid reader, a policy wonk, a slurper of dumplings, and a proud “person of the bean”

2024 Nevada Small Business Development Center State Star
President/Vice President/Secretary, Emerge NV
Member, Governor’s Council for Food Security
2019-2020 Chair, Nevada Farms Conference
Member, NevadaGrown Board of Directors
Member, Western Nevada College–Specialty Crop Institute Advisory Committee
Member, Northern Nevada Food Security Coalition
Member, Churchill County School District Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee
Member, Fallon Youth Club Board of Directors

Time To Find Your Dream BAIL Team - Panel Discussion with a Banker, Accountant, Insurance Agent, and Legal Team
2026-06-11 10:30 - 11:30 | Vegas Chamber, 70 E. Bonneville Ave, Las Vegas, 89101, United States
Training Description: Building on December’s Build Your Dream Team masterclass, this panel discussion takes a deeper dive into the key advisors every growing business needs: a Banker, Accountant, Insurance Agent, and Legal team. Learn when to engage each expert, what questions to ask, and how a strong BAIL team helps you grow strategically while protecting your business.

Nevada APEX Accelerator overview, plus “Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses”
2026-06-17 10:00 - 11:00 | ONLINE, STATEWIDE, NV, United States

Construction 1.0 Workshop
2026-07-07 17:00 - 18:30 | Innevation Center, 450 Sinclair Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
Session #1
2026-07-07
5:00 PM
– 6:30 PM (PDT)

Session #2
2026-07-14
5:00 PM
– 6:30 PM (PDT)

Session #3
2026-07-21
5:00 PM
– 6:30 PM (PDT)

Session #4
2026-07-28
5:00 PM
– 6:30 PM (PDT)

Session #5
2026-08-04
5:00 PM
– 6:30 PM (PDT)

Session #6
2026-08-11
5:00 PM
– 6:30 PM (PDT)

Join the Nevada SBDC, in collaboration with UNLV’s Office of Economic Development, and the Nevada State Contractors Board, for a dynamic, in-person, 6-week course designed to guide you through the construction industry. Gain essential insights into crucial construction business topics and receive a step-by-step walkthrough of the Nevada State Contractors Board application process. This course offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals, access expert support, and utilize resources to help you secure your contractor’s license. Don’t miss out on this chance to build a successful future in construction!

With over 25 years of experience in finance and banking, I have spent several years supporting entrepreneurs, particularly in the construction industry, as they establish and expand their businesses. My deep industry knowledge, combined with proficiency in Spanish and strong communication skills, allows me to provide expert guidance on business formation and operations. Passionate about addressing the misinformation often faced by small businesses, I am committed to educating entrepreneurs on effective strategies for success.
