Date: July 8, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Steve Picanza
Location: Evans Hall, Room 462

Price: $69.00

Course Description:

Too many businesses confuse marketing, promotion, and sales—and it’s costing them customers. This beginner-friendly session will demystify the differences between these essential growth levers and show you how to make them work together, not against each other.

Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, you’ll gain clarity on how to attract attention, build trust, and convert that trust into action. You’ll leave understanding where to focus your time and resources to actually grow your business.

This class is perfect for small business owners, solo entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to build stronger brand foundations and sales systems without wasting time or money.

SESSION 1:

• Opening Activities
• Clarifying Expectations + Goals
• What is Marketing? What is Promotion? What is Sales?
• How They Work Together (And Where Most Businesses Get It Wrong)
• Identifying Your Business’s Marketing Gaps
• Case Studies from Small Biz & Startup Successes
• Closing Activity: Mapping Your Own Funnel

Date: July 15, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Laurie Steidle 
Location: Online
Price: $69.00

Unleash your creativity with Canva, the powerful and user-friendly graphic design tool that's perfect for beginners and professionals alike. In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to create stunning designs for social media, presentations, flyers, and more—no graphic design experience required!

Whether you're a small business owner looking to improve your marketing materials, an educator creating engaging lessons, or someone who just wants to make beautiful visuals, this class will give you the tools and confidence to bring your ideas to life using Canva. 

• Basic Design Tools
• Adding and editing text
• Working with images
• Using shapes, lines, and frames
• Adjusting colors, fonts, and spacing
• Use Animation
• Create Layers

This course will utilize the free version of software. Since this is an online platform, you’re welcome to watch and follow along even if you don't yet have an account. 

Date: July 17, 2025 
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Laurie Steidle
Location: Online
Price: $69.00

This hands-on class combines the power of project management with digital advertising strategy. Learn how to organize your marketing tasks with Asana and drive results through Google Pay-Per-Click ads and Facebook ads. Perfect for anyone managing campaigns, small teams, or solo businesses, this course helps you stay on top of your workload and reach the right audience at the right time.

Introduction to Asana

• Navigating the dashboard and workspace
• Creating projects, tasks, and subtasks
• Assigning tasks, setting due dates, using tags and priorities

Introduction to Google PPC

• What is Google Ads and how does PPC work?
• Key terms: impressions, CTR, CPC, quality score, keywords
• Campaign types: Search, Display, Local, Video
• Setting up your first campaign:
  • Choosing objectives
  • Creating ad groups and ads
  • Targeting by location, device, and demographics
  • Budgeting and bidding strategies
• Writing effective ad copy (with examples)
• Using Google Keyword Planner

Introduction to Facebook Ads

Date: July 10, 2025
Time: 6 – 8 pm
Instructor: Steve Picanza
Location: Evans Hall Room 462
Price: $69.00

Course Description:

You don’t need a massive budget to generate leads—you need a brand that sticks and a strategy that works. This hands-on class will teach you how to build a brand that creates trust and a lead generation system that converts.

You’ll walk away with the tools to craft a compelling brand narrative, identify your ideal customer, and launch simple lead-gen tactics that drive results. Expect real talk, actionable frameworks, and a step-by-step process you can apply the next day.

Whether you’re just getting started or refining your current approach, this course will help you stop guessing and start growing.

SESSION 2:

• Recap of Brand vs. Promotion
• Brand-Building Fundamentals: Voice, Audience, Visuals
• The Psychology Behind Why People Buy
• Easy, Actionable Lead Generation Tactics
• Content & Connection: Building Trust at Scale
• Closing Exercise: Your 30-Day Brand + Lead Plan

Date: TBD
Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Instructor: Malina Poshtova -Delamere 
Location: Online
Price: $69.00

Creating a business plan is essential for the success of any business. It serves as a roadmap, helping entrepreneurs define goals, identify strategies, and secure funding. 

This course provides a detailed outline for creating a business plan, along with recommended resources and tools. Entrepreneurs will gain knowledge, confidence, and understanding of the components and details that comprise a successful business plan, including:

• Executive summary
• Business description
• Market research
• Organization and management
• Product or service 
• Marketing and sales strategy
• Funding requests
• Financial projections

Participants who complete the course will be able to craft a solid business plan that clearly outlines their vision and strategy for success.

Dates: July 7, 2025 & July 14, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Ed Andriessen
Location: RCBC Campus, Laurel Hall Rm 132 

Price: $120 bundle deal 

Course Description:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms businesses' operations, making processes faster, smarter, and more efficient. This beginner-friendly course will help you understand AI’s potential and equip you with practical tools to enhance productivity, marketing, and customer engagement. 

Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, you’ll explore AI-powered solutions. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to streamline decision-making, stay ahead in your industry, and save time with AI. 

This course empowers individuals to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. You’ll leave with an actionable AI implementation plan, ensuring you can confidently apply AI strategies to grow and future-proof your career.

SESSION 1 

• Opening Activities 
• Gathering Expectations 
• Learning Objectives
• Understanding AI and Its Impact *Definition and Key Concepts 
• Practical Applications 
• AI Adoption 
• Benefits and Challenges 
• Case Studies 

SESSION 2 

• Opening Activities 
• Session 1 Review 
• Insights and Perspectives 
• AI Tools and Strategies
• Use cases: Marketing, Customer Engagement 
• Automation and Efficiency ▪ Closing Activities 
• Future Trends and Next Steps 

Two 2-hour sessions

Date: July 24, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Laurie Steidle 
Location: Online 

Price: $69.00

Learn how to connect with your audience through effective email marketing using Mailchimp—a popular, user-friendly platform with a free plan perfect for beginners. In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to set up and manage your contact list, design beautiful emails using templates, and send professional-looking campaigns with confidence.

We'll walk step-by-step through the process of creating and scheduling your first email campaign, including adding images, text, links, and more. No prior experience needed—just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm to learn.

• Contact Management – create and import client emails
• Create an Email Campaign using a template
• Add content: text, images, buttons, links
• Preview and Test Campaign
• Schedule and Send Email

This course will utilize the free version of the software. Since this is an online platform, you’re welcome to watch and follow along even if you don't yet have an account. Please note: Platform choices may change if a free version is no longer available.

Present with Confidence Part 1
Date: August 5, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor : Ed Andrienssen 
Location: RCBC Campus, Evans Hall Rm 462

$120.00 bundle deal

Description

Whether you're pitching to investors, partners, or potential clients, nerves can be your biggest hurdle. This hands-on workshop helps entrepreneurs turn anxiety into impact by mastering both mindset and message.

In a supportive, low-pressure environment, you'll learn how to calm nerves, focus your thoughts, and organize your ideas using the Four Ps of Pitching: Plan, Prepare, Practice, and Pitch. You’ll walk away with techniques to manage fear, present with clarity, and confidently deliver your pitch when it matters most.

Get ready to transform shaky beginnings into strong finishes—this is your pitch, your voice, and your moment.

Session 1

• Opening activities
• Dealing with nerves
• The Four Ps of Pitching
• Delivering Your Pitch

Present with Confidence Part 2
Date: August 12, 2025 
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Ed Andriessen 
Location: RCBC Campus, Evans Hall Rm 462

Session 2

• Review
• Your Unique Value Proposition
• Telling Your Story
• Closing activities

Public Speaking Part 1
Date: July 9, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Ed Andriessen
Location: Evans Hall 462

Price: $120.00 bundle deal

Course Description:

Whether you're pitching to investors, partners, or potential clients, nerves can be your biggest hurdle. This hands-on workshop helps entrepreneurs turn anxiety into impact by mastering both mindset and message.

In a supportive, low-pressure environment, you'll learn how to calm nerves, focus your thoughts, and organize your ideas using the Four Ps of Pitching: Plan, Prepare, Practice, and Pitch. You’ll walk away with techniques to manage fear, present with clarity, and confidently deliver your pitch when it matters most.

Get ready to transform shaky beginnings into strong finishes—this is your pitch, your voice, and your moment.

Session 1

• Opening activities
• Dealing with nerves
• The Four Ps of Pitching
• Delivering Your Pitch

Public Speaking Part 2
Date: July 23, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Ed Andriessen 
Location: RCBC Campus, Evans Hall Rm 462

Session 2

• Review
• Your Unique Value Proposition
• Telling Your Story
• Closing activities

Date: July 22, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm 
Instructor: Laurie Steidle
Location: Online 
Price: $69.00

Looking to level up your social media presence without the overwhelm? This fast-paced, hands-on class is designed to help small business owners, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals develop a clear social media marketing strategy—and manage it all from one place using Hootsuite. 

You'll learn how to choose the right platforms for your audience, plan effective content, and use Hootsuite to schedule, monitor, and engage—saving time and boosting results. Perfect for beginners or anyone needing a practical refresh.

Building a Smart Social Media Strategy

• Choosing the Right Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.
• Content Planning Basics: Content pillars, post types, frequency
• Creating a Post and Selecting Hashtags

Introduction to Hootsuite

• What is Hootsuite? Why use it?
• Creating and scheduling a post (single or multiple platforms)
• Connecting social media accounts
• Creating and scheduling a post (single or multiple platforms) 

This course will utilize the free version of the software. Since this is an online platform, you’re welcome to watch and follow along even if you don't yet have an account. Please note: Platform choices may change if a free version is no longer available.

Date: August 6, 2025
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Jean Trujillo
Location: Online 

Price: $69.00

Whether you're nurturing a side hustle or just sparked a business idea, this hands-on workshop gives you the tools and guidance to launch your service or online-based business in New Jersey.

What You'll Learn:
How to choose the right business structure (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.)
How to refine your business idea and identify your ideal customer
Essentials of market research, business planning, and creating a pitch
NJ-specific legal, tax, and registration requirements
Business banking, budgeting, bookkeeping, and insurance basics
Avoiding common legal and financial pitfalls
Building your brand with a website, social media, and online presence
Where to find funding, mentors, and networking groups

Leave this workshop with clarity, confidence, and a personalized action plan to turn your idea into a real, thriving business.

Date: July 14, 2025
Time: 4 - 6 pm 
Instructor: Malina Poshtova -Delamere 
Location: Online

Price: $69.00

Course Description

Securing financing for a small business in New Jersey involves tapping into a variety of funding sources, each with its own advantages and requirements. 

This course provides new and seasoned small business owners with a comprehensive overview of sources for funding, including federal, state, and local programs, as well as private and non-profit funding options, and crowd-funding platforms. 

It’s important for business owners to evaluate their specific needs—whether for working capital, expansion, or innovation—and explore the best options suited to their circumstances. 

Participants will leave empowered with knowledge, tools, and information, and access links to guide entrepreneurs in choosing the right financing path.

Application Process:

1. Apply to RCBC by clicking on the “Empowerpreneurship Series Registration” button, filling out the appropriate information, and clicking submit application. Application is FREE. 

2. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email to the email address you used for the application.

3. In 48 hours you will then receive your BaronOne Portal Credentials and instructions on how to access BaronOne from elevatealerts@rcbc.edu. Please check spam after 48 hours.

4. BaronOne will be the portal through which you register for classes and make your payment if applicable.

5. After accessing BaronOne account successfully:

   1. Click “All Applications: Everything”

   2. Elevate Course Catalog tile.

6. Search for the class you want:

   1. Click register

   2. Follow prompts to complete payment.

7. For any questions, reach out to businessengagement@rcbc.edu.