Learn, Connect, and Grow: 2025 Workshops for Aspiring and Current Business Owners

By: Sunnie Dawn Baker

A new year brings new possibilities, and, at the Ada Jobs Foundation, it also brings a new round of programming and workshops. As the local Economic Development Organization, the Ada Jobs Foundation actively works to provide opportunities for economic growth, and part of that mission is supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners. To that end, they are hosting an exciting lineup of workshops for 2025, all of which are free and open to the public. If you have a small business, or are thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship, these workshops will provide helpful information and insights in an engaging and discussion-based environment. The workshop series will be kicking things off on February 13^th with QuickBooks for Small Businesses and Aspiring Entrepreneurs.

The Ada Jobs Foundation will host this first workshop in their community room at 5:30 PM and will be presented by Lauri Rowe of LoRowe Business Services. Lauri is a lifelong resident of the Ada area with deep roots in Pontotoc County, originally raised in Roff. She and her husband, Shannon, have successfully owned and operated two construction companies for the past 18 years. Lauri has also had other entrepreneurial ventures, leading her to run a coffee shop, a catering company, and working as a licensed realtor. However, when Lauri learned QuickBooks to manage her construction companies’ finances, she found her true passion. She is now a certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and co-owner of Accurate and Balances Business Services, which she founded with her business partner, Wendy Phillips. Together they have over 30 years of experience. Lauri is deeply committed to empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners by helping them build a solid financial foundation, which is one reason why she was excited to take on this workshop for the Ada Jobs Foundation. Whether you are a current business owner or are interested in starting your own business, this workshop will be a wealth of helpful information.

Following the QuickBooks workshop in February, Sunnie Dawn Baker, from the Ada Jobs Foundation, will be facilitating the workshops on March 13^th and April 10^th. While these are standalone sessions, the first will provide exercises to help attendees prepare for the second. On March 13^th, the Ada Jobs Foundation will host “Customer Discovery for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.” Baker will focus on helping the attendees narrow their focus when it comes to their customers in order to refine their business plan and develop a strategy for marketing. Shelley Mullins, owner of The Creative Outlet, attended Baker’s Customer Discovery Workshop this past fall and says of her experience, “It was extremely helpful to determine who we are trying to reach and it gave us tools to tailor our marketing towards those customers.” Following this workshop will be “Canva and Social Media” on April 10^th. This workshop will focus on the basics of Canva and how individuals can design and create social media posts, flyers, and other materials to promote their businesses. If attendees had taken part in the previous workshop, they can use their work with customer discovery to help refine their strategy when it comes to promoting their businesses.

The Spring workshops will conclude with something new and different from the workshops the Ada Jobs Foundation normally offers. Sam Baker, a local actor and educator, will be leading “Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.” Carol Ervin, President and CEO of the Ada Jobs Foundation, originally proposed this idea. Ervin had previously attended a workshop that used acting techniques to help business owners be more confident and capable and felt that this would be a beneficial offering to our community as well. Baker, who holds an MA in Theater from Oklahoma State University, as well as a BA in Communications and a BS in Education from East Central University, is an active member of the local theater community, performing in plays with ACT II, Cross Timbers Theater Company, East Central University, and Ada Shakespeare Company, of which he is a founding member. Baker has also taught courses in both theater and speech for the Upward Bound program and enjoys helping others find their voices through theater. Baker says, “Many talented entrepreneurs miss out on excellent networking opportunities because they aren’t confident in their public speaking skills.  It is natural to be uncomfortable in these situations; the trick is to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

After this workshop, Ada Jobs Foundation will resume programming in the Fall, focusing on business plans and pitch creation, and plans to hold a pitch competition tentatively scheduled for November 13th. On September 11^th, Ada Jobs Foundation will host a workshop that helps entrepreneurs narrow their focus and make important choices using the Business Model Canvas. Sher-Mon Clement, owner and operator of the Youth Connect Club, attended this workshop last fall and says, “The workshops through the Ada Jobs Foundation were integral to the reformation of my business. Not only was it informative and a terrific resource, but the individuals involved were knowledgeable and really care about making sure your future business is set up for success!” As with all the workshops, these can be standalone or work together. The October 9^th workshop focuses on the elements of creating a pitch, in hopes that people will use their business ideas, flesh them out, and then bring them to the pitch competition in November.

The Ada Jobs Foundation anticipates an exciting year as they actively support our local small business owners and future entrepreneurs. If you have a business, or if you have thought about starting one, these workshops could be perfect for what you need. The workshops give people opportunities to learn something new, view their business from a different perspective, and connect with others in the community. Follow the Ada Jobs Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn for future announcements or sign up for their newsletter. For more information about the workshop series, contact Sunnie Dawn Baker at sbaker@growada.com.

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