Free Small Business Training Available for Downtown Business Owners

Article presented by Classic Brands …

PIKE COUNTY – Heritage Ohio is excited to announce a FREE, ten-part webinar series designed specifically for small business owners, delivered by Merchant’s Edge. The series kicks off January 14 and will continue monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. Each live virtual webinar will feature 35–40 minutes of practical, real-world instruction on a focused business topic, followed by 15–20 minutes of live Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions, learn from each other and apply strategies directly to their own businesses. Topics will range from goal setting and online visibility to storefront experience, customer loyalty, and profit awareness—providing clear, actionable guidance business owners can use right away. (A complete list of webinar topics can be found at the bottom of this page).

Fresh Start: Goal Setting for the New Year
A practical, Main Street-grounded approach
Wednesday, January 14 at 8:30 a.m. 

January often comes with big expectations and long to-do lists. This session is designed to help downtown business owners step back, refocus, and choose goals that actually fit their current season, capacity, and operations.

Rather than chasing trends or setting goals that feel good on paper but fade by February, participants will be guided through a thoughtful, discussion-based framework to help them identify one clear, realistic priority for the coming months.

This interactive webinar will:

• Reframe traditional goal setting through a Main Street lens
• Help participants identify goals that reduce pressure, not add to it
• Connect goals to simple consistent actions that support real progress
• Introduce a guided AI tool that participants can use after the session to refine and finalize their goals at their own pace

Participants will leave with greater clarity, a grounded direction for the new year, and a practical process they can return to anytime their goals feel scattered or overwhelming.

REGISTER HERE

Future Topics include: 

• Feb. 11 – Standing Out in Your Niche – Defining your “Why Us”
• Mar. 11 – Online Visibility – Getting found where it matters
• Apr. 8 – Community Events – Why participation is a must
• May 13 – Communication and Leadership Essentials – Managing your team
• June 10 – Social Media Consistency – Staying visible without burnout
• July 8 – Storefront Experience – Creating spaces customers remember
• Aug. 12 – Customer Loyalty – Building connection through small gestures
• Sept. 9 – Profit Awareness – Identifying hidden money drains and basic budgeting
• Oct. 21** – Holiday Momentum – Finishing the year strong

** Please note the October Webinar will be on the Third Wednesday of the month