Workshop to invite current, aspiring entrepreneurs

The Elyria Club of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc. will host an annual event focused on leadership, technology and leadership with the topic presenting, “The ‘Trust Factor’ Impact on Business Identity Theft and Fraud.”

The event starts at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Amy Levin Conference Center, 1165 North Ridge Road in Lorain.

LaTaunya V. Conley, a member of the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs and chairperson of the event, said all are welcome to attend, but the focus in on upcoming entrepreneurs and present businesses.

The workshop is in its 10th year and new topics are presented annually to help educate and prepare attendees to become successful in business.

Many state and federal agencies are invited, Conley said.

For this year’s workshop, the idea of the “Trust Factor,” and the effects of business identity theft and fraud were presented to the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs from the IRS.

“It’s something prominent on businesses at all times,” Conley said. “I have worked with the IRS for a long time as a business woman.

“People may think that they (IRS) are coming after you, but they do help you and do have benefits.”

The event will offer tips on how to safeguard one’s business and information from incidents such as fraud, tax scams, double payroll checks that are written, keeping information safe on data-based platforms and much more, Conley said.

It’s hard for businesses, especially small ones, to get back up and running after they have experienced some type of fraud or scam, she said.

If a business is not educated on the correct resources to be a successful and safe one, it will have a hard time, Conley said.

Some of those resources may be a good accountant or simply knowing people and other businesses to give you tips and supply you with more resources, she said.

“We just want to provide (something) to people who are aspiring to be good entrepreneurs,” Conley said. “We exist. Something like this does exist.”

To provide guests with beneficial tips on how to safely handle a business, avoid fraud and identity theft, companies such as Lorain County Urban League Inc., MBAC and SBDC, Huntington Bank of Downtown Elyria, Ohio Small Business Development Centers, Ohio Minority Business Assistance Centers’ Cleveland office and others will attend the workshop.

Guests will be able to share an experience or something they may have gone through in their business to help others, Conley said.

Precautions will help prevent fraud and theft, but if you’re not careful, something will come up, she said.

With the workshops, Conley said it invites many and provides them with information that will benefit them toward their future.

“Entrepreneurs have no age limit,” she said.

Conley shared a story from last year’s workshop where an 8-year-old girl — whose family was involved in business — was invited to share her business of guitar accessories.

With a bank account that was started at the age of 5, Conley said, the girl was saving money to go to college.

There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is required through email at elyrianbpw@gmail.com.

For any questions or information, call 440-3261407.