Business Development Workshops

BWorkshop

Interactive Live and Online Workshops!

The Economic Opportunity and Development Division works with the Cambridge Community Television (CCTV), Center for Women & Enterprise, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SCORE Boston, Growth with Google, and local organizations to provide business development programs and services to Cambridge residents, entrepreneurs, and businesses.  

Click here for a list of previously recorded workshops and events that are now available for viewing.

Please note - Registrations close 2 HOURS BEFORE the workshop begins.  Classes may be cancelled or postponed due to lack of registration. Please call the Division at 617-349-4637 to check the status of a workshop. 

January

Managing Your Food Business Finances Webinar

  • Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023
  • Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Description: Consultant ReThink Restaurants will lead this webinar on the economics of operating a food business. Participants will learn basic financial jargon, how to identify benchmarks, and will dive deep into cost categories. Particular focus will be paid to managing debt as well as employee retention. Advance registration is required.
  • Register online. Once registered, you will receive a link to Zoom session.
  • For more information, please contact Christina DiLisio at cdilisio@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4601.

February

Free Financial Education Course for Cambridge Businesses

  • Date: Wednesdays, February 8 - March 1, 2023
  • Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom.
  • Description:  Are you a Cambridge entrepreneur or small business owner looking for training on best practices for marketing, business cash flow, business credit, and financing options? The City is partnering with Cambridge Savings Bank to offer a four-week Financial Education Program for Cambridge entrepreneurs. The workshops begin on February 8, 2023, and will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. This program is free and open to all. Financial Education Specialist, Eddy Desir will facilitate the workshops, which are designed to help Cambridge small business owners and entrepreneurs develop plans and make sound financial decisions. After the training sessions, graduates will have the option to be matched up with a business banker.
  • Register online. Once registered, you will receive a link to the Zoom session

  • For more information, please contact Rona Abrahams at rabrahams@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4637.

Steps to Starting Your Own Business!

  • Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2023 
  • Location: Online via Zoom.
  • Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  • Description: This workshop will outline the various steps necessary to start your own business in Cambridge. As part of this workshop, you will: explore the process and learn about the risks and rewards of starting your own business; find out first steps to start a business; and get an overview or resources available to help you move forward with your business idea. **This workshop is a prerequisite for the Cambridge 10-week Business Planning Program. Trainer: Economic Opportunity and Development Division staff. 
  • Registration is required. Register online here.

  • For more information, please contact Rona Abrahams at rabrahams@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4637.

March

ServSafe Certification Training

  • Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023
  • Time: 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Location: Cambridge Public Library Main Branch, 449 Broadway Community Room (Level L2) Note: This course includes a training, a break period, and testing session. While the room is available until 7:00 p.m., past students have required less time for the exam and completed the day in 5 hours.
  • Description: This course includes a training, a break period, and testing session. ServSafe Certification training is a common and important requirement for food service employees. Food businesses ranging from brick-and-mortar operations to food truck operators and specialty caterers are all required to produce proof of ServSafe Certification for many activities in Cambridge. This two-part workshop offers attendees the opportunity to take an in-person ServSafe training module and then a ServSafe test administered by paper and led by an experienced ServSafe trainer. This training is ideal for first-time food businesses looking to do catering or pop-up markets in Cambridge. Translation services can be made available upon request. Trainer: Robert Buoniconti, certified ServSafe Trainer and Proctor.
  • Registration is required. Register online.

  • For more information, please contact Christina DiLisio at cdilisio@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4601.

What's on the menu? Maximizing Revenue Through Menu Choice and Design

  • Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom. 
  • Description: The differentiator of any restaurant is a carefully crafted menu. In many independent restaurants, menus are too big and not well-defined, leading to guest confusion and wasted resources. Your menu is the primary driver of revenue and is your greatest marketing tool – it says so much about the identity of your business! In this session, we’ll go in-depth on the three keys to evaluating an existing menu or creating a new dish: concept, market fit, and high contributions to the bottom line. We'll show you how to identify your top sellers, calculate plate costs from start to finish and decide if a dish is actually profitable. Then, we’ll share industry tips to design your menu to make those top sellers stand out. You'll also walk away with the skills to analyze your own menu to make data-driven decisions that turn each dish into a revenue center for your business. Trainer: Irene Shiang Li of Prepshift and MeiMei Dumplings. 
  • Registration is required. Register online.

  • For more information, please contact Christina DiLisio at cdilisio@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4601.