TSBDCChattanooga

Last week we asked what season your business is in. Here's what we heard (and what it means.) ➡️

Aaaand that’s a wrap! Last week all Centers in the TSBDC network came together in one room to learn, collaborate, and celebrate. 🙌

We’re proud to invest in the professional development of our staff, knowing that stronger teams mean stronger communities, and better support for Tennessee’s small businesses!

A special thank you to our event sponsors - you made this incredible week possible!
🔹 First Horizon Bank
🔹 Truist
🔹 Republic Bank
🔹 Three Roots Capital
🔹 Pinnacle Financial Partners

Most businesses don't think about disaster preparedness until they need it. Our Blue Sky series gives you a plan before that moment comes.

Join us on Tuesday, May 5th at 3pm for a no-cost workshop covering practical steps before, during, and after a disaster, specifically tailored for manufacturers.

Learn more and register at tsbdc.org/tnblueskyseries

Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week is coming May 1–8!

This free, community-wide event spans the city with programming at different locations organizations each day, covering everything from marketing and tech to funding and the arts.

Learn more at chabusiness.org and get ready to explore what Chattanooga's entrepreneur ecosystem has to offer!

Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week

Calling all artists! 📢

Our friends at Arts Build are offering grants of up to $5,000 for individual artists or groups to produce original work that concludes with an exhibit or performance in Hamilton County.

Applications are open now through April 30. Learn more and apply at artsbuild.com/grant-making.

With the recent announcement that the small business incubator program will be moving to the Franklin Roberts Future Ready Center and the Business Development Center building will be sold, we want to be clear that this does not impact the TSBDC's commitment to our clients.

We are part of a national network and will continue to provide no-cost consulting to small businesses in our 9-county service area, regardless of where our office is located.

We'll share more details as we have them, but for the foreseeable future, you can still request appointments and attend trainings as usual via our website: https://tsbdc.org/center/chattanooga

Looking to connect with local buyers and grow your business network in Chattanooga?

EPB's Business Connect Summit is happening this Thursday - a free half-day event designed to help local businesses make meaningful connections and learn how to work with major buyers in the area.

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/epb-business-connect-summit-2026-tickets-1982808920858

Are you ready to export your U.S. product or service to new foreign markets?

The SBA is hosting Export Week May 4-8 with virtual seminars to help U.S. businesses expand into foreign markets.

Two sessions that might be particularly helpful:

Monday, May 4th | 11am-12pm ET | Export Week Kick-Off: Navigating Export Resources for U.S. Manufacturers Learn about federal export resources, trade counseling, and market intelligence. Register: 3d114ccd-b6d8-479b-902f-6cf0726e4faa@a1d183f2-6c7b-4d9a-b994-5f2f31b3f780" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/3d114ccd-b6d8-479b-902f-6cf0726e4faa@a1d183f2-6c7b-4d9a-b994-5f2f31b3f780

Tuesday, May 5th | 9-10am CT | Tennessee STEP Grant Program Learn about grant funding to help Tennessee small businesses enter and expand into international markets. Register: f1a16eef-270d-4e8a-b4d8-53b07fbde079@3c89fd8a-7f68-4667-aa15-41ebf2208961" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/f1a16eef-270d-4e8a-b4d8-53b07fbde079@3c89fd8a-7f68-4667-aa15-41ebf2208961

Both sessions are free and virtual. If you're considering international expansion, this is a great place to start!

If you're starting or growing a business in Chattanooga, TREND has put together a helpful guide to alternative funding options.

Learn about community lenders, city grants, crowdfunding platforms and more:

Chattanooga’s Entrepreneurial Renaissance Has Arrived Grants, credit unions, crowdfunding, and accelerators are reshaping Chattanooga small business funding—and opening doors for the next wave of local entrepreneurs.

Last week on LinkedIn, we asked what the hardest part of running a business is. The results were split between staying motivated and knowing when to pivot.

Here's what both of those struggles have in common: they're signs you need clarity.

If staying motivated is hard, you might need clearer goals, better boundaries, or a reminder of why you started. Burnout often means you're working in the business without stepping back to work on it.

If knowing when to pivot is hard, you're stuck between what you've built and what might work better. That decision gets easier when you have data, outside perspective, and a strategic plan.

The good news is that you don't have to figure this out alone! Our consultants can help you work through challenges like these - whether it's getting unstuck, making tough calls, or building a clearer path forward.