ECDI

Thinking about starting a food business or in your first year? Our partners at Findlay Market are offering Food Business Foundations, a hands-on 6-week program designed to help you turn your idea into a solid business.

You’ll gain:
✅ A draft business plan
✅ Real-world guidance on marketing, pricing, and finances
✅ Connections with local experts + fellow entrepreneurs
✅ Free logo review + professional headshots

🗓 June 16 – July 21 (Tuesdays, 6–8 PM)
📍 Findlay Market | Cincinnati

💸 Use code FMPartner for 20% off registration

🔗 Sign up:

Food Business Foundations | 2026 Summer Cohort Kickstart your business journey today!

Struggling to keep your construction business finances on track? 🏗️💸

Join our upcoming virtual workshop: Building Strong Business Finances for Residential Contractors

📅 Monday, June 8
⏰ 12 PM – 2 PM
💻 Online Event

Learn how to:
✅ Improve cash flow and profitability
✅ Understand your financial statements
✅ Set up effective bookkeeping systems
✅ Price jobs accurately and manage expenses
✅ Use tools to simplify your accounting

Featuring Emarald Sparks, award-winning finance expert and bestselling author, who will share practical strategies to help you take control of your money and grow a sustainable business.

Stop guessing where your money is going and start building a stronger financial foundation.

👉 Register now: https://monkeylink.co/2214e3

Building Strong Business Finances for Residential Contractors Learn the financial fundamentals every small business owner needs, from cash flow management to recordkeeping and capital readiness.

We’d love to see businesses from our network take advantage of this opportunity! 👏

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Patriot Pitch Competition is offering $1M in prizes and national exposure.

If you’re eligible, this is your moment—apply by June 10!
https://preview.sba.gov/freedom-250/

To celebrate 250 years of American free enterprise, we want to show the country that small business is BIG business.

We’re looking for small businesses that are:

- Strengthening American competitiveness

- Innovating and demonstrating an outsized impact within an industry

- Delivering economic opportunity and quality jobs

- Showing strong fundamentals and ex*****on readiness

Apply to the Patriot Pitch Competition: sba.gov/freedom250

ServSafe Certification Training ECDI's Food Business Incubation Services is offering small in-person ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification trainings!

Most business owners wait until January to think about taxes — and by then, it’s too late.

The reality is, the decisions you make right now will determine what you owe later. Mid-year is your opportunity to make adjustments, reduce your tax burden, and keep more of what you earn.

Join us for a free Tuesday Tune Up designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to be proactive — not surprised — at tax time.

🗓 Tuesday, June 2 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

We’ll cover where you stand today, strategies to lower your tax bill, and how to adjust your payments before year-end.

Featuring Lorianne Rose, CPA, with 20+ years of experience helping small business owners make smarter financial decisions.

Don’t leave money on the table this year.
👉 Register here: https://monkeylink.co/1a6a40

Pay Less, Plan Now: Mid-Year Tax Planning Find out how to reduce your tax burden and keep more of your profits before December 31st.

The ECDI Pop-Up Market is THIS WEEK! 💥

If you’ve been meaning to shop local more, support small businesses, or just get out and do something fun after work, this is your sign. 🛍️

For one night, we’re filling ECDI with local entrepreneurs, handcrafted goods, food, drinks, sweet treats, and so many small businesses from across Central Ohio that deserve your support.

Come discover new favorites, meet the makers behind the brands, and celebrate Small Business Month with us.

📅 Thursday, May 28
⏰ 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 ECDI Columbus | 1655 Old Leonard Avenue

🎟️ Free + open to the public

Register here: https://monkeylink.co/57feec

ECDI Pop-Up Market Celebrate Small Business Month by shopping local for food, drinks, and handcrafted gifts!

Another sweet vendor joining us at the ECDI Pop-Up Market: ! ✨

Oh Churros is a family-owned Columbus business specializing in fresh, made-from-scratch churros, empanadas, tequeños, and other delicious Spanish desserts. They’ll be bringing their incredible churros and homemade dulce de leche spreads to the market — including traditional dulce de leche, dulce de leche repostero, and caramel spread varieties. 🤎🍩

What started as a home-based family business has grown tremendously over the past year, and we’re excited to help spotlight their journey as they continue growing toward their next big milestone.

If you love discovering local food businesses and supporting passionate entrepreneurs, make sure to stop by their booth at the market!

📅 Thursday, May 28
⏰ 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 ECDI Columbus | 1655 Old Leonard Avenue

🎟️ Free + open to the public

Register here: https://monkeylink.co/57feec

Please note: All ECDI offices will close early at 12 PM on Friday, May 22, and remain closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

If you need support, we encourage you to connect with us before the long weekend.

We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, May 26. Wishing you a safe and reflective Memorial Day.

Say hello to an amazing vendor joining us at the ECDI Pop-Up Market on May 28 — Terra Mezcal. 🌮✨

Terra Mezcal Mexican Grill brings authentic Mexican cuisine and bold fire-roasted flavors to the heart of Columbus. From street tacos and ceviche to desserts and their soft serve margaritas, their menu is all about fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and bringing people together through food.

Stop by their table at the market to meet the team and learn more about their restaurant — plus, visitors will receive a FREE appetizer or margarita when they visit their Columbus location after the event. 🍹

If you love supporting local restaurants and discovering new favorites, you won’t want to miss them at the market.

📅 Thursday, May 28
⏰ 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 ECDI Columbus | 1655 Old Leonard Avenue

Register here: https://monkeylink.co/57feec..