Live Events

Amazon Small Business Academy's live events go beyond theory, by connecting attendees with experienced small business owners. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, relevant for those just starting or ready to scale their business. Each event provides actionable insights and strategies, ensuring attendees gain valuable and applicable knowledge.

Registration Now Open!

Join Us for Founders Table on July 20

Discover paths to funding at the next Founders Table event, “Capital Quest: Finding funding and financial opportunities”, where you’ll gain valuable insights from founder and “venture catalyst” Arlan Hamilton, and hear from veteran, sister owners of Birdy Boutique who took their business from modest-to-million with a variety of funding options: loans, credit, competitions, grants and more.

Upcoming Events

February 27, 2024 9:00 AM
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How to build a successful multi-channel sales strategy

Successfully building a multi-channel sales strategy can help diversify your business and generate money from different sources, including your website. In this webinar, Josh Berkstresser (Director of Merchant Engagement), and Wiebe de Boer (Senior Product Marketing Manager) from Ecwid will discuss how you can capitalize on expansion opportunities without maximizing the work you need to put in.

Speakers: 
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March 12, 2024 9:00 AM
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Ask the Small Business Owner: Should I manufacture my own product or outsource?

A common challenge for growing small businesses is deciding how to manufacture their product. In this session of Ask the Small Business Owner, we will spend some time with Sean Brownlee, CEO of Ravenox. Sean will talk about his small business journey, and answer questions around his thought process when deciding whether to outsource or manufacture his own product. "Ask the Small Business Owner" is a 60–minute open forum Q&A session with an experienced small business owner, facilitated by an Amazon Small Business Academy Business Coach.

Speakers: 
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March 26, 2024 9:00 AM
PT

The Basics of Marketing Budgets: How to know what to spend, and where to spend it

Have you ever wondered how much to invest in marketing for your product-based business? Is there a special formula? A secret answer you’re unaware of? How do you know if you’re spending too much? These questions are agonizing for both established small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. Join Jessica Korthuis & Mari Milenkovic, co-founders of Her Brand & Co., the #1 marketing educational platform for women-owned small businesses, for an insightful session tailored for women entrepreneurs during Women's History Month! In this webinar, Jess and Mari will teach you everything you need to know about how to set up a marketing budget, how to create projections, how to think about reinvesting revenue back into your marketing efforts, and demystify what to spend your valuable marketing dollars on.

Speakers: 
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April 23, 2024 9:00 AM
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Ask the Small Business Owner: What is social impact and why is it important?

Join Andrew Glantz, the founder of GiftAMeal, as he shares his journey of turning a simple idea into a business that's changing lives. Discover how social impact can be integrated into entrepreneurship, gain practical insights on making a meaningful difference, and learn how to communicate your positive impact effectively. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just curious about the power of businesses for good, this session offers valuable guidance and inspiration to start your own journey of creating a positive impact through your ventures. "Ask the Small Business Owner" is a 60–minute open forum Q&A session with an experienced small business owner, facilitated by an Amazon Small Business Academy Business Coach.

Speakers: 
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May 7, 2024 9:00 AM
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Ask the Small Business Owner: What do I need to know when adding a new product to my business?

In this Ask the Small Business Owner session, Leslie Pierson of TACO vs BURRITO will share her journey from conceptualizing a single product to building a diverse and successful product line. This session is made for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to explore the ins-and-outs of product expansion. Leslie will delve into the critical steps of market research, maintaining brand identity, and navigating the challenges and opportunities of introducing new products to your business. "Ask the Small Business Owner" is a 60-minute open forum Q&A session with an experienced small business owner, facilitated by an Amazon Small Business Academy Business Coach.

Speakers: 
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May 14, 2024 9:00 AM
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Ask the Small Business Owner: How do I differentiate my product?

Proving there is a need for your product idea is key to any early stage entrepreneur looking to launch and grow their small business. This journey starts by showing customers that your products are different and better than the competition. In this session of Ask the Small Business Owner, we will spend some time with Aaron and Whitney Cordovez, co-founders of Zulay Kitchen, to talk about how they differentiated their brand in the crowded "kitchen gadget" category. "Ask the Small Business Owner" is a 60–minute open forum Q&A session with an experienced small business owner, facilitated by an Amazon Small Business Academy Business Coach.

Speakers: 
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May 31, 2024 9:00 AM
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Ask the Small Business Owner: What do I need to know about hiring?

In this Ask the Small Business Owner session, Kyle Goguen, Owner and Founder of Pawstruck, shares his journey of hiring employees for his small business. This session is made for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to learn more about hiring employees, whether they are thinking about hiring or have already made their first hire. Kyle will provide valuable insight on a range of topics relating to hiring like salaries, job applications, employee handbooks, and more. "Ask the Small Business Owner" is a 60-minute open forum Q&A session with an experienced small business owner, facilitated by an Amazon Small Business Coach.

Speakers: 
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June 4, 2024 9:00 AM
PT

Researching the competitive landscape

Have you ever wondered how to determine if there is a market for the product you are looking to sell? Whether you are a brand-new seller looking to sell your first product, or an experienced seller looking to branch out, validating your product is a critical step when assessing how your product will perform when entering a new market. Join Bradley Sutton, Director of Training for Helium10, for an insightful webinar discussing market validation. In this session, Bradley will share some best practices around what data points to look at, how to differentiate, and potential red or green flags when validating your product. Bradley will also spend some time talking about some market validation tools offered by Helium 10 to help find opportunities, and track performance of your products and competitors. Helium 10 is an e-commerce suite of tools for entrepreneurs and businesses to manage and sell products, find keywords, identify trends, optimize listings, streamline advertising campaigns, and more on Amazon.

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July 9, 2024 9:00 AM
PT

The art of customer clarity

One of the biggest mistakes founders make when they first start out is that they target the wrong customer and go too wide with their audience. We’ve heard it all before, “niche down, be specific.” BUT HOW?! Join Jessica Korthuis & Mari Milenkovic, Cofounders of Her Brand & Co. the #1 marketing educational platform for women-owned small businesses, as they teach you how to better understand your customer and how to best communicate your unique business value to the right people. Without having a full understanding of who your ideal customer is, it's nearly impossible to market and communicate with them in a meaningful way, and therefore, find that elusive product-market fit. In this session, Jess & Mari will go over how to identify the transformation your product/service provides to your customer and how to communicate it effectively to those that matter most.

Speakers: 
Tashfeen R.
Jessica K.
Mari M.
July 16, 2024 9:00 AM
PT

Growing Globally: How to scale with international resources

For small businesses that have expanded, or are looking to expand their business internationally, the complexities of cultural norms can impact how your business achieves goals. In this webinar, Payoneer provides information to help sellers better understand the intricacies of expanding into new markets. We will discuss strategies to adopt when facing challenges, such as managing cross-border and global workforce payments, navigating compliance and tax barriers, and exploring alternatives to traditional banking methods in emerging markets.

Speakers: 
Tashfeen R.
Ian H.
September 4, 2024 9:00 AM
PT

Ask The Small Business Owner Takes New York: How do I develop and launch my product?

Understanding the product development lifecycle is crucial for the success of your business. Whether you have an idea, a prototype, or a product ready for market, it is important to put time and energy into developing the best version of your product at every stage. In this session of Ask the Small Business Owner, we are joined by a panel of New York sellers to talk about their own product development stories. We will cover topics like manufacturing, product success evaluation, and resources for product development.

Speakers: 
Sandra M.
Felipe V.
Caron P.
Kristiana M.
September 10, 2024 9:00 AM
PT

Mastering Small Business Grants: Pro-tips for success

Grants can be a game-changer for small businesses, but the application process often feels overwhelming. Let's tackle this challenge together! Find out how to take advantage of these free, no-payback-required funding opportunities and apply for small business grants with confidence. Join LaToya Ratlieff, Hello Alice's Director of Grants Administration, for Mastering Small Business Grants: Pro-tips for success. This webinar will cover the essentials of grant applications, offer strategies to alleviate stress, and guide you in crafting a compelling application. Join us to gain the insights you need to secure valuable grant funding.

Speakers: 
LaToya R.
Tashfeen R.
Live Events Overview

What to Expect

Live Q&A

Get answers from seasoned business experts to help guide you challenges you may face.

Expert-Led Industry Insights

Explore how industry trends are impacting small businesses.

Diverse Topics

Delve into essential topics crucial for success at any business stage.

Success Stories

Listen to successful entrepreneurs as they share their journeys and the lessons they've learned, offering both inspiration and practical advice.

Watch Previously Recorded Events

Missed the live event? Don't worry. Watch a replay of nearly all our live events on The Academy, our dedicated educational platform. Simply create a free account to access our library of replays available whenever you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ask questions during the live events?

Yes! During a live event you can ask questions by clicking the question icon. We try our best to get to every question during the live session. If we are unable to answer your question in the live session, please reach out to small-biz-academy@amazon.com.

Will I have to pay for anything?

No, our live events are completely free.

What technology do I need to attend a live event?

To participate in a live event, you will need a stable internet connection. For the best viewing experience, we recommend using a computer, although tablets and smartphones are also compatible. For more details on system requirements to attend a live session, click here.

Can I access the event content after the live session ends?

Recordings of most live events are available within two business days after the event on The Academy. The Academy is completely free, but you will need to create an account to access any content.