Free Online Workshop | Hosted by SCORE

Thinking about opening a business on Main Street, growing an existing shop, or adapting to what customers want next? This free, one-hour online workshop is a great place to start.

SCORE is hosting a live session focused on what’s ahead for small businesses in 2026, with practical insights you can use whether you’re in the idea stage or already open.

Event Details

• Date: January 29, 2026

• Time: 1:00 pm

• Format: Live, online

• Cost: Free

• Duration: 1 hour

• Registration: Hottest Business Ideas 

What You’ll Learn

This session breaks down big trends in a way that makes sense for local businesses, including:

• How America’s changing demographics affect small and Main Street businesses

• Why Gen Z is now a major consumer force and what that means for retail and services

• What motivates today’s customers to buy

• Business ideas that tend to perform well even during economic slowdowns

• Emerging retail concepts worth watching

• Smarter ways to reach and connect with modern customers

Featured Presenter

The workshop is led by Rieva Lesonsky, a nationally recognized small business advocate and founder of Small Business Currents, a company focused on entrepreneurship and independent business success.

About SCORE

SCORE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses start, grow, and thrive through free mentoring, workshops, and resources. SCORE is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Learn more by visiting SCORE at Hottest Business Ideas 

The start of a new year brings more than resolutions. It brings reflection, momentum, and for many people, the quiet question of “What’s next?”

For entrepreneurs and small business owners, that question often leads to a dream that's on the cusp of being realized. Opening a shop. Launching a service. Finally bringing an idea to life. For those looking to take that step, Roanoke Avenue offers a place where ambition meets opportunity.

If that sounds familiar, Roanoke Avenue is a practical place to turn intention into action.

If starting a business is on your list this year, are you looking to be part of a district that is actively growing and improving?

From retail and personal services to creative studios, restaurants, and professional offices, Roanoke Avenue offers flexibility and possibility. Each storefront tells a story, and each new business adds to the energy of the district.

The new year does not require perfection. It requires a starting point. For many entrepreneurs, that starting point is choosing to take that first step. Roanoke Avenue is open to ideas, ready for investment, and built for people who want to grow something meaningful right here in the heart of Roanoke Rapids. 

Interested? Let's chat. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

📅 Event Details

Training: Cybersecurity 101 for Small Businesses
Date: Monday, December 22, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Eastern
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Free
Availability: 265 open seats

Hosted by: Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center
Facilitated by: CloudWyze
Speaker: Bo Wheeler, Chief Revenue Officer and Certified Cybersecurity Expert

💡 Why This Matters for Main Street Businesses

Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cyber threats such as phishing emails, ransomware attacks, and stolen login credentials. For downtown retailers, service providers, restaurants, and professional offices, a single incident can disrupt operations, compromise customer trust, and create unexpected costs.

This session is designed specifically for small businesses and focuses on real-world risks and practical steps that can be taken without a large IT budget or technical background.

📚 What You Will Learn

Participants will gain insight into:

• The current cybersecurity landscape affecting small businesses

• Common threats like phishing, ransomware, and credential theft

• Practical steps to strengthen everyday digital defenses

• How cybersecurity practices can impact eligibility for cyber insurance

Whether you are a solo entrepreneur or managing a growing team, this training can help you make more informed decisions about protecting your business.

👉 How to Register

Registration is managed directly by Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center.

[Register here using the official CFCC registration page]

A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants prior to the session.

♿ Accessibility Information

Cape Fear Community College is responsible for ensuring that students with disabilities have equal, effective, and meaningful access to all programs and services. Accommodation requests may take up to two weeks to process.

For accessibility requests, contact:
📞 910-362-7216
📧 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ℹ️ Important Note

This training is hosted and facilitated by Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center. The Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program is sharing this opportunity as a resource for local businesses and is not the host or organizer of this event.

As part of our ongoing effort to support local businesses with practical tools and trusted information, the Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program shares educational opportunities offered by reputable partners across North Carolina.

Program Overview

To help small businesses grow, innovate, and support their local communities, American Express is teaming up with Main Street America this Small Business Saturday® to launch the Amex Shop Small Grants Program. The Program will provide an initial $5 million to fund 250 grants of $20,000 each to eligible small business owners across the U.S. Plus, every time an American Express Card Member shops with their eligible Card at a qualifying U.S. small business on November 29, 2025, American Express will donate an additional $1 to fund additional grants.¹

The Amex Shop Small Grants Program reflects the shared commitment of American Express and Main Street America to champion small businesses that strengthen communities and help local economies thrive.

Applications will be open from Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025, to Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:59 CT.

About Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the country and is part of the larger Shop Small Movement. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. Since its launch in 2010, U.S. consumers have reported spending an estimated $223 billion at small businesses on Small Business Saturday.²

To celebrate, American Express created I SHOPPED SMALL stickers for small businesses to share with their shoppers on November 29. You can order the complimentary stickers here.³

Eligibility

The eligibility information below is a general overview. Additional information about the grant program, including detailed eligibility requirements, FAQs, and Terms & Conditions, will be released on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

To stay up to date about announcements regarding this program, sign up for our Small Businesses Resources email list.

To be eligible for this program, applicants must:

• Own a for-profit, independently owned small business
• Operate out of a physical “brick-and-mortar” storefront
• Be located in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, DC (businesses located in U.S. territories