Lynn chamber to hold free business workshops

LYNN – The Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce will run free business workshops Wednesday at its offices at 583 Chestnut St. for both startups and established firms.The workshops, which run from 8 to 11 a.m., are presented in partnership with the Service Corps of Retired Executives, the Small Business Administration and the Lynn Economic Development Industrial Corporation.The sessions deal with creating opportunities with the federal government, programs to assist startups, and legal developments and possible traps faced by unwary business owners.First on the docket, from 8 to 9 a.m., is “Contracting Opportunities with the Federal Government. Among other things, the seminar will outline the process of creating new opportunities with the federal government, which is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world.The second workshop, from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m., is “Counseling, Training and Financing Programs to Assist in the Start-up and Growth of Your Business.The session will provide information on various programs and services available for startup and existing businesses, and how the SBA, SCORE, EDIC and the chamber can assist in starting, growing and marketing your business.The final half hour will focus on the legal aspect of business, called “Avoid Triple Damages: Changes to Massachusetts Business Law You Need to Know.” Facilitator and business attorney Dennis Ford Eagan of Finneran & Nicholson P.C. will focus on recent legal developments and traps for the unwary business owner or manager under state law. Attendees will learn how to know the difference between hiring an employee or an independent contractor; the risks if you violate the state wage laws and what employers need to know about the rights employees have under state law.”We are so proud to partner with SCORE, the SBA and Lynn EDIC for these educational workshops,” said chamber president/CEO Leslie Gould. “Landscapers and contractors will find Workshop One to be a great opportunity to grow their business. Workshop two will dive into advice, how to acquire business loans and marketing your business on a budget, while workshop three will focus on business mistakes not to be made between employers and employees.”Our goal as a chamber is to help empower businesses to be successful and the information presented will be enlightening and vital.”Owners are encouraged to send managers and employees to represent. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Those wishing to attend must respond to the chamber at 781-592-2900 or [email protected]. Registration limited to 30 attendees for each workshop, RSVP is required. Attendees can participate in one or all sessions.