SelectCobb Events
SelectCobb is proud to introduce its new Small Business Financial Readiness Accelerator in 2026.
The series is in partnership with the UGA Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University, whose expert business consultants assisted their clients in securing over $73 million in capital assistance last year alone. Made possible through a community reinvestment grant from First Citizens Bank and presenting sponsor, Henssler Financial, the workshops guide participants through shifting financial mindset, mastering cash flow management, and building proactive budgets that serve as a strategic roadmap for growth.
Each session will provide the tactical tools and “lender-ready” confidence needed for long-term sustainability. Participants who complete all four sessions of the accelerator will satisfy one of the eligibility requirements for the Cobb County Entrepreneurship Grant that asks for proof of participation or completion of an entrepreneurial program within the past five years.*
Presenting Sponsor
Grant Provider
Education Partner
This hands-on, in‑person workshop is designed for small business owners who want to build confidence around their finances, better understand their numbers, and prepare themselves to access capital. As the first session in a four‑part series, this workshop lays the foundation for smarter financial decision‑making and long‑term business sustainability.
The biggest obstacle to a business’s financial health is often the owner’s own relationship with their numbers. In this session, we are clearing the mental hurdles and connecting you directly to the source of local capital. This is about moving from “avoidance” to “authority.”
We will start by Resetting the Financial Mindset, where we tackle the common anxieties small business owners face. You’ll learn how to stop viewing your finances as a “tax chore” and start seeing them as a strategic roadmap. Following this mindset shift, we transition into our Accessing Capital Panel. Panelists will share insights on what they look for in borrowers, common financing options available to small businesses, and how owners can strengthen their readiness for funding. This is a rare opportunity to sit across from local lenders to hear exactly how they evaluate risk in the current market and what they need to see from you before they cut a check. You’ll leave with a new perspective on your books and a direct line to the people who fund local growth.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
Evaluating your company’s financial health is an essential skill for every business owner, yet many feel they are “flying blind” when it comes to their data. In this second workshop of our series, we move from mindset to mastery. This interactive working session provides the tools to look under the hood of your business, decode your financial statements, and understand the difference between a business that looks busy and one that is truly healthy.
We will demystify the core pillars of financial management—Financial Statements, Analysis, and Cash Flow. You will learn how to move beyond basic bookkeeping to discover what the numbers really mean for your day-to-day operations. The session features a deep dive into using Financial Scorecards and Dashboards, designed to provide you and your team with a quick, high-level view of performance without getting lost in the weeds. Leave with a practical strategy to optimize your cash flow and drive your company’s performance forward.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
Stop guessing and start planning. Building on the management skills from Workshop 2, this third session transforms your financial data into a powerful GPS for your business. Budgeting and forecasting are not just administrative tasks—they are proactive tools that provide the stability needed for sustainable growth.
In this tactical deep dive, you will move beyond looking at where your money went and start deciding where it will go. We will focus on creating realistic, flexible budgets that account for seasonal shifts and unexpected challenges. You will learn to use financial forecasting to “test-drive” major decisions—like hiring a new employee or adjusting your pricing—before you commit a single dollar. Through guided exercises, you will develop a working forecast tailored to your specific business model, giving you the confidence to lead with intention rather than reacting to crises.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
A business can be profitable on paper and still run out of money in the bank. In this final session of our series, we tackle the most critical—and often most misunderstood—aspect of your business: Cash Flow. We bring everything together to ensure that the work you’ve done on your mindset, reporting, and budgeting translates into a healthy, sustainable cash position.
This toolkit-building session provides a deep dive into the “Seven Key Factors” that influence your operational cash flow. You will discover exactly where your cash gets trapped and how small, intentional shifts in your daily operations can dramatically improve your liquidity. By tying together your financial scorecard and budget plan, we will move from theory to action, helping you build a “cash-first” management strategy that protects your business from unexpected shocks and fuels future opportunities.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
* Completion of the Small Business Financial Readiness Accelerator helps meet this application requirement; however, participation does not guarantee grant funding or selection. It simply fulfills one of the criteria required to be considered eligible to apply.
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