Small Business Week will be celebrated in Elizabethton this week in conjunction with the national celebration of small businesses.

Jon Hartman, City Planner and Economic Planner for the City of Elizabethton, with the help of others has put together a week of  special events and learning sessions to help small business owners. Hartman said most sessions will last approximately one hour. RSVP (www.Elizabethton.org/SBW) is requested for the session, but not required.

“We wanted to have some educational benefits that would be beneficial to our local businesses. We want to end the week by making Saturday a special day to go shop and support our small businesses in Elizabethton,” Hartman said.

The week of events is as follows:

MONDAY: 5 – 6:30 p.m. — Small Business After Hours at Carter County Bank.

Stop by on your way home and meet and mingle with other small business owners in Elizabethton. Tell about your business successes and learn about theirs. Appetizers will be available supplied by Carter County Bank.

TUESDAY: 8:15 a.m. — Grow Your Business Online at Elizabethton Public Library, Community Room We’ll show you ways to get your small business listed on Google Maps and Google Searches, as well as other tools Google offers to businesses to help grow their business online. Computers will be available to complete your listing the morning of — just bring your business card! Oh, and, yes, coffee will be available!

WEDNESDAY: 5:15 p.m. — Legal Issues for Small Businesses at Elizabethton Public Library, Community Room. Local Attorney Sam LaPorte will speak about the legal concerns and pitfalls common to Small Businesses. Sam J. LaPorte is a private practice attorney who has practiced law since 1975 and co-founded and has practiced at LaPorte & Norris Law Firm since 1997. Come find out what you need to do to help legally protect your small business.

WEDNESDAY: 5:15 p.m. — Designing Your Store for Sales at Elizabethton Public Library, Community Room. Come hear from Professor Cher Cornett about how to properly display and arrange your product and retail store to attract customers and maximize sales. Cher has been working professionally as a graphic designer and illustrator for over 25 years and has been involved in developing interactive multimedia products for over 15 years. During her time at ETSU, she has worked with business groups throughout the Tri-Cities to help small businesses utilize simple merchandising techniques often use by large retailers.

THURSDAY: 5:15 p.m. — Navigating Elizabethton Permits and Licenses at Elizabethton City Hall, City Council Chambers. Come learn about what the requirements are and how to get your business license, beer or liquor licenses, sign permits, or building permits for your small business.

FRIDAY: 8:15 a.m. — How Brands Win in Moments that Matter at Elizabethton Public Library, Community Room. Mobile devices are taking more and more of your customer’s time. Lean how you can capitalize on the mobile revolution by positioning your business to take advantage of meeting your customer’s needs as soon as they need it. Computers will be available to get your business listed on Google Maps and other opportunities to get your business out there!

SATURDAY: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Shop Small Business Day! We will be promoting the public to shop with local, small businesses during this Saturday of National Small Business Week. We encourage you to keep your businesses open until 6 p.m., run sales or special offers, and include promotions for Small Business Week in your advertisements for this Saturday.

The Small Business Week events are sponsored by the Elizabethton-Carter County Chamber of Commerce, the Elizabethton Downtown Business Association, and Carter County Bank.