Archives: Classes

  • Pay Yourself First

    Pay Yourself First

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    Running a small business takes a lot out of you. You are working hard to keep things moving, make the right choices, and show up for your customers, and it can be easy to put your own financial well-being at the bottom of the list. Saving for yourself might feel impossible, but it is one of the most important steps you can take to create stability and lower stress in the long run.


    In this class, instructors from First Electronic Bank will walk you through what it really means to pay yourself first and why it matters for entrepreneurs. We will talk about simple, realistic ways to build savings into your routine so you can work toward your goals, handle emergencies with less worry, and slowly improve your standard of living. You will learn how personal financial stability strengthens your business, supports better decision-making, and opens doors when you are ready to grow.

    Want to access this class? 
    Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Balancing Burnout

    Balancing Burnout

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    Running a business is hard, we see it every day. You’re spinning a lot of plates, trying to make smart decisions, and probably not giving yourself a ton of grace. Stress might be part of the journey, but it doesn’t have to be all-consuming.

    In this class, Charlie Warner of Human|Work will lead a grounded, supportive conversation about the role stress plays in entrepreneurship and how to navigate it in a way that feels manageable. You’ll learn to identify your own stress signals, explore strategies for managing stress that are actually sustainable, and walk away with tools you can start using right away. This isn’t a lecture and there’s no pressure to be anything but yourself. Just a chance to breathe, reflect, and get a little support from someone who understands the realities of small business life.

    About the Instructor:
    Charlie (she/they) is a self–described wanderpreneur and loves exploring our human relationships with work. She specializes in strategic alignment and supporting individuals and organizations in orienting to their Core Purpose & Values. She has her MBA and teaches strategy and leadership as an Adjunct Professor. Charlie mentors leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in aligning their work.


    Want to access this class? 
    Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Telling Your Story: How to Get the Press to Notice Your Business

    Telling Your Story: How to Get the Press to Notice Your Business

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    Learn how to get your business in the news! Master media pitching, press releases, and what makes a story stand out.
    Join Becca Green of Becca Green Media for a workshop for small business owners. This class is designed to teach folks about the language and lenses journalists use to determine what to cover. We will discuss the framework of what makes a story news, best practices for planning and pitching an event or campaign, how to follow up on your pitch, and run through a brief workshop that explores the mechanics of drafting a press advisory or release.

    Want to access this class? 
    Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Intentional Messaging: A Tactical Approach To Content

    Intentional Messaging: A Tactical Approach To Content

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    Curating creativity can be challenging when it comes to social media, emails, and blog content. Intentional Messaging is a class designed to help you create a broad strategy for your message and tone, while adding tactical considerations to make it easier to plan and implement a content calendar for your various channels and stay unified and on-message.
    With instructor Becca Green of Becca Green Media, we’ll look at the broad strokes of your goals and principles while identifying different buckets of content and mapping out a plan to make it easier to share your message consistently across a variety of channels.

    ​Want to access this class? Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Pricing Strategy

    Pricing Strategy

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    Pricing isn’t just about covering your costs. It’s about telling the story of your product’s value and finding the sweet spot where customers say “yes” and your business thrives. In this workshop with Charlie Warner of Human|Work, we’ll explore how to set prices that align with your brand, attract the right customers, and maximize profit. You’ll learn how to choose the right pricing model, test and refine your price points, and create offers that stand out in the market. Whether you’re launching something new, updating your rates, or simply wanting more confidence in your numbers, this session will give you practical tools to price with clarity, strategy, and impact.

    Want to access this class? Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.
    The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Understanding/Improving Credit Score

    Understanding/Improving Credit Score

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    Understanding how credit works is essential no matter where you are in your business journey. In this class, Patrina Hanesana and Briana Thomas from First Electronic Bank will walk you through the basics of credit, how your credit score is calculated, what lenders look for, and how to read and correct your credit report. You’ll learn tips to build or improve your credit, clear up common misconceptions, and understand why your credit matters when it comes to things like loans, renting space, or setting up utilities.

    Whether you’re just getting started or already established, this class will give you the tools to take control of your credit and make it work for your business. Join us!

    ​Want to access this class? Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Cash Flow Forecasting Made Simple

    Cash Flow Forecasting Made Simple

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    If you’ve ever wondered where your money is going or when it’s coming back, this class is for you. Cash flow forecasting is one of the most powerful tools in your business toolkit, and instructor Sarah Barlow of My Tax Collective will show you how to use it without the headache. You’ll learn how to create a forecast that helps you plan ahead, spot trouble before it hits, and make smarter decisions with confidence. Whether you’re brand new to your numbers or ready to level up, this session will help you get clear and take control of your small business.

    Download our Cashflow template here: Cash Flow Spreadsheet to use throughout the class.

    Want to access this class? Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Monetizing Your Passion

    Monetizing Your Passion

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    You’ve made your first sale. Now what? Join Kim Tolman, Business Banking Officer at Cyprus Credit Union, for our next class that helps small business owners move from passion to profit. This class will walk you through key steps to building financial stability once you start earning income.

    You’ll learn how to set up your banking foundation, understand rates and fees, choose the right financial tools, and identify your ideal customer. Kim will also cover how to track fixed and variable expenses, build reserves, and figure out what you can actually pay yourself.

    Whether you’re just starting out or working to gain control of your cash flow, this class will help you make informed decisions and lay the groundwork for sustainable growth.

    ​Want to access this class? Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Confident, Authentic Leadership

    Confident, Authentic Leadership

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    Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating the conditions for others to thrive. In this workshop with Charlie Warner of Human|Work, we’ll talk about what it means to lead with clarity, purpose, and honesty in a small business setting. You’ll learn how to guide your team without micromanaging, build trust, and make decisions that reflect your values. Whether you’re building a team, working with freelancers, or just trying to stay grounded through change, this session will give you tools to lead with confidence and care.

    ​Want to access this class? Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    ​
    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org

  • Imposter Syndrome

    Imposter Syndrome

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    Imposter syndrome goes beyond self-doubt. It’s that quiet voice that makes us question our value and second-guess our place, even when we’ve earned it. For business owners, it can show up when setting prices, promoting services, or stepping into leadership roles. And the truth is, a lot more people struggle with it than we realize. In this reflective and supportive workshop, Charlie Warner of Human|Work helps participants explore where imposter syndrome comes from, how it shows up in our choices and visibility, and what it takes to move from self-sabotage to self-trust. Through honest stories, mindset shifts, and group conversation, you’ll start to reshape your inner dialogue and feel more grounded in your expertise.

    Want to access this class? Fill out this form: Request UMLF Class Recordings and Materials 

    About the Utah Microloan Fund:
    Our mission is to help communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources.

    How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who:

    • Are just starting out and don’t have an operating history
    • Don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan
    • Have had life events that have had a negative impact on credit scores

    We are designed to support business owners by offering small business microloans and free business education and advising. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, or working capital. Learn more at www.umlf.org