Learn Excel with Us – No Experience Needed
Whether you’re new to Microsoft Excel or just need a refresher, this interactive workshop is a great place to start. Open to anyone, the session will cover the basics like navigating the interface, entering data, formatting cells, and creating simple charts and formulas.

You’ll be guided by Wendy Toone, a skilled and patient instructor who makes learning Excel approachable and fun. Please bring your computer so you can follow along and get hands-on practice in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.

The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup brings together diverse, creative, and inclusive entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia. Each month, the virtual meetup features updates from local and regional entrepreneur support organizations and creates space for learning and connection. Entrepreneurs at all stages are welcome to attend.

This month’s topic: The Customer Journey, presented by Marilynn Cabiness. Many business owners believe success means reaching everyone, but effective growth comes from understanding and serving the right customer. This session will explore how aligning with your ideal customer and designing intentional touchpoints can help you build a customer journey that is both profitable and purposeful.

Need help branding your business with advertising and simple graphic designs? In this advertising course, you will learn how to create a basic logo and digital flyers for social media using Canva.

Please bring your laptop. 

Ready to go beyond the basics? This hands-on Advanced Excel Training is perfect for anyone who already feels comfortable in Excel and wants to unlock its full potential. Whether you’re managing data, building reports, or streamlining tasks, you’ll leave this session with powerful new tools and time-saving tricks.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:

• Master advanced formulas and functions (like IFs, INDEX-MATCH, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data splitting)

• Use Flash Fill and the Splicer Tool to work smarter

• Clean and organize messy data with ease

• Analyze information using PivotTables

• Explore bonus features to boost your productivity

Bring your laptop and get ready to take control of your spreadsheets like a pro!

The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup brings together diverse, creative, and inclusive entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia. Each month, the virtual meetup features updates from local and regional entrepreneur support organizations and creates space for learning and connection. Entrepreneurs at all stages are welcome to attend.

Free workshop with Margaret Edmond of Virginia Apex! Open to all entrepreneurs and businesses.

The Commonwealth of Virginia spends BILLIONS of dollars on goods and services each year. At this FREE workshop you will learn how to become an eVA registered vendor and how to get SWaM certified.

Contracting 101 with the Commonwealth of Virginia workshop takes you step-by-step on how to register your firm to do business with Virginia state agencies, find out who’s buying what you sell, and research commodity spend for your product/service.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has a set-aside program – Small, Women, and Minority Owned Business (SWAM) certification – that encourages state agencies to purchase goods and services from SWaM certified businesses. The Commonwealth’s goal is to spend 42% of its discretionary funding with SWaM certified vendors.

This is an information-packed 1 ½ hour in-person class you will NOT want to miss!

Agenda Items:

•         eVA Registration
•         SWaM Certification
•         Who’s Buying What I Sell?
•         Commodity Spend (for your product or service)
•         Utilize Tools in eVA to Market Your Business

Bring your laptop to get registered today!

Date:  Friday, October 16, 2026
Location:  The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research – Danville, VA
Time:  8:00am – 5:30pm

Level up your business at the third annual RISE Summit—a favorite event packed with inspiration, skill-building workshops, and high-impact networking. This year, we are leveling up the experience even more! The focus is Innovation in Business, Manufacturing, and Agriculture. Whether you’re in manufacturing, agriculture, or any type of entrepreneur, this is THE EVENT for YOU!

Super Early Bird Rate ($45) – Available now through July 16, 2026
Early Bird Rate ($55) – Available July 17 through September 30, 2026
Regular Rate ($65) – Available October 1 through October 16, 2026