Charles H. Green

An estimated 15 million U.S. jobs have disappeared over the past four years, the cumulative effect of multiple causes from the housing bubble, to the manufacturing flight, to technology, to a resizing of the global economy. Millions will have to create future jobs on their own to be employed. In the face of the new urgency for entrepreneurship, the reality is that the capital markets are still suffering from the 2008 crisis, which caused thousands of bank closings, mergers, and a remaining 800+ problem banks identified by the FDIC. Where are these new businesses to get financing to launch and grow these businesses? They will have to start with their own ingenuity, a will to succeed, and the courage to learn new ways to accomplish their goals. Atlanta veteran banker Charles H. Green launched the Small Business Finance Institute to provide education resources and training to small business owners about finance. Having penned six books on the topic, Green set about to change how entrepreneurs look at finance and teach them how to manage their own money first – and then where to find the appropriate source for financing second. This enterprise is steadily bringing new learning channels to market to provide practical, applied techniques in an area once glossed as the exclusive domain of bankers and accountants. Here is a list of existing and planned teaching tracks aimed at business owners and entrepreneurs, and efforts to connect them to the financing they need: STEPPING UP TO BUSINESS – This one-day conference was started as the first event exclusively designed to teach business owners about finance, exclusively taught by finance professionals. Small business owners can learn how to manage their finances and fund their enterprise from more than 40 financial and business ‘practitioners’ who teach from experience. See information about the next conference at www.SBFI.org/Stepping-Up-To-Business FINANCIAL B%T CAMP – A two-day workshop to learn how to manage finances and find funding needed for a small business. This intensive workshop is taught by Charles H. Green and in 2012 will be offered 10 times in metro Atlanta. For more information about the workshop and comments from recent participants, go to www.SBFI.org/Financial-Boot-Camp MONEY TALK – A financial webinar series to provide 75 minute classes on a variety of topics from SBA loans, to working capital planning, to becoming “fundable” to bankers or investors. Beginning in March 2012, webinars will be presented 4+ times monthly (approx. 40 webinars during 2012). C-NOTES – A weekly newsletter will be launched in early 2012 with helpful tips on a variety of financing topics written by contributing accountants, bankers, financiers and consultants from around the U.S. FINANCIALS BOOKSTORE – In late 2011, SBFI will launch an online source for a limited shelf of books about financing, accounting and small business success. More information at www.SBFI.org/Financial-Bookstore FINANCE SPEAK – In early 2012, SBFI will launch an online free resource to define terms and basic functions of finance and accounting. FINANCIAL TOOLBOX – In mid-2012, SBFI will launch a web-based source for forms, spreadsheets and other tools to support financial analysis and information preparation to manage results and obtain funding. SPEED DATING FOR CAPITAL – SBFI will launch this innovative networking event designed to introduce entrepreneurs and business owners seeking capital financing, with bankers and investors seeking clients and investment opportunities. The inaugural event will be February 29, 2012.