Free ‘legal boot camp’ helps entrepreneurs learn business basics

For most entrepreneurs, coming up with innovative ideas is the easy part.

It’s what comes next — transforming an interesting concept into a successful startup — that can be complex and confusing.

Fortunately for local entrepreneurs and small business owners, a free one-day “Legal Boot Camp” will offer plenty of advice and training on best practices of launching and operating a high-growth potential company.

Sponsored by the Baker Donelson law firm and The Marston Group accounting firm, the program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Baker Donelson’s Downtown office at 165 Madison, Suite 2000.

Topics to be covered include crowd funding possibilities, labor and employment issues, intellectual property essentials and negotiating venture capital term sheets. Legal and financial experts will be on hand to provide professional advice and offer introductory training on how to successfully run a business.

Although there is no charge to attend, seating is limited and registration is required. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

To save your seat, send an e-mail to rsvp@bakerdonelson.com.

Tuesday evening, check out an organizational meeting of HackMemphis, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Mid-South Makers space at 2804 Bartlett Road, Suite 2.

The gathering is geared toward local techies and is free to attend, but registration is requested. To get your name on the list, visit meetup.com/ MidsouthMakers.

On Wednesday, the Sales and Marketing Society of the Mid-South presents “How to Use Your Website to Get More Leads” featuring digital design and marketing firm LunaWeb vice president Steve Phipps.

The program, which includes lunch, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Racquet Club of Memphis, 5111 Sanderlin. Admission is free for SMS members, $25 for guests who pay online and $30 for those who pay at the door. Visit smsmidsouth.org to reserve your spot.

For an early start to your weekend, check out the annual “Summer Business After Hours” cocktail and networking reception sponsored by the Society of Entrepreneurs.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Owen Brennan’s, 6150 Poplar. Cost is $25 per person and that gets you two drink tickets, plenty of appetizers and the chance to mix and mingle with some of the brightest business minds in the region.

To sign up, visit july2013soeroundtable.eventbrite.com or send an e-mail to pearson@soememphis. com.

Also on Thursday and continuing through Saturday is this year’s American Advertising Federation District 7 Leadership Conference, which is being hosted by the local chapter and held in Memphis. This three-day program is chock-full of professional development sessions, networking opportunities and social events and is sure to draw lots of creative thinkers to the Bluff City.

Most of the meetings and workshops will be at The Peabody, 149 Union, but some outings will take place at different venues so you’ll want to check out the online schedule for specific times and places. To learn more, visit aafsoulconference.com.

And if you’re an entrepreneur — or want to become one — you’ll want to take part of a free series of programs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Room 326 at the FedEx Institute of Technology, 365 Innovation on the University of Memphis campus.

Sessions include tips on how to write business plans, develop marketing campaigns and pitch startups to investors. Local business professionals will be available to offer advice and mentoring and guide you through the initial stages of launching a company.

To learn more, visit memphis.edu/cei or call 901- 678-5266.