Startup Biz Fest 1.23.26
The Startup Biz Fest is your launchpad to success. In one high-impact day, you’ll learn exactly how to start your business in North Carolina, from business structure and taxes to funding and marketing. You’ll leave with your next steps mapped out, your systems in motion, and the confidence to start now, not someday.
The Biz Fest Series is a collection of hands-on, high-impact conferences designed to help entrepreneurs move from planning to producing , all in one day. Each Biz Fest focuses on action, accuracy, and accountability. You’ll walk away with work completed, systems in place, resources in hand, and strategies ready to implement.
Whether you’re launching your first idea, optimizing your growth, mastering your marketing, or scaling your systems, each Biz Fest is built to save you time, make you money, and help you execute immediately.
One day. Real results. Premium experience. Lunch included.
FEBRUARY-APRIL 2026
Give It To The People® x Commissioner Michelle Burton x Durham County Library System present the Durham Business Listening Tour
Durham’s business landscape is evolving, and so are the needs of the entrepreneurs who keep our county thriving. That’s why Give It To The People®, in partnership with Durham County Commissioner Michelle Burton and the Durham County Library System, is launching a countywide Durham Business Listening Tour, a dedicated effort to hear directly from the small business owners who fuel our local economy.
As one of the NC’s leading curators of business education, professional development, and ecosystem-building experiences, Give It To The People® knows that sustainable growth starts with real conversations. This tour is designed to meet business owners where they are, understand the challenges they face, and identify how they’re accessing (or struggling to access) the resources available across Durham and the Triangle.
Commissioner Michelle Burton brings the heart of an educator and the vision of a public servant to this initiative. Together, we are committed to being intentional about listening, truly listening, to what Durham’s business community needs to grow, hire, scale, innovate, and stay competitive.
Every stop on the tour will create space for entrepreneurs to share their lived experiences, offer insight on what’s working and what isn’t, and shape future solutions that reflect the real needs of our community. From new startups to established firms, from solo consultants to brick-and-mortar owners, this tour is a chance to ensure Durham’s economic ecosystem is responsive, equitable, and built to last.
As an added benefit, every attendee will have the opportunity to join the Give It Get It Biz Membership, the premier hub for small business connectivity, training, events, and ecosystem access in Durham. Membership opens the door to resources, relationships, and opportunities that help entrepreneurs navigate the region more effectively and stay plugged into the support system they deserve.
This Listening Tour is a commitment to building a stronger, more connected Durham where business owners feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.
Let’s Give It & Get It Together.
Money In Action: Business Tax Series
Money In Action: Tax Series is a three-part, in-person Lunch & Learn designed to help business owners stop guessing, start understanding, and walk into tax season prepared—not panicked.
Hosted by Give It To The People in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Revenue and Pinnacle Bank, this series brings credible experts to the table—literally—so you can ask real questions and get real answers.
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2.2.26 Business Tax Essentials
Understand what taxes apply to your business, deadlines that matter, and common mistakes that cost money. -
2.9.26 Sales & Use Tax
Learn when you should be collecting sales tax, how to file correctly, and how to avoid penalties that sneak up on growing businesses. -
2.23.26 Online Seller Tax Basics
Selling online, across platforms, or across state lines? This session breaks down what you actually owe and why.
Give It To The People Podcast
Join us for Give It To The People LIVE, a dynamic podcast experience where business meets community! Each month, we spotlight leaders in marketing, money, and ecosystem building who are shaping the future of small business in North Carolina and beyond.
This live, in-person experience brings together entrepreneurs, business service providers, and ecosystem builders for authentic conversations, networking, and inspiration. You’ll walk away with actionable insights, real connections, and a renewed sense of purpose for your business journey.
What to Expect:
- Live podcast recording with guest experts, city & county officials
- Member Spotlights from Give It Get It Biz
- Member Spotlights from Self Help Credit Union
- Engaging discussions and audience Q&A
- Networking with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders
- Access to resources, partners, and upcoming opportunities
- Refreshments and community connection
📍 Location: Alternating each month between Durham and Raleigh, NC
Durham Location: 302 W. Main Street, Durham, NC
Raleigh Location: 7029 Harps Mill Road, Raleigh, NC
🗓️ Schedule: 2nd Wednesday of every month, January–December 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sponsored by Self-Help Credit Union, this series celebrates the power of community, collaboration, and financial empowerment.
CapacityCon 2.16.26
The landscape of entrepreneurship, community building, and nonprofit development has changed. Budgets are tighter. Needs are bigger. And the truth is… waiting for someone else to figure it out is no longer an option.
That’s why Capacity Time 2026 is all about taking bold action. Our theme, We Don’t Wait. We Work., is not just a mantra—it’s a movement.
This event is built for the doers:
The ecosystem builders looking for stronger partnerships.
The nonprofits navigating reduced funding but rising community needs.
The entrepreneur support organizations rethinking what “capacity” really looks like in an ever-changing world.
We’re coming together to collaborate, fund, support, and work toward a better reality for ourselves and those we serve. This isn’t networking for the sake of it. This is purpose-driven connection and execution-focused conversation.
Growth Biz Fest 2.27.26
The Growth Biz Fest helps entrepreneurs refine what’s working and fix what’s not. Build repeatable systems, strengthen your operations, and create a framework that boosts profits and performance. This is where consistency meets capacity, and your business grows with purpose.
The Biz Fest Series is a collection of hands-on, high-impact conferences designed to help entrepreneurs move from planning to producing , all in one day. Each Biz Fest focuses on action, accuracy, and accountability. You’ll walk away with work completed, new tools in place, content created with immediate follow-ups. resources in hand, and strategies ready to implement.
Whether you've been in business for 1 year or 10 years this will help you systemize, save time and get things done.
One day. Real results. Premium experience. Lunch included.