Suffolk Economic Development and the Small Business Development Center will present a free small business seminar, “Competing With the Big Guys … How Independent Retailers Win & Keep Customers.”

The seminar, facilitated by Marc Willson, is designed to give small, independently owned retailers valuable guidance about competing with larger “big-box” businesses.

Willson has more than 35 years of retail experience in helping retail, restaurant, and tourism-related small businesses refine and promote their concepts to the public.

In his role working with the SBDC, Willson meets with small business owners throughout Virginia as part of the Small Town and Merchant Program, a comprehensive collection of workshops, hands-on initiatives, resources designed to address the specific needs of Main Street retail and restaurant businesses and confidential one-on-one counseling in partnership with local SBDC offices.

This seminar will help businesses learn about:

4How to treat your customers;

• 4Make their business a shopping destination;

4Outmaneuver on social platforms;

4Create a memorable experience for the customer;

• 4Add services;
• 4Choose and position products;
• 4Build on community involvement;
• 4And create and communicate a niche.

The seminar will run from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 at The First Lady of Suffolk, located at 447 W. Washington St.

To register or to learn more, contact Deanna Holt at 514-4049 or Dholt@Suffolkva.us.