Your website should do more than simply exist — it should actively support and grow your business. In this engaging 90-minute hybrid workshop, Vanessa Bowen will guide participants through practical strategies to transform their website into a powerful business tool that builds authority, captures leads, and supports customer engagement around the clock.

By exploring the intersection of User Experience (UX) and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), participants will learn how thoughtful website design can guide visitors from “just browsing” to becoming paying customers. This workshop will combine presentation, discussion, and hands-on activities to help entrepreneurs better understand how to create websites that are both functional and impactful.

Participants will leave with actionable insights on improving their online presence, creating clearer customer journeys, and making their website work smarter for their business.

About the Presenter

Vanessa Bowen (they/them) is a Diné (Navajo) computer scientist, product designer, and the principal of Bowen Creative LLC. Their work blends Indigenous wisdom with innovative design practices to create equitable and impactful digital experiences. Passionate about amplifying Indigenous voices through art, design, and technology, Vanessa focuses on building solutions that support community growth, accessibility, and meaningful social change.

For any questions or support with registering for this workshop, please contact us at hello@nativestartup.org.

You can also watch our past workshops on the Change Labs YouTube Channel.

Curious about the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative and what it could mean for your business or nonprofit? Join Change Labs for a virtual Zoom session where we’ll go step-by-step through the new NSBCI application and break down the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI).

In this Q&A, you will:

• Learn what the NSBCI is and how it works

• Learn types of loans and funding available

• Learn who qualifies and what business expenses qualify

• Go through the loan application step-by-step

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, this workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to take advantage of this important opportunity. Come with your questions—we’re ready to answer them!

Join us for a free workshop on Navajo Nation vs New Mexico Registration: What you need to know.

Who is this for? Business owners who are actively preparing to apply for small business loan. Entrepreneurs who completed Workshop 2 (Business Plan) and are ready for next steps .

How can I attend? In-person or Virtually (Zoom Registration) 

If you're building a business on or near the Navajo Nation, you may be asking yourself: Do I register with the state of New Mexico, with the Navajo Nation, or both? The answer depends on where you operate, who your customers are, and what kind of business you're running - and getting it right from the start can save you time, money, and headaches. 

This virtual workshop breaks down both registration processes side by side, explains the key differences in taxation and licensing, and gives you a clear picture of what applies to your specific situation. No legal jargon - just practical, straightforward guidance built for this community. 

Date: May 28th (Thursday) at 12pm MDT 

Location: Shiprock Change Labs E-ship Hub
Format: In-person (virtual option is also available)
Cost: Free

Join the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the virtual panel discussion "Licensing your IP: The why, when, and how to get started," on Wednesday, May 27, from 1-1:55 p.m. MT / 3-3:55 p.m. ET. This session will focus on why licensing may be an option for your intellectual property and the value it can provide for your business. 

What you can expect

• How licensing works

• What to know about working with a Tech Transfer Office  

• Why a business would choose to license  

For questions about the event, contact the Northwest Frontier Community Engagement Office at northwestfrontier@uspto.gov.

Join us for a free in-person workshop on Design to Print: Building Marketing Collateral in Canva & Getting it Right Before You Print.

Who is this for? Small business owners who create their own marketing materials. Entrepreneurs who use Canva but want to use it better and more intentionally.
How can I attend? In-person or virtual (see below for registration)

Your marketing materials are often the first impression your business makes and they need to look the part. But you don't need to be a designer or spend thousands of dollars to create collateral that looks polished and professional. You just need the right tools, a few key principles, and a clear checklist before you hit "order." In this workshop we'll walk through how to build branded marketing materials in Canva from scratch, then cover everything you need to know before you send anything to a printer, so you don't end up with blurry flyers, cutoff text, or wasted money on a print run that doesn't look right. 

In this workshop, we’ll walk through a straightforward process for calculating how much your business actually needs, where that number comes from, and how to present it clearly to walk into any lending conversation prepared.

Join us for a free in-person workshop on Your Business Plan is Your Blueprint: Writing it with loan intent. 

Who is this for?Entrepreneurs who are preparing to apply for a small business loan or business owners who have never written a formal business plan but ready to scale with funding.
How can I attend? In-person

A business plan isn't just a document you create once and forget. It's your roadmap, your pitch, and your proof, especially when you're sitting across from a lender. But most business owners either skip writing one or don't know how to structure it in a way that actually opens doors. 

In this workshop, we'll walk through every key section of a business plan with one clear purpose in mind: making it loan-ready. You'll learn what lenders actually look for, what gets applications flagged or rejected, and how to tell your business story in a way that builds confidence and credibility.

A business idea becomes more powerful when it is organized into a clear plan of action.

Join Change Labs for the final session in this three-part loan-readiness workshop series led by Duane Humeyestewa. This working session will help entrepreneurs connect all parts of the Business Model Canvas into a more complete and actionable business framework.

Participants will look at how operations, partnerships, resources, customer relationships, and financial sustainability work together to support long-term business growth.

This session will focus on three key parts of the Business Model Canvas:

• Key Activities: What your business needs to do to operate and deliver value

• Key Partners: Who helps your business function, grow, or reach customers

• Cost Structure: What it costs to run and sustain your business

This final session will also introduce how the Business Model Canvas can support next steps like business planning, financial projections, operational planning, and loan-readiness preparation.

This session is a great fit for entrepreneurs who are ready to organize their business model, business owners looking for more structure and direction, and Kinship or NSBCI borrowers or potential borrowers preparing for financing and long-term growth.

By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of how to move from business ideas into a more structured and sustainable business strategy.

A business idea becomes stronger when you understand your customers, your income, and the resources needed to keep moving forward.

Join Change Labs for the second session in this loan-readiness workshop series led by Duane Humeyestewa. This working session will continue exploring the Business Model Canvas and help entrepreneurs move from ideas into clearer strategy and intentional business development.

This session will focus on three key parts of the Business Model Canvas:

• Customer Relationships: How your business connects with and keeps customers

• Revenue Streams: How your business makes money

• Key Resources: What your business needs to operate and grow

Participants will work through practical exercises to better understand their customers, strengthen their value, identify income opportunities, and spot gaps in their current business model.

This session is a great fit for entrepreneurs building or refining a business idea, business owners who want more clarity around customers and income streams, and Kinship or NSBCI borrowers or potential borrowers preparing for future growth or funding.

These concepts also connect directly to lender expectations, sustainability, and long-term growth.

A strong business starts with a clear foundation.

Join Change Labs for the first session in a loan-readiness workshop series led by Duane Humeyestewa. This introductory working session will help entrepreneurs understand the Business Model Canvas, a practical tool for organizing, testing, and strengthening a business idea.

This session is a great fit for anyone with a business idea, new entrepreneurs trying to organize their next steps, existing business owners who want to revisit their foundation, and Kinship or NSBCI borrowers or potential borrowers preparing for future growth or funding.

Together, we’ll focus on the first three building blocks of the Business Model Canvas:

• Customer Segments: Who your business serves

• Value Proposition: What value your business provides

• Channels: How customers find, access, and connect with your business

These concepts also help entrepreneurs prepare for future business planning and loan-readiness conversations.

Whether you are just getting started or want to strengthen the foundation of your business, this working session will help you take a clearer next step.

Join us for a free in-person workshop on How Much Do I Need?: Determining Your Loan Amount. 

Who is this for? Business owners who are actively preparing to apply for a small business loan. Entrepreneurs who completed Workshop 2 (Business Plan) and are ready for next steps.
How can I attend? In-person or virtual (see below for registration)

One of the biggest mistakes business owners make when applying for a loan is asking for the wrong amount — either too little to actually cover their needs or too much without the documentation to back it up. Both can hurt your application before it even gets reviewed.

In this workshop, we’ll walk through a straightforward process for calculating how much your business actually needs, where that number comes from, and how to present it clearly to walk into any lending conversation prepared.

Join us for Diné Reboot, a community event celebrating the launch of Diné Bizaad, a new Navajo dictionary app. The event will feature food vendors, meet & greet with the app designer (Albert Haskie), and a short workshop with Albert for Native innovators who want to learn what it takes to design and launch a business on the Navajo Nation. This event is free to the public!

Help us get a headcount for our food vendors. Let us know if you plan to attend by clicking the RSVP button:

Curious about how to pitch your business? Join us via zoom for a group workshop led by Coach Holly, designed for anyone interested in learning what it takes to confidently share their business idea. This session is a great opportunity to get a preview of the next Pitch Your Hustle event, ask questions, and start preparing your pitch in a supportive group setting. Whether you're just getting started or want to strengthen your delivery, we encourage you to attend and take the first step toward putting your hustle out there!

Join the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a free virtual workshop designed to help innovators understand how to license their product or idea. This session will cover key topics like whether to license or manufacture, how royalties work, what companies look for in inventors, and how to approach and negotiate licensing opportunities. Perfect for early-stage entrepreneurs and creatives looking to bring their ideas to market.

Join us for a free in-person workshop on Market Day Ready: Preparing for In-person Markets. 

Who is this for? Product-based business owners prepariing for their first market, pop-up, or fair. Crafters, makers, food vendors and artisans ready to sell in-person.
How can I attend? In-person or virtual (see below for registration)

Securing a vendor spot is just the beginning. What separates the booths people walk past from past from the ones they stop at, and buy from, comes down to preparation, presentation, and strategy. Whether you’ve never set up a booth before or you’ve done a few markets and want to level up, this workshop will give you a clear plan of action.

We’ll cover everything from booth setup and customer engagement to pricing, payments, and what to do after the market is over to keep those customers coming back.

Join the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) for AZBizCon, a statewide event designed to connect entrepreneurs, business owners, and industry leaders with the tools and resources needed to grow and thrive.

AZBizCon brings together small business professionals for a full day of networking, educational breakout sessions, and an interactive expo featuring exhibitors and experts who support small business success. Attendees can expect engaging discussions, practical insights, and opportunities to build meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders.

What to Expect

• Morning breakout sessions led by industry experts

• Access to a large expo featuring business resources and exhibitors

• Networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and business leaders

• Practical insights on topics impacting Arizona small businesses

Hosted by the Arizona Small Business Association, AZBizCon is part of ASBA’s signature events focused on helping small businesses network, learn, and grow.

Pricing your products or services can feel like a guessing game, and negotiating with confidence can be even more challenging. Join Austin Economic Development for an interactive virtual workshop is designed to help business owners better understand the mindset behind pricing and how to communicate value effectively.

In this session, you’ll explore the psychology that influences how customers perceive price and how small shifts in your approach can lead to stronger sales and better outcomes. You’ll also gain practical negotiation techniques that help you stand firm in your pricing while building trust with your customers.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your strategy, this workshop will give you tools to price with intention and negotiate with confidence.

Are you ready to make smarter financial decisions and increase your business profitability with confidence? Join this practical and insightful webinar hosted by the Arizona Small Business Development Center, designed to help entrepreneurs better understand their numbers and turn that knowledge into action.

Successful business owners don’t rely on guesswork, they understand how pricing, operations, and market positioning impact their bottom line. In this session, you’ll learn how to develop that same financial intuition and make decisions that drive growth and sustainability.

Led by experienced business advisor Jeanette Pigeon, this webinar will walk you through five simple, powerful steps to help you take control of your finances and improve your overall business performance.

In this webinar, you will learn how to:

• Strengthen your understanding of business finances and profitability

• Make confident, data-informed decisions for your business

• Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress

• Evaluate how pricing and operations impact your bottom line

• Build habits that support long-term financial success

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, this session will give you the tools and clarity to make your business more profitable and sustainable.

Join the Native Arts + Cultures Foundation for a virtual workshop focused on Native American intellectual and cultural property rights.

This session will explore how federal statutes protect Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, and how Tribal Nations are creating their own laws to govern cultural property and Traditional Knowledge.

Ben Calabaza (Kewa Pueblo) will share insights on intellectual property rights and the role of Native artists, art, design, and community responsibility.

Dr. Trevor Reed (Hopi) will guide artists through intellectual property protection and its connection to Native American rights.

Join us for a free workshop on Follow the Money: P&L, Balance Sheets & Building a 12-Month Cash Flow. 

Who is this for? Business owners who have been operating but feel unsure about their financials or new business owners who want to build good financial habits from the start

How can I attend? In-person or Virtually (Zoom Registration)

Numbers don't lie but, they can be confusing if no one's ever taught you how to read them. Whether you're preparing for a loan application, trying to understand where your money is going, or simply want to feel more confident about your finances, this workshops is your starting point.

We'll break down three of the most important financial documents in your business - the Profit & Loss statement, the Balance Sheet, and the 12-Month Cash Flow Projection - and show you exactly how they connect. You'll leave with a working understanding of your own financials and a projection template you can start using right away.

Join us at the Shiprock E-ship Hub for a culturally rooted wellness experience centered on healing, renewal, and resilience. We’re excited to welcome back Haley Laughter of Hózhó Total Wellness for another opportunity to experience Indigenous Yoga in our community.

This workshop offers a welcoming space to slow down, reconnect, and support your well-being through trauma-informed yoga and mindful breathwork. Blending intentional movement with Indigenous-centered practices, participants will leave feeling grounded, balanced, and restored.

These sessions are free and open to the public.

This offering is made possible with support from SBi Giving.

Whether you’re part of our local community or a current or aspiring entrepreneur, we invite you to spend time at the E-ship Hub and experience this offering.

Two sessions will be available at 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Please register for the session you plan to attend, as space is limited. Yoga mats are available upon request.

Our Indigenous people have an inherent ability to read the signs of wildlife and nature. But we can do this for people too. In this month's webinar, Scott will introduce you or help deepen your ability to understand and simply but effectively relate to the people in your life and even to yourself.

For participants in the webinar, we are also offering a free 4-page DISC Report that will describe your own behavioral style and a DISC Styles of Communication “Cheat Sheet” to help with inter-personal communication. Please join us!

Some of the big things you will in this workshop includes:

• Learning about yourself and others.

• Discovering what makes each of us unique.

• Discussing the strengths of each personality style.

• Learning how to improve communication.

For more information about the IDRS Acorn Project or to get help for your business at no cost, please contact us at:

Our Team Help email: help@idrsinc.org​
Phone: 916-482-5800

Curious about the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative and what it could mean for your business or nonprofit? Join Change Labs for an Instagram Live Q&A where we’ll go step-by-step through the new NSBCI application. break down the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI).

In this Q&A, you’ll learn:

• What the NSBCI is and how it works

• The types of loans and funding available

• Who qualifies and what business expenses qualify

• What to expect from the application

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, this workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to take advantage of this important opportunity. Come with your questions—we’re ready to answer them!

To join, visit Change Labs’ Instagram on Tuesday, April 28th at 12pm MDT!

Join us for a free virtual workshop on Your Business Plan is Your Blueprint: Writing it with loan intent. 

Who is this for?Entrepreneurs who are preparing to apply for a small business loan or business owners who have never written a formal business plan but ready to scale with funding.
How can I attend?In-person or Virtually (Zoom Registration)

A business plan isn't just a document you create once and forget. It's your roadmap, your pitch, and your proof, especially when you're sitting across from a lender. But most business owners either skip writing one or don't know how to structure it in a way that actually opens doors. 

In this workshop, we'll walk through every key section of a business plan with one clear purpose in mind: making it loan-ready. You'll learn what lenders actually look for, what gets applications flagged or rejected, and how to tell your business story in a way that builds confidence and credibility.

*04/22/26 Correction: This Workshop will be offered at this time and date virtually on Zoom and the in-person workshop will be rescheduled for later May 2026, check the event’s page for updates.
Individuals can watch the Zoom at the Shiprock Change Labs Hub that has wifi availability.

Join the IDRS Acorn Project and facilitator Camille Koster to learn how to build you can build a solution that will tailored to the customer that is most likely to buy. This is a critical step in launching your product or business or simply growing for an existing business. In this session, not only will you be able to clearly identify what your product or service is, but also be able to identify both the benefits and advantages of your solution, and how you can begin to structure your brand to make your customers want to buy.

For more information about the IDRS Acorn Project or to get help for your business at no cost, please contact us at:

Our Team Help email: help@idrsinc.org​
Phone: 916-482-5800

Join T Paul Thomas Center Nonprofit Entrepreneurship for the 5th Annual Nonprofit Leadership Conference, and organized by its senior capstone class. This one-day event brings together nonprofit professionals, community leaders, and emerging changemakers for engaging sessions, expert speakers, and meaningful networking opportunities.

Whether you are experienced in the nonprofit sector or just getting started, this conference offers practical insights, leadership development, and opportunities to connect with local nonprofit and community partners.

Full workshop details, including session titles, speakers, and schedule, will be announced soon.

Running a business can feel overwhelming especially when employee turnover, burnout, and constant changes begin to impact your growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of hiring, training, and losing momentum, you’re not alone.

Hosted by Arizona Small Business Development Center, this powerful webinar is designed to help business owners build stronger teams and create a culture that drives long-term success.

In this session, you’ll learn practical strategies to improve employee engagement and create a workplace where your team feels invested in your business. When your employees are aligned with your vision, productivity increases, turnover decreases, and your business becomes more resilient no matter the economic climate.

In this webinar, you will learn how to:

• Build a culture of excellence within your business

• Increase employee engagement and accountability

• Reduce turnover and improve team stability

• Strengthen productivity and overall business performance

If you’re ready to create a business that runs stronger with the team you already have, this session will give you the tools to make it happen.

Join us for a free workshop on LLC vs Sole Proprietorship: Choosing the Right Structure for Your Business with Change Labbers Holly & Marsha!

Who is this for? New entrepreneurs, side hustlers, anyone thinking about starting a business

How can I attend? In-person or Virtually (Zoom Registration)

One of the first and most important decisions you'll make as a business owner is how to legally structure your business. Get it wrong and it can affect your taxes, your personal liability, and even your ability to qualify for a loan down the road. In this workshop, we'll breakdown the real differences between a Sole Proprietorship and an LLC in plain language, no legal jargon, no confusion. You'll leave with clarity on which structure fits where you are right now and where you want to go. 

Have questions before the workshop? Reach out to holly@nativestartup.org or jennifer@nativestartup.org.