The Business Guides has, for the second year, convened a team of area experts in the business consulting, insurance, financial advisory services and the banking industry to offer business owners a free seminar series focusing on some of the most challenging topics facing small-business owners today.

Four seminars are to be offered on Tuesday evenings from Sept. 20 through Nov. 15.

All seminars take place 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Business Guides training room, located at 1005 Lawrence St. in the Uptown District. Space is limited.

To register, email

liz@thebusinessguides.com or call 385-6961. Include your name, business name and email address, and note which seminars you would like to register for.

Partners for the seminar series include North Olympic Small Business Development Center, Kristin Manwaring Insurance, First Federal Bank, First Sound Bank, Kitsap Bank and Edward Jones.

The following seminars are offered this year:

Sept. 20: “Small Business Survival Skills: How to Prevent Your Business from Failing.” Learn why small businesses fail and what owners can do to avoid pitfalls. Hear case studies and get practical tips on best practices from experienced small-business advisers. The seminar is taught by Charley Kanieski, CPA, president of the Business Guides; and Kevin Hoult, MBA, SBA-certified business adviser, North Olympic Small Business Development Center.

Oct. 4: “The Ins and Outs of Small Business Health Insurance.” Small-business owners have several options regarding health insurance for owners and employees under the Affordable Care Act. Attend this seminar to learn more about insurance options, and how the expense of small-business health insurance can be best used for tax benefits. Taught by Kanieski; Kristin Manwaring, owner of Kristin Manwaring Insurance; and Jennifer Jenkins, licensed agent, Kristin Manwaring Insurance.

Oct. 18: “Use Your Business to Fund Retirement Plans & Maximize Social Security.” Learn about how a retirement plan can help small-business owners and/or employees save for the future with significant tax advantages. Kanieski and Edward Jones financial adviser Stephen Sklar explain which retirement plans are right for business owners at different stages of their personal and business lives. Learn why Social Security is a good investment, and how you can maximize it to your advantage as a business owner.

Nov. 15: “Selling Your Business? Make It Attractive to Bankers & Buyers.” A panel of commercial lending experts are to guide business owners through the key factors they should consider when preparing for the sale of their business. The panel reviews the business sale from both sides of the business deal, so sellers would be better informed of how to craft a proposal that works for both the buyer and seller. Taught by Kanieski; Jon Murock, commercial relationship manager, First Federal Bank; Ben Crowl, vice president and commercial relationship officer, First Sound Bank; Paul Sabado, senior vice president, SBA manager, Kitsap Bank.