Join us for our upcoming Small Business Lunch & Learn, an educational series designed to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools they need to succeed. This month’s session will focus on building a strong marketing foundation; helping you understand the full customer journey, choose the right mix of marketing tools, and create a simple, sustainable strategy you can put into action right away.

Whether you’re just beginning to market your business or looking to bring more structure to your current efforts, this session will break down what actually works today across traditional, digital, and AI tools, without the jargon or overwhelm.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understand the Full Marketing Journey - Not Just Paid Advertising

Participants will learn how customers move from awareness, to trust, to purchase, and how to build a marketing system that actually supports that journey regardless of industry or budget.

2. Discover Practical Strategies Across Traditional, Digital, and AI Tools

We’ll break down what actually works today: from print and word-of-mouth to social media, Google, email, and simple AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva. No heavy jargon needed! Just clear, actionable guidance.

3. Leave With a Simple, Repeatable Plan to Improve Your Marketing Immediately

Attendees will walk away with a one-page self-assessment and a set of steps they can use to strengthen their branding, improve customer follow-up, and generate more consistent leads without feeling overwhelmed.

 Agenda:

11:30 am – 11:40 am – Network, Grab food
11:40 am – 11:45 am – Elevate introduction & Speaker Introduction
11:45 am – 12:40 pm – Small Business Marketing Mix 101 - Brian Maruska | Owner, SoDak Marketing
12:40 pm – 1:00 pm – Q/A
1:00 pm – Event adjourns

About the Speakers:

 Brian Maruska

Brian Maruska is a multi-business entrepreneur and the owner of SoDak Marketing, a digital-first agency serving clients across the Black Hills and beyond. He also leads Vensari Tech and SoDak Vending, giving him a unique, hands-on perspective that blends marketing, technology, and real-world business operations. Brian is known for helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify their marketing, leverage modern tools like AI, and create sustainable growth systems. He’s passionate about supporting the local entrepreneurial community and bringing practical, actionable insights to fellow business owners.

If you are a tenant of the DLAB, you will be receiving an email with a coupon code. Please still RSVP so we ensure we have enough room to accommodate attendees. If you RSVP and no-show, you will be billed.  If you are not a tenant of the DLAB there is a fee.  This is an in-person event. 
*A tenant of the DLAB is someone whose business is inside the David Lust Accelerator Building (DLAB).* 

Registration for this event closes on February 13!

If you have a food intolerance or allergy, please email events@elevaterapidcity.com so we can accommodate this ahead of time.

By signing up for an Elevate event, I agree to comply with and be bound to the Elevate code of conduct.