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Small Business Development Center

Entrepreneur Success Series

Planning and knowledge provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace, and this popular series of programs has helped launch hundreds of new businesses. The seven-part series includes valuable recommendations, research ideas, and an overview of the important areas of business operation from a practical perspective. The series focuses on the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs and owners of new businesses. A certificate of completion is awarded after attending all seven (7) classes.

Classes may be taken separately for specific information needs @ $69 each or take the complete series for the discounted price of $349 and save over $100!

Register online for these programs! Follow this link to sign up

Series Overview

Starting A Business
If you are considering starting a small business, then this workshop is a crucial first step. Topics for discussion include: traits of successful entrepreneurs, market research, legal structures for your business, estimating start-up costs & cash flow projection, financing alternatives, failure factors, and business planning. Since lack of planning is one of the top reasons new businesses fail, attending this comprehensive workshop may be one of the most important decisions you make prior to opening your business.

Marketing Your Small Business
Successful, high-impact marketing relies less on money and more on knowing how to use time, energy, and imagination. Increase sales and profits with effective marketing strategies designed especially for small businesses. Learn how to maximize your marketing dollars and build your bottom line with creative low-cost and no-cost marketing ideas in the areams of public relations, advertising, and marketing research. it's essential that you successfully brand your company, as well as differentiate and position yourself in the marketplace. Attend this seminar and learn what gets customers in the door, how to make the sale, and how to keep them coming back without spending a small fortune!

Small Business Legal Issues
This class presents information regarding the different legal structures, advantages and disadvantages of each structure, formation and ongoing requirements, liability issues and tax implications, and other statutory requirements including licensing, trade name registration, service marks and trademarks.

Accounting & Finance Basics
This class presents an overview of the record keeping process, the use of manual and computerized applications such as QuickBooks®, and developing internal control procedures to safebuard and protect business assets. Participants will also be introduced to basic financial statements and other financial tools used to measure and analyze performance.

Tax Tips for the SmallBusiness
All aspects of federal/state taxes will be covered in this class, including registration requirements for each legal form of business, tax obligations for employees and independent contractors, computation of employee payroll taxes and filing periodic returns, and issues relating to specific deductible business expenses such as entertainment, the use of a personal automobile and the home.

Writing an Effective Business Plan
Starting a business without a plan is like going on a trip without a map. A business plan helps you start, build and manage your business. Discover why a business plan is critical to your success, especially if you need a loan or an investor for your business. This course covers the sections of the business plan, information required for each section, and the general format for a business plan. In addition, you will receive a detailed planning outline and other information to help you develop an effective plan.

Financing the Business
This detailed workshop will show you steop by step how to finance a start-up or growing business and how to prepare a winning package for any type of financial assistance. Topcis include different financing options such as bank loans, SBA guaranteed loans, non-bank lenders, private investors, and the myths and realities of grant funding. Learn how successful borrowers pick the right financing options and make their proposals attractive to funding sources. Also learn how to calculate your financing needs, develop financial projections, and how to present your proposal effectively and professionally.