Workshop First Step to Launching a Business

nwi-sbdcThe Northwest ISBDC continues to offer new and emerging entrepreneurs start-up assistance through its Launch Your Own Business Workshop: A Sound and Proven Path. It will be offered at two different locations on Tuesday Sept. 16.

One session will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Regional Development Company, 1757 Thornapple Circle in Valparaiso. The cost of the workshop is $25 and pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

A second session will be at a new location from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. CDT Sept. 16 at the Pulaski County Public Library, 121 S. Riverside Drive in Winamac. There will be no charge as this session is being sponsored by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The workshop is a first step toward owning a successful small business and it aims to help entrepreneurs evaluate their business ideas, prepare a sound business plan, manage expectations and increase chances of accessing capital.

Workshop topics include: identifying personal objectives, skills and resources; describing your business idea and requirements; developing a sales forecast; identifying start-up expenses; estimating your operating budget; and analyzing your feasibility results.

To register for either workshop, visit www.nwisbdc.org, click on “Workshops and Events,” the workshop, and follow instructions or call (219) 644-3513.

The workshop is based on the ISBDC's A Sound and Proven Path Towards Launching Your Own Business Workbook, available at all ISBDC offices. A free copy of this 60 page step-by-step workbook will be distributed to participants and used during the class.

NW-ISBDC advisers are available for no-cost one-on-one business consulting, which includes market research and financial diagnostic reports, to help new entrepreneurs implement their strategic plans and provide ongoing guidance as they grow their businesses.

Serving seven counties in the region, the NW-ISBDC offers no-cost assistance for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their businesses. Through one-on-one consulting, the NWI SBDC helps guide small businesses toward their goals by offering referrals, workshops, training opportunities and other essential business tools. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and other local partners.

For more information, visit www.nwisbdc.org.