 Building Your Business Class Overview The Building Your Business program is designed to help Average-Joe’s and -Jane’s explore and launch their self-employment dreams. It was created with two main goals in mind; to provide those who start a business the required knowledge and skills to have a good chance of success, and to persuade those who might start a potentially ruinous business that perhaps self-employment isn't right for them. The Building Your Business program is based on over five years of experience teaching a similar course for a non-profit organization in Madison, Wisconsin. Since then, the course has been revamped to make the curriculum more descriptive, more informative, and more fun. Over 350 participants came through the old program, and at least 50 businesses started as a result. Many of these businesses continue to find success. Class Schedule: Wednesdays beginning March 7, from 6 - 9 pm, and will go for seven weeks, in the EMS Training Center. To register: Call the Chamber at 873-7912. If you have questions, contact the instructor at 877-9516, or email devwrite@gmail.com The fee for this course is only $50, plus a $10 material fee. NEW! You can also pay for this course using Dane County TimeBank hours: the fee is 5 Hours, plus a $10 material fee. Included with your registration: Each participant receives a 300+ page custom workbook, created just for this course. In addition, if you complete the class, you’ll receive a free copy of the instructor’s award winning book, Building Your Business Plan, absolutely free! Topics Covered: Class One: Introductions Are you ready to start a business? Know The Four Steps to Success Know Your Legal Entity Know Who Will Help You Financial, Legal, Insurance Insurance basics Lenders Class Two: Know Your Customers Know Your Competition Know What Sets Your Business Apart Know How to Set Your Prices Know How to Reach Your Market Class Four: Know Where The Money Will Come From Know Your Rights and Obligations Employees vs. Independent Contractors Contracts Intellectual Property Know How to Manage Your Business (if time) Class Five: Know How to Keep Your Books Know Accounting Basics Class Six: Know How to Minimize Your Taxes Final Class: Question the Experts Know How to Write a Business Plan Participant Feedback: I have been thinking about starting a small business and this class gave me the background to think about the questions and issues I need to focus on. An outstanding value! Brenda J., Stoughton, WI Kevin is a teacher at heart. His teaching style is no-nonsense, imaginative, honoring and easy to understand. Lori Christilaw, Grace Cheesecakes, Madison Kevin offered an excellent business class. His explanations were clear. He took extra time with anyone who asked. I appreciated his honesty, and his humor lightened the load. James Lindemann, Gardens of Goodness LLC, McFarland The Building Your Business class gave me an extremely good foundation on just what I needed to prepare for, and to keep my small business going. Eldon Anderson, Sensible Computer Solutions, Stoughton Self Employment Workshop - FREE In cooperation with Kevin Devine of Devine Write, LLC, the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce occasionally offers a free workshop designed to help anyone interested in starting a small business to decide if self-employment is right for them. The Self-Employment workshops are offered at no cost by Kevin Devine of Devine Write, LLC, an adult education firm specializing in helping everyday people start small businesses. Upcoming dates for the two-hour workshops are: Thursday, January 12, 7 - 9 pm Wednesday, January 25, 7 - 9 pm Saturday, February 11, 2 - 4 pm All of the free workshops will be the same. The interactive workshops will concentrate on helping people ask the questions that are best answered before opening the doors to a new business. To register, call the Chamber at 873-7912. If you have questions, contact the instructor at 877-9516, or email devwrite@gmail.com |