- Start Date: 09/18/2018
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Ensure your chance at success by taking 8-week course
MONROE – Want to stack the odds in your favor as you begin or grow your business venture? Plan now to attend the fall Entrepreneurial Training Program, an 8-week course that greatly increases the success rate of participants.
The program, which meets weekly on Tuesday evenings, will cover a wide range of important subject areas. Planned topics include Developing Your Business Model; Getting to Know Your Customer Segment; Understanding Your Industry and Market; Legal Issues in Small Business; Marketing Basics; Human Resources Management; Business Management; Accounting and Record-Keeping; and Obtaining a Bank Loan and Alternative Financing.
Business consultants from the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will lead the training sessions. In addition, area professionals in banking, accounting, law, marketing and other fields will be brought in to share their expertise.
The knowledge gained in the program helps empower entrepreneurs to make smart decisions for their business. Regional statistics show almost 100 percent of those who take entrepreneurial training are still in business after two years – a significant increase from the expected 70 percent. Statewide, 20% of clients using SBDC consulting services start businesses, while 40% of those receiving entrepreneurial training start businesses.
By the end of the eight weeks, participants will have created high-quality business plan suitable for lender presentations under the guidance of SBDC business consultants. They will have also gained valuable networking opportunities with presenters and classmates.
The class meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6. All sessions will be held at the Enterprise Center, 210 4th Ave., Monroe. Attendees may enter through the north door of Blackhawk Technical College, across from Alp & Dell Cheese Store. A graduation ceremony is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Tuition reimbursement is available for qualifying participants. Class members are required to pay a $250 cash match towards the cost of the program, which is $1,000. They can then apply for a $750 tuition reimbursement through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation after completing specific course requirements, including the business plan. The business plan will be worked on during the training program, so little will be left to do by the time the eight weeks are over.
The Entrepreneurial Training Program is co-sponsored by the Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), SBDC, SBA, and Blackhawk Technical College with support from Colony Brands, Duxstad & Bestul and the William S. Knight Foundation. To register, call GCDC at (608) 328-9452 or email gcdc@tds.net.