2009 WSU Business Training/Classes

Business: Planning for Success

Where:
 WSU
 Extension
: Spruce 
Room
 (Shold
 Business
 Park)

When:
 Thursdays,
 January 15, 2009 -  April 2, 2009
Time:
 6:00pm 
– 9:00pm

Cost:
 $175 
(+
$40 
for
 the 
handbook)


A successful business planning and development program will be offered at WSU Jefferson County Thursday nights starting Sept. 25 through Dec. 11 from 6:00 to 9:00.  The cost of the business planning program is $175 plus $40 for the handbook.

Economic down turns can be a good time to start your own small business. Rental properties can be available, it provides a buffer to potential layoffs, and can be a good time to start a niche business that no one else offers.

This fall, on Thursday evenings, WSU TEAM JEFFERSON will be helping turn dreams into small, innovative local businesses. WSU TEAM JEFFERSON is the local economic development organization for the County and provides support and assistance to local businesses as well as training, access to capital, and SCORE counseling.

This eleven-week class provides participants not only with support and ideas but also what they need to know to start a local company.  Business: Planning for Success is a series of classes geared for anyone with a dream or an idea that they want to turn into a local business. Entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their business are particularly encouraged to attend. Information will be available on all the basics and the course serves as a great support or refresher course for people already in business.

Local business owners have found the program very helpful with about 80% of the graduates starting their own business within the first year after the class. For Jes Schumacher the course provided what she needed to successfully market her business. For Karyn Williams of Red Dog Farm it helped identify alternative ways to finance her new small farm operation. For Dani Turissini the course provided new ways to present her consulting expertise nationwide through her business blog. This is the fourth year that WSU has provided this business development class each fall.
 
The classes will take an in-depth look at marketing, market research, managing money, financial statements, and operations planning.  There will also be expert consultants brought in to speak, including web consultants, bank officers, and attorneys. Throughout the course there will be field trips and interactions with key businesses in Jefferson County.  Not only will participants gain business knowledge from the classes, but they will also benefit from networking with other entrepreneurs in the area.

The closure of some local companies has created a heightened awareness for business in Jefferson County and the need to continually adapt to new markets and trends. At the same time that some businesses are flourishing others are declining.  These business classes help serve the need for a road to success for local entrepreneurs.  “Research shows that 90% of new jobs in rural communities are the result of local entrepreneurs and business. We’ve always been impressed that this is a community that really supports local businesses, ” said Katherine Baril, Director of WSU Jefferson County Extension and member of WSU Team Jefferson

Light refreshments will be served.  There will be no refunds after the first class.  If you want to register for the class or have any questions please call or email Alisha Merriman, 360-379-5610 Ext. 222.