Workshop: Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Workshop Series (March 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11)

Thinking of starting a business? SCORE’s workshop series aims to simplify the process by taking you through steps to test the feasibility of your business idea, get started, and keep you moving forward.  Knowledge is power. Avoid making costly mistakes!

• Learn together with other new business owners the essentials of starting a successful business.
• We simplify it further by providing you with a mentor that will walk through these steps with you and assist you during and after the workshops.

Who should attend? Participants considering starting a business or buying a business, entrepreneurs who have recently started a business or a small business owner that wants to learn how to evaluate new business ideas or improving their business performance. This series may be the best action you can take to strengthen an existing business or to start up a new one.

Participate in five 2-1/2 hr. evening workshops with action steps and valuable resource:

Session 1 - Startup Business Basics
Session 2 - Your Business Concept
Session 3 - Financial Projections
Session 4 - Marketing Your Business
Session 5 - Funding Sources & Next Steps

Presenters include experienced SCORE Mentors: Anita Kratka, Roy Johnston, Chuck Levine, Spencer Bader, and Irene Flack

Anita Kratka has over 30 years of direct selling experience, leadership of successful sales teams, and is Dale Carnegie Sales trained. As a SCORE Mentor Anita provides client mentoring to improve sales experience and results.

Roy Johnston is in his 20th year of business law, real estate law, and estate planning. He advises businesses from startup, through stock distribution, to investors. Roy is active in the business law sections of the California Bar Association and the Sonoma County Bar Association and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming. Most importantly, Roy is a small business owner who puts into practice the principles he teaches.

Charles (Chuck) Levine has succeeded in starting new businesses, turning around failing businesses, and leading companies to continue and sustain growth. He helped start the fastest growing Company in history, Sprint PCS. As VP of Sales and Marketing, he led it to over $10 billion in just 4 1/2 years and was named Marketer of the Year in 1999 by Communications. He became CEO and in 2002 was named CEO of the Year by the New York Times and Frost & Sullivan.

Spencer Bader - After a BA in Economics, an MBA, and MS in Industrial Engineering, Spencer spent 32 years with HP/Agilent in operations and project management. Later affiliations included partner in a small consulting firm and Admin/Finance Director for Sonoma County Water Agency. During his 8-year stay, the Water Agency's bond rating increased to AA+. Most recently Spencer has done angel investing and advising to tech start-ups, SCORE North Coast mentoring, and volunteering for local non-profits.

Irene Flack has over 20 years of experience in commercial and small business lending, including SBA lending. As a result, Irene has expertise in business operations and management, working with lenders, and related issues. In addition to advising established business owners, Irene is a SCORE workshop presenter on setting up a new business and can provide practical step-by-step guidance for start-ups. Irene has a BA in Business Administration and a JD.

SCORE Mentors will be on hand to provide the guidance you need through the whole process. Put your plan in order efficiently and in a short period of time.
BE PREPARED, NOT SURPRISED!

Thank you to the Santa Rosa Department of Economic Development & Johnson-Thomas Attorneys at Law for Co-sponsoring this Workshop