Business Start-up Basics Seminar
September 12, 19, & 26--Save a Seat Here!
LIMITED SEATING--LOWEST COST, BEST WORKSHOP OF TYPE
Wanting to start your own business, but don't know where to start? This SCORE workshop may be an effective first step. The three-night series explores the basic steps in starting a business. The sessions cover entrepreneurship (including myths and realities), an overview of marketing planning, the legal structure of your business, and start-up funding. The sessions also provide ample opportunities for questions and answers involving leading business experts. By the end of the seminar, attendeees will have clear and practical steps toward developing their own individual business plans. Registration fee is only $59, through Kirkwood Community College (www.foryourlifetime.com) 319-398-1022.
Night #1.....Entrepreneurship and Financing
The Basics of SBA's Programs & Services: Learn how the Small Business Administration and its team of experts can help get your new business financed. Also, hear about the Eastern Iowa chapter of SCORE and how its members can work with you to become a successful entrepreneur.
Speaker - Carolyn Tonn is a Lender Relations Specialist & SCORE Liaison for SBA primarily in NE & East Central Iowa. She calls on lenders, SCORE chapters, SBDC’s, chambers, along with city & county economic development groups & others interested in ED in an 18 county area. She comes from central Iowa originally & graduated from the University of Iowa. She has been with SBA for many years working in a variety of lending & marketing roles and worked in both the Des Moines & Cedar Rapids SBA offices. from the Eastern Iowa SBA office in Cedar Rapids.
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Entrepreneurship -- Myth vs. Reality: Get to know what you can really expect when you become a business owner. Are you ready to make the commitment?
Speaker - Chuck Murphy has started, developed, and sold several businesses over the past 35 years. As a 25 year owner of PIP Printing with 22 employees he grew the franchise to the top 10 out of 1200 locations. He also founded the Test Prep Seminars which provides school-day seminars on the ACT or SAT to high school students. Chuck is now starting a 3rd business for online seminars.
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Identifying Funding Sources: This session covers the actions and the things to consider if you are needing a bank loan. How to approach lenders and why.
Speaker - Scott Swenson is a lifelong resident of Iowa and a University of Iowa graduate with a business degree in marketing. His background includes media, marketing, management and small business ownership. Starting his career managing community newspapers in Iowa and Minnesota, he later joined the Gazette Company with senior management responsibilities. Scott later owned a Floor to Ceiling Store in Cedar Falls. Following the floods of 2008, Scott was extensively involved with counseling flood impacted businesses. Scott is Regional Director for the Kirkwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
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Night # 2.....Legal and Web Presence
Legal Considerations: Business entity types and their differences plus other legal issues within her area of expertise.....Bring lots of questions!
Speaker - Amanda D'Amico Erickson is an attorney with Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC, where she is engaged primarily in a general practice, including but not limited to business law, corporate law, taxation, mergers & acquisitions, contracts, estate planning and probate law. She advises individuals & business clients regarding the tax aspects of various corporate entity transactions and with respect to the use of pass-through entities (limited liability companies, partnerships, and S Corps).
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Winning Website Designs and Tips: The effectiveness of your website will depend on being clear about what you want to accomplish, diagramming it, excellent writing and its overall design. Learn the basics for doing it right from an award winning website design company.
Speaker - John Osako is VP of an award winning website and Internet technology company known as Informatics. It is based in Cedar Rapids. John is an expert on correct website layout and design, and will focus on the "how tos" of design, writing and the marketing effectiveness of your website.
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Night #3.....Marketing
Marketing - Connecting Your Company to Customers:
Speaker - Mike Humbert has built a career in developing and implementing effective strategies for profit and non-profit organizations. He has created strategic business plans and marketing, public relations employee motivation, and culture building initiatives for companies large and small. In 2005, Mike began development of The Alternaitve Board in Eastern Iowa and has since worked with hundreds of business owners in the growth, success and profitability of their respective businesses. He also serves on the boards of a wide array of non-profit organizations. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Mike has been certified as a strategic business leadership coach and accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.
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Marketing - Connecting Your Company to Customers (cont'd):
Speaker - Scott Swenson is a lifelong resident of Iowa and a University of Iowa graduate with a business degree in marketing. His background includes media, marketing, management and small business ownership. Starting his career managing community newspapers in Iowa and Minnesota, he later joined the Gazette Company with senior management responsibilities. Scott later owned a Floor to Ceiling Store in Cedar Falls. Following the floods of 2008, Scott was extensively involved with counseling flood impacted businesses. Scott is Regional Director for the Kirkwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
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It's All About You: Open sessions with successful entrepreneurs, instructors, SCORE mentors and YOU.