Workshop Initial Step Toward Business Success

nwi-sbdcThe Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center is presenting Launch Your Own Business Workshop: A Sound and Proven Path from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday April 23 at the Purdue University Calumet Academic Learning Center, 9900 Connecticut Drive, in Room 261.

The workshop focuses on new entrepreneurs and aims to help them evaluate their business ideas, prepare a sound business plan, manage expectations and increase chances of accessing capital.

Workshop topics include: identifying personal objectives, skills and resources; describing your business idea and requirements; developing a sales forecast; identifying start-up expenses; estimating your operating budget; and analyzing your feasibility results.

The cost of the workshop is $25 and pre-registration and pre-payment are required. To register, visit www.nwisbdc.org, click on seminars and events, the workshop, and follow instructions or call (219) 644-3513.

The workshop is based on the ISBDC's A Sound and Proven Path Towards Launching Your Own Business Workbook, available at all ISBDC offices. A free copy of this 60-page step-by-step workbook will be distributed to participants and used during the class.

Following the course, NW-ISBDC advisers will be available for no-cost one-on-one business consulting, which includes market research and financial diagnostic reports, to help new entrepreneurs implement their strategic plans and provide ongoing guidance as they grow their businesses.

Beyond in-person seminars, potential entrepreneurs can also follow a self-guided workshop online via the Web site for $25. Visit www.nwisbdc.org and click on “Seminars & Events” in the right upper corner and “Online Classes.”

Serving seven counties in the region, the NW-ISBDC offers no-cost assistance for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their businesses. Through one-on-one consulting, the NWI SBDC helps guide small businesses toward their goals by offering referrals, workshops, training opportunities and other essential business tools. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and other local partners.

For more information, visit www.nwisbdc.org.