Interested in starting your own business?   Already own a business and need some help?

The CCEDC in partnership with the Small Business Administration, Carbon County CareerLink, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Valley SCORE, the Small Business Development Center at Wilkes University, the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce and the Carbon County Career and Technical Institute Adult Education are providing seven FREE workshops.  All classes will be held at the Carbon County CareerLink offices at 69 Broadway in Jim Thorpe.

Workshop 1 - Session 1 (Friday June 3, 2011 from 1:00-3:00)

The Realities of Entrepreneurship and Getting Started
This course will be taught by Ed Kowalczyk from the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center.  Ed will help participants understand what is necessary to start a business or to take an newly started business to the next level.  Topics will include what form of business to take (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.)  When do develop a business plan, when to seek financing, and basics about marketing and human resources. NOTE:  This course has a $15.00 charge for a workbook.

Workshop 1 - Session 2 (Saturday June 18, 2011 from 9:00-11:00 AM)

The Realities of Entrepreneurship and Getting Started
This course will be taught by Jay Plotnick and Ray Savage, Senior Counselors for Lehigh Valley SCORE.  They will help participants understand what is necessary to start a business or to take an newly started business to the next level.  Topics will include what form of business to take (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.)  When do develop a business plan, when to seek financing, and basics about marketing and human resources.

Workshop 2 -  (Tuesday June 21, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Developing a Business Plan
This course will be taught by Richard Warner from Lehigh Carbon Community College.  Richard is the Director for the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certificate program and will help participants develop the main components of a business plan.  Important in that are financials, marketing, management, and developing a strong Executive Summary. 

Workshop 3 -  (Thursday July 7, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Financing Your Business
Do you need capital to start or grow your business?  Join Michael Kane from the Small Business Administration for this workshop to help you understand local, State, and Federal resources available.

Workshop 4 -  (Thursday July 21, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Marketing Your Business
What's your marketing plan?  How do you know your product or service will sell?  Do you know your customers?  This class will challenge your assumptions and clarify your approach to marketing. Dina Tulli Davis of JumpSpark Creative will lead the class. 

Workshop 5 -  (Thursday August 4, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Taxes
The number one reason businesses fail is lack of attention to the numbers!  Don't become another statistic.  This workshop will cover the basics of how to keep track of it all. 

Workshop 6 -  (Thursday August 18, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Legal Issues
What should you be concerned about from a legal standpoint as a small business owner?  Come hear our small business legal counsel give a high-level overview of the issues you may face.  Jane Sebelin will lead this workshop.  Jane is the Solicitor for the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation and also is a partner in Sebelin Law Offices in Lehighton. 

Workshop 7 -  (Tuesday September 6, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Human Resources
When should you hire someone?  When should you fire someone?  How do you create a job description that attracts the right people?  These and other related issues are covered in this workshop.  This course will also be taught by Richard Warner from Lehigh Carbon Community College.  Richard is the Director for the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certificate  program.