Free Training at TSBDC/KOSBE Small Business Summer Night School
August 02, 2011
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU and the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) will host a free Small Business Summer Night School on Tuesday, August 18 from 6 — 9 p.m., at the Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce, 107 E. Main Street, Ste. 100, Rogersville.
Primarily, the Small Business Summer Night School provides free training, peer-to-peer networking, collaborative problem-analysis, problem-solving and access to financing to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
The workshop is offered free of cost, but registration is required.
Three classes will be featured at this workshop: So You Want to Start a Business, We’re Social; Are You?! Small Business Marketing 1.0 and Start Your Business Plan Tonight Workshop.
So You Want to Start a Business: This class is designed for individuals who have never before owned or operated a small business. Topics included in this session include a discussion of successful business ownership traits (participants will complete an entrepreneurial assessment); assessment of the business idea; and some of the “mechanics” of establishing a business, such as forms of business ownership, insurance, business planning, and obtaining financing. Facilitated by Aundrea Wilcox, Executive Director of KOSBE, Senior Business Counselor for TSBDC at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office.
We’re Social; Are You?! Small Business Marketing 1.0: This class is an introductory session on social media. The topics discussed will include the basics of social media and the importance of having a social business. You will learn what the top four social media sites are, how to utilize them and the differences between in-bound and out-bound marketing. Most importantly, in this class you will learn how to develop a social media strategy for your business. Facilitated by Marybeth McLain, Small Business Services Marketing Manager, KOSBE.
Finally, we will conclude our night with the popular, Start Your Business Plan Tonight Workshop. Attendees should be prepared to handwrite or bring their laptops to begin working on their first draft business plan in a class setting. If you have started a plan, but never finished it, or you have no idea where to begin, this class is for you. This hands-on class will take you through the complete business planning process, reviewing all of the integral parts of a business plan. Attendees will participate in a personalized approach to goal-setting and strategy development for their business or idea. In addition to group discussion, there will able be an opportunity to receive some individual attention while developing financial projections and working on your own operating plan. This class is for start-ups as well as exiting businesses. You must bring your own laptop or a notepad. Please note, there will not be internet access, so if you are using your laptop, it is encouraged that you download the SBA Business Plan Template PDF from kosbe.org found in the Tools and Resources section. Facilitated by Aundrea Wilcox, executive director for KOSBE and senior business counselor for TSBDC at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office.
The Small Business Summer Night School is designed with new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs in mind (including home-based), however, retirees seeking a second career, part-time workers wanting to supplement their income, upper class high school and college student are encourage to participate.
This event is facilitated by the SBA and is designed with new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs in mind.
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Advanced registration is required and must be received by Tuesday, August 16. Anyone interested can register online at kosbe.org or call (423) 392-8825 for more information.
It is the intent of KOSBE to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. In partnership with Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC) at ETSU, KOSBE can more effectively serve the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For a complete listing of services, tools and resources, visit kosbe.org.
The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of Tennessee.
To schedule your free confidential counseling appointment in a private setting by TSBDC-certified counselors in person, online by phone or e-mail call Marybeth McLain at (423) 392.8825 or e-mail, mmclain@kosbe.org.
For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe – The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE — The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.
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