Starting a Home-based or Small Business

Through highly interactive and hands on classroom experiences, this program gives participants the practical knowledge needed to start and run a successful business.  It is also helpful to those who already have a business but now realize there is much they do not know.  Geared to micro-enterprises, current business successes include everything from hardware stores to internet businesses, from health care training to catering, house painting to photography. 

The 10-week program takes a practitioner’s point of view rather than academic.   It is held three times per year. Location is at the main downtown library for easy access by those that need to take a bus.   Guest instructors actually currently work in the various fields and are seen as experts in the area. Several have been or are entrepreneurs themselves.

• Total hours of training per 10-week session = 22.5 hours
• Total cost to participants is $100.00.
• There are need-based scholarships available for persons who have had any type of financial assistance in the past year.  There are flexible payment plans also available.
• By following the outline and assignment, a student can put together most of his/her business plan by themselves.  
• Participants MUST attend or make-up all classes to graduate.

• Location: Auditorium in Hoyt Main Library

Schedule

Next class starts on April 23, 2008 and runs for nine consecutive weeks, followed by graduation night. All classes begin at 6:00 PM. Registration deadline is April 16. Please call Kathy Tenwolde at (989) 754-2486 for further information.

Topics include

• Legal issues: such as legal forms of business, contracts, employee issues;
• Insurance: what types you may need, various options;
• Taxes: What self-employed and employers need to pay, deductions;
• Bookkeeping: records you need to keep, the three financial sheets and how to read and understand them, doing it yourself or using a service;
• Credit: How to keep good credit, what to do if it’s not good, how to read a credit report, figuring out your debt to income ratio;
• Finding your niche: developing a mission statement, competitors, pricing, location
• Market Research: What it is; why you need it; hard copy and internet sources, how to do it;
• Advertising: Traditional mediums and using the internet both web sites and selling on line;
• Zoning: What it is and why it should be one of the first things you check for your site;
• Customer Service: Why it’s the most important thing, and tips on doing it;
• Banking: What banks look for in a loan request and why, the day-to-day dealings with your bank i.e. checking account bad checks, etc., how SBA loans work, other financing options;
• Learning from Past Graduates: success stories and how they overcame problems;
• Graduation: Graduation includes a dessert buffet where family members are encouraged to attend, a guest speaker, and presentation of a graduation plaque.

Registration for these classes is required. Please call Kathy Tenwolde at (989) 754-2486 to sign up for a class.

This class is made possible by funding from:

Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Chemical Bank
Citizens Bank
Michigan National Bank
National City Bank

In cooperation with:

Delta College
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
Public Libraries of Saginaw
Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce
Saginaw Economic Development Corporation

Entrepreneur Workshop

An orientation session for potential business owners.

Who should attend?

Interested in starting your own business?  Want to know more about community resources for small business? Learn the basics about business ownership from a local expert.

Issues to be Covered

• What it takes to be in business.
• Where to go for information and assistance.
• The Business Plan and why you need one.
  
• Licenses and Permits.
• Funding and the myth of "Free Money".
• Library resources to help set up your business.

Schedule for 2008

• Thursday, April 24, 2008, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 22, 2008, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 26, 2008, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 28, 2008, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, September 25, 2008, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 23, 2008, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, November 20, 2008, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Featured Speakers

Christine Greve, Director
Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center
Region 5

Jeanine Collison, Reference/Business Librarian
Public Libraries of Saginaw

The seminar is held at the Hoyt Main Library.  See schedule above for dates and times or call the Reference Department at (989)  755-0904.