April 24, 2007

Workshops will benefit entrepreneurs

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Illinois will host a series of workshops for entrepreneurs interested in starting their own businesses.

"How to Start Your Own Business" is a two-hour informational seminar providing information about the basic requirements for starting a business, including legal structure, startup requirements, acquiring financing and the basics of business planning. The cost is $10 and covers the price of a business startup kit featuring a newly updated "Business Plan Workbook," a business startup checklist and a copy of the slides presented during the workshop.

Unless otherwise indicated, the workshops will be in Room 150 of Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

Here's the workshop schedule:

* April 26: 9-11 a.m.

* May 10: 6-8 p.m. at West Frankfort Aquatics Center

* May 31: 1-3 p.m.

* June 5: 6-8 p.m. at Du Quoin City Hall

* June 20: 9-11 a.m.

The ISBDC is also sponsoring additional different workshops to help new or expanding businesses. "Finding Financing: Selling Your Ideas to Banks and Investors" is set for 3-5 p.m. May 31 in Room 150 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center. The seminar is free and provides various types of information on financing and what's involved in securing funding.

"How to Sell to the Government" is co-sponsored by the John A. Logan College's Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center and it's in the same location from 11 a.m. until noon April 26 and June 20, immediately following the "How to Start Your Own Business" workshops. This workshop is also free and provides basic information about requirements for government contracts and how to obtain and perform federal, state and local government contracts.

All workshops require pre-registration. For more information or to register, call 618/536-2424, e-mail ilsbdc@siu.edu or go on-line at www.southernillinois.biz.