August 15, 2008

Workshops set on ‘Starting a Business in Illinois’

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Ever thought of starting your own business? Having vital information and a sound plan are keys to success and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale can help.

The ISBDC is sponsoring five sessions of the two-hour seminar, “Starting a Business in Illinois.” Each provides all the basic information to help you start your own business. Topics include legal structure, startup requirements, finding financing and the basics of business planning.

There’s a $10 fee that covers the cost of all business startup kit materials, the recently updated “Business Plan Workbook,” a business startup checklist and copies of the presentation slides.

The workshops are all in Room 150 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, located at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale.

The fall 2008 workshop series schedule includes:

• Thursday, Aug. 21, 6-8 p.m.

• Sept. 10, 9-11 a.m.

• Oct. 14, 1-3 p.m.

• Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m.

• Dec. 12, 9-11 a.m.

In addition, there will be a special Spanish session, “Comenzando un Negocio en Illinois,” 6-8 p.m. Octubre 21 in Salón 150 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

Immediately after the Sept. 10 workshop, the ISBDC will partner with the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network to sponsor “Finding Financing: Selling Your Ideas to Banks and Investors,” from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., also at the Dunn-Richmond location. This free two-hour seminar gives the details on finding money for business startup or expansion. It covers the various types of financing and what’s involved in seeking the funding for specific businesses.

“How to Sell to the Government” is a free one-hour workshop from 3 to 4 p.m. immediately following the Oct. 14 business start-up workshop. Co-sponsored by the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center at John A. Logan College, the seminar provides information about how to market and sell to the government. It gives a basic understanding of government contracts and how to obtain and successfully perform federal, state and local contracts.

Finally, “Are You Ready to Export?” follows the Dec. 12 business workshop. This hour-long seminar from 11 a.m. until noon is a step-by-step walk through the exporting process. Illinois International Trade Center Network representatives will give a complete overview of the many programs available to assist Illinois businesses with exporting. The Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is seminar co-sponsor.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops. To register, or for more information, call 618/536-2424 or e-mail ilsbdc@siu.edu. You can sign up online at www.southernillinois.biz too.

The ISBDC at SIUC assists prospective and existing businesses helping with business planning and marketing, understanding business finance, management issues and much more. The University hosts the center and funding comes from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Small Business Administration.