January 06, 2010
‘Starting a Business in Illinois’ seminars planned
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, a workshop from the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale can give you the tools and information to take the plunge.
The ISBDC is sponsoring 10 sessions of the free, two-hour seminar, “Starting a Business in Illinois,” between Jan. 12 and June 15. Each informational seminar gives insight into the basic requirements of starting a new business, including legal structure, start-up requirements, securing financing and the basics of business planning.
A $10 materials fee covers the cost of the optional materials including a business startup checklist, copies of the presentation slides, financing questions and answers, a sample business plan, state and federal tax identification number applications, the “Business Plan Workbook” and more.
“In today’s economy, there are many reasons to consider self-employment. The Starting a Business in Illinois workshops provide participants with much of the information they need to help them make an informed decision about the viability of their business ideas,” said Lynn Andersen Lindberg, director of the ISBDC.
“Whether you are considering starting a service company, creating your own merchandise, getting into E-commerce or getting involved with other opportunities, these workshops provide you with a jump-start on moving your idea forward,” she added. “Many participants follow up by meeting with one of our small business specialists to discuss in a confidential setting their specific business concepts, challenges, and their next steps. Research and preparation are key to business success and the ISBDC staff are ready to help guide you through the maze of business start-up tasks.”
Here’s the spring and early summer “Starting a Business in Illinois” workshop schedule:
• Jan. 12, 9-11 a.m., Room 241 at Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, located at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale.
• Feb. 8, 6-8 p.m., Boyton Street Community Center at 501 W. Boyton St. in Marion.
• Feb. 18, 1-3 p.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.
• Feb. 22, 2-4 p.m., Sam Mitchell Community Room at West Frankfort City Hall, 201 E. Nolen St.
• March 22, 6-8 p.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.
• March 31, 10 a.m.-noon, Carterville Chamber of Commerce office, 120 N. Greenbriar Road.
• April 8, 6-8 p.m., Township Board Room, 1410 Walnut St. in Murphysboro.
• April 21, 1-3 p.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.
• May 21, 9-11 a.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.
• June 15, 9-11 a.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.
“This year we are pleased to be able to partner with the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce for all of the workshops hosted at the SIUC Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center,” Andersen Lindberg said. “In addition, we are continuing our ‘on-the-road’ activities with several co-sponsors including the Boyton Street Community Center in Marion, the Carterville and Murphysboro Chambers of Commerce, the city of West Frankfort and the local chapter of SCORE.”
Pre-registration is required for all workshops. To register, or for more information, call 618/536-2424 or e-mail sbdc@siu.edu. You can also sign up online at www.southernillinois.biz.
Immediately following the Jan. 12 session, the ISBDC will offer a free bonus informational session. Staff from Extra Help, Inc. in Marion will present “HR and Payroll -- Preparing for Employees in 2010.” The workshop offers information about factors to consider and steps to take if employing other people in your business. You can learn about employment tax requirements, best practices for hiring and terminating employees, managing unemployment compensation, implementing safety programs and the basics about workers’ compensation.
Extra Help, owned and operated by Teresa Stearns Katubig, is a full-service staffing agency specializing in direct hires, temp-to-hires and temporary positions and the company’s locations include Marion, Edwardsville and Elgin as well as St. Louis.
“This workshop is a great add-on for new small business owners. It also offers existing small business owners that have employees updated information regarding new federal and state laws that go into effect each January and the implications of new legislation. This is the second year that the staff of Extra Help has volunteered their time to update new and existing small business owners about the ins and outs of having employees. They did a great job last year and we are excited to have them back again,” said Andersen Lindberg.
The ISBDC at SIUC assists potential and existing businesses in a variety of ways including planning, marketing, understanding business finance, handling management issues and much more. The University hosts the center with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity providing funding.