July 29, 2011

Free small business workshops planned for fall

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is offering a series of free workshops this fall for those interested in starting or expanding a small business or their business marketing.

If you have ever considered starting your own business, here’s your chance to find out all the ins and outs.  “Starting a Business in Illinois” is a two-hour informational seminar offering the basics of founding a new business, including setting up the legal structure, finding financing, business planning basics and start-up requirements. 

The class is free but you can purchase a business start-up kit, available in both print and electronic formats, for $15.  The kit features copies of a business start-up checklist, presentation slides, financing questions and answers, a sample business plan, applications for federal and state tax identification numbers and more.

Here’s the schedule for the fall “Starting a Business in Illinois” workshops:

•  Aug. 3, 1-3 p.m., Murphysboro Township Board Room, 1410 Walnut St. in Murphysboro.  The Murphysboro Township Board is a co-sponsor of this session.

•  Aug. 31, 9-11 a.m., Man-Tra-Con office, 3000 W. DeYoung St., Illinois Star Centre in Marion.  Man-Tra-Con is co-sponsor.

•  Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

•  Oct. 5, 9-11 a.m., Randolph County Courthouse, 1 Taylor St., Chester.  Randolph County Courthouse is a co-sponsor.

•  Oct. 17, 9-11 a.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

•  Nov. 4, 1-3 p.m., Man-Tra-Con office, 3000 W. DeYoung St., Illinois Star Centre in Marion.  Man-Tra-Con is co-sponsor.

•  Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

There will also be two sessions of the popular “Finding Financing” seminar.  This informational workshop offers details about putting together funding for a small business along with in-depth information about the various financing options currently available to small business owners.

The schedule for “Finding Financing” is:

•  Oct. 5, 5-7 p.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

•  Nov. 4, 3-5 p.m., Marion Man-Tra-Con office, 3000 W. DeYoung St., Illinois Star Center.  Man-Tra-Con and the John A. Logan College Procurement Technical Assistance Center are co-sponsors.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center’s lineup of events for small businesses this fall also includes three additional workshops. 

“Using Social Media in Business” is a seminar offering information about the various types of social networking platforms and the benefits of incorporating social networking into your business’ marketing plan.  The workshop is 2-4 p.m. on Sept. 15 at Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale.

“International Trade:  Are you Ready to Export?” is a brief session to help you determine if your company is ready to begin exporting into the global marketplace.  The session is Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 150 of the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale.

“Intro to Government Contracting” is a brief workshop highlighting the basic requirements for state and federal contract work as well as local requirements.  There will also be information about certifications business owners may apply for based upon their location, ethnicity and/or gender.  The workshop is noon-1 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Marion Man-Tra-Con office, 3000 W. DeYoung St. in the Illinois Star Center.  Co-sponsors are Man-Tra-Con and the John A. Logan College Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Although there is no cost to attend any of the sessions, you must pre-register for all workshops by calling 618/536-2424, emailing sbdc@siu.edu or signing up online at www.siusbdc.com.

As a special bonus in 2011, all seminar participants and center clients can purchase Business Plan Pro software, a top-ranked business plan tool, for the special price of $69.95.

SIUC hosts the Illinois Small Business Center/International Trade Center with funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.  For more information about the entrepreneurship and business development programs at SIUC and the services they provide, contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center at 618/536-2424, by email at sbdc@siu.edu or visit the website at www.siusbdc.com