September 01, 2009

Workshop offers basics on starting a business

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- If you’ve ever considered starting your very own business, this might be the time to take the next step.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is offering several sessions this fall of the two-hour informational seminar, “Starting a Business in Illinois.” The workshop gives all the basic information you’ll need to start a business, including legal structure, start-up requirements, business planning and finding financing.

A $10 materials fee covers the cost of materials including the business start-up kit. The kit is actually a jump drive featuring an electronic copy of the following materials: a business start-up checklist, a copy of the seminar presentation slides, questions and answers about financing, a sample business plan, federal and state tax identification number applications and much more.

The fall 2009 workshop schedule includes:

• Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6-8 p.m. at Murphysboro Township Board Room at 1410 Walnut St., Murphysboro.

• Thursday, Sept. 24, 1-3 p.m., Room 241, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center located at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale.

• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9-11 a.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

• Friday, Nov. 13, 9-11 a.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1-3 p.m., Room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

You must pre-register to attend any of the workshop sessions. To register or learn more about the workshops, call 618/536-2424 or e-mail ilsbdc@siu.edu. You can also sign up online at www.southernillinois.biz.

SIUC hosts the Illinois Small Business Center, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, as a service to the state’s small businesses.