December 22, 2011

‘Starting a Business in Illinois’ workshops planned

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- If you are thinking that 2012 might be the year to begin or expand your small business, you’ll want to take advantage of free workshops from the Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

“Starting a Business in Illinois” is a two-hour seminar offering all of the ins and outs pertinent to starting a business.  Participants will learn about legal structuring, start-up requirements, locating financing and the basics of business planning.

There is no cost for the class, but for $15 you can also purchase a business start-up kit, available in both print and electronic formats.  The kit includes copies of the presentation slides, a business start-up checklist, a sample business plan, federal and state identification applications, a packet of financing questions and answers and more.

The schedule of spring 2012 “Starting a Business in Illinois” workshops includes:

            •  Jan. 12, 5-7 p.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

            •  Jan. 25, 1-3 p.m., Marion Man-Tra-Con office, 3000 W. DeYoung St, Illinois Star Centre in Marion.  Man-Tra-Con is a co-sponsor.

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

            •  March 2, 9-11 a.m., Herrin Chamber of Commerce, 3 N. Park Ave., Herrin.  Herrin Chamber of Commerce is a co-sponsor.

            •  April 18, 1-3 p.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

            •  May 4, 9-11 a.m., Randolph County Courthouse, 1 Taylor St., Chester.  Randolph County Economic Development is co-sponsor.

            •  May 22, 9-11 a.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

            •  June 12, 5-7 p.m., Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, Room 150, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

There will also be three additional workshops for new or expanding businesses.

“Finding Financing” is set for 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.  This seminar provides details about the various types of financing options available for small businesses and information about how to secure and package funding. 

“Using Social Media in Business” will offer the latest information about the various types of social networking platforms available and how to incorporate social networking into a business marketing plan for maximum benefit.  The seminar will be March 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Room 150 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

“Intro to Government Contracting” highlights the basic requirements for businesses to participate in state or federal contracting along with local requirements and beneficial certifications business owners may seek based on the owner’s ethnicity or gender or upon the business locale.  The workshop will be Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 150 of the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

There is no cost to attend any of the workshops but you must pre-register for all workshops. To sign up, or for more information, call 618/536-2424, email sbdc@siu.edu or visit the website at www.siusbdc.com.

Also, as a bonus, the center now offers seminar participants and clients the opportunity to purchase Business Plan Pro software, a highly ranked business plan tool, at the special price of $69.95. 

SIU Carbondale hosts the Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center with funding provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.   To learn more about the University’s entrepreneurship and business development programs and the services they offer, contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center at 618/536-2424, email sbdc@siu.edu or find the center online at www.siusbdc.com.