SDC and SCORE partner to provide free business seminars for budding entrepreneurs | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Patrice Harris
October 15, 2015
Each year aspiring entrepreneurs have dreams of launching their business and realizing success they only dreamed of. The reality is many small businesses that do open their doors, are forced to close them a short time later. The Social Development Commission (SDC) has formed a partnership with the southeastern Wisconsin chapter of SCORE to provide free seminars to budding entrepreneurs on starting a business and developing effective business plans.
“We encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in our community, but we also need to make sure they are sufficiently prepared for new ventures,” said George P. Hinton, CEO of the Social Development Commission. “Building new business creates job and economic growth which is direly needed in many communities in Milwaukee County.”
The first workshop, What You Need to Start a Business, will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 9:00 AM – noon. The seminar will focus on those that are considering going into business for themselves. The myths and realities of entrepreneurship will be identified and self-evaluation tools will be used to determine if being a business owner is a fit for each individual. A checklist of what to do prior to investing in a small business will be provided and discussed.
A three-part seminar will focus on business plan. The first module, How to Write a Short, Effective Business Plan, will be held on Saturday, November 7 from 9:00 AM – noon. The hands-on workshop will instruct aspiring business owners how to construct a meaningful business plan that positions them for success. The SCORE expert will teach attendees how to exercise and listen to their plan, and how to tackle what is often found to be the most challenging portion of a business plan, marketing. Participants will also be advised on how to create financial “what ifs.”
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How to Refine Your Business Plan is the second module and will occur Saturday, November 14 from 9:00 AM – noon. In this seminar, participants will have a hands-on experience as they learn how to prepare the financial portion of their business plan and will acquire the knowledge to transform financial “what ifs” to financial projections that are required by investors and lenders.
The third and final seminar in the series, How to Finalize Your Business Plan, will take place, Saturday, November 21 from 9:00 AM – noon. At this session participants will learn to write the executive summary of their plan. Previously prepared sections of the business plan will undergo final review in preparation for presentation to prospective investors or lenders.
All seminars will be held at the at the Social Development Commission office located at 4041 N. Richards Street, Milwaukee. The seminars are free, but registration is required. To register, visit www.cr-sdc.org and select Programs/Business Services.
SCORE, is a national network of free, expert business mentors. The organization’s primary goal is to counsel clients toward achieving success in their operation of start-up businesses or existing ones. For more information on SCORE, visit www.scoresewisconsin.org.