Entrepreneur Academy Begins Sept. 8
Published: August 21, 2014Classes held in Benson and Clayton
Johnston Community College's Small Business Center, in partnership with The Town of Benson, is hosting an Entrepreneur Academy Sept. 8 to Nov. 3. This 10-course program aims to help local entrepreneurs and current small business owners hone their skills on how to start a small business or improve their existing business.
The program will provide a comprehensive look at all the aspects of owning and operating a small business. Topics include business structure, financing, bookkeeping, business plan writing, marketing, and taxes. At the end of the course, participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to potential investors with the possibility of obtaining funding for their business ideas.
According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses accounted for 63 percent of the net new jobs created from 1993-2013. Even during the recent economic down turn small businesses have played a critical role in the economy's recovery. The Entrepreneur Academy is designed to encourage the growth of small businesses by providing information and practical knowledge on how to start and operate a successful business in North Carolina.
"This academy is designed to encourage the growth of small businesses by providing information and practical knowledge on how to start and operate a successful business in North Carolina," said Pat Killete, JCC's Small Business Center director. "We are very excited about offering this new program to the local community."
"This is the first time a program such as this has been attempted in Benson and we could not have had a better partner than the Small Business Center," said Joseph Stallings economic development and media coordinator for The Town of Benson. "We hope that this program will help fuel the entrepreneurial spirit in our community and instill in those that want to start or improve a business the necessary skills to do so."
Here's the academy schedule:
Sept. 8 How to Start a Business
Sept. 16 Business Structure 101
Sept. 23 Labor Issues for Small Business
Oct. 2 Financing Your Business
Oct. 6 Beginning Bookkeeping
Oct. 13 How to Write a Business Plan
Oct. 20 Marketing/Advertising
Oct. 23 IRS Tax for Small Business
Oct. 28 NC Tax for Small Business
Nov. 3 Investor Roundtable
This free program will be held at the Benson Conference Center and the Johnston County Workforce Development Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Participants must be 18 years old by the beginning of the program. To register, please contact Killette at (919) 209-2015 or by e-mail at pwkillette@johnstoncc.edu.