HARRISBURG, PA – Potential entrepreneurs can test their startup ideas during a weekly workshop series, five Wednesdays, March 1 – 29, 6-9 p.m., at YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Center for Employment, Education and Entrepreneurial Development (CEEED), 1301 Derry Street, Harrisburg PA, 17103.
CEEED offers a range of programs that focus on unemployment, underemployment and education, such as GED and entrepreneurship. The YWCA Greater Harrisburg works in collaboration with United Way of the Capital Region, SCORE, Sound Community Solutions, Inc., PNC, Amiracle4Sure, Community First Fund, Community Action Commission, Tri County OIC, Brethren Community Ministries and the YWCA.
The Go/No-Go workshop is designed and led by Susquehanna SCORE, the region’s leading provider of business mentoring and education. SCORE’s business startup specialists will provide the tools and information that participants can use to determine if their ideas are ready to become new businesses. The workshop is free to veterans and military personnel. Registration is at: www.susquehanna.score.org.
Week One: Your Business Concept
Describe your business idea and then review it in terms of: Entrepreneurship; Critical Success Factors; Knowing Your Options; Components of Business; Evaluation Tools; and Making It Legal.
Week Two: Advertising & Marketing
Draft your 30-second elevator pitch; review pricing strategies; and define target markets. Apply the 4 “Ps” of Marketing; Advertising vs. Marketing; Networking & PR; Social Media and Web Presence.
Week Three: Funding and Financials
Understand credit and learn about all the possible funding options, from traditional to emerging; and survey the financial basics (P&L, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet, etc.).
Week Four: Sales and Management
Lay out a sales strategy for your product or service. Draft a management plan for your business: operational, administrative, and organizational. Discuss HR, including recruiting, hiring, training, and terminating; evaluate the pros and cons of part-time and full-time employees.
Week Five: Presentations
Put it all together with a panel of subject matter experts; share Q and A time with experts and peers; make a 3-5-minute presentation of your business; and receive a certificate for workshop completion.
Since 1964, SCORE “Mentors to America’s Small Business” has helped more than 9 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through mentoring and business workshops. More than 11,000 volunteer business mentors in over 320 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses. For more information about starting or operating a small business, call Tammi Dawson at Susquehanna SCORE, (717) 845-8830, or see us at www.susquehanna.score.org.