WPCC SBC Offers Free Classes in March for Business Owners

Western Piedmont Community College’s (WPCC) Small Business Center (SBC) will offer several classes in March designed for entrepreneurs who own small business or are thinking about starting a business.

The classes are free of charge and taught by experienced professionals. All classes will be offered at the WPCC SBC located at the Foothills Higher Education Center, 2128 S Sterling Street in Morganton, NC. Register for classes by visiting WPCC’s Small Business Center web page.

The classes offered in March are as follows:

Small Business Loans & Finding Money for Your Business

Tuesday, March 01, 2016 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Register now and discover the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of funding sources. Review loan application and required documents. If you need capital to start or grow your business make sure to attend this information packed session where you will walk away armed with critical information you need before you sign on the dotted line. Get answers to: Are there grants available to start my business? What is factoring and is it a good financing tool? How do I apply for a loan? Are banks’ lending to small businesses? What is an angel investor? Are venture capitalists willing to invest in a non-technology related business? How much can I borrow from a micro lender? How do I ask family and friends to invest in my business?

Speaker: Eddie McGimsey

How to Start a Business

Monday, March 07, 2016 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn the basics of starting a small business. Are you thinking about getting into business for yourself? This course covers the issues that an individual should consider before thinking about opening the doors. In other words, this course is the starting point on your journey into business ownership. Learn how to identify critical issues and make the right decisions as you prepare to start your business. Topics include business structures (sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations), licensing and zoning, trademarks, copyrights, patents, insurance, financing alternatives, record keeping, and taxes.

Basics of a Starting a Home Based Business

Tuesday, March 08, 2016 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Many people dream of starting a business in their home, but what works best? We will look at many types of successful home-based businesses in this three-hour seminar. Participants will learn how to evaluate their home for their business idea, research zoning and deed covenants that could affect business feasibility, and cover permit and licensing issues. What is a Home Based business? – Advantages and Disadvantages of a Home Based Business – Business Structures – Legal Issues of a Home Based Business Licenses – Other Legal Issues – Home Atmosphere – Family Members – Home Office Space and How to Set It Up Having Employees Record Keeping Tax Issues Equipment Needs Money (Business vs. Personal) Promoting Your Home Bases Business Selling Your Products or Service

Speaker: Harry Ponder

How to Find Customers for Your Business

Thursday, March 10, 2016 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Market research isn’t just for startups; it’s an important ongoing process for every small business. Developing a focused and effective marketing plan requires up-to-date market analysis. Discover the variety of market research tools that will give you critical information about your industry and customers. Get the data you need to test the feasibility of a new business, find the competition and potential customers interested in your proposed product or service.

Speaker Matt Rudisill

QuickBooks for Small Business Part 1 an Introduction

Monday, March 14, 2016 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

QuickBooks is one of the most widely used accounting software packages for small business today. QuickBooks 1 gets participants started using QuickBooks, setting up a company file and chart of accounts, navigating the home page, and using QuickBooks lists and forms. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk – QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

QuickBooks for Small Business Part 2 Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

QuickBooks 2 shows participants how to set up their products and services in the QuickBooks system, manage their accounts receivable and accounts payable, receive payments on invoices, pay outstanding bills, and track payments/expenses. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk -QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

Grant Writing 101

Thursday, March 17, 2016 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Topic: Nonprofit

As funding becomes more difficult to secure, non-profit organizations face significant challenges to fulfill their missions. This 2.5 hour seminar reviews the questions non-profits need to answer prior to searching and applying for grant funds, outlines the 7 basic elements of most proposals, and shows participants how to match their needs to funder priorities. Participants focus on the major questions that need to be answered prior to a grant application and incorporating these answers into research and ultimately a competitive proposal.

Speaker: Amanda Pearce

Bookkeeping Basics for Small Business

Thursday, March 17, 2016 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

Keeping good financial records is a critical step in managing a successful enterprise. This workshop addresses the financial resources needed for good business management. Participants will learn how to develop systems and practices for collecting necessary information for tax reporting and business decision-making.

Speaker: Arlene Childers

QuickBooks for Small Business Part 3 Reporting and Analyzing Financial Data

Monday, March 21, 2016 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

QuickBooks 3 pulls together information from previous sessions, showing participants how to use classes, customize and use reports, and create financial statements to analyze their business. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk – QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

Market Your Business by Networking in Your Local Community

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Topic: Marketing and Sales

If you’re spending lots of time on internet marketing and social networking, you may be missing the customers, benefits, connections and potential sales within your local community. Successful small business owners must devote time to both to be profitable. Come find out how you can reach potential customers in your local community and gain their trust. This seminar includes tips on face-to-face networking, a powerful and virtually free form of marketing.

Speaker: Emily Balance

QuickBooks for Small Business Part 4 Payroll

Wednesday, March 23, 2016 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

QuickBooks 4 shows participants how to use the payroll feature in QuickBooks to create paychecks, pay tax liabilities, process payroll forms and produce reports. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk – QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

SmallBizU Courses

WPCC’s Small Business Center has a library of full-length courses provided by SmallBizU, the first online academy created especially for the education and training needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs. SmallBizU teaches entrepreneurs about the “3Ms” – Money, Marketing, and Management. It achieves this objective through the delivery of 20 core courses that teach the “language of business” and important trade-skills. Each course is online and full of animated slides accompanied by voice-over narration, PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, toolsets, and access to a comprehensive knowledgebase.   You can access your course anytime and anywhere.

If you have any questions, please contact Eddie McGimsey at emcgimsey@wpcc.edu or 828-448-6719 or visit WPCC’s Small Business Center web page.