Are you looking for a way to be more effective as a business owner? Trying to finance your business? Want to plan for business expansion, retirement or sale? Beginning Monday, April 11, the Southwestern Oregon Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a “What’s Your Plan” 4-session workshop on building a business on solid ground using a business plan. These workshops help save time and avoid costly mistakes by teaching participants how to write an effective plan to get results and grow a successful business. Participants also get two-months of free access to the popular online business plan template LivePlan. This valuable series of classes provides an opportunity to share ideas with other entrepreneurs, learn business planning techniques, and locate resources helpful for business owners. “This class is well worth the time and dollars. I’d forgotten some of these concepts over the years and I look forward to putting this information to work in my business,” a previous participant commented. The program’s format includes classroom meetings from 6-8 p.m. on Mondays April 11, April 25, May 9 and May 23, at The Business Center, 2455 Maple Leaf, North Bend. SBDC Director Arlene Soto will present the class. Soto has been director of the College’s Small Business Development Center since 2007. Previously, she was the Region 4 Director for the Wyoming Small Business Development Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, from 1994-2007. From 1988-1994, she was the president of Oasis Group Inc. a consulting firm in Portland. She is a Certified Management Accountant, a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional and has a master’s degree in management from Marylhurst University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Portland State University. Soto has been working with businesses in the accounting field since 1976 and in management since 1988. In addition to the classroom time, free one-to-one business advising, as well as access to other SBDC resources, are available and included in the cost of the training. This course is required for participants in the Neighborworks Umpqua Dream$avers program for business ownership and for those interested in the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce New Business Challenge grant. “What’s Your Plan” will be offered in North Bend four times per year. Preregistration is required. The cost of the training is $125 and covers the complete program, as well as materials. Those interested in attending can contact the SBDC at 541-756-6866 for more information or register online at http://www.socc.edu/sbdc. Payment can be mailed to the Small Business Development Center, 2455 Maple Leaf, North Bend, OR 97459.
