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 selling your business? Beginning Tuesday, April 1, 2014, the Southwestern Oregon Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a 10-session workshop that focuses on building a business on solid ground using a business plan. Participants save time and avoid costly mistakes by learning how to grow a successful business and how to write a business plan to access funding. Participants learn why a business plan is important, how to use one and how to write an effective business plan that will get results. Participants also get free access for six months 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. A previous participant commented, “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.” The program’s format includes ten weekly evening workshop sessions featuring Pam de Jong as facilitator. Pam de Jong has a broad range of experience that gives her a unique perspective on business. She spent 13 years in the Securities Industry (Merrill Lynch/Head Operations Controller, Smith Barney/Licensed Associate). Her background includes four years as Office Administrator for Private Family Trust and Foundation. Pam has a MBA (Masters in Business Administration/Strategic Leadership) from Dominican University San Rafael California. For nine years she owned Home-Office-Life Management Services a management consulting business which moved to Coos Bay in 2006. For the past five years Pam has been teaching business classes at the SWOCC Small Business Development Center. In addition to the classroom time in the course, free one-to-one business advising, as well as access to other SBDC resources, is available and is included in the cost of the training. Preregistration is required. The cost of the training is $329. Bay Area Chamber Members, Tribal Businesses, Business Incubator Tenants, and participant referrals from local banks receive a 20% discount. The cost 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 www.BizCenter.org. Payment for the class can be mailed to the Small Business Development Center, 2455 Maple Leaf, North Bend, OR 97459.
