Small Business Series Begins January 23 at RCC in Asheboro

This could be the year that you start that new business you’ve always dreamed about! Small business owners and those aspiring to become one can take advantage of a series of courses that take you through the process of starting a small business. Eleven one-session courses will be offered Tuesday evenings throughout the spring semester at the main campus of Randolph Community College. Participants are encouraged to take all the courses in the order they are offered, but courses may be taken individually. The registration fee is $5 for each class. All classes meet from 6-9 p.m.

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, a class called “10 Steps to Starting and Running Your Own Business” will cover topics such as understanding yourself, your market, business structure, fees and licenses required, developing a marketing plan, pricing, bookkeeping and budgeting, financial statements, writing a business plan, and implementing the plan.

“Am I Cut Out to Be a Small Business Owner?” will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Participants will identify the personal qualities and skills of successful business owners and other factors that contribute to the success of small businesses. In addition, they will assess their current skills and knowledge of small business ownership and develop a learning plan to assist them in growing successful enterprises.

Participants will develop an understanding of personal budgeting and its relationship to business planning in “Can My Business Idea Support Me?” on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Students will identify the kinds of data needed to project the revenue, start-up, and operating costs of a business, and learn break-even analysis as a tool to assist the small business owner in measuring financial feasibility

Other topics covered in the series held every Tuesday evening through April 10 at the main campus of Randolph Community College include pricing products and services, tax planning and reporting, and legal considerations. Facilitators will be Joe Erba and Lonnie Hamm.

Seating is limited, so sign up now by calling Sharon Warren at the Small Business Center at 633-0275. RCC’s main campus is located at 629 Industrial Park Avenue; take the McDowell Road exit from 220 Bypass and follow the signs.

Randolph Community College’s Small Business Center provides assistance in establishing new small businesses and successfully operating or expanding an existing small business. The Small Business Center offers seminars, workshops, Continuing Education courses, free one-on-one consultation, referral, and resources. Many Small Business Center seminars and services are at no cost to participants.