Small business owners and those aspiring to become one can take advantage of a series of free courses from Randolph Community College's Small Business Center that take you through the process of starting a small business. Ten one-session courses will be offered Tuesday evenings throughout the summer at the Asheboro Campus and Thursday evenings at the Archdale Center of Randolph Community College. Participants are encouraged to take all the courses in the order they are offered, but courses may be taken individually. All classes meet from 6-9 p.m.
On Tuesday, May 19, in Asheboro, a class called "10 Steps to Starting a Small 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. The same class is offered at the Archdale Center on Thursday, May 21.
"Am I Cut Out to Be a Small Business Owner?" will be held on Tuesday, May 26 in Asheboro, and Thursday, May 28 in Archdale. 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, June 2 in Asheboro, and Thursday, June 4 in Archdale. 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 include the following: "Pricing Your Products & Services," Tuesday, June 9 in Asheboro, and Thursday, June 11 in Archdale; "Achieving Sales - A Marketing Plan," Tuesday, June 16 in Asheboro, and Thursday, June 18 in Archdale; "Cash Flow - Let Your Numbers Do the Talking," Tuesday, June 23 in Asheboro, and Thursday, June 25 in Archdale; "Bookkeeping Basics," Tuesday, July 7 in Asheboro, and Thursday, July 9 in Archdale; "Tax Planning & Reporting," Tuesday, July 14 in Asheboro, and Thursday, July 16 in Archdale; "Legal Considerations for Starting Your Own Business," Tuesday, July 21 in Asheboro, and Thursday, July 23 in Archdale; and "Sales and Payroll Taxes," Tuesday, July 28 in Asheboro, and Thursday, July 30 in Archdale.
Seating is limited, so sign up now by calling Sharon Warren at the Small Business Center at 336-633-0275. If you are interested in attending the Archdale Center classes, call 336-862-7980.
