HAMLET — Richmond Community College’s Small Business Center has partnered with N.C. Rural Entrepreneurship for Action Learning to offer a free educational opportunity for people interested in learning about starting or managing a business.
The REAL business series includes five free seminars that will walk participants through the business planning process. Each seminar focuses on one specific part of the business plan and by the end of the five seminars, participants will have created a rough draft of their business plan. Complete at least four of the five seminars and you will receive an N.C. REAL business certificate from RCC.
These seminars will be offered at RCC’s Cole Auditorium, 1042 W. Hamlet Ave., Hamlet. Seminars start on Thursday and end on Sept. 21. Each seminar is offered from 6 to 9 p.m.
“The N.C. REAL Entrepreneurship series develops entrepreneurial talent through action learning,” said Merrielle Buckner, facilitator for N.C. REAL. “The opportunity for feedback on ideas and interactions between class members and facilitators fosters the creation of sustainable enterprises.”
N.C. REAL is a nonprofit organization that grows entrepreneurship in North Carolina by training teachers, supporting local entrepreneurship programs and developing timely, hands-on entrepreneurial curriculum.
“Each seminar is a stepping stone to business planning success,” Buckner said. “The initial seminars will assess your skills and readiness as an entrepreneur, the feasibility of your business idea and whether there is a fit for your business idea in the community. The next seminars will address marketing and talk about how to market your products or services and pricing.
“The operations seminars address the ins and outs of your business; topics include: business legal structure, management/personnel needs, insurance requirements and permits required to open a business. Finally, business financials will be covered; here you will determine what it will cost to open your business.”
For the final seminar on Sept. 21, REAL participants, along with anyone from the community who is planning to start a business, will have an opportunity to hear a presentation from a micro-lender about how to fund their completed business plan.
Interested individuals must pre-register online at http://tiny.cc/sbcseminars, email [email protected] or call Small Business Center Director Deborah Hardison at 910-410-1687 for registration information.
Wylie D. Bell is director of marketing and communications for Richmond Community College.