The First Step: How to Start and Operate a Small Business

If you are in the early stages of thinking about starting a small business, this workshop is for you. In fact, even if you have started your business and are realizing that you missed a few things, this workshop is still right for you.

This workshop will provide an overview of the things you need to know and the skills you need to have to manage a small business. Subjects include: legal and accounting issues, organization, and management. The workshop offers you the opportunity to practice networking with other entrepreneurs. Existing business owners can use this workshop as a "checkup" on their operations. This workshop is presented in partnership with the Small Business Assistance Center.

Where: Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA

When: December 9 or January 13, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00

To register, click here.

Basics of Government Marketing Webinar
 
This Webinar covers the first steps a small business owner needs to take to prepare for doing business with the Federal and Pennsylvania State Governments. It also includes an overview of the codes and registrations.

Where: Webinar with simultaneous teleconference
When: December 9 from 9 to 10 a.m.
Cost: $0

Click here for more information and to register for this conference.

Business Planning: The Finale of a Series of 4 Workshops

This is the last workshop of the Business Planning Workshop Series that began in November.

December 10 - Financing the Business and Feasibility Decisions

Where: Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA

When: December 10 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $20.00 per workshop

Click here for an overview of the workshops and to register for the entire series.
Click here for information on the December 10 meeting.

Business Plan Now Part I: The Pitch

This is an interactive Webinar. A broadband connection and phone are recommended. Using the PitchThenPlan™ business planning tool, participants learn to develop a ten-slide "pitch" for their business. The tool can be used by start up businesses as well as existing businesses to develop or perfect a written business plan. The three-part PitchThenPlan™ tool guides the entrepreneur by first having them develop a ten-slide pitch for their business. In this section ten basic topics will be covered, among them: The Idea, The Business Model, and The Customer. An Excel template is provided that assists owners in developing the financial section of their plan.
 
Where: Simultaneous Web conference with telephone
When: December 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $0

For more information, and to register for this Webinar, click here.

Business Planning: A Series of 4 Workshops

The Business Planning Workshop Series contains the following four workshops:

January 7, 2010 - Business Plan for Success
January 14 - Marketing your Product, Service, and Company
January 21 - Financial Management
January 28 - Financing the Business and Feasibility Decisions

Where: Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA
When: January 7, 14, 21, and 28
Cost: $60 for the series, or $20 for each individual workshop

For more information on the entire series, or to register, click here.
For more information and to register for the individual workshops, click on the corresponding date below:
January 7
January 14
January 21
January 28

Seeking Solutions Series

This program, brought to you by the Kutztown University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), consists of six full-day events that will be led by experts and local business leaders who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with the business community.

The third of these events will be held on January 20, and is called the "Leadership Development Conference."

The luncheon and networking event begins at noon and includes a panel discussion titled "What's The Key To Developing Leadership Skills Within Our Organizations?". This panel will include leaders such as Jay Sidhu, CEO of New Century Bank, and Ellen Horan, Executive Director of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce. For more information and to register for JUST the lunch event, click here.

The evening event will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will feature a speech by Ellen Horan titled "Women & Leadership" as well as a networking reception afterward. For more information and to register for JUST the evening event, click here.

Where: McFarland Student Union Building, Kutztown University

When: January 20, 2010
           Luncheon: Noon to 4:00 p.m.
           Evening Event: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $50 for the full day, $35 for the afternoon luncheon/networking  
          session, or $25 for the evening event.

To register for the entire day and get the $10 discount (from $60 to $50), click here.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read our newsletter. We appreciate your participation in the KU SBDC community.

Sincerely,

Ernie Post, Director
Kutztown University Small Business Development Center