Published: August 30, 2008 08:27 pm         

Helping small businesses

Program expands to help answer feasibility question

For the past five years, Area Five’s Business Development Program has offered courses to assist local small business owners.

Now, after receiving a grant in March from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Area Five will expand its offerings to reach more local entrepreneurs.

The grant was awarded to the Stimulating Unlimited Cass County Entrepreneurs and Economic Development program, or SUCCEED, which Area Five partners with to offer the business courses.

The funds will help Area Five extend an existing two-part, 11-week course aimed at assisting entrepreneurs at all levels. Both sections of the class are offered through Ivy Tech Community College and the Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center.

The first section, “What’s Your Big Idea?,” offers students a chance to look at the feasibility of a business idea, said Amy Beechy, Area Five’s small business development manager.

Previously a two-hour class, this course has been extended to nine hours, which Beechy said is a plus for local residents who have or want to start their own business.

“It will be a better course,” Beechy said. “There will be more information and more technology.”

The second course, “NxLevel for Entrepreneurs,” helps student write a business plan and learn about different areas of management.

Eric Rogers, owner of Rogers Cabinetry, started the business several years ago but set the venture aside for five years to serve as development director at the Logansport campus of Ivy Tech.

Rogers began refocused on his first passion two years ago, and decided to take the “NxLevel for Entrepreneurs” course to get his business back on track.

“It provides the tools you need to determine the feasibility to operate the business,” he said. “It was a refresher course.”

Beechy said the courses can help prior business owners write, reevaluate or expand their business plan.

Rogers said the business plan is a key part of owning a business.

“Starting a business without a business plan is like trying to find a job without a resume,” he said.

Rogers said the changes in the market during the past few years led him to take the course. He felt it was important to make sure his business was still feasible. What he found was that the market for cabinet makers is stronger than before.

An additional course incentive is that students learn about two different funding options, including low interest loans.

Rogers said the course can help first-time business owners gauge the demands of starting their own venture.

“If you plan to be self-employed, it takes a lot of hours,” said Rogers. “If you don’t have time for the class, you probably don’t have time to operate a business.”

Denise Massie can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.massie@pharostribune.com