The Wilkes Community College Small Business Center has a variety of seminars scheduled for May that support the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses. These seminars are offered at no charge to participants unless otherwise noted; however, attendees must pre-register to participate.
How to Start a Business– May 1, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Alleghany Center
Participants will learn the basics of starting a business while taking their idea from inception to opportunity. The seminar covers key strategies for start-ups, financing, and marketing in addition to important information about legal issues, licensing, zoning, and operations. Students will realize the importance of self-assessment and how to evaluate the feasibility of their business idea.
Creating Your Own Website – May 2, 2018, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. – Ashe Campus
Your website can be one of your biggest assets in your business. Just think, it’s the only employee you have that works 24/7. Do you have a good website or a website at all? Come learn step-by-step how to create your own website in the right way with the right tools. Come with nothing and leave with a website; it’s going to be amazing!
How to Manage Rental Property as a Small Business – May 8, 2018, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. – Alleghany Center
Are you thinking about buying properties and starting a small business as a landlord? If so, this seminar will teach you the essentials that you should know before buying your first property or will assist you if you are an existing landlord. Taught by an experienced landlord, the course will cover the following: a comparison of the rate of return for investment properties versus other investments; considerations for selection of specific rental properties; financial analysis for an investment property including a cash flow analysis; how to establish procedures for repair and maintenance and dealing with repair problems; how to screen and select good tenants and reject potential bad tenants; the importance of rental applications and lease agreements; and the eviction process and strategies for avoiding legal issues. A sample lease will be provided.
Inventor’s Workshop – May 17, 2018, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – Blue Ridge Energy Conference Room, Boone, N.C.
This seminar will offer participants who have an invention idea but need some assistance on taking their project to the next level. Participants can attend the entire day or choose separate mini-workshops which include: He Walked Away from Shark Tank; Inventor Assistance & Business Resources; Patents 101; and Inventor Entrepreneur FAQ/Q&A. Lunch is included and sponsored by Mountain Biz Works.
Visit www.ncsbc.net/center.aspx?center=75570 to pre-register for seminars. To learn more about the Small Business Center and seminars, contact Laurie Brintle-Jarvis, SBC director, at 336-838-6166 or lsbrintle336@wilkescc.edu.
The Small Business Center Network, comprised of 58 small business centers throughout North Carolina, supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling and resource information.