Are you tired of working the 9-5 job and ready to start your own business? Be your own boss and get paid to do what you love? Reasons for becoming an entrepreneur are endless and exciting, but the journey can be hard. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 20% of startups fail in the first year, and 80% fail within the first five years. With those statistics in mind, working with our Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Southern Region makes a lot of sense. They are a partner that can help get your business started the right way with no-cost business consulting services and no/low-cost business training, classes, and workshops.
Our local SBDC, hosted by the College of Southern Maryland with offices on the La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick campuses, provides a wide range of training courses and programs. Their online courses offer a way to work training into your busy schedule. Their face-to-face sessions will not only provide you with invaluable knowledge, but by sharing ideas and issues with entrepreneurs with similar experiences, you will also have the opportunity to establish beneficial professional relationships.
The SBDC has developed a New Venture Series collection of training workshops that are strongly recommended for anyone starting a business. Maryland SBDC Director James Vasquez says, “Starting a business can feel overwhelming, and growing one comes with its own set of challenges. That’s where the Small Business Development Center comes in. We’re here to walk with you—whether you’re refining an idea, building a plan, or navigating next steps. Our team has had the privilege of supporting entrepreneurs at every stage, and I know the right guidance early on can make all the difference.” Through these trainings, you’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls, explore the feasibility of your idea, and increase chances for success.
New Venture Series Training
Starting a business is a challenging and rewarding undertaking. SBDC training programs are designed with you in mind. Most courses are offered in the evening and range in length from two hours to several weeks. They are presented by local business leaders from many professional disciplines to help you develop the planning, management, and financial skills necessary to make your business thrive. By leveraging the resources of professionals in the community, they are able to offer a wide range of high-quality workshops, conferences, seminars, and courses at no cost, or a nominal fee.
To help you get started effectively, the SBDC has developed a New Venture Series of three workshops that they strongly recommend taking if you are just starting your business. These trainings will cover how to avoid common pitfalls, explore the feasibility of your idea, and increase chances for success.
New Venture Series Courses
Ready, Set, Go!
This is the first in a series of three workshops. Are you someone who thinks you have a great business idea, but aren't sure if you are ready to start your own business? This FREE training class/webinar shows you what you need to know in order to decide whether business ownership is right for you. Topics include feasibility, financial and loan possibilities, pitfalls to avoid, starting a business plan, and additional training and resources you will need to ensure your business is successful!
Business Plan Development
This workshop introduces you to the many issues you will face in establishing your own business. An attorney will present you with options to legally define your business and register your business name. An accountant will present you with options to keep proper financial records and report taxes, and an insurance agent will present the various ways to safeguard your business and personal assets. You will also learn to begin writing your business plan. This workshop is highly recommended for new businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Increase your chance of success by attending, and smart start your business!
My Business Plan
This class will walk you through the business plan using a mind map, software, or a traditional paper plan. This allows the owner to plan the business in a way he or she can see how parts of the plan interact.
Starting a business is a challenging and rewarding undertaking. As you begin your business venture, you need to be prepared with the facts and resources necessary to legally run and successfully compete in your industry. These trainings are a great place to start. The SBDC is gold mine of resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Check out their many offerings, all free or low-cost, on the Maryland SBDC, Southern Region website.
