MI-SBTDC Region 12 Office

Ypsilanti

The Chelsea District Library will be creating a "living library" of people with unique knowledge on various business topics including: finance, human resources, law, marketing along with experienced business counselors. Each will introduce themselves and their areas of expertise and attendees will have the opportunity to "check out" these experts for a short one-on-one consultation. This is an opportunity get your questions answered by skilled professionals in any area.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Counselors

Do you dream of starting a business but don’t know where to begin? This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Topics discussed include sources of assistance, market research, financing, business partners, taxes, record keeping, and more.

Speaker: Cathie Abad, MI-SBTDC Business Consultant

An Essential Tool for your Small Business. Every existing or prospective business needs a plan, but every plan is unique. This workshop will help you understand the necessary content and best format for your business plan, and show you the resources to create it.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant Cathie Abad

An Essential Tool for your Small Business. Every existing or prospective business needs a plan, but every plan is unique. This workshop will help you understand the necessary content and best format for your business plan, and show you the resources to create it.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant Cathie Abad

Team SBA is a round table session where you can learn what is required from a lender. You’ll have opportunities to meet business counselors who can help you prepare your loan request for the bank and chances to network with other business owners. Before you apply for a business loan, first attend this free financing roundtable. We will debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. The “team” is a bank, an SBA representative, an SBA business counselor, and business owners like you. You will get first hand information on what credit criteria your banker had. The team will answer all of your financing questions and give you advice on what steps to take to achieve your goal of starting or expanding a business. We will explain how the SBA loan guarantee can work for you. The roundtables are best suited for those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in the business.

Making money in your small business comes from understanding your customer; where they live, where they shop, and what they prefer to do in their times of leisure. Building a customer profile is essential to growing your small business, in this course you will use the research tools of the Washtenaw Community College's Biz Resource Center to gain an insight into your customer base. From the information gained in this session you will have an understanding of the marketing resources available to you the small business owner. To register please call: 734.973.3379

Speaker: WCC Business Librarian

The fast-growing skill of the small business owner is and will continue to be the use of knowledge. The more you understand about the competitions infrastructure, the more you can apply this knowledge to your benefit. Gaining an understanding of your competitor can also help you to understand the unique attributes or niche of your small business. In this course you will use the research tools of the Washtenaw Community College's Biz Resource Center to gain an insight into your competitors businesses. To register please call: 734.973.3379

Speaker: WCC Business Librarian