's Small Business Development Center to Host Information Sessions for 'Launch and Build Your Business' on July 25 and Aug. 22
Contact: Jennifer Shelton, director, Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center, at (360) 778-1762
BELLINGHAM – As part of the kickoff for its “Launch and Build Your Business” training program, Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting a no-cost, pre-course information session from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25 and from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the SBDC office in downtown Bellingham at 115 Unity St., Suite 101.
The Launch and Build Your Business training program is being offered through Whatcom Community College in partnership with the NW Innovation Resource Center and ’s Small Business Development Center. It is geared towards new business owners and solo entrepreneurs or anyone wanting to write a business plan and learn the basics of starting and operating a small business.
Launch and Build Your Business combines self-paced online instruction, monthly roundtable seminars with opportunities for professional networking, continuous support from experienced professionals, three business-planning textbooks, and a 6-month subscription to Business Plan Pro’s LivePlan template in order to complete your business plan.
Topics for the online course include business basics, market analysis, marketing strategy, basic business numbers, obtaining financing, building the right team, utilizing the web, cash flow, taxes, and pitching your plan to potential partners and investors.
The monthly seminars will tie-in course content with presentations by successful business owners and experts. The topics for the seminars include tech tools, business structures, taxes, financing, cash flow power and two CEO profiles. Each of these seminars will take place at Whatcom Community College.
The cost for this entire program, including materials, seminars and LivePlan, is $239. Registration will begin in August through WCC’s Continuing Education. The training is certified by the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
For more information about Western’s SBDC or to RSVP for one of the information sessions, call (360) 778-1762 or e-mail SBDC@wwu.edu.
’s SBDC is part of the most comprehensive small-business alliance network in the country, which is made up of more than 1,000 SBDC programs. SBDC programs are funded in part through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Western’s SBDC receives additional support from Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham, and the City of Bellingham.
Since 1983, the Small Business Development Center has enabled ’s College of Business and Economics to give back to the business community and has helped to shape the economic future of Whatcom County. Business owners can receive no fee, one-on-one, professional, confidential business advising and research with a Certified Business Advisor on topics such as: financing, profitability, financial management, marketing and sales, human resources, bookkeeping, export planning, technology and operations.