Seminar Description
“How to Really Start Your Own Business”
“How to Really Start Your Own Business” is a three-evening seminar presented jointly by Kirkwood Community College and the Cedar Rapids Chapter of SCORE®. Tuition is $59. The seminar is offered every other month and meets on three successive Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. See Seminar Schedule. Seminar topics include the following:
The Idea – Getting Started – Planning Do you have a business idea? If so, this session will help you articulate it and develop a business plan around it. If not, you’ll hear how to begin your search.
Testing the Idea (Marketing and Promotion) No business prospers without marketing. This session will help you analyze what marketing and promotion methods will best fit your business.
Protecting the Idea and Structuring the Business How will you organize your business? How will you register it? How will you protect your assets from lawsuits? How will you protect your idea(s) from competitors? These are all topics that deserve expert advice. Two attorneys present this session, and their expertise is in the areas of business organization and intellectual property.
Financing the Business Nearly every business needs to borrow money – either to get started or to expand. In this session, a banker provides advice on financing your business, how to choose a lender, what information the lender will need, and how to apply for a loan.
Business Taxes, Permits, and Regulations What licenses will your business need? What about zoning? What about sales tax, income tax, withholding tax for employees? In this session, you’ll learn how to register your business, how to check license and zoning requirements, the impact of taxes on your business, and how to keep tax records.
Hardware, Software, and the Internet Nearly every business today relies on computers for some part of its operation. Ordering supplies, printing invoices, Internet marketing, keeping business records, and a host of other business functions are performed with the aid of a computer. In this session, you’ll hear some tips on buying, insuring, and protecting business computers. You’ll also learn about using the Internet as a marketing tool.
Basics of Business Insurance and Business Records What kinds of insurance will your business need? How should you choose an agent? What kinds of business records must you keep? This session will answer these questions and more.
For specific information on the next seminar (time place, speakers, etc.), click here.
These quality seminars are conducted by professionals in their respective fields.
SCORE® In Action
One on One Small Business Counseling SCORE® will assist you in a variety of business tasks, including writing a business plan and loan proposal, improving cash flow, hiring and retaining good employees, obtaining capital, etc.
Professional Seminars SCORE® counselors and allied professionals offer the "How to Really Start Your Own Business" seminar series in modern classroom settings featuring instructors with professional certifications and extensive experience.
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