Season’s greetings! As you’re thinking about the year ahead or perhaps just enjoying the last of the egg nog, here are 5 opportunities to jump-start your small business success in 2017…
1. ScaleUp WNC
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2017 ScaleUp WNC program for founders/managers of existing small businesses with strong growth potential. Two cohorts of fifteen companies each will be selected to join these 60+ trailblazing entrepreneurs in the program. One cohort will be held in Asheville and the other in Boone. Both are open to applicants from across WNC.
Learn more and apply online. The deadline to apply is January 29.
Join us at an upcoming ScaleUp WNC info session & happy hour near you:
- Tuesday 1/17 4:30pm at Basil’s & Booneshine in Boone – RSVP here
- Wednesday 1/18 4:30pm at the new East Fork Pottery store in Asheville – RSVP here
- Thursday 1/19 4:30pm at Innovation Brewing Sylva – RSVP here
2. Foundations Business Planning Course
ICYMI, Foundations is back! We are over-the-top excited to be offering a full slate of the newly refined Foundations course in 2017. The Foundations Business Planning Class helps aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners create comprehensive business plans in order to start-up, expand, or enhance their businesses. Delivered to thousands of entrepreneurs over 20 years, the curriculum has been honed to help entrepreneurs build a solid foundation for business growth. Here are the upcoming start dates:
- (FULL) Thursdays 9am-12pm starting 1/5 with Jodi Rhoden
- Thursdays 6-9pm starting 1/12 with Madelyn Hjertmann (in Boone)
- Tuesdays 5:30-8:30pm starting 1/17 with Russ Towers
- Tuesdays 9am-12pm starting 1/31 with Angie Steagall
Find all the details and get registered HERE
3. Financial Tools for Small Business
Yes, 2017 can be the year you gain the small business financial management skills needed to consistently and confidently manage your business finances. This two-session course, great for existing and aspiring small businesses alike, provides an introduction to key topics including bookkeeping, accounting, and creating and using financial statements to make smarter business decisions. Sound like just the thing you need? Sign up for one of the upcoming start dates here.
4. Pricing your Farm Enterprise for Profit Workshop
We’re kicking off a 2017 farm business training series with the great folks at the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. If you have a food or farm enterprise or are considering starting one, we invite you to join us for the first workshop: Pricing your Farm Enterprise for Profit. Learn more and sign up here.
5. Set up a Consultation with a Small Business Lender
If your small business plans for 2017 may involving a financing component whether that’s a new loan or something regarding an existing loan, set up an initial visit with one of Mountain BizWorks’ small business lenders. As our lenders repeat often, it’s never too early to start a lending conversation so that you can understand the process, what’s possible, and anything that may be needed so that you can factor these into your plans. Get ahead of the curve in 2017 and set up a no-cost lending consultation today.
Not sure where to start? You’re invited to attend one of our bi-monthly MBW informational sessions. The January sessions will be 1/10 and 1/25 4:30-5:30pm at the MBW Asheville office.