New Ventures to offer entrepreneurship class

5 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — New Ventures Maine will offer Venturing Forth, a free 12-week course in business planning starting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Classes will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Aug. 28-Nov. 13, at the Presque Isle Career Center, 66 Spruce St.

The class will help new entrepreneurs or existing business owners create a written business plan from start to finish with feedback from facilitators and peers. The 60-hour course covers topics including customers, competition, marketing, recordkeeping, taxes, financing and legal aspects.

In-class activities, guest speakers and homework assignments lead to the completed business plan. The course includes three follow-up networking sessions. 

“Watching businesses open and close around our communities and being a business owner myself, it is clear to me, a written plan is crucial to building and sustaining your business,” said Karin Petrin of New Ventures, trainer for the class.

“This class will help you explore all aspects of your business as you write your business plan,” she said. “It answers questions we don’t realize we have as we explore the legal aspects, tax implications, and financing options to help you grow your business with tools to succeed.”

Class size is limited to fifteen. Candidates must complete an application, attend an orientation and individual interview, and then be accepted into the class.

Applications are due by Friday, Aug. 16, and can be found online via bit.ly/VFPresqueIsle2019. Individual interviews will be scheduled following the class orientation from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21. 

There is no fee for the class. Anyone with a business idea is welcome to apply. The 60-hour course also qualifies for 3 Pass/Fail credits from the University of Maine at Augusta upon approval of your complete business plan and payment of a small processing fee.  

For more information or to apply, contact Petrin at New Ventures’ Presque Isle office, 768-9468, karin.petrin@maine.edu, or go online to bit.ly/VFPresqueIsle2019. For more information New Ventures Maine, visit www.newventuresmaine.org