Would-be entrepreneurs dreaming of starting a new business of their own and current business owners looking for ways to be more successful are invited to sign up for a nine-week hands-on course, starting Saturday and offered by Ozarks Small Business Incubator.
OzSBI will host LaunchU for aspiring and early-stage business owners at the incubator, 408 Washington Ave. According to incubator officials, the training course helps entrepreneurs complete a written feasibility plan to determine if their business idea is a “GO”, “NO GO” or needs to be adapted.
Over the nine weeks, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to set business goals, research the relevant industry and competition, market services and products, identify target customers, set pricing, project profitability and a break-event point and choose the right business structure, organizers explain.
LaunchU is a curriculum developed by the Kauffman Foundation for microentrepreneurs, especially those who have a lower-than-average budget and plan to employ five or fewer employees.
“The LaunchU class I attended last year proved to be highly beneficial in enhancing my knowledge of business marketing,” said program graduate Mary Palmer, owner of Mary’s Little Lamb products. “Although I have been pursuing my 'side hustle' for over 28 years while working a full-time job, this course allowed me to explore certain aspects of the business that I had previously neglected. Additionally, one of the major advantages of this class was the camaraderie that developed among the participants. With each person being at a different stage in their entrepreneurial journey, I not only had the opportunity to assist them in their endeavors, but I also had the chance to learn from their experiences. Overall, taking this class was definitely a wise decision that I thoroughly enjoyed."
LaunchU will kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday with an interactive program, and lunch will be provided. Then it will continue from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday through April 4, with a break on March 14.
Each attendee will receive a workbook valued at $66 and subscription to LIVEPlan business planning software valued at $60, and hear from expert guest speakers in marketing, accounting, finance and law, said the hosts. One-on-one mentoring and business plan review will occur throughout the course.
To learn more about LaunchU and for pricing, go to OzSBI’s website at ozsbi.com/events, or call 417-256-9724.
