Have you ever thought about starting your own small business? Are you a business owner wondering how you can plan for your business’s growth? The City of Eugene, in partnership with NEDCO and FertiLab, is helping aspiring small business owners get the skills they need to succeed through micro-enterprise classes.
The upcoming Small Business Foundations classes will provide entrepreneurs the resources they need to start, stabilize or plan for the growth of their existing business. The course is comprised of four, two-hour classes, coupled with unlimited access to one-on-one business coaching and featuring various topical experts. The course will be free of charge to Eugene residents of low to moderate income.
The first session of classes will be held Monday through Thursday, September 19-22. A second session will be held over four Tuesdays, from October 4th through the 25th. All classes will take place from 6-8pm at FertiLab Thinkubator, located at 44 W. 7th Ave. in Eugene.
Participants can register through NEDCO, online at www.nedcocdc.org or by phone at 541-345-7106.
Classes cover topics such as:
• Mission, Competitive Edge & Value Proposition
• Marketing & Branding Considerations
• Business Financials & Tax Considerations
• Business Organization & Action Planning
Micro-enterprises can help community members become more economically self-sufficient or earn extra money to supplement their household income. These small businesses promote the unique character of the community, help diversify the local workforce, and contribute to the local economy through job creation.
NEDCO was founded in 1979 and provides a variety of educational services including first time home buyer classes, individual business coaching, personal financial counselling and business lending programs.
Fertilab “Thinkubator” empowers entrepreneurs by providing business incubation space alongside mentorship and educational programming.
City of Eugene business programs provide financing opportunities to underserved segments of Eugene’s business community. Programs include the Business Development Fund, Downtown Revitalization Loan Program, and the Arts & Business Loan program. For more information on the City’s Business Lending Programs, please visit www.eugene-or.gov/loans or contact Aaron Doreen at 541-682-5448 or aaron.x.doreen@ci.eugene.or.us.