Business CENTS

Business of the Month | Upcoming Courses and Events

BUSINESS CENTS
(Community Enterprise Networking and Training Services)

Owning a business can be incredibly rewarding, but entrepreneurs face many challenges! Whether you are at the starting stages or have been in business for years, Business CENTS can help. Business CENTS is a comprehensive small business development program offering classes and seminars, consultation, networking events, and many other resources for business owners and self-employed persons at all stages and in all professions.

Business CENTS’s programs will help you:

Assess your business’s financial feasibility
Develop effective marketing strategies
Write a business plan
Learn management skills
Understand business taxes
Expand your business with confidence
Access important business resources

Business CENTS’s services include:

Training Courses
Business CENTS offers two entrepreneurial training courses, each presented several times per year.

“Intro to Entrepreneurship” is an introductory course designed for someone who is exploring a business idea. Participants gain the knowledge and tools to address key questions: Is my business idea viable? What skills will I need? What resources are available? What are the next steps to starting my own business?

“Getting Down to Business” is a comprehensive business planning course, designed for someone at the start-up stage or newly in business. The course walks through the “nuts and bolts” of planning, starting and running a healthy business venture, from finance to marketing, and from taxes to legal issues. Each participant prepares the finer points of a potential business plan during the nine weeks of class.

Workshops and Seminars
Throughout the year, Business CENTS presents a variety of workshops and seminars, designed to increase knowledge in specific aspects of business management. Most workshops and seminars are designed for people who are already in business. Topics include effective marketing strategies, business plan writing, bookkeeping and financial organization, insurance options, and much more.

One-to-One Business Consultation
Business CENTS’s staff can meet with you individually, whether to help develop a marketing strategy, set goals, create financial statements, or simply give feedback on a business idea. One-to-one consultation focuses directly on your specific needs and concerns. If you have questions we can’t address, we’ll work with you to search out the answers.

Intensive Business Coaching - Look for return of Coaching Program in early 2013!
Many small businesses feel a need for someone to turn to for regular, on-going assistance, especially during challenging times. CENTS’s coaching program pairs the business owner with his or her own personal mentor who acts as a resource, sounding board and advisor. In a series of one-to-one consultations over several months, the coach and client work together to problem solve, strategize, set action steps, and keep the client accountable to his or her goals.

Loan Preparation Assistance
Obtaining business financing can be daunting for a business owner. Whether you're just starting out, expanding a business, or trying to work through financial difficulties, Business CENTS is available to help you through the business loan application process. We'll explain how it works and what information a loan officer needs, and we can review your completed application and business plan to confirm that your documents are in order and ready to submit.

Business Resource Center - Look for a grand opening in spring 2013!
Do you need access to business resources to get your business plan together? Are you looking for books to help in researching your business idea? Do you need an inspiring work environment? Business CENTS has materials and tools to help you. An expanding library of books, journals and other reference materials may also be checked out for your use. The resources we have are here for you.

For More Information Contact:

607-216-3423
Toll free: 877-273-AFCU Ext. 718
Email: CENTS@alternatives.org
Or stop in at the Business Resource Center:
125 N. Fulton Street, Ithaca, NY

This program is funded by Empire State Development Corporation and the US Small Business Administration.

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Jacqueline Reeves

My journey began by inquiring about how to purchase a home with my Section 8 counselor at Tompkins Community Action. From there, I was connected with the Family Self Sufficiency program, which made this experience wonderful and easier to understand.

The Homebuyer's Class at Ithaca Neighborhood Housing was an eye opener to all the possibilities and obstacles that I had to complete in order to achieve my goal. All this snowballed into me connecting with Alternatives. Brendan Wilbur and the staff there were helpful in setting up an IDA, a program where I can pay the bills needed to maintain a household and still be able to save. These are both things that I love to do.

The IDA program provides people with information on the steps to homeownership. It's been a great experience for me, and I hope that young people are inspired to follow up on their dreams - if not for themselves - then for the generation that we have the responsibility to raise.

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