The Essential Business Seminar

Begins September 28 - Save a Seat!

Only about 30 seats available.

The Details

SCORE's esteemed "How to Really Start Your Business" Seminar is unique. You get a lecture series on all critical aspects of starting or running a business. Additionally, you benefit from examples thoughout. "Real-life" examples from people who have "been there and done it well." Winners all. There is more: Free follow-on mentoring, as and if you wish. 9-hours of education; three hours over 3 weeks, continued help.

NIGHT 1 - THE ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS

"Recipe for Success" - Your Plan

There are a set of steps that greatly improve your chances of succeeding in business. These steps, together, are your most critical startup action. You will learn how to vet your idea, consider the market/competition/sales actions and forecast your business's future. It is said that this vetting (or business planning) process can improve your chances of succeeding by 4X. A must do.

Speaker - John Buckeridge
John is a counselor for SCORE® East Central Iowa. John is an expert in domestic and international sales and marketing. After a series of successful careers with well-known UK corporations John joined LeFebure as VP of Sales. He later envisioned, created from scratch and owned his own executive recruitment business. John has a Bachelors Degree from London University in the UK.

Getting Customers

Business prospers when winning marketing strategies are developed and effective sales tactics are applied. This session will educate you on what effective marketing and promotion look like and how you can make these practices fit your business. You will learn through explanation and example.

Speaker - Judy Baldwin
Judy is a counselor for SCORE® East Central Iowa. Her expertise is the creation & execution of marketing programs, ad agency consultancy and lead generation. She’s executed marketing programs for large corporations, non-profits and healthcare organizations including dozens of the nation’s largest TV/radio stations. Judy is currently Director, Mkt Comm. for SmartLead (the AdTrack Corp.)

Winning Internet Sites and Tips

The effectiveness of your website will depend on being clear about what you want to accomplish, diagraming it, excellent writing and its overall design. Learn the basics for doing it right from an award winning website design company.

Speaker - John Osako
John is Vice President of an award winning website and Internet technology company known as Informatics. It is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. John is an expert on correct website layout and design and will focus on the "how-tos" of design, writing and the marketing effectiveness of your website.

NIGHT 2 - NECESSARY NEXT-STEPS

Small Business Finance - For Non-Financial People

Why financial statements? How to assess your progress? Why keep records? How best to perform your accounting (internal or external)? And, what financial management means to you. Learn the basics of record keeping and key indicators that measure your path to greatness.

Speaker - Gregory (Greg) Tomsic
Greg is counselor & chairman of SCORE® East Central Iowa. Greg has been entrepreneuring for 30 years. Beginning as a research engineer he was called upon to create businesses at Rockwell & Siemens corporations where he was elevated to senior mgmt. Later he was president of a global high-tech business he created from scratch. Greg holds both electrical engineering and MBA degrees.

Take it to the Bank

This session covers the actions and the things to consider if you are needing a bank loan. How to approach lenders and why.

Speaker - Shelly Johnson
Shelly is a specialist with the Kirkwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Shelly's strength and expertise is in the area of business start ups. Her particular specialty is retail with its marketing demands, having owned a furniture and home décor business for 10 years. She holds an Associate’s in Business from North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa.

Business Insurance & Some Practical Anecdotes

Business insurance considerations for any business, how to find out what is required, tips on finding the most cost effective carriers and other, sometimes amusing, lessons learned while a business owner.

Speaker - Katheryn (Kathy) McArtor
Kathy started her business career by entrepreneuring. She bought and operated a restaurant in Cedar Rapids. She has worked with the Prudential insurance company and was a long term self-employed State Farm agent. Living life has educated Kathy. She now shares her practical knowledge with clients one-on-one. She is a classic story of how hard work pays off with professional success.

NIGHT 3 - FINANCING, LEGAL & QUESTIONS

Lender Expectations

Looking for a business loan? This session will deal with considerations you must make and how it works.

Speaker - Kevin Carlson
Vice President, Heritage Bank
Kevin helps businesses secure loans at the oldest locally owned bank in Linn County. Kevin's expertise in banking is broad. He came up through the ranks and done it all. Kevin's career began in 1978 and he has been here since 1997. Other banks he has served include Hiawatha Bank & Trust (as President) and Guaranty Bank (Commercial Lending). He holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Nebraska.

Legal Considerations

Business forms and their differences, and other legal issues within her area of expertise.

Speaker - Amanda D'Amico
Amanda D’Amico is an attorney with Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC where she is engaged primarily in a general practice. Ms. D’Amico advises individual and business clients regarding the tax aspects of various corporate entity transactions and with respect to the use of pass-through entities (limited liability companies, partnerships, and S corporations).

It's All About You

Open session with successful entrepreneurs, instructors, SCORE mentors and you.

Facilitator - SCORE Mentors