Business start-up primer to be held in Constantine
February 1, 2005 - CONSTANTINE - Local entrepreneurs interested in starting their own business or refreshing their business plan will want to reserve February 22 on their calendars. That evening, SCORE (the Service Corps of Retired Executives) is presenting a business start-up primer session from 6:30-9 p.m. in the media center at the new Constantine High School. SCORE is an organization that offers free counseling, workshops and other resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The primer is being hosted locally by the Village of Constantine DDA and the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation. Attendees will learn what it takes to plan and start a business. The session will begin with how to apply for a business license and cover topics such as the business plan, marketing insurance, financial, legal, and tax issues. Wes Martz, a SCORE volunteer and president of Martz Marketing Group, LLC in Portage will conduct the presentation. Martz commented on the benefits potential business owners can hope to gain. "In addition to the information presented on how to start a business and why a business plan is so important, attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and receive direct answers from successful business professionals," Martz said. "SCORE workshops are one of the most valuable investments a small business owner or future entrepreneur can make when exploring new opportunities." During the question and answer session, Martz will be supported by a panel of local experts including Robert Sisson from First National Bank of Three Rivers, Rick Strawser of Norman and Paulsen, Will Troyer of the Noecker Insurance Agency, Howard Bush of Bush & Bush Attorneys and Dennis McCarthy and Jean Zimmerman from Glen Oaks Community College. SCORE has produced a 60-page resource guide containing their "Plan & Start a Business" materials along with lists of contacts for State and local agencies that provide business services. This guide normally sells for $10 but will be given free to all primer participants. The evening will also include the opportunity to tour the Constantine Commerce Center, a business incubator which offers business start-ups the advantages of low rental costs, shared office equipment and conference facilities, resource information and professional support services. "We know that about 80 percent of new businesses have the potential to fail," said Don Beavers, Constantine Village Manager. "We can’t totally reverse that figure, but we know the support of an incubator helps." There is no cost to attend the business primer and refreshments will be provided by First National Bank of Three Rivers. For more information about the primer, call Cathy Annis, St. Joseph County EDC project manager, at (269) 467-5663.
