Free Small Business Workshop to Focus on Business Plan Writing

Whether you are thinking about opening a new business or expanding your existing business, a good business plan is one of the keys to building a successful enterprise.

On May 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the YMCA Monroe County HTC Center, Monroe County businesses can gain some useful insights into “How to Write a Professional Business Plan,” at the Monroe County Economic Development Council’s (MCEDC) Think Monroe County First (TMCF) free quarterly educational workshop. This event is sponsored by First National Bank of Waterloo, Mokka Kaffeehaus in Columbia and George Obernagel of Waterloo.

The program will be presented by Kristine Jarden, director, Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center. Jarden meets with clients in Monroe County the first Thursday of every month in conjunction with Nora Feuquay, U of I Extension Monroe County Economic and Community Development Educator.
The Entrepreneurship Center, located on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, serves as a regional hub for coordinating entrepreneurship development activity.

The Center helps businesses connect with resources and funding, patents and products, money and markets. It also provides customized marketing strategies that drive product growth. In addition, the Center utilizes students to assist entrepreneurs in developing their business.

The Center also helps individual entrepreneurs and small businesses obtain professional services for comprehensive business planning assistance, the evaluation of a proposed start up or expansion, or other accelerated support purposes. The Center has up to $5,000 matching challenge awards available to high-growth innovative businesses for these services. For more information go to http://www.siue.edu/business/ec/


All businesses with a physical location within Monroe County are invited to attend. Participation is limited to 2 individuals per business. There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited so please RSVP to by May 14 at 618-939-3434 or online at monroe.extension.uiuc.edu.

Other topics we hope to cover at future workshops include: “Learn What You Need to Know About Licenses, Insurance, and Taxes”, “How to Develop a Winning Marketing Plan”, “Learn How Technology Can Make Your Business More Profitable”, “Interpreting the Census Data”, and “Business Succession and Exit Strategies.”