County Clerk and MSU Extension partner to present "Welcome to the Road to Independence Workshop"

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Legal News Photos by Diana L. Coleman

 

By Diana L. Coleman

Legal News

 

Muskegon County Clerk Nancy A. Waters and the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educator, Mary Bauer Robb, have provided the community and county residents an opportunity to receive valuable information about starting their own business. The program has been so well attended that additional workshops are being planned in 2011.

The County Clerk and MSU Extension (land grant arm of the Michigan Department of Agriculture) have presented three workshops this fall.

In this difficult time of high unemployment and a stagnant economy, many people are starting or contemplating starting their own business.

The sessions were held at the Muskegon County Human Resource and Training Building and have been well-attended. The third and final session of the series on Nov. 17 had an attendance of 18 registrants. Several county employees even used vacation time to attend the workshop. The attendees included those already in business, those thinking of starting a business, those just new to a business, and non-profit and municipal interested parties.

Ann Oakes and Debbie Lobert attended the workshop for totally different reasons. Oakes, an employee of Muskegon Charter Township, is planning a business expo and hoped to gain tips on how to develop the expo; Lobert just started a new business called Dunewood Quilting and hoped to find new information on how to improve her business skills.

The workshops were free to the attendees. They were a terrific opportunity to learn the basics of starting a business at no charge for attendance or handouts.

The agenda included:

  • What does it take to get started?

  • Why is a business plan important and how to get started?

  • Is a product or service needed and who else is in the business?

  • What are important financial considerations?

  • What additional resources are available in the community and on the Internet?

Robb, MSU Extension Educator, Community/Leadership and Development, works to bring information through education and assistance to county businesses and residents. “Welcome to the Road to Independence” is especially timely given the number of displaced or unemployed workers in the county whose unemployment benefits have been exhausted and are now seeking opportunities to be their own business owner. The current economic situation is bringing the spirit of entrepreneurship forward in many of the long-term unemployed.

Robb began the session with “What are your business Ideas?” She covered finding your niche and, the first step, reviewing your assets and determining what you do best. What would give you a competitive advantage? How could you develop a unique bundle of benefits?

She lectured on entrepreneurship and what it takes to succeed in business, including qualities of successful entrepreneurs, myths and realities, inventory of ideas, and the necessary resources.

Robb stressed the importance of market drivers and finding your market opportunities. The primary market trends influencing product development, marketing a new product or concept, and conducting a market analysis for your business idea were discussed. She said success depends in many cases on finding your market or what niche the market is calling for and then developing your product or service to fit the market.

Robb advised participants to find the market, study the trend for need and then ride the edge of innovation.

Critical factors in launching a new venture and what it takes to go to market included the forming a plan, gathering resources, and building a team. The concept of partnering with another business to promote both businesses has been successful.

Due diligence is key. Robb said, ”The odds of success are against you, and most start-up businesses fail. Failure is not a bad thing. You will oftentimes learn and grow from a failure. It is key, however, to know how much you can risk on your business venture.”

She continued, “Networking and using start and local resources is key to finding information about business. Entrepreneurs should utilize the Internet/web based information and attend business events to gain more information. Talking to those who have been successful in business development is an extremely valuable tool and, in many cases, other successful entrepreneurs are willing to share their tips and even mentor you in the development of your own business.”

Watch the monthly newsletter from the Muskegon County Clerk’s office for information on future sessions if you are looking for information about starting your own business.

 

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