Main Street Hosts Small Business Academy

In 2011, nearly 30 new businesses opened in Downtown Woodstock. It was truly a breakthrough year for the central business district, but Main Street Woodstock expects 2012 to see even more start-ups. Small business starts are not for the faint at heart. Cash, loans, construction, floorplans, leases, taxes, hiring employees and marketing are just some of the hurdles entrepreneurs must cross before doors can be opened to the public. In a nutshell, it can seem overwhelming. 

Main Street Woodstock's Business Development Committee wants to help entrepreneurs through these confusing and sometimes scary obstacles with a brand new Small Business Academy for 2012. The program is aimed at three distinct groups of clients: the entrepreneur looking at a new business start within the next six to 24 months, the at-home business looking to expand within the next year, or a company looking to reorganize or relocate to Woodstock.

The Academy will feature four courses to improve the framework for those daring enough to learn. Course number one (March 7) will be focused on business planning and finance. Partners from the Small Business Development Center of Kennesaw State University will provide insight into how to transform an idea into a business plan. A panel of local commercial bankers will discuss finance through loans, real estate tips, balance sheets, maintaining positive cash-flow and tips for sitting down with financial institutions. At the end of the course, banks, the SBDC and the Woodstock Office of Economic Development will be on hand with more information and for networking.

The second course (May 15) will focus on marketing and social media. Business planning is fantastic, but how can you get your idea, your product, your vision to the customer? Meet with the local media, graphic designers, social media gurus and representatives from Chattahoochee Technical College to discuss what's hot, what's not and what's cost-effective in the advertising and marketing world. Following the discussion, a small media and graphics expo will allow students to network with the professionals.

The third course (August) will highlight the look and feel of your business. National experts in store/office design, visual merchandising, and customer service will be at your disposal. Students will gain hands on experience in displays, learn the statistics on product location and sales, and hear about the ever-important customer service topic that can be the maker or breaker of any company. The course will also include a class-wide store remodel project.

The final course will be all about community networking. Main Street Woodstock through a partnership with Woodstock High School will host its annual Small Business Expo to help network your business with students and parents from the area. You'll get the chance to meet students looking at various career paths for their senior projects and might just get a potential employee.

As a follow-up to the Academy, a commercial properties tour of Woodstock will provide entrepreneurs a chance to see what's out there in terms of space. You'll get a chance to meet with realtors, property owners, and City staff to help make your dream become a reality.

For more information on the Small Business Academy, please contact Mitzi Saxon at 770-592-6056 or by email at msaxon@woodstockga.gov.