Contact: Tarnel Abbott (510) 620-6561

Business Librarian, Richmond Public Library

325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond CA 94804

SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS AT RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business?  If so, Richmond Public Library’s perennially popular workshop series, “Starting a Business From Scratch!” which begins Monday, March 9 may be just what you need to get going.    This free, three-week class will be held Monday evenings March 9, 16, and 23, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Presented by the SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) and the Richmond Public Library, the class will meet in the Main Library’s Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond. Admission is free, but space is limited and advance registration is recommended.   Registration is still open, call the Reference desk at (510) 620-6561 to sign up for the class. 

People attending the “Starting a Business From Scratch!” workshop series will  learn what  it takes to be successful in a small business, gain the tools needed to help define their business ideas, and  identify their markets.   The classes will cover basic steps such as:

• Assessing your business readiness
• Managing your personal finances
• Market Research
• Business idea feasibility
• Business plan basics

Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance by calling Michael Elkin of the SBA at (415) 744-8491.

Those who complete the course will receive a   certificate from the SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration).  Completion of the course will be a prerequisite for the Business Planning 1 class presented by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. 

Business Planning 1, an 8-week class presented by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center will start on April 6, 2009.  Eligibility is completion of “Starting a Business from Scratch”.  Business Planning 1 will provide you with the tools to analyze if your business idea is feasible and take the necessary steps to business start-up and growth.  In an interactive and supportive environment, each participant will create a business plan that will serve as a roadmap for their business. 

Classes will focus on: 

·         Creating a marketing plan

·         Understanding your financials

·         Operations and Management

Applications for the Business Planning 1 class are available at the Library Reference desk or on the Library’s Web page at www.richmondlibrary.org.  There is a $25.00 nonrefundable registration fee for the class. The application deadline is March 27, 2009.

The workshop series are presented in partnership with the U.S.  Small Business Administration, the Richmond Public Library,  The Friends of the Richmond Public Library, The Richmond Office of Economic Development, The Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and the Mechanics Bank  Community Development  Corporation.    

 The Richmond Public Library buildings are wheelchair accessible and there is plenty of free, convenient parking.  Call the Richmond Public Library at (510) 620-6561 for further information or to register for “Starting a Business from Scratch!”                                      

325 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA  94804

Telephone: (510) 620-6555

Fax: (510) 620-6850

Tarnel Abbott

Reference Librarian

Richmond Public Library

325 Civic Center Plaza

Richmond CA 94804

(510) 620-6561 or (510)  620-6562