Start your own business workshop in Springfield; Business students seek competition judges

Vermont Small Business Development Center is offering a four-hour workshop on how to start your own business and write a business plan. The course will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8 at Springfield Regional Development Corp., 14 Clinton Square, in the 1st floor conference room.

Space is limited. To register for the workshop sign up online at www.vtsbdc.org (click on the training tab). For registration questions, please email Heather Gonyaw at hgonyaw@vtsbdc.org. Registration fee is $99. Your payment includes a start-up workbook in hardcopy and pdf format.

Starting Your Own Business is conducted by experienced business advisors and designed as a step-by-step guide for starting a business in Vermont for the first-time business owner.

• Evaluate whether there is a viable business in your good idea
• Identify your target customers and explore how to conduct market research
• Learn how to register your company, apply for tax numbers and protect your brand
• Prepare to write an effective business plan
• Find out about financing options and learn what a credible loan package looks like
• Receive access to the online workshops to increase your knowledge in money, marketing and management (at your convenience) valued at over $150.

By the end of this workshop you will be well-informed about the resources available to you and the steps involved in launching a successful business.

Vermont Small Business Development Center is a non-profit partnership of governmenteducation and business, organized to help Vermont small businesses succeed. No-cost, confidential advice is provided to existing business owners and new entrepreneurs throughout the state. The local office is part of Springfield Regional Development Corp. on Clinton Street in Springfield. For more information visit www.vtsbdc.org or contact Debra Boudrieau at (802) 885-2071 or dboudrieau@vtsbdc.org.

Business students seek competition judges

The 200 members of Vermont Future Business Leaders of America are preparing for their March 22 State Competition, in which students compete in 68 events. Those placing first to third have the opportunity to travel to Atlanta in June to compete nationally. At stake are thousands of dollars of scholarship money.

This year’s competition will be held at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee. Unfortunately, the Vermont FBLA organization does not have enough judges. “Qualified judges are so important to an event like this,” said VFBLA Executive Director Sarah Emery. “I am hopeful that we can garner the attention of business leaders across Vermont.”

Volunteer judges are treated to a dinner and training in February and all meals during the competition at the Lake Morey Resort. Categories needing industry professionals are varied. If you have a background in any of the following and have a free afternoon, being a judge can be a rewarding experience:

3D Animation	Desktop Application Programming	Job Interview I	Business Ethics
Business Financial Plan	Digital Video Production	Mobile Application Development	Electronic Career Portfolio
Community Service Project	E-business	Web Site Design	Graphic Design
Computer Game & Simulation Programming	Public Speaking	Sales Presentation	Social Media Campaign
Client Service	Database Design & Applications	Computer Applications	Spreadsheet Applications

If you are interested in more information, or would like to volunteer as a judge, please contact Emery at 802-745-9868 or email at semery.vtfbla@gmail.com.

— Compiled by Leah M. Cunningham