Women, Work, and Community offers introduction

    Do you have a business idea you want to put into action? Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community will offer an introductory business planning workshop in three locations in Aroostook County this summer. The Introduction to Self-Employment training is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 2, at the Madawaska ACAP Center; Monday, Aug. 9, at the University of Maine at Fort Kent; and Monday, Aug. 16, at the Caribou Learning Center. Each session will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
    Erica Quin-Easter, microenterprise coordinator for Women, Work, and Community in Aroostook County and the trainer for the workshops, stated “If you are thinking about opening your own business but aren’t sure where to begin, this training will give you the tools you need to evaluate your idea and start planning for success.”
    The Introduction to Self-Employment workshop will walk participants through the pros and cons of owning your own business, show how to get started step-by-step, point out the major elements of a business plan, introduce resources available in Aroostook County and statewide and help individuals decide whether self-employment is the right choice.
    This training is open to women, men, couples and all other entrepreneurs who are considering starting a business. Business owners who want a refresher on business planning, marketing and financial cash flow planning are also welcome to attend.
    Women, Work, and Community will also be offering New Ventures, a comprehensive 12-week business planning class, from Sept. 13 through Dec. 13 in Madawaska. Entrepreneurs considering attending the New Ventures class should register for the Introduction to Self-Employment workshop nearest them, and will receive an overview of the business planning process and where New Ventures applications will be made available to all participants, or interested persons can request a New Ventures application directly from Women, Work, and Community.
    For more information or to register for the Introduction to Self-Employment workshop in the most convenient location contact Erica Quin-Easter, Microenterprise Coordinator at Women, Work, and Community at 764-0050 or erica.quineaster@maine.edu.
    There is no fee for the trainings but pre-registration is required.