Calendar - Southern Good Faith Fund

First StepTM FastTrac® How to Start a Successful Small Business

First StepTM FastTrac® is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow a successful small business. FastTrac® uses your business concept as a case study – allowing you to evaluate and perfect your idea in a safe and supportive environment. By the time you finish the program, you will know whether your idea is “feasible”, and if starting or growing your small business is the right decision before investing time or money.

Dates:             August 4 – September 3 (10 sessions)
Time:             6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
Location:        Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost:                $50 by July 20, $60 after ($25 for IDA participants)

Week

August 4

August 6

August 11

August 13

August 18

August 20

August 25

August 27

August 1

August 3

Class

Orientation/Industry Analysis

Market Analysis

Marketing

Pricing

Financials 1

Financials 2

Cash Flow

Legal Issues

Financing

Graduation

The Business Side of Child Care

This course is ideal for those who want to start or expand a child care business. It is geared toward helping you decide whether your idea is feasible before investing time or money.

Dates: April 9 – May 21, 2009 (7 sessions)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Thursdays)
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost: $40 by April 2, $50 after ($20 for IDA participants. Scholarships, transportation vouchers, and child care provided if you qualify.)

Week

April 9

April 16

April 23

April 30

May 7

May 14

May 21

Class

Licensing

Nutrition

Marketing

Financials 1

Financials 2

Financing

Legal Issues

Networking Breakfast

Meet other business owners and professionals during our Tuesday networking sessions. Get motivated and enthused to accomplish your small business goals.

Date: January 6, February 3, March 3*, April 7, May 5, June 2, 2009 (Tuesdays)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
*Location: Southeast Arkansas College, 1900 South Hazel St.
Cost: $5. Breakfast provided

Child Care Licensing Requirements

In this 2-hour workshop, DHS Licensing Specialists talk about the requirements that must be met in order for individuals to obtain a license to operate a child care business.

Dates: January 15, March 19, May 14, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (Thursdays)
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost Free. Light refreshments provided

Introduction to QuickBooks

In this workshop, you will be introduced to QuickBooks software. We will discuss the types of QuickBooks software available, accounting/bookkeeping basics, understanding QuickBooks’ capabilities, and a demonstration of how QuickBooks works.

Date: Thursday, February 12 and April 16, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost: Free

How to Market Your Business

Internet marketing can increase your customer base and visibility. Learn the basics of Web design and online promotions.
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost: Free

How to Market Your Business

Internet sales can significantly grow your small business. Learn all about e-Bay and how you can buy and sell online.
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost: Free

Understanding Your Credit

This workshop will help you understand the importance of obtaining and maintaining good credit. You will learn how to read your credit report, dispute errors, draft a budget, and decide what steps to take to prevent identity theft.

Dates: February 17 and April 21 (Tuesdays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost: Free

Budgeting & Money Management

In this workshop you will learn how to develop and maintain a personal budget by identifying the key budget elements, and determine how to allocate your money so that you can eliminate debt, save money, and live within your means.

Dates: February 24 and June 9 (Tuesdays)
Time: 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Dates: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Good Faith Fund, 2304 W. 29th Ave.
Cost: Free

First StepTM FastTrac® How to Start a Successful Small Business

First StepTM FastTrac® is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow a successful small business. FastTrac® uses your business concept as a case study – allowing you to evaluate and perfect your idea in a safe and supportive environment. By the time you finish the program, you will know whether your idea is “feasible,” and if starting or growing your small business is the right decision before you invest time or money.

Dates: February 12 – March 19 (11 sessions)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
Location: Ramada Inn – West Memphis
Cost: $25 by February 6th, $35 after.

Week	Class
February 12	Orientation
February 17	Industry Analysis
February 19	Market Analysis
February 24	Marketing
February 26	Pricing
March 3	Financials 1
March 5	Financials 2
March 10	Cash Flow
March 12	Legal Issues
March 17	Financing
March 19	Graduation

Networking Breakfast
Meet other business owners and professionals during our networking sessions. Get motivated and enthused to accomplish your goals.

Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Homemade To Go – 611 Graham – West Memphis
Cost: Free. Breakfast provided

Introduction to QuickBooks

In this workshop, you will be introduced to QuickBooks software. We will discuss the types of QuickBooks software available, accounting/bookkeeping basics, understanding QuickBooks’ capabilities, and a demonstration of how QuickBooks works.

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: West Memphis Chamber of Commerce, 108 W. Broadway
Cost: Free

How to Market Your Business

Internet marketing can increase your customer base and visibility. Learn the basics of web design and online promotions.

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: West Memphis Chamber of Commerce, 108 W. Broadway
Cost: Free

Minority Business Certification

This course is for business owners interested in Small Disadvantaged and Minority Business Enterprise certifications, the bidding process and other resources available to assist in obtaining private and government contracts.

Dates: March 28, April 4 and 11, 2009
Time 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (3 Saturdays)
Location: East Arkansas Community College, 1700 Newcastle Road
Cost: $30 by March 20th, $40 after (lunch provided)

The Business Side of Child Care
This course is ideal for those who want to start or expand a child care business. It is geared toward helping you decide whether your idea is feasible before you invest time or money.

Dates: April 28 – June 9, 2009 (7 sessions)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Tuesdays)
Location: East Arkansas Community College, 1700 Newcastle Road
Cost: $25 by Apr 24th, $35 after. (Scholarships, transportation vouchers and child care provided if you qualify)

Week	Class
April 28	Licensing
May 5	Nutrition
May 12	Marketing
May 19	Financials 1
May 26	Financials 2
June 2	Financing
June 9	Legal Issues

Child Care Licensing Requirements

In this 2-hour workshop, DHS Licensing Specialists talk about the requirements that must be met in order for individuals to obtain a license to operate a child care business.

Dates: Wednesdays, dates to be announced each month.
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon (Wednesdays)
Location: St. Francis County DHS, Highway 70
Cost: Free

Networking Breakfast

Meet other business owners and professionals during our Wednesday networking sessions. Get motivated and enthused to accomplish your small business goals.

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: East Arkansas Enterprise Community, Inc., 1000 Airport Road
Cost: Free. Breakfast provided

How to Market Your Business

Internet sales can significantly grow your small business. Learn all about e-Bay and how you can buy and sell online.

Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Bancorp, 502 Cherry Street
Cost: Free

AR Health Networks for Arkansas Employees

For Arkansas employers and the people who work for them, ARHealthNetworks is the most affordable healthcare benefit plan available. Employers who want to explore ARHealthNetworks in more details, this workshop is for you.

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Time: 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Bancorp, 502 Cherry Street
Cost: Free with lunch provided

Introduction to QuickBooks
In this workshop, you will be introduced to QuickBooks software. We will discuss the types of QuickBooks software available, accounting/bookkeeping basics, understanding QuickBooks’ capabilities, and a demonstration of how QuickBooks works.

Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Southern Bancorp, 502 Cherry Street
Cost: Free

Budgeting & Money Management

In this workshop you will learn how to develop and maintain a personal budget by identifying the key budget elements, and determine how to allocate your money so that you can eliminate debt, save money, and live within your means.

Date:               Thursday, March 12, 2009
Time:               5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location:        Southern Bancorp, 502 Cherry Street
Cost:               Free

Networking Breakfast

Meet other business owners and professionals during our Tuesday networking sessions. Get motivated and enthused to accomplish your small business goals.

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Southern Bancorp, 502 Cherry Street
Cost: Free. Breakfast provided

Understanding Your Credit

This workshop will help you understand the importance of obtaining and maintaining good credit. You will learn how to read your credit report, dispute errors, draft a budget, and decide what steps to take to prevent identity theft.

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Southern Bancorp, 502 Cherry Street
Cost: Free