For start-up businesses, knowing how and who to go to for help can mean the difference between success and failure. A three-part series – READY, SET, GO – was developed specifically to help current and aspiring entrepreneurs learn the basics of business startup. The series is being offered by the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at Missouri S&T, in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) St. Louis District Office.

“These workshops lay the groundwork for how to launch a business idea and learn what it takes to build a business that is credit ready,” says Travin Shelton, business development specialist with the SBTDC. “Participants will learn the basics of business startup, the essentials of becoming credit-ready and how and where to find local business support and resources.”

Each session is from noon-1 p.m. and will be held at Columbia College, 550 Blues Lake Parkway in Rolla, Missouri. Registration is required. Cost for each session is $10 and includes lunch. Participants may sign up for one, two or all three of the sessions.

• READY: Gain a basic understanding of the key steps to getting your business off the ground.
  • Date: Thursday, Aug. 16
  • Register for this session at sbtdc-ready.eventbrite.com
• SET: Learn about various financing options and what banks look for when lending money.
  • Date: Thursday, Aug. 23
  • Register for this session at sbtdc-set.eventbrite.com
• GO: Learn about the local resources available to assist you in starting and growing a small business.
  • Date: Thursday, Aug. 30
  • Register for this session at sbtdc-go.eventbrite.com

Missouri S&T’s SBTDC provides business counseling and assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses in the areas of management, new business creation, business acquisition, business sales, marketing, financial analysis, human resources, operations management, succession planning and technology commercialization. Most services are provided at no cost.

The center is a University of Missouri Extension partner and part of the Missouri SBTDC statewide network, which is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For more information about workshops, resources and programs offered by Missouri S&T’s SBTDC, visit ecodevo.mst.edu/info/sbtdc/ or contact Travin Shelton at sheltontt@mst.edu or 573-341-6272.