News

New Opportunities for Business Development

7/19/2010

The ever-present opportunity for collaboration with local and regional leaders and like-minded organizations is an exciting element of the chamber of commerce world.  With a focus on economic development, our program of work includes strengthening the region’s diverse economic base.  We are accomplishing this in part by partnering with local and statewide organizations to create educational opportunities for aspiring minority and women entrepreneurs.  Using government stimulus funding, New Opportunities, Inc. has partnered with us on a venture to educate members of the minority community interested in starting or expanding their businesses.

New Opportunities, Inc., a private, non-profit corporation, seeks to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged individuals in Waterbury and 27 surrounding towns by providing necessary resources, increasing their standard of living, fostering self-improvement and empowerment, and increasing economic self-sufficiency.  In their effort to end poverty, the agency builds relationships across race and class lines through services, policy, and creative solutions.

Two free four-part business training programs will be held at the Chamber office, 83 Bank Street, Waterbury on August 9 – 12 and again on August 30 – September 3. Experts from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be providing workshops detailing the fundamentals of owning and operating a small business.  Topics include:

• Entrepreneur Self-Assessment: Do You Have What It Takes?;>
• Starting Up: A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Start a Business in Connecticut;
• Writing a Business Plan: Your Company’s Roadmap; and
• Fundamentals of Running Your Small Business: Tools for Success.

Once an individual has completed this program, we want to help to make his or her entrepreneurial dream a reality.  We are pleased to provide up to $250 for business filing fees and $250 in matching funds for supplies to those who complete this program and register their business with the state of Connecticut.  While all budding minority and women entrepreneurs are welcome to participate in the workshops, only those 200% above the poverty line or less are eligible to receive this start-up funding.

SBDC’s State Director Ginne-Ray Clay emphasizes that there are many individuals in our community who have always wanted to make a living through their skills and talents.  “So many people have a hobby.  They love it, are passionate about it, and are making some money with it locally through friends and referrals.  These people are entrepreneurs.  They don’t realize that they are actually running a business.  So for those who want to expand and legitimize their business, this program can give them the fundamentals they need to make their hobby a part-time or full-time job.”

Help us spread the word about this valuable, no-cost program.  If you know someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and the desire and motivation to own a business, tell them to call Diana at the Chamber at (203) 757-0701 and register.  Now is the time to bring their business to the marketplace.

This article was published in the Business section of the Republican-American newspaper on Monday, July 19, 2010.