As part of MetroAction’s commitment to improving the quality of affordable child care throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, MetroAction will award four $500 MicroGrants and three scholarships to MetroAction’s Small Business Institute program.  On September 1, child care providers in NEPA may submit grant applications for projects that focus on teaching financial awareness to children or applications for scholarships to attend the Small Business Institute.

The Small Business Institute provides comprehensive training designed to help business owners sharpen the skills needed to develop, manage, and grow a successful business. Participants incorporate their own business experiences throughout the program, developing the building blocks for success.  In addition, MetroAction is certified through the PA Department of Public Welfare’s PA Keys program.  Child care providers attending the Small Business Institute earn professional development credits.

Scholarship applications must be received by 4:00 PM on September 16, 2009 and MicroGrant applications must be received by 4:00 PM on October 2, 2009. For more information, or to download an application package, please visit www.MetroAction.org.

To assist eligible providers complete their applications, MetroAction will host a free help session teleconference on September 11 at 12:30 PM.  The session will provide a program overview, tips on what the review committee looks for, and sample projects. To register, contact Desiree Ranella at dranella@MetroAction.org or call (570) 341-0270.

Since the launch of MetroAction’s Child Care MicroGrant program in 2003, over 30 providers across seven counties have received funding that has directly impacted more than 1,300 local children.

At today’s final SBI session, the class had the opportunity to participate in an engaging panel discussion with other small business owners, reps from the SBA, SBDC and SCORE and business lenders. (more…)

During our last Small Business Institute class, we discussed the importance of cash flow projections as a tool for business management.  We discussed how a business owner would go about determining the figures in their projections and what the results of the projections actually mean.

Ruth Hughes, Director of the Wilkes University SBDC, provided two templates that can be used to develop cash flow projections or pro formas.  The first version is for one year of projections and the second version contains two years of projections.   You must have Microsoft Excel to use these templates. (more…)

MetroAction has teamed up with the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Wilkes-Barre Chamber to bring its successful Small Business Institute program to Luzerne County this fall. The Small Business Institute will be held at the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre. on Tuesdays, October 7th to November 25th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The institute is an intense 2-month training program that utilizes the award winning Core Four® curriculum, including success, market, cash flow, and operations planning. This hands-on, common sense approach to small business development was designed to offer an entrepreneurial educational program like no other in this region.  Over the past three years, the program has graduated more than 75 entrepreneurs and managers.
 
“Training for the actual business side of the business in the beauty industry is non-existent,” states Amy Ghirelli, owner of Headquarters Salon & Coconut Grove Tanning, Scranton. “The Small Business Institute has given me a new outlook on the day-to-day structuring of the business. This program was extremely helpful.”
 
Challenges are abundant when it comes to developing and maintaining successful businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, roughly 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years.

“Small business owners, both potential and existing, should have as many tools for success as possible, particularly in this very competitive economic environment,” states Ruth Hughes, Director of Wilkes University’s SBDC. “The Small Business Institute is an excellent way for entrepreneurs to gain valuable information and training in the areas that will give their businesses better chances for success.”
 
The Small Business Institute, sponsored by Community Bank & Trust Company and Bold Gold Media Group, takes place on Tuesday mornings, October 7 through November 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre. Cost is $149 per person. Seating is limited and registration is first-come, first-served and expected to fill quickly.

Register today for this comprehensive training program!