SCORE Pottstown has teamed with the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce (UPVCC) and Diamond Credit Union (DCU) to deliver a program for local entrepreneurs who want to build their own business.

                The program, "Simple Steps For Starting Your Business," begins with a five-session workshop series beginning June 6 at the UPVCC office, East Greenville, PA.  Instructors are SCORE and  DCU personal with extensive executive and mentoring experience.  Each attendee also has access to the SCORE mentor pool - free of charge - both during and after the workshop series.

                The program has been field tested and proven to deliver results, having been used and refined by SCORE's network of chapters across the nation.

                Working with instructors and mentors, participants learn and then discuss ideas, goals and needs with people that have been where they want to go - build and run a profitable business.

                During the program participants learn how to: Eliminate common mistakes; Flesh out their business concept; Market their business; Release the power of their financials and tap into funding sources, and more.

                Program graduates gain: Knowledge of the fundamentals they need to start a small business; Perspective from mentors who've been there and can see what they don't see; and the peace of mind and confidence that come from knowing they've thought through everything.

                An overview of the five evening sessions, running from 6 – 8:30 p.m., are:  June 6: Start-Up Basics; Be an entrepreneur - What it takes; Exposing the myths and realities; and exploring components of business ownership and legal entity options.

                June 9: Business Concept; Flesh out your business idea; How to conduct market research; and pricing your products & services.

                June 13: Market Your Business; Marketing plans, Branding; Market strategies, and tactics; and Marketing content;

                June 20: The Financials; A financial plan & Why you need it; and Financial statements –how to use and understand them.

                June 23: Funding Sources and What's Next; How to locate and tap into funding sources; The Go - No Go decision; Next steps

                The cost is $99 for all five sessions (paid in advance and $3 per individual session.