APRIL 12, 2015
SMARTS
Louisa, KY — Earlier this month, 20 East Kentuckians graduated from an intense 12 hour business course entitled Entrepreneurial SMARTS: Simple Methods And Reality-based Training for Success – which is based on a nationally recognized training program called Core Four® Business Planning Course. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has provided funding support for these training sessions.
The four-session, 12-hour course is designed to provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resource materials they need to get a new small business off the ground. This training also provides owners of existing small businesses the skills they need to become more successful and grow their businesses.
The Louisa session was held at the Lawrence County Extension Office, and most students were from Lawrence County, however, one student drove from Olive Hill to attend the class. Tonia Nesser took the course to give her farming business an edge. “After this class, I am more secure about my business and excited to succeed.” she said.
Jerry Cosset, owner of Kentucky Roots, a Lawrence County 1800’s farmstead that specializes in herbs, among other things, said her business plan needs to be revamped and after taking the SMARTS class, she now has a better understanding of what she needs to do.
John Roy Raulerson, owner of Sunrize Productions in Louisa, a business that offers all types of sound systems for special events, took the course to learn more techniques to increase his business.
Lawrence County Economic Development Coordinator, Catrina Vargo enrolled in the Entrepreneurial SMARTS course to gain knowledge on a couple business ideas she had. By the third class, she and partners, Anglea McGuire and Cathi Blair catered the SMARTS class dinner, as an opportunity to “test the waters” of the catering business to see if it is something they wish to pursue. SKED Small Business Training Specialist Amanda Kelly said the course needed a caterer, and these girls were willing to step up and give it a go. ” I was extremely excited to have their first event be the SMARTS class. They provided the food for the third and fourth class, they did a fantastic job!”
Brian and Kimber Skaggs, took the course to learn all about small business, as they will soon be taking over B&C Market in Blaine. The market which has been in business since 1966, and is a very important fixture in the Blaine community, was going to shut down due to the owner retiring. “We wanted to learn everything we could” they said. The market will now be called Kimber’s Country Market.
Jennifer Patrick of Louisa, has already started a new business; Lakeshore Camp Store at Lawrence County Park, that will service all campers in the park and Yatesville Campground. She attended the class to learn all aspects of operating a small business, and found the course to be very helpful.
Other graduates include: Tina Jackson with Jackson Peg Tube Stands in Louisa; Mark Jackson with Jackson Peg Tube Stands in Louisa; Dylan Christopher Frazier of Louisa; Rose Marie Morgan with Helping Hand in South Ports; Kelly Secrest of Hot Properties, LLC. in Ashland and Susan Ferro of Louisa, Jamie Bryant with Antler Point in Rush; Karena Harmon of Webbville; Kelly Allred of Louisa; David Salisbury of Louisa; Christy Cooper of Louisa; Teresa Jobe of Louisa; Brad Skaggs of Skaggs Farms in Martha, and Dawn Haynes, of Louisa.
Today, a total of 403 aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners have completed entrepreneurial SMARTS training in 32 sessions held across the 45 counties in the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development (SKED) service area. Participants have included owners of existing small businesses, folks working to open their own small business in the near future, entrepreneurs seeking some direction on the basics of starting and managing a small business, retirees, college students, employees of nonprofit organizations seeking education and training to more effectively assist their constituents and people who are unemployed and seeking an alternative to the traditional job market. Anyone interested in learning about starting and successfully operating a small business is encouraged to participate.
Amanda Kelly, SKED small business training specialist, conducts the Entrepreneurial SMARTS classes. Kelly is a certified Core Four® Business Planning Course instructor and is among more than 200 trainers from over 80 organizations across the country who have been certified as Core Four® Business Planning Course instructors.
At Entrepreneurial SMARTS training sessions, entrepreneurs and small business owners areinstructed in how to create a business plan including basic knowledge about starting, financing and operating a business and planning for success. Class participants are also given the tools needed to determine if business ownership is for them.
Existing small business owners receive the support they need to advance the growth of their business and operate a solid, reliable investment. Upon successful completion of this training, participants receive a certificate recognizing their achievements and are eligible to apply for business startup or expansion funding from SKED’s loan funds.
This nationally recognized course is valued at $250 per student. However, due to financial support through a grant from the ARC, combined with financial support from SKED, participants pay a mere $25 per person. In addition, each participant receives a valuable Core Four® Business Planning Course manual and numerous resource materials.
For more information, contact Amanda Kelly at 606-416-2008 or email
akelly@centertech.com.
