Not ready to quit your day job?

-->

A lot of entrepreneurs have started new business ventures on the side.  Here’s a great article on a working ‘inventor’ mom who built a million-dollar side business, and she’s still working at her day job (seriously, who has time?).  She gives some great advice including the importance of connecting with other inventor moms, doing market research, hiring a good lawyer and being persistent.

In working with inventors and entrepreneurs, I can’t agree more with her comments.  You need to develop a support network and a team of people you can rely on to give you honest feedback, and if you have an invention, it’s probably going to be worth your time and money to invest in a good patent attorney.  I also liked how she told herself she was going to search for a similar product before she invested a lot of time and money into developing hers, and if she couldn’t find one better, then she would pursue it.  One lesson I’ve learned recently is that, chances are, if you have a great idea, someone else has too.  Unless you can make the cause that yours is significantly better or dramatically different, it had better be a lot cheaper.

Thinking about starting a business?

-->

If you want to start your own business, you probably have some homework to do before you get started.  Find out what you need to do with a short workshop on Tuesday, May 18th from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.  This class is perfect for you if you want to start a business, but are not sure where to start.  It includes the basic elements you need to know, what goes into a business plan, and also includes a brief self-assessment to evaluate your readiness for starting a business.

This is the first workshop in the Yakima Valley Entrepreneur Network’s ‘Working Lunch Series’, presented in partnership with SCORE.   Attend one or all of the sessions to learn what you need to get started.  Workshops are taught by professionals with real-world business experience.

• Thinking about starting a business?  Tuesday, May 18, 2010.  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Business Plan Basics, Tuesday, June 1, 2010.  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Financing your Business, Tuesday, June 15, 2010.  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Marketing your Business, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Held at the Central Washington Business Resource Center, 10 North 9th Street, Yakima 98901.  Classes are $10.00 each if you pre-register or $15.00 at the door and includes the price of lunch.

To register or for more information, call Tammy Everts, Business Development Director at 509.575.1140 or email tammy@ycda.com.