The First Annual Enterprise Challenge kicks off mid August, with CASH prizes of $17,500!  The Enterprise Challenge is an interactive business plan competition held from September through December 2010 and is designed to identify and reward innovative business ideas and solid business plans to Yakima County entrepreneurs.  Top prize will be $10,000, 2nd place $5,000 and 3rd place $2,500 – not too shabby for a start-up seed fund.

The first event is a half-day, jam-packed workshop called MBA in a Day.  There will also be resource nights for networking and other events throughout the contest.

Registration opens in August.  Stay tuned for more information and be sure to visit the Enterprise Challenge page.

MBA in a Day

Date:  Wednesday, September 15th

Time:  10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location:  Clarion Hotel in Yakima

Cost:  $40 per person OR included in $100 contest entry fee (for teams, one participant included in fee).  Scholarships for students may be available…check back.

The Yakima office of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is hosting a free workshop for new and small business owners on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

This workshop is designed for new businesses or businesses that plan to hire workers for the first time. It explains an employer’s rights and responsibilities and provides an overview of the services and resources available at Labor and Industries. Participants will learn about workplace safety and health requirements, claims management strategies, risk management, quarterly reporting requirements and wage-and-hour laws.

• Register online or call 1-800-574-2829
  

RCDR Business Resources & Training Center will be hosting a business seminar for entrepreneurs who want to start a microenterprise or those established small businesses that need a microloan for equipment inventory or working capital.  The workshop will be a hands on workshop on the steps that need to be taken to obtain a loan that can help you survive the   economic   slowdown.

Sponsored by the Rural Community Development Resources (RCDR).  Thursday, June 10.  5-6 p.m..  RCDR Incubator, Yakima, WA.

This seminar will also review credit as part of the loan process and the important steps that one can take to improve credit scores.  Space is limited so please  call  509-453-5133 to pre-register.

Department of Revenue Offers Tax Workshop May 19 in Yakima

The Yakima office of the Washington State Department of Revenue is hosting a free workshop for new and small business owners on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at 3703 River Rd, Suite 3, in Yakima, just off 40^th Avenue near Fred Meyer.

Participants will learn about Washington excise taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection, and record-keeping requirements. All receive a workbook and helpful reference guide to Department of Revenue rules and regulations.

To register, visit the Department of Revenue Web site at www.dor.wa.gov or call (509) 454-5160. Space is limited. A complete schedule of workshops statewide and a short streaming video version of the workshop in English and Spanish are available on the Web site.

Attend a short workshop on June 15th to learn more about financing your business.  This is the third workshop in the Yakima Valley Entrepreneur Network’s ‘Working Lunch Series’, presented in partnership with SCORE.   This class will focus on financing options for getting your business off the ground, how to prepare a loan package and the truth about grants and free money.  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.

This is the final workshop in the Yakima Valley Entrepreneur Network’s ‘Working Lunch Series’, presented in partnership with SCORE.   If you are thinking about starting a business, these workshops are for you.  Attend one or all of the sessions to learn what you need to get started.  This class is perfect for you if you want to start a business, but need more information on how to market your business, or if you are already in business and would like some additional marketing tips.    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.