Business Education

Yakima County Business Education Options

There are numerous low-cost (or free) options for business education classes whether its basic instruction, in-depth training, online courses or computer workshops.  These can be very valuable in helping you start a business in Yakima County.

Yakima Valley SCORE Working Lunch Series

The Yakima Valley Entrepreneur Network and SCORE have started a ‘Working Lunch Series’ which is a four-part series on the basics of starting a business.  Attend one or all of the seminars.  The series is typically held three times per year Feb/Mar, May/June and Sept/Oct.  Topics are:

• Are you thinking about starting a business?
• Business Plan Basics
• Financing Your Business
• Marketing Your Business

Rural Community Development Resources (RCDR)

RCDR offers training for rural entrepreneurs, Latino farmers, small business owners and more.  They offer how-to instruction on navigating USDA’s  loan programs, a youth ‘financial fitness’ course, and other business development education.  Many of their workshops are offered in English and Spanish.  They are also certified to teach NXLevel courses.  Visit their website at www.rcdr.biz or call 509.453.5133.

Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC)

YVCC Grandview Campus has partnered with the Chambers of Sunnyside, Prosser and Grandview and periodically offers business development workshops of interest to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

FREE Online Training

SCORE and the SBA offer a variety of free online training workshops and videos.  There are topics on anything you can imagine as it relates to starting and operating a business.

SCORE offers numerous free online training courses in both English and Spanish.  Examples of key areas are: Starting a Business/Growing your Business/Marketing your Business/Managing your Finances.

Small Business Administration (SBA).  The SBA offers excellent (and free) online workshops, training videos and podcasts in a variety of topics for entrepreneurs and small business owners, ranging from Business Plan Assistance and Marketing to Government Contracting and Managing Employees.  Topical areas include:  Financing and Accounting/Business Planning/Starting a Business/Business Management/Government Contracting/Surviving a Slow Economy/Marketing and Advertising