News
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Business Incubator Center's Leading Edge, a comprehensive 12-week course that teaches people how to write a business plan, is so comprehensive and valuable say clients, that many take it more than once.
Cathy Palmer enrolled in Leading Edge two years ago when she was forming Scentsational Hounds, a bedbug detection business based in Cedaredge. She also took the class 10 years earlier for a dog and cat boarding kennel business, that she continues to operate.
“It's a great resource for anybody. If you follow their program you can get your business plan done in a timely fashion,” Palmer said. “And you get help along the way.”
Preparing a business plan helps people know what to expect in starting and running a business, and is essential for securing a bank loan if needed, said Nancy Murphy, who will be teaching the Incubator's next Leading Edge class, starting Tuesday, Aug. 16.
“Banks want (to see) a business plan to know you've done the appropriate research and planning,” Murphy said.
“People who go through the class will walk out with a business plan.”
Participants receive hands-on assistance in preparing a complete business plan.
The course covers cash flow management, marketing, finance, personnel, legal issues and more. Guest speakers include bankers and attorneys.
“The financial end of it was a huge help,” particularly when she needed a loan for her first business, Palmer said. “Had I not gone through that program I don't think I would have gotten a (bank) loan.”
Terri Leach of Pro-Powder Coating has also taken Leading Edge twice.
“The first time it was all so new to me, I wanted to take it again after I used it (and had been in business for a couple of years),” Leach said.
“It definitely has helped me a lot — legal aspects, accounting, running a business in general. It's an eye-opener.”
Murphy has a Master's degree in business, teaches in the business department at Mesa State College, and operates a marketing consulting business.
The Incubator offers a variety of low-cost classes on various topics related to entrepreneurship, as well as free consulting with business counselors at its campus, 2591 Legacy Way. The Leading Edge course will take place Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., Aug. 16-Nov. 15. Cost is $275.
For more information about the Leading Edge course, contact the Incubator at 970-243-5242 or visit www.gjincubator.org.
Cathy Palmer enrolled in Leading Edge two years ago when she was forming Scentsational Hounds, a bedbug detection business based in Cedaredge. She also took the class 10 years earlier for a dog and cat boarding kennel business, that she continues to operate.
“It's a great resource for anybody. If you follow their program you can get your business plan done in a timely fashion,” Palmer said. “And you get help along the way.”
Preparing a business plan helps people know what to expect in starting and running a business, and is essential for securing a bank loan if needed, said Nancy Murphy, who will be teaching the Incubator's next Leading Edge class, starting Tuesday, Aug. 16.
“Banks want (to see) a business plan to know you've done the appropriate research and planning,” Murphy said.
“People who go through the class will walk out with a business plan.”
Participants receive hands-on assistance in preparing a complete business plan.
The course covers cash flow management, marketing, finance, personnel, legal issues and more. Guest speakers include bankers and attorneys.
“The financial end of it was a huge help,” particularly when she needed a loan for her first business, Palmer said. “Had I not gone through that program I don't think I would have gotten a (bank) loan.”
Terri Leach of Pro-Powder Coating has also taken Leading Edge twice.
“The first time it was all so new to me, I wanted to take it again after I used it (and had been in business for a couple of years),” Leach said.
“It definitely has helped me a lot — legal aspects, accounting, running a business in general. It's an eye-opener.”
Murphy has a Master's degree in business, teaches in the business department at Mesa State College, and operates a marketing consulting business.
The Incubator offers a variety of low-cost classes on various topics related to entrepreneurship, as well as free consulting with business counselors at its campus, 2591 Legacy Way. The Leading Edge course will take place Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., Aug. 16-Nov. 15. Cost is $275.
For more information about the Leading Edge course, contact the Incubator at 970-243-5242 or visit www.gjincubator.org.
