Launch your business with help from free seminar in Burnet
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
BURNET — Ever thought about owning your own business but wondered how to get started?
Well, the Burnet Chamber of Commerce has a deal for you.
The chamber is hosting “Ready, Set … Launch Your Business,” a free seminar 1-4 p.m. July 15 at the chamber office, 229 S. Pierce St.
Donna Taylor, assistant director of Training Development at Texas State Small Business Development Center, said it’s the first time officials have brought this symposium to Burnet, adding the seminars typically attract an average of 25 people.
“We cover 12 counties in Central Texas, and we try to spread them out so we can reach a lot of potential entrepreneurs,” she said. “It’s also good information for people who’ve been in business for a few years.”
The symposium covers a variety of topics, including how to fill out licenses, permits and taxes, especially in Burnet County; where to find the best free resources; and websites and marketing. Speakers will share “gotcha” stories to help attendees avoid some of the obstacles startups face.
Taylor said a common story she hears is that once someone makes the decision to go into business for themselves, they do an online search about how to get started. The result is they’re overloaded with information.
“They don’t know where to start or who to trust,” she said.
The seminar helps ease much of those challenges, she added, and attendees can have some one-on-one time with the facilitators at the end.
“They’ll see an objective third party who can visit with them and help them decide if what they’re thinking about doing is a good idea,” the director said. “Use them as a source of information. It’s also important to share real world stories of what can go wrong. They have so many real stories to share.”
Attendees will be given materials, so they only need a pen or pencil and business cards to hand out.
And just like attendees are learning, so are the organizers. Taylor said facilitators will make note of questions, concerns and other data asked by participants to improve the seminar for the next group.
“We don’t want to waste time,” she said. “We really want to be as valuable as possible.”
Taylor joked that participants are welcome to bring samples of their product, especially if there’s someone who’s thinking of starting a food-related business.
“The big thing is I don’t know of any low-cost educational services that bring together all people doing calibrated services for no cost,” she said. “We do have the entrepreneur’s best interest in mind. All of us will work with them at some point.”
Call (512) 610-0996 to register or for more information.
jfierro@thepicayune.com