By Gwen Green (gagreen@ualr.edu)
Jan. 14, 2010
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - In cities around Arkansas next month, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will celebrate Arkansas Entrepreneur Week by offering aspiring and active entrepreneurs tools to start businesses and stay competitive.
Governor Mike Beebe has proclaimed Feb. 1-5 as the 10th annual Arkansas Entrepreneur Week, and ASBTDC will host events in 13 cities across the state aimed at helping entrepreneurs like Joe Elliott of Little Rock. One year ago, Elliott knew he wanted to start his own company, so an ad for Entrepreneur Week caught his eye.
"Aside from an intention to start my own business, I had no idea where to start or what to do. I had a wealth of sales, marketing and administrative expertise but very little regulatory or compliance background," said Elliott. "I noticed an advertisement in the paper for the Arkansas Entrepreneur Week hosted by the ASBTDC at UALR and signed up for the 'Starting a Business in Arkansas' seminar."
Elliott attended the three-hour program and credits it and the ASBTDC consulting services he learned were available with helping him launch his business, The National Patient Handbook Company LLC. The company publishes patient handbooks for acute-care hospitals across the nation.
"I found the seminar to be eye-opening in terms of the topics covered, the advice offered and the contact information provided. As importantly, I found the one-on-one services available through the ASBTDC to be absolutely invaluable. To discuss my problems and struggles with a professional well-versed in the mechanics of my particular situation was not only helpful but, at times, convinced me to continue in my efforts," he said.
"As a direct result, I own my own company and am now in a position to market my products and services to potential clients across 48 states."
ASBTDC is rolling out two new seminars for Arkansas Entrepreneur Week 2010. The seminar "7 Steps to Small Business Success" will be held in Arkadelphia, Batesville, Camden, Fayetteville, Little Rock and Russellville on Feb. 2 and in Jonesboro and McGehee on Feb. 4. Covering many of the same topics as "Starting a Business in Arkansas," the program prepares participants for the intensive business planning process by explaining requirements for start-up businesses, keys to success and common pitfalls to avoid. Cost is $30 per person. Military veterans may attend at no charge.
ASBTDC will host a second seminar to help businesses learn ways social media can bolster their marketing efforts and where to begin. The seminar "5 Small Business Strategies for Social Media" will be held in Magnolia on Feb. 1, Batesville, Monticello, and Russellville on Feb. 2, Pine Bluff and Rogers on Feb. 3 and Hot Springs, Jonesboro and Little Rock Feb. 4. Cost is $35 per person.
In addition, the ASBTDC Web site, asbtdc.ualr.edu, will provide daily tips and resources during Arkansas Entrepreneur Week.
As the state's premier business assistance provider, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center assists entrepreneurs at every stage of business development and growth. A partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration and University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business, ASBTDC serves new, existing and innovation-based small businesses. Through a statewide network of seven offices, ASBTDC provides free consulting and market research services plus affordable training to the business community.
ASBTDC's knowledgeable, certified consultants provide one-on-one, confidential business counseling at no charge. Consulting services can be tailored to any small business venture and include market research, financial analysis and management. ASBTDC's classroom and online training programs provide current, practical information on a broad range of business topics, including writing business plans, using popular accounting software, marketing effectively, managing cash flow and utilizing technology and the Web.
To learn more, visit asbtdc.ualr.edu.
For more about Arkansas Entrepreneur Week or to pre-register for either seminar, contact the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at (800) 862-2040 or asbtdc.ualr.edu.
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