Small, growing businesses need help. The reality of entrepreneurship is that you can’t do it all on your own.  With thousands of new businesses starting each year, any advantage you can get the better.

For this reason, Moraine Park Technical College, in partnership with the Beaver Dam Chamber and Downtown Beaver Dam Inc., will hold it’s popular, “Start Your Own Business” series of workshops this month at the Beaver Dam Campus . The workshops are scheduled for Thursday nights beginning on January 23^rd from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The fee is $175 for the series of five workshops. Workshops can also be taken individually for $40 each. MPTC’s Beaver Dam Campus is located at 700 Gould Street, Beaver Dam, WI 53916. 

Students will learn how to develop a business plan while exploring business management skills and resources necessary to succeed in today’s competitive business environment. Concepts related to marketing and promotion as well as budgeting and finances will be explored. In addition, students will gain access to a network of national, State and local resources. “Entrepreneurship is a key component to revitalizing any community.” said Moraine Park’s Economic and Workforce Development Community Coordinator Laurie Barz. “With the efforts being made by local officials in Beaver Dam, we felt supporting entrepreneurship at the Beaver Dam Campus was the perfect location to hold the popular ‘Start Your Own Business’ series of workshops.”

To learn more visit the Entrepreneurship section in our course schedule. To register, call 920.924.3207.

Starting a small business is no small decision. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge and starting a business of your own, there are some key steps you need to take first.

Step One:  Understand Your Own Strengths and Skills.

Take a look inside of yourself and ask the following questions. What is your prior work experience? What are your personal interests and hobbies?  What education or courses have you taken? What skills and talents do you have? What are you an expert in?

Norman Vincent Peale said it best, “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”

Looking closely at your strengths and skills can help you identify specific expertise that may lend themselves to starting your own business.

Step Two:  Ask yourself, “Is My Idea Feasible?”

I know this one sounds obvious. Aren’t all things possible to those who believe? Certainly, but quite a few great ideas didn’t make it either because the service or product was not timely or too expensive.

Ask yourself the following questions. Will your product or service serve an existing market in which there is a demand? Will your product or service be competitive in the market based on its price and quality? If you answered yes to these questions, you are on the right track.  If you answered no, you need to carefully assess your business idea before moving forward. A feasible idea has to be right for you and for the market.

Step Three: Seek Support and Guidance.

As you receive the proper support and guidance your confidence will grow. Let those with experience guide you through the steps of business development. Returning to school and taking part in professional development coursework can help you learn more about entrepreneurship, how to create a business plan, marketing and financing a business.

Having the right strengths and skills and matching them with a feasible idea is a good place to start. At Moraine Park, we support your journey  by offering workshops that help you accomplish your goals. Get started today by enrolling in a face to face class in September in Green Lake or take a class in November in Fond du Lac. 

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2ZAvoZz.

What kind of Community Education courses does Moraine Park Technical College offer?

Our campuses offer over 800 courses per year at various locations throughout the district. We have offerings in estate planning, health and wellness, small business, culinary, crafts and recreations, computers.  Basically we offer a variety of courses in many different areas; these courses are available to help you grow your expertise or to take just for the fun of it! Continue reading

Join us on Monday, September 10, 2018 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for a FREE Business Tax Seminar!

Continue reading

There are many organizations that support entrepreneurs and inventors. Most are very good and provide valuable services, but trying to find the right one to meet your needs can prove time-consuming and tedious. How do you find the right one? Continue reading

Join us May 10th for MPTC student culinary creations and FiSH!

In honor of National Small Business Week, Moraine Park is sponsoring the Imagination Network meeting and celebrating with a social event to include a tasting of creations prepared by the students in Moraine Park’s Culinary Arts program. Try a sampling of meat, fish or poultry from potential, future small business owners from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Learn how you too can create a culinary creation in one of our community education classes.

Then enjoy a fun presentation from Kim Braatz, Careers Instructor at MPTC, about FiSH! Philosophy of customer service. Learn how to become truly connected to your work, your customers, and others by applying the four principles of Play, Make their Day, Be There, and Choose Your Attitude. This is a special opportunity to experience the FiSH! Philosophy. Continue reading