Starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It can offer numerous advantages such as being your own boss, setting your own schedule, and making a living doing something you enjoy.

But, becoming a successful entrepreneur requires thorough planning, creativity, and hard work.

The Newtown Economic Development office and the local SCORE group invite business people to learn how to get started with writing a business plan, establishing a marketing plan, and cash flow, at a free workshop on Tuesday, October 29, from 8:30 to 10 am, in the meeting room of C.H. Booth Library

This workshop will introduce a business plan, show what should go into it, and why business owners need to consider writing one. A business plan is an essential roadmap for business success.

Then, using the business plan as an outline participants will continue reviewing what is needed to run a business. Included will be a discussion of all the elements of a marketing plan and why managing cash flow is such a critical requirement.

The speaker for this seminar is Bob Pietrzkiewicz, a SCORE member, business consultant assisting clients in areas such as market management, planning and research along with product development and forecasting. A marketing specialist with IBM for 27 years, Mr Pietrzkiewicz is accomplished in facilitating improvements in business workflows uncovering process issues.

Financial Stability

The following week, business professionals can get pointers from the SBA and Newtown Savings Bank to help get a business moving toward financial stability. This workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 5. It will again run from 8:30 until 10 am and will be in the library’s meeting room.

Topics discussed will be traditional (SBA’s guaranteed loan program) and nontraditional (SBA’s micro-loan program) ways of financing. These programs are many and varied, and the qualifications for each are specific.

SBA can help facilitate a loan with a third party lender, guarantee a bond, or help you find venture capital. SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses that have been specifically designed to meet key financing needs, including debt financing, surety bonds, and equity financing.

Speakers for this seminar include Lisa A. Powell, economic development specialist from US Small Business Administration; and Paula Woodhouse, assistant VP of small business lending from Newtown Savings Bank.

C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street; workshop participants should use the entrance from the rear parking lot.

To register for either of these free business seminars, contact Betsy Paynter at betsypaynter@newtown.org or 203-270-4281.