If You Can Dream It, We Can Help! Owning your own business is the American dream, but building it to withstand the test of time takes a unique set of tools-and a lot of hard work. StartSMART will show you the way.

In its eighth successful year, StartSMART, this Signature Program is offered once a year for entrepreneurs and business owners by The University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center in Columbus and by Statewide Sponsor, Wells Fargo. StartSMART will kick-off February 16^th and run thru March 9^th on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All classes are held at the University of Georgia’s SBDC Columbus location at the Cunningham Conference Center, 3100 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA. 

 StartSMART Program gets results:

• Evaluate & refine your business concept

• Improve your knowledge of business concepts

• Research markets and competition

• Develop a financial forecast to improve chances of success

• Develop a thorough, practical business plan

• On-going consulting from SBDC professionals keeps you on track

 StartSMART will help you strengthen your business built for today’s challenging times. Evaluate and implement your vision by creating a thorough, well-researched business plan. This program is designed for the following entrepreneurs and business owners:

• Those who are in business and looking to build a stronger foundation

• Or on the brink of opening their company

• Or businesses that are considering opening a different location.

• Or opening a franchise

• Or looking to acquire funding and needs to develop a business plan

Enrollment: Thanks to Wells Fargo Bank, tuition reduction is available to qualified applicants. Tuition includes the textbook, materials, continental breakfast each class and a certificate of completion from The University of Georgia for all graduates. Applications are reviewed and approved to ensure competitive conflicts are minimized and requirements are met. You MUST be accepted before you can purchase a seat in the program. Seating is limited.

Submit Your Application Today to: http://www.georgiasbdc.org/startsmart-application/ or for more information including program overview, visit: http://www.georgiasbdc.org/startsmart/