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 ninth 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 (SBDC) in Columbus and by Statewide Sponsor, Wells Fargo. StartSMART™ will kick-off February 21^st  and run thru March 13^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 model

Gain or improve your knowledge of business concepts

Learn how to research markets and competition

Develop a financial forecast and budget to improve chances of success

Develop a 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/

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Georgia. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact us at 3100 Gentian Blvd., Suite 119, Columbus, GA, 31907 - (706) 569-2651.