General Classes
The Small Business Center (SBC) at Mayland Community College helps to increase the number of businesses and their success rate in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties by providing business owners and prospective owners with information, training, counseling, and/or referral service. We can also assist you to find financing for your business. Call 828-765-7351 ext. 249 to preregister for classes or extension 227 for information about our services. A minimum enrollment is required for SBC classes. You may also preregister by clicking the register button after each class description.
Starting a Small Business Series
Do you have an idea for a business, but do not know where to begin? The answer may be found in this five-seminar series. Take one class, two classes, or all five classes, all at no cost, and learn how to start your business. The classes are held at the Avery Campus in Newland, the Main Campus in Spruce Pine, and Town Center in Burnsville. See the schedule below for date and location information.
Steps to Starting a Small Business
Learn the basic steps for starting a business in Avery, Mitchell, or Yancey counties. Find out about how to research a business idea, secure permits and licenses, evaluate forms of ownership, find sources of capital, and deal with taxes. A copy of Getting Started: Starting a Small Business in Avery, Mitchell, or Yancey County will be provided.
1/11, M, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
Town Center, Burnsville
2/23, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Avery Campus
4/6, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Financing Your Business (For Entrepreneurs)
How do you predict how much money you need for your business? Where do you find it? How do you get it? This class will examine how to access capital. We will also discuss the differences between traditional and non-traditional lenders, equity vs. debt financing, how forms of business ownership affect financing possibilities, and\ many other topics of interest.
1/25, M, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
Town Center, Burnsville
3/2, T, 6:00- 9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Avery Campus
4/13, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Main Campus
How to Write a Business Plan
A business plan has two purposes; it serves as a business roadmap and a toolto secure financing for your business.Learn how easy it is to create an effectivebusiness plan. Students will also receivecopies of The Business Plan Workbook and How to Write a Business Plan as wellas examples of business plans and other
useful handouts.
2/1, M, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
Town Center, Burnsville
3/16, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Avery Campus
4/20, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Marketing & Advertising Basics
What kind of market is the A-M-Y county region? How do I advertise my business on a limited budget? This seminar will give you detailed information on the local market. We will also look at planning your advertising, creating newspaper ads, how to buy advertising, and media cost and availability in the Avery, Mitchell, and
Yancey County market.
2/8, M, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
Town Center, Burnsville
3/23, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Avery Campus
4/27, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Bookkeeping & Income Taxes (For Small Businesses)
How do you set up a bookkeeping system and organize your records for tax purposes? In three hours, I will show you a simple, effective way to set up a bookkeeping system, organize your records, and then use them to complete your federal income tax forms. It is not as difficult as you think!
2/15, M, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
Town Center, Burnsville
3/30, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Avery Campus
5/4, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Branch No Charge
MCC Main Campus
General Business Topics
The Small Business Center offers classes on topics of interest to the small business community within our service area. If you have an idea for a class or have a special need for business training, please call the SBC Director and let him know.
Income Tax Update for Small Businesses (REVISED)
Income tax laws for businesses change each year. Prepare yourself for changes in the tax code in 2008. The class will include new and revised deductions for small businesses!
1/20, W, 6:00-9:00 PM
Heaton No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Small Business Payroll Withholding & Filing
One of the greatest challenges to new small businesses is how to hire new employees and correctly pay federal and state income taxes, social security taxes, and Medicaid premiums. Topics covered include subcontractor vs. employee, what forms are required, and when taxes and paperwork need to be filed. We will also include a checklist for new employees.
4/7, W, 6:00-9:00 PM
Heaton No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Let's Talk About Bookkeeping
How would you like the opportunity to sit down with a bookkeeper and just ask him or her questions about your businesses finances? We are giving you that chance in this class. We will have an experienced bookkeeper on hand to answer questions about business finance, taxes, personnel withholding, or any other topics you would
like addressed.
3/17, W, 6:00-9:00 PM
Heaton No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Tax Issues for Corporations (NEW)
Once you incorporate your business, figuring out what taxes to pay, when, and to whom, can be frustrating. We have developed this class to show you what documents need to be filed, what the schedule is for filing, and how to prepare your paperwork.
2/3, W, 6:00-9:00 PM
Heaton No Charge
MCC Main Campus
How to Incorporate Your Business (Revised)
Learn the steps to incorporate your business in North Carolina. We will discuss the incorporation process, what forms are required, how much does it cost, and what happens after your incorporation becomes official. The class will include "C" and "S" corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC's), and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP's).
2/2, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Ponder No Charge
MCC Main Campus
The Business Side of an Artist's Life
Topics will include strategies to minimize taxes, sensible choices regarding insurance, a logical approach to record keeping and information management, wholesale versus retail, and advertising and self-promotion. A question and answer session will enable students to learn about other areas of the artist's business life.
2/11, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
Ellenbogen No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Scams & Schemes in Small Business Finance (NEW!)
"Where do I find the 'free' money?" is an often-asked question by small business owners. There are a lot of schemes and frauds out there that will separate you from your hard-earned cash, if you cannot discern truth from error. We will discuss business "grants", business plan development programs, and debt elimination
programs
2/23, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Ponder No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Test Driving QuickBooks (NEW!)
How would you like the opportunity to sit down with a QuickBooks instructor and ask questions about how the software operates? This class will give you the chance to try it out for yourself.
2/22 & 24, M, W, 6:00-9:00 PM
Heaton No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Cash- Your Business Lifeline (NEW!)
Cash management is a critical skill to master for business owners. This class will show you how to discover where it really comes from, where it really goes, and how to manage it for business profit and success.
3/16, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Ponder No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Business Planning & Entrepreneurial Resources from the SBA (NEW!)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides many resources for entrepreneurs. Discuss the basic elements of a business plan and what resources the SBA has to assist the entrepreneur with the planning process.
3/25, TH, 6:00-7:30 PM
Arriola No Charge
Town Center, Burnsville
Pricing Your Products & Services (NEW!)
How do business owners decide how much to charge for their products or services? Learn simple ways to accurately determine your fixed and variable costs and calculate a retail price that will generate a profit.
3/30, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Ponder No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Small Business Loans: Fundamentals & Options (NEW!)
How do banks make decisions about business loans? Come and learn what it takes to produce a bankable loan proposal. Learn about the "Five C's" of credit and how they affect a business credit application. We will also discuss financial assistance available through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
4/8, TH, 6:00-7:30 PM
Arriola No Charge
Town Center, Burnsville
Understanding Financial Statements (NEW!)
Learn how to read and understand what the businesses financial statements are telling you about your condition and what to do with the information.
4/27, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Ponder No Charge
MCC Main Campus
E-Commerce
E-Commerce is an important part of the nation's economy. The E-Commerce Program consists of short, one or two evening seminars that combine practical knowledge with useful experience.
Intro to Selling on e-Bay (Revised)
e-Bay is the best-known internet marketplace in the world. Many people have launched successful businesses on e-Bay while many more use it to supplement their income. This class is designed for the beginner who would like to use e-Bay, but does not know where to begin.
1/14, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
Biddix No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Self Produced Video Advertising (NEW!)
Ever thought about using video ads for your business? Companies are now using YouTube and other video
media to advertise their business' goods and services.
1/28, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
Biddix No Charge
MCC Main Campus
e-Bay as a Business (Revised)
This is the class for someone who has sold on e-Bay and wants to open an e-Bay store. Learn policies for handling merchandise transactions, processing returns, shipping merchandise, and effective customer service practices. There will be a handbook available for purchase by students.
2/9,10,11, T,W,&TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
Biddix No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Using Twitter for Sales & Services (NEW!)
Social networking services are hot right now! Large companies (like Dell Computers) use and monitor social networking sites to identify sales prospects or customer service issues. Learn how Twitter , Face Book, and other sites can be used to enhance your business.
2/25, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
Biddix No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Using ETSY for Craft Sales
Expanding your market can be tough for craft businesses. "ETSY", an online auction site specifically for handmade objects and products, will cheaply increase your sales. Learn how to create a site on ETSY, how the bid process works, and how to redeem your income. Experience with online auction sites is recommended.
3/23, T, 6:00-9:00 PM
Biddix No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Internet Marketing & Advertising (NEW!)
Banner ads and pop-up ads are easily defeated by anti-spam systems. However, there are ways to reach a target market through the Internet. Learn how to use podcasts, social networking sites, viral marketing, and search engine placement strategies to reach potential customers efficiently and effectively.
4/15, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
Biddix No Charge
MCC Main Campus
E-commerce on a Shoestring Budget (NEW!)
Expanding your marketing reach is critical for continued sales growth. We will show you the tools that are available at little to no cost that will allow you to establish an e-commerce business that will increase your sales and profit.
4/29, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
Biddix No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Alternative Crops
Farming has long been an important part of the regional economy. This partnership between the Mitchell County Cooperative Extension Service and the Mayland's Small Business Center is designed to provide information on alternatives to traditional crops for local farmers.
Organic Crop Certification Program (NEW!)
One way a farmer can add value to his crop is by having an 'organic' certification for his farm. Although the "Certified Organic" label is well known, there are cost and record-keeping requirements that limit interest. This class will look at the requirements for a "Certified Organic" farm as well as some competing certification systems and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
1/21, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
DeLisle No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Good Agricultural Practices (NEW!)
The recent national e. coli and salmonella poisoning cases have made consumers more aware of food safety,
especially with farm produce. In addition, federal and state agencies are looking more closely than ever at farming practices and their relationship to food safety. This class will acquaint you with the new guidelines for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and their impact on local farming.
2/18, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
DeLisle No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Small Fruits I (NEW!)
Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties are a great location for small fruit production. Our Small Fruits I class will focus on brambles; blackberry and raspberry cultivation, harvest, market preparation, and sale.
3/4, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
DeLisle No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Small Fruits II (NEW!)
Learn about two other popular local crops; strawberries and blueberries. There is great interest in these two crops and new methods of cultivation that can extend the growing season or market and sales opportunities over their historic norms.
3/18, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
McCurry No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Small Fruits III (NEW!)
Small Fruits III will focus on an old crop with new applications: grapes. Over the past ten years, North Carolina has become a significant wine-grape growing region. There are now two commercial wineries in Avery County. Learn what grape varieties do well in this area, what are the prospects are for the wine industry, and where you can find more information if you are interested in growing wine grapes.
4/1, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
DeLisle No Charge
MCC Main Campus
Forest Certification Programs (NEW!)
Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties still have significant privately owned forest acreage. The question, if you own this kind of property, is how do you manage the land to produce income without destroying the very resource that makes it attractive? This class will look at the programs available for forest certification and how they work to help you produce and market your timber in a sustainable way.
5/6, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM
DeLisle No Charge
MCC Main Campus
