Continuing Education Classess Offered through MCC's Small Business Center

The mission of the Small Business Center (SBC) is to help increase the number of small businesses and their success rate in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties. We provide business owners and prospective owners with information, training, counseling, and referral for service. We can also assist with loans up to $25,000 and provide technical or managerial assistance. You may also preregister online at www.mayland.edu.

Click on the Logo Above For A Small Business Center Client Application

Need More Information?

Feel free to call if you have questions:

• (828) 765-7351 ext. 249 or 272 for Avery Campus classes
• e-mail
• Register for all Avery Classes here or use the register button beside each class title.

STARTING A BUSINESS SERIES

Do you have an idea for a business, but do not know where to begin? 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 the Yancey Campus in Burnsville. See the schedule below for date and location information.

STEPS TO START A BUSINESS

Learn the basic steps for starting a business in Avery, Mitchell, or Yancey counties.  Find out how to evaluate a business idea, permits and licenses, forms of ownership, sources of capital, taxes, insurance, and other topics of interest. A copy of Getting Started: Starting a Small Business in Avery, Mitchell, or Yancey County will be provided. 

6/10, T, 6:00-9:00 PM

Branch                                         No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus

MARKETING & ADVERTISING BASICS

How do I advertise my business on a limited budget? Learn how to develop and execute a marketing and advertising plan for your business. We will look at planning your advertising, creating newspaper ads, how to buy radio spots, and cable TV ads, media cost in the Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey County markets, and non-traditional advertising. 

6/17, T, 6:00-9:00 PM

Branch                                         No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus

FINANCING YOUR BUSINESS

(For Entrepreneurs)

How do you predict how much money you need for your business? Learn 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. 

6/24, T, 6:00-9:00 PM

Branch                                         No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus

HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN

A business plan has two purposes; it serves as a business roadmap and as a tool to finance your business. Discover how easy it is to create an effective plan for your business. You will also receive copies of The Business Plan Workbook and How to Write a Business Plan as well as examples of business plans. 

7/8, T, 6:00-9:00 PM

Branch                                         No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus

BOOKKEEPING & INCOME TAXES

(For Entrepreneurs)

How do you set up a bookkeeping system and organize your records for tax purposes?  Learn a simple, effective way to set up a bookkeeping system, organize your records, and then use them to complete your federal income tax forms.

7/15, Th, 6:00-9:00 PM

Branch                                        No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus

UPDATE, SEXUAL HARRASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
A sexual harrassment charge is one of the most difficult issues to deal with asa business owner or manager. We will cover what is "sexual harrassment" and what does the law say about it, what constitiutes a "hostile" sexual harassment environment, and how does a company protect itself against a sexual harrassment charge?

6/12, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM

Ponder                                      No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus

STEPS TO HIRING & KEEPING EMPLOYEES

How can you hire the best employees for your business?  If you need to let somebody go, how do you accomplish this without risking a lawsuit?  In this seminar, we will show you how to recruit, screen, and find the employees with the knowledge and skills you need for your business.  We will also show you tested methods to properly terminate an employee so as to minimize legal liability.

6/26, Th, 6:00-9:00 PM

Ponder                                         No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus

TAX ISSUES FOR CORPORATIONS
Once ou 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 for filing is, and how to prepare your paperwork.

6/5, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM

Heaton                                     No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine 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. In this seminar.  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. 

6/19, TH, 6:00-9:00 PM

Heaton                                         No Charge

MCC Main Campus

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT
There are many retirement account options today. How do you coordinate financialactivities between your 401K, 403B, IRA, RothIRA, HSA, and ETC? How do you manage your distributions to both maximize your income and reduce your tax liability? We will show you how in this three-hour seminar.

 7/24, Th, 6:00-9:00 PM

Heaton                                       No Charge

MCC Main Campus

STARTING AND OPERATING A HOME-BASED BUSINESS

Many people would love to start a business in their home. What kinds of businesses work best from a home environment? What do you need to know about zoning, tax law, and other legal issues about a home-based business? We will also show you what expenses in your home are legally deductible for your business activities.

7/22, T, 6:00-9:00 PM

Ponder                                         No Charge

MCC Spruce Pine Campus