Presenters from SCORE will be at Darien Library starting Tuesday, March 26, for a five-part series on simple steps to creating your own business.
— an announcement from Darien Library
MARCH 26 — Week 1: Introduction to Business Concepts
Led by successful business start-up entrepreneurs, this presentation portrays the risk and reward of starting a business in today’s competitive marketplace. The traits that lead to success will be discussed. Also participants will be introduced to concepts of market need, the role of one’s personal background, building a plan, and idea feasibility. Tools to be surveyed include Market Research and data collection for industry, customer, competitor, and market trends.
APRIL 3 — Week 2: Business Case and Financial Projections
The session focuses on the importance of a Business Case. Covered will be the questionnaire-based “Business Case” and Financial Projection worksheet that are helpful in assessing your readiness.
APRIL 9 — Week 3: Marketing Concepts
This presentation walks the participants through marketing plans to start and build a successful business. Emphasis will be on the value of marketing, branding, messaging, target markets and channels, positioning products and services, marketing methods, social media, and sales.
APRIL 16 — Week 4: Financial Planning
This presentation walks the participants through the development of a comprehensive financial plan that is required to develop a successful start-up business. The importance of understanding the key financial drivers of the business will be a center-piece of the discussion.
Technology will also be covered – If you are thinking about starting a business, it is important to understand that technology is constantly changing. There are best practices (like backup and antivirus), leading edge ideas (like mobile accessibility) and bleeding edge ideas (like Chat GPT). The Simple Steps technology module will present ideas and considerations for your business whether flying a desk or being on the road.
APRIL 23 — Week 5: Sources of Capital for Entrepreneurs
This final session will focus on how to gain access to capital for your small business, including an overview of the loan application process, and what lenders typically look for.
It will conclude with a discussion and Q&A session with several start-up business entrepreneurs.
SCORE stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives. This five-part series is co-sponsored by First County Bank.
If You’re Attending …
The sessions take place on Tuesdays, starting March 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at Darien Library.
You can register here.
For more information on attending, contact Joanne Gabrielat jgabriel@darienlibrary.org or (203) 669-5230.
About the Presenters:
Diane Winston is a change management consultant and communications strategist with 30+ years of corporate and consulting experience. In 2005, she established her consulting firm, Winston Strategic Partners, LLC, to support change impacting organizations, people, and cultures. Diane is a member of the US and NY Women’s Chambers of Commerce, Women Impacting Public Policy, Collaboration of Professional Minority Women, and the Black Business Alliance. She has a BA from NYU and an MBA from Chicago.
Peter Engstrom is the founder and former COO of SCHMERSAL USA and Steute Meditech, Inc. He has been helping small and medium-size industrial firms increase their marketing effectiveness and grow sales since 1981. Other clients have included EG&G, Eaton, Opcon, Electrovert, APM Hexseal, Kollmorgen, and Panasonic. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart’s College of Business, and as a SCORE volunteer delivering the Marketing Strategy module of its Simple Steps program.