Seminar on starting a business slated for Aug. 14 in Fort Scott

Fort Scott and surrounding area residents interested in beginning their own business will soon have the opportunity to attend a free two-hour "How to Start Your Own Business" workshop in Fort Scott.

The seminar will be held at the Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St., Thursday, Aug. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m.

This workshop is for persons who are thinking about starting their own business, or who are just curious about what it takes to do so.

"This workshop is designed for people who are interested in starting a new business," said Kansas Small Business Devel-opment Center Administra-tive Assistant Cheryl Penn. "It will give them an overview of all the little things they need to know, although they are not usually little things."

Participants will learn what they will need to consider if they decide to begin their own business and what services are available to assist them. The seminar will address topics including: Business planning, startup considerations, forms of business ownership, licensing and registration considerations, marketing considerations, financial factors, sources of capital and available business assistance.

One of the biggest factors to catch new business owners off guard is start-up costs, according to Penn.

"A lot of people just don't realize how much it costs to start a business."

Participants will view PowerPoints and receive packets of information during the workshop. Once they have had an opportunity to look over the information, personalized meetings can be arranged with individual business councilors.

"This is a great workshop," said Penn. "It's just two hours of your time to find out what you need to do in order to start your own business."

Presenters for the workshop will be members of the Kansas Small Business Development Center counseling staff.

There is no fee for the session, however, advance registration is required at least two days prior to the event. This workshop is not limited to Fort Scott residents, Penn encouraged anyone interested in the program to attend.

To register by phone, call the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University at (620) 235-4921. Or mail or fax name, address and phone number to the KSBDC at PSU. Fax to (620) 235-4919 or mail to KSBDC, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Late registrations will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested two weeks in advance.

For additional information contact Cheryl Penn, KSBDC, (620) 235-4921.

In addition to the workshop in Fort Scott, there will be a seminar held in Pittsburg, Aug. 13 and another in Parsons, Aug. 19. Contact the KSBDC for times and locations.