The Wichita State University Center for Entrepreneurship -- in partnership with Ford County Economic Development, NetWork Kansas and Dodge City Community College -- is launching an entrepreneurial certificate in Ford County, Kan.
“Growing Rural Businesses” will start Thursday Jan. 16.
To register, go to Wichita.edu/GRB or contact Joann Knight, executive director Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, at 620-227-9501 or jknight@dodgedev.org
Designed specifically for rural business owners and entrepreneurs, this two-month program provides hands-on, practical solutions and techniques to grow and modernize business ventures in a rural setting.
“In light of the challenging economic times, every business owner and entrepreneur can improve the performance of their businesses by targeting needed upgrades,” said Wendy Veatch, director of outreach programming at the Center for Entrepreneurship.
The program will include small group exercises, case studies and interactive discussions with peers, facilitators and industry experts.
All sessions are held from 2-5:30 p.m. on Thursdays from Jan.16-March 27, at Dodge City Community College, Math Science Annex, Room 107, 2501 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kan.
The cost is $300 for the 11-week series or $50 a session.
“The session on financials changed how I run my business and helped me make better financial decisions for my business,” said Doreen Vargas of Vargas Agency in Dodge City. I now realize how every aspect of my business is affected by the financials, I have completely restructured everything.”
“Growing Rural Businesses” sessions
- Entrepreneurial Mindset for Small Businesses - Jan. 16
- The Marketing Plan: The Roadmap for Success - Jan. 23
- Creating Value for Your Customers - Jan. 30
“Wichita State and the Center for Entrepreneurship have designed an educational tool that combines significant expertise with practical solutions that will increase the capacity of the business owner to adapt to the changing needs of its customer,” said Erik Pedersen, director of Entrepreneurship Communities, NetWork Kansas. “It's a win-win scenario that helps create a more entrepreneurial community.”