Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown (CADCA) provides entrepreneurial skill training to prospective and existing business owners through our Start Your Business course and through individualized technical assistance.

 

 

The Start Your Business program is designed to guide individuals through the process of starting and operating a successful small business. The 20-week program begins with a two-class series called “Getting Ready for Business.” During these sessions, students have the opportunity to assess their personal and business aptitudes. Students may then continue with “Start Your Business,” a series of 18 weekly classes during which they will learn how to start and operate a business. The series includes instruction on financial planning, marketing and promotion, accounting, tax preparation, and networking in addition to basic business skills. Guest experts from the local business community assist in presenting and strengthening course material as students are guided through the process of writing a business plan.

 

The cost is $75. 

 

WEEK 1 – Introduction to Course Curriculum and Expectations, Your Personal and Business Aptitude: Assessing your strengths and weaknesses as a business owner, The Importance of a Customer-Oriented Business, Business Plans and Why You Need One.

WEEK 2 – Panel Discussion: Describing Your Product or Service, Developing Your Mission Statement, and Assessing Your Business Idea: Researching the Concept.

WEEK 3 – Time Management; Importance of Establishing Credit

WEEK 4 – Introduction to Marketing, The Four P’s (Product, Pricing, Promotion, and Placement), Defining Your Product or Service, Who Is Your Customer

WEEK 5 – Putting Together Your Marketing Plan: Identifying Your Target Market Segment and Identifying Your Competition and Industry Analysis

WEEK 6 – Your Business and the Internet, Search Engine Optimization, Social Networks

WEEK 7 – Promotion and Placement: Advertising Methods, Media, Copy and Design; Logo Design, Image, and Branding; Wrap-up and Writing the Market Plan

WEEK 8 – Workshop: Creative Brainstorming with Industry Professionals

WEEK 9 – Business Law and Structure; Professional Services – Your Management Team

WEEK 10 – Accounting Needs for a Small Business and Tax Responsibilities per Structure Type

WEEK 11 – Start Up and Small Business Insurance Needs; Commercial Liability Policies

WEEK 12 – Pricing Theories and Practices, Pricing Strategies, Making a Profit

WEEK 13 – Cash Flow and Financial Projections, Part I

WEEK 14 – Cash Flow and Financial Projections, Part II

WEEK 15 – Workshop: Cash Flow and Financial Projections with Banking Professionals

WEEK 16 – Sales and Motivation; Customer Service and Networking

WEEK 17 – Human Resources: Tips for Hiring and HR practices; Financial Recordkeeping and Taxes

WEEK 18 – The Business Presentation – Making Your Pitch to Investors

WEEK 19 – Commercial Leases and Everything You Need to Know Before Signing and a One-Hour Workshop: Identifying Trouble Spots

WEEK 20 – Entrepreneurship and Business and Personal Safety

 

 

 

The following organizations and corporations generously provide volunteer instructors for the Start Your Business program: TC Salon Spa; BaDa Bingg Restaurant; Surface Chemistry Discoveries; Transitions Unlimited, LLC; The Rising Tide Community Loan Fund; Fusion Marketing Services; Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation; Bank of America; The United Nations; New Visions Communications; Lesavoy, Butz, & Seitz; Nothelfer Morrone, CPA; Arbor Insurance Group; Berger-Epstein Associates; Allentown Economic Development Association; City of Allentown; Forms Control Systems; Top Star Express; Sovereign Bank, Wachovia Bank; KNBT; First Niagara Bank; Team Capital Bank; Gregory M Laurey, CPA; Hayden Resources; Strategic Biz Assist; Focal Point Coaching Excellence ; Food Please, LLC; McDermott Communications; Louie's Italian Restaurant; Lehigh Financial Services; Transition Group, LLC; Keenan-Nagle Advertising; Just Born; Corpora Consulting; Lehigh University; G&A Barbershop; Blabbermouth Communication; Day Vision Marketing; and Iron Pigs Baseball