Class for aspiring business owners returns

Saturday, January 28, 2017

5-week course begins Feb. 13 in Sikeston By Jill Bock jillb@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Becky Brown's business is enjoying sweet success and she credits much of its recent growth to LaunchU, a five-week class she took last year at Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston. As her cupcakes baked in the oven for her business Cakes Reanimated, Brown paused to talk about LaunchU, which will be offered for a second time in Sikeston, beginning Feb. 13. According to Brown, the classes covered topics including how to set up business plans, budgeting, profit margins and loans. "I learned tons," Brown said. "I learned lots of the ins and outs of business. I'm more business savvy now." Brown is exactly the type of person who can benefit from LaunchU, said Gabrielle Penca with Southeast Missouri State University. According to Penca, the five-week hands-on course coaches aspiring entrepreneurs and startups through the business planning process to determine business feasibility, including the actual development of a professional, Small Business Administration-approved business plan, pitch and financial forecast. In 2016 there were 10 participants, including Brown, in Sikeston's LaunchU class. Most did not have a business background. "It can help a student build a foundation. To test if their business concept is feasible," Penca said about LaunchU Taught by a certified facilitator, the class includes small group activities and one-on-one business coaching. LaunchU participants have access to market research data from the Small Business and Technology Development Center and hear from local experts, who cover topics ranging from accounting to business capital to the law. "Our facilitator will coach you through market research so you can determine what kind of market is out there for your concept. Also for picking a location where there are people who are spending X amount at those type of businesses," Penca said. Classes meet for two evenings a week for two hours. At the end of the course is a pitch competition where participants can present their ideas for a business before a panel of judges with the winner receiving a startup assistance package which Penca said this year is valued at more than $4,600. Last year eight of the 10 participants pitched their plans to the panel. Penca said it isn't unusual that everyone doesn't pitch their ideas before the panel. "We definitely don't see that as a bad thing when someone realizes that (their business idea) is not feasible at this time," she said. "They have received the training to evaluate a new concept. It definitely saves them time and money on the front end before investing in opening a business." Of the eight who pitched their businesses, Brown walked away the winner with a monetary prize as well as marketing package from Bold Marketing. With the help of the marketing firm, Brown said her website, business cards and even her logo now have a more professional appearance. The at-home baker is now looking to expand and is putting together her own food truck. Brown also is recommending the class to other entrepreneurs she knows. "For anyone thinking about opening up a business, this is a great experience. The staff is amazing, super helpful and very friendly. They want everyone to succeed," Brown said. She points out there are scholarships available which reduce the cost of the class. According to Penca, there are a limited number of scholarships available for the 2017 Sikeston LaunchU. The scholarships reduce the cost to $99. Scholarships are awarded on a first come first, serve basis with information available on online at InnovationMIC.org/launchu. For Brown, the investment of her time at LaunchU is paying off. She said it introduced her to people who have helped her with her business and enabled her to meet other professionals and develop new ideas. "It totally changed my life," Brown said about LaunchU. "It was the turning point for my business. I loved it." Deadline to enroll in the 2017 LaunchU class, which is offered at Southeast Missouri State University's Sikeston campus, is Feb. 6. To enroll, visit http://www.innovationmic.org/launchu. For more information, contact Penca at (573) 651-5095 or gpenca@semo.edu.

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