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Course Descriptions

Our core courses are basic classes for those without much business experience or training. These classes are offered for a small fee and are suitable for new, inexperienced business owners and for managers of fast growing small or midsized companies.

Starting Your Dream

Define your business idea in terms of capital, market and operations. Learn how and where to find the information you need to analyze your business idea. Taught by John Tatum, MBA, consultant at the SBDC, this workshop will cover self-assessment tools, market research methods, regulations regarding start-up, defining costs for start-up, and financing options.

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Business Plan

An overview of how to convert your start-up study (or your business history) into a working plan that you can use as a guide for the growth and financing of your business. Topics to be covered include: the parts of a business plan, the planning process, and writing techniques that will get your plan noticed. The class is taught by SBDC consultant John Tatum, MBA.

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Financing for Your Business

Whether you're ready to start a business, grow your business, or need additional capital to survive and succeed in your business, financing options will be a big part of your planning process. In this workshop, taught by John Tatum, MBA, consultant at the SBDC, you will look at SBA and other government agencies that provide loans and guarantees, and how those programs differ. You will examine debt and equity financing and will hear first hand from a banker, what they will want to see in terms of your investment and your business plan.

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Retirement Options for Small Businesses

If your small business doesn't have a retirement plan, now may be a good time to establish one. Having an appropriate business retirement plan may let you make tax-deductible contributions of more than 25% of your annual income. If you have employees, the correct plan may provide a greater share of what your business can contribute. Having a retirement plan can also help you recruit and retain quality employees. Even if your business already has a retirement plan, you may want to review it to make sure it's meeting your needs and is still a suitable plan for your individual business.

To help determine which business retirement plan makes sense for you and your business, Brice Milliorn from Edward Jones will discuss different plans that are available and the benefits of each. After the presentation, an Employer Retirement Plan Questionnaire can be filled out to determine the best plan for your individual business, or to see if your current plan is still right for your business.

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New Taxpayer Business Seminar

An overview of sales tax issues, presented by Michael Stegint, Enforcement Officer at the Texas Comptroller's Office. The discussion will cover whether or not your business needs a sales tax permit, how to apply for one, what kinds of sales are taxable, how to keep records, where to find sales tax information when you need it, and how and when to file your sales tax returns.

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QuickBooks

Learn to use one of the most popular business accounting programs. This is a hands-on workshop designed for people who may never have used the program before. Taught by Shirley Beum of Seidel Schroeder & Company, the topics to be covered will include: your chart of accounts, setting up customers and vendors, reconciling your bank accounts, budgeting, payroll and financial reporting.

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Advanced QuickBooks

Take your QuickBooks skills several steps further. Topics to be covered include: pass-throughs, inventory, sales tax, time tracking, estimates & sales orders, budgeting, forecasting & business planning, adjustments and year-end procedures. This course is intended for experienced users of QuickBooks or those who have completed the Basic Level course. It will be taught by Shirley Beum of Seidel Schroeder & Company, a certified QuickBooks Advisor. Attendees must be able to use a PC with Windows.

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Revised Texas Margin Tax

This free seminar will cover the modified and expanded Texas franchise tax. Come and learn the details of this tax, and its effect on your business. Presented by Amanda Stolz and James Schroeder, CPAs from Seidel, Schroeder & Company.

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