City of Winston Salem offering business-training classes
By Mayeesa Mitchell
For The Chronicle
The city of Winston-Salem Community and Business Development department will be offering a free business training course at the Carl H. Russell Sr. Recreation Center located at 3421 Carver School Road every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Dec. 8.
The classes, which are open to anyone interested in starting a small business or who recently started one, began on Oct. 20. Although the classes are meant to be an eight-week course, classes can be attended separately.
“We had 60 people pre-register for the class and an attendance of 52 at the first session,” said Ken Millett, Business Development Senior Project Supervisor for the city of Winston-Salem.
Many who registered for and attended the class are residents of Section 3, where the Russell Recreation Center is located, and fall into the category of MWBE (minority and women business enterprises). However, the classes are not exclusively for MWBEs or Section 3 residents.
“The program is designed as a series to help those interested in starting their own business learn about the many aspects of entrepreneurship and the hard work involved,” said Millett.
A different topic is covered each week and is taught by a city staff member or business resource in the community who volunteer their time.
“For example, the ‘Financing and Finding Funding’ section is taught by Community and Business Development staff and a representative of the MicroEnterprise Loan Program. The session dealing with legal issues is taught by a local attorney,” said Millett.
The weekly topics will also include market research, social media, marketing, bookkeeping and taxes, and business insurance.
The city has been offering this course for many years as part of Winston-Salem’s effort to encourage entrepreneurship, business growth and job creation in the community.
“The entire Winston-Salem community benefits from more homegrown businesses and jobs,” said Millett.
For more information about the business-training course, visit www.cityofws.org/cbd or call 336-747-7474.
