Entrepreneurial Training Program graduates from left to right: Nicole Pederson, Jennifer Jeska, Suzanne Sotelo, Tommy McDonough, Lisa Swanson, Mike Kealy, Christina White, Rebecca Zell, Jeff Burkhart, Kristi Scott. Missing is Thomas Novak.

Eleven entrepreneurs complete business plan creation program
 

March 22, 2018 - The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls has graduated its fourth Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) cohort.

On March 15, 11 new entrepreneurs presented business plans to their class and instructors. Ideas included plans for a popcorn shop, equine facility, business consulting setup, land management company and granite countertop showroom.

ETP is a 10-week, 30-hour class for community members who want to start a new business or grow an existing one.

The class utilizes cutting-edge business concepts such as the Business Model Canvas, Empathy Maps and Lean Start-Up. These techniques produce businesses that are significantly more viable and likely to succeed than those started with traditional business plan writing techniques.

"I am so very thankful that I found ETP. The program has really helped me slow down and think about everything involved in starting a business. It is terrifying what I didn’t know as a budding entrepreneur,” said class participant Thomas Novak of Roberts. “I found great value in sharing ideas with classmates during the sessions which challenged the one-sided way I was looking at my business. I will have a much stronger business because of it."

ETP classes are offered from 6-8:30 p.m. at the UWRF Hudson Center each semester. Applications are being accepted for the fall 2018 cohort.

For more information, contact SBDC Business Consultant Katherine Fossler at 715-425-3472 or  katherine.fossler@uwrf.edu.