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Washing EnzymeAnyone who wants to learn about operating a small business mightwant to consider spending some time in Fort Valley this summer. Starting Wednesday, the Fort Valley State University Rural BusinessOutreach Institute is offering a series of free seminars taught byarea business owners. Program coordinator Eddie Madison said it's the first time theinstitute has offered such a series, but he said plans are to makeit a regular summer event. "We want to highlight some of the small business owners in MiddleGeorgia," Madison said. The first class Wednesday is taught by Michael Brennan, owner ofFort Valley Ace Hardware. He was half owner of that store and theAce Hardware in Perry for 12 years, then last year he and hispartner split it up. When he went into the hardware business, Brennan said, his years ofworking as an engineer helped him, but he admitted that he reallydidn't know much about running a business. "Most of the things that I had to learn, I learned on the job," hesaid. Entrepreneurs need training to help understand the dynamics ofrunning a business, Brennan said, which involves much more thanknowing how to deliver the product or service. He noted that he recently spent more than an hour filling out acensus report required by the federal government, time that hewished he could have spent doing something else. "People need to have a more realistic expectation of what they aregoing to run into," he said. "I'm not looking to discourage peoplebut there is a lot to be discouraged about. The government is kindof hostile toward business, whether they mean to be or not." His seminar will focus on the pros and cons of operating a businessin a downtown area. Brian Scott, a Macon pharmacist, is leading a seminar June 25 onmanaging multiple locations. He is manager of Scott's Pharmacy,which has two locations. His father is the owner. Opening a second location is a major step for a business, Scottsaid. "A lot of people think you double the work, but you triplethe work," he said. Other topics for upcoming seminars include owning a franchise,planning and knowing your customers. Madison said he is not aware of any other program in the area thatoffers as much small-business training at no cost. Hors d'oeuvresalso will be provided. Registration is requested but not required, Madison said. So far,he said, not many people have signed up. Perry Swanson, president of the Peach County Chamber of Commerce,said the series offers a much-needed service to entrepreneurs orprospective entreprenuers, few of whom had any formal businesstraining. "It's a definite benefit for those wanting to start a smallbusiness and those in the early stages of their business to hearfrom those experienced in small business, who have had somesuccess, and be able to talk to these people," he said. To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 923-6199, extension 235. Rules: Keep it clean, respect others and use the 'report asviolation' link for any comment you feel violates these basicrules. For more details, read the terms at the bottom of thecomments page.
2008-06-11 10:15:45