New Small Business Workshop coming Nov. 20 to locals

After fielding regular questions from small businesses about various topics, Christophe Trahan, the Executive Director of Linden Economic Development Corporation, decided there was a real need to help business owners learn about key topics from marketing to finance. The idea of doing small business workshops was born. “There are so many things that our small businesses don’t know that are essential to running a successful business,” says Trahan.

Once Trahan decided there was the need for something like this he reached out to the SBDC (Small Business Development Center) to see if they would be interested in presenting the workshops in Linden. Most likely with the distant proximity of the SBDC, with offices as far away as Mt. Pleasant and Texarkana with only a part-time consultation office in Atlanta, it “wasn’t something they could do in Linden right now,” says Trahan.

As a result, Trahan took the initiative to develop a small business workshop through the Linden EDC. He sought out various key leaders around linden area including business leaders as well as the publisher of the Sun to figure out the best way to develop and present it.

The goal ultimately says Trahan is to give our small businesses the tools to succeed. It is to help the businesses grow in the places they need help the most. “There is such a high level of an entrepreneurial spirit in Linden. “ There are so many people Trahan meets with on a regular basis, from the people who work downtown, to the shop owners to the individuals who man the booth on Second Saturdays who desperately need the help. “They have such a passion for what they do, but sometimes lack skills and it is the job of the EDC to help them succeed,” says Trahan.

In the future, the EDC plans on a variety of workshop topics. The first topic for this coming workshop is “bookkeeping practices.” In the future they will be doing a sales and use tax workshop by the same speaker Kathy Wilson. After she teaches it, she wants to come back for that topic because it is one of the biggest questions she gets asked on a regular basis. Trahan says it is a confusing topic that could land someone in big trouble if filled out incorrectly.

In the future, Trahan would like to see other topics taught that include anything from marketing to business planning.

The EDC has four quarterly workshops planned. Since the workshop is free they are working to connect with professors and professors that will teach the class for free. The people will have the ability to sell merchandise at the event but the EDC will most like not to offer any money to the presenters says Trahan.

Since being a small business owner is the American dream the interest for the workshop is high from potential attendees. The local City Leadership has been excited too. They have been on board since day one says, Trahan. So far there has not been any pushback; “100 percent positive,” says Trahan.

The first event will be on November 20 at noon at the County Seat Café in the back reception area. The meeting time is about an hour. However, there is the opportunity to hang out afterward to network and ask questions.

It is important to RSVP to make sure they get a spot, says Trahan. You can either email lindenedc@gmail.com or call 9037567774 to reserve your spot.

The benefit of going in person is always a good idea because you can ask questions and network, but if you are not able to attend the meeting there is going to be a video of the event that can be requested from the EDC and soon be available on their website.