By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Eight Southtown and Burton Heights business owners are getting special training to help them grow their businesses to the next level, whether it's expanding the store, offering more products and services, or developing a franchise.
The training is a new four-week program offered by Neighborhood Ventures called Gateway to Business Planning and Expansion.
"The training helps business owners determine how to brand their business and find their niche in the market," says Deborah Chivis, spokesperson for Neighborhood Ventures. "They're learning operations, finance, marketing and advertising and are creating a good business plan."
One of those business owners is Robert Ball, owner of Southern Fish Fry, 1269 Madison SE. Ball, 58, went into business 15 years ago with a dream of developing a franchise. He wants to purchase the building he's in, renovate it to include a dine-in area that will be a model for the franchise, and expand his menu to include steamed and baked entrees.
"The business plan will help me determine what new equipment I need and the amount of money I'll need," Ball says. "I've developed the owner's manual and an operations manual already. The classes are helping me learn about tax issues, insurance, and workman's comp, and make sure the whole nine yards is in place."
When Ball started in the business in 1993, he didn't have anyone to teach him how to run it so he went to the library and researched how to price menu items after he'd bought the food. He's thankful for the training available to him now.
"This class is a blessing," he says.
Source: Deborah Chivis, Neighborhood Ventures; Robert Ball, Southern Fish Fry
Photo of Southern Fish Fry by Brian Kelly
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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