News Release

February 21, 2007



Idaho Small Business Development Center, USDA Plan Workshop for Entrepreneurs Throughout Idaho

The Idaho Small Business Development Center and the USDA Rural Development IDAHO office will present 11 workshops around the state from Feb. 23-March 5 that focus on the needs of Idaho’s entrepreneurs. The majority of the workshops will be offered in rural communities.

“I am proud to provide these educational opportunities in our rural towns,” said Mike Fields, state director for the USDA Rural Development IDAHO office. “Business growth will most likely come from entrepreneurs who already live there.”

The workshops are part of a nationwide effort organized by the Kauffman Foundation to recognize and support entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are the primary drivers in Idaho’s economy, said Jim Hogge, director for the Idaho Small Business Development Center that is headquartered at Boise State University. The business owner is the one who develops a vision and takes the risk to see the vision become reality, he said, adding that entrepreneurs are the main source of innovation in Idaho, that they develop new products, find better ways to serve their customers and create 70 percent to 80 percent of all the new jobs in the state.

“The entrepreneur has the vision for the business,” Hogge said. “These workshops are designed to help with the nuts and bolts to ensure the business will succeed.”

The workshop schedule is as follows. Sessions are free unless otherwise indicated.

“Starting a Business”
This session, taught by professionals, offers information that will make a difference in the success of a small business.
— Feb. 23, McCall. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Job Service building. Call 634-2883.
— Feb. 26, Preston. 1-4 p.m. Idaho State University extension office. Call 232-4921.
— Feb. 26, Challis. 6-8 p.m. Challis Middle School. Call 523-1087.
— Feb. 26, Lewiston. 6-9 p.m. Lewis Clark State College Administration Room 12, $10. Call 792-2465.
— Feb. 27, Gooding. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. College of Southern Idaho outreach center. Call 732-6455.
— March 1, Orofino. 6-9 p.m. Commerce and Labor office. Call 792-2465.

“The Basics of eBay”
This class will focus on the basics of buying and selling on eBay and offer tips for better auctions.
— Feb. 26, McCall. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Job Service building. Call 634-2883.

“Hitting Your Target for Profit”
Participants will learn how to use customer and competition profiles to analyze market potential.
— Feb. 27, Ponderay. 5:30-9 p.m. Ponderay Center. $29. Call 666-8009.

“Tax Considerations for Hiring Employees”
This workshop provides tax information for small business owners who have employees or plan to hire new employees.
— Feb. 28, Lewiston. 6-9 p.m. Lewis Clark State College Administration Room 12. $25. Call 792-2465.

“Marketing for Specialty Foods”
This class will show participants how to get their products from the kitchen to the public.
— March 1, Twin Falls. 6-9 p.m. College of Southern Idaho campus. $25. Call 732-6455.
— March 5, Caldwell. 6-9 p.m. University of Idaho business and technology incubator. $29. Call 426-3875.

For more information on these and other training opportunities, visit the Idaho SBDC Web site at www.idahosbdc.org.

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Contact: Jim Hogge, Idaho Small Business Development Center, (208) 426-3799, jhogge@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

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Last reviewed on Tuesday, February 27, 2007