Small business growth is a win-win for our entire community because of its economic impact and the many generous ways that local business owners support Wilson. Since it’s Small Business Week, I thought it would be relevant to dive deeper into how your local community college resources help our small businesses.
The Wilson Community College Small Business Center places emphasis on entrepreneurship through helping launch startups and working with existing small businesses – and it’s all completely free. The SBC director provides high-quality, readily-accessible education and training, counseling, referrals, and information. There’s confidential one-to-one counseling, online webinars, and seminars held primarily in the evenings. SBC events and one-on-one confidential business counseling sessions are not only completely free, but they’re also open to the public.
Some clients come to the SBC hoping to replace an existing job with a new business, while others are seeking a sideline business to supplement their income. “We serve Wilsonians and even clients outside of Wilson who come here for work or who want to start a business here,” said Melissa Evans, SBC Director.
The SBC gives clients a format or structure for writing a business plan, ideas for coming up with a name, information about the various business structures, options on who to turn to for financing, and so much more.
But one of the first items on the agenda for an SBC client is to think about their community. Who do you want to serve? And how many people? What makes you unique or sets you apart from other businesses in the area? Once that is determined, the SBC helps clients find the right location that makes sense for their business.
During any given year, between 120 and 160 potential or existing business owners from our community visit the College’s Small Business Center for support to evaluate a business idea’s viability, to determine the steps to register a business name, to learn how to reach their target market, or for expanding an existing business. While some clients seek to replace an existing or previous job with a new business, others are seeking a side-line business to supplement existing income or for extra retirement funds.
Want to know what’s really impressive? In less than ten years, Wilson Community College’s SBC has helped close to 300 business start-ups. And during the pandemic, she helped more than 30 small businesses get off the ground running.
If you’re thinking about starting a small business or are a current small business owner, and for more information, contact Melissa Evans, SBC Director, at (252) 246-1232 or visit the Small Business Center page for a complete list of seminars. #WilsonCC We make Wilson work.
What’s Happening
- ONGOING – Summer and Fall Registration
- May 5 – New Student Orientation and Nursing Information Session
- May 6 – Last Day of Classes
- May 17 – First Day of Classes
- May 20 – Graduation