Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship

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Entrepreneurial Training Process

As part of its services, the Central Valley Business Incubator offers courses to give entrepreneurs and other business professionals the resources and information relevant to starting and owning any business. The Entrepreneurial Training Process (ETP) is designed to cover beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of business development, and takes entrepreneurs from idea to incorporation to expansion.

To determine the level of readiness for a particular course, this online assessment will provide direction.

To view upcoming ETP course dates, visit the calendar.

ETP I: Evaluating Business Feasibility

This level of the training process introduces the basics and helps you answer questions such as:

  • What product or service am I offering?
  • What is my target market?
  • What finances are needed?
  • What experience and skills do I have relative to starting and running my own business?

Learn what questions you should be asking before investing valuable resources such as time and money. The goal of the class is to help you determine if your idea can be developed into a business concept.

The two-week course meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $50 per person.

ETP II: Developing A Navigation Strategy

This intensive course will assist you in developing a business plan to give you the infrastructure needed to successfully execute any business concept. Keys to the development and success of a new business will be covered, as well as industry analysis and the creation of mission and vision statements.

Topics covered include:

  • Marketing
  • Public relations
  • Accounting
  • Operations
  • Licensing requirements

The six-week course meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $250 per person.

ETP III: Expanding An Existing Business

In partnership with the Fresno City College Training Institute, CVBI offers ETP III for the current business owner looking to expand. Focusing on marketing and advertising, ETP III will offer "how to" strategies for maximum impact. Participants can look to increase their profitability of business success, identify and capture a greater segment of the market and maximize their return on promotional dollars.

Topics covered include:

  • The 10 most common marketing mistakes
  • How to identify your primary and secondary target markets
  • Cost-effective strategies to reach your target markets
  • How to create a realistic marketing plan rather quickly
  • Three questions that must be answered to ensure advertising success
  • Seven techniques to stretch your advertising dollars
  • When and how to utilize public relations
  • How to combine marketing, advertising and public relations

The course takes place Saturday, Nov. 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Manchester Center's FCC Suite 250. The cost is $145. For more information and to register, visit www.fccti.com.

Business Readiness Assessment


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CENTRAL VALLEY BUSINESS INCUBATOR