Courses for business owners, contractors, entrepreneurs, M/WBE
(Queens, NY) Looking to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and home improvement contractors, the Queens Economic Development Corporation announced its new program lineup during a special networking event at Z Rooftop in Long Island City on September 3.
The Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition begins with information sessions on September 9. This tenth annual undertaking, sponsored by Citi Foundation and organized in cooperation with Queens Library, will award three businesses $10,000 each, while providing technical assistance, resources, and training to all partakers. Contestants must go to at least four seminars at Flushing Library between October 3, 2015, and January 30, 2016. These free seminars — All About Business Planning and Research; Business Operations and Management; Creative Sales and Marketing Strategies; and Developing Financial Statements — are offered at various times to fit the participants’ schedules. After attending a fourth session, applicants will write business plans and submit them to a panel of judges, who will select the winners.
Organizers of QEDC’s fall programs got together at the agency’s annual summer networking event at the Z Hotel in Long Island City on September 3. Seen in photo are (from left) Monique Hector, Queens Library; Tara Lannen-Stanton, Queens Library; Seth Bornstein, QEDC; Colleen Galvin, Citi; and Borough President Melinda Katz. Photo Credit: QEDC.
The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting on October 6. Offered since 1991, EAP is a comprehensive, hands-on training course targeted to aspriring business owners. It is specifically designed to minimize the risk and maximize the success of starting or expanding a business. Over 20 sessions taught by successful entrepreneur Michael LoTito, participants learn the following: How to write a compelling business plan; How to conduct industry and market research; Operations structure; Technology to automate and streamline a business; How to legally structure a business; Competitive positioning; How to structure financial statements; and How to finance a business.
QEDC will offer its highly successful Home Improvement Contractor Training course in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. HICT prepares contractors to pass the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs licensing exam. It consists of three six-hour classes led by an experienced teacher, who also takes students as a group to the licensing exam at DCA headquarters in Manhattan. The lessons are accompanied by one-on-one business advisory services, such as consultations on permits and licensing, business development, avoiding liability, procurement, and access to capital. The English program begins on September 19, the first Spanish session on October 3, and the Mandarin on November 2.
There’s also something completely new this year with 1 Night Stands — Getting It Done, organized with the QNS Collective co-working space. This weekly program consists of five informal, post-work, wine-and-cheese networking sessions focusing on various business topics led by an expert in each field. Starting on October 7 and continuing on Wednesdays, topics will include e-commerce, legal issues, export/import, website development, and negotiation.
QEDC will also continue offering M/WBE certification. Women and minorities who have been in business for at least a year can obtain a special designation that would give them priority for government contracts. Information sessions will take place on the last Thursday of each month.
For more information, go to queensny.org or call Michael Gillen at 718-263-0546.
Established in 1977, QEDC has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs in preparing business plans and filing for business registrations, permits, licenses and loan packaging. QEDC has also helped scores of neighborhoods revitalize their commercial districts by creating business organizations and establishing business improvement districts.
