Business Development Center

Small Business & Technology Development Center Seminars

The Schoolcraft College SBTDC offers a number of classes and workshops catering to the needs of entrepreneurs. Many one-day seminars are held at Schoolcraft College for a minimal fee.

Reservations are required for all seminars. To reserve your seat for a seminar, use the contact information listed under the seminar description. Otherwise, contact the SBTDC at inforeq@schoolcraft.edu or (734) 462-4438.

Note: During inclement weather, seminars will be cancelled if Schoolcraft College closes. Tune to your local news station for information on college closings.

Fundamentals of Starting a Business

As an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

For more information or to register please call the MI-SBTDC at (734) 462-4438.

  • Wednesday, December 3, 2008; January 7, February 4, or March 4, 2009
  • Held at Schoolcraft College
  • 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • $30 per person
  • January 21, February 18, or March 18, 2009
  • Held at Schoolcraft College
  • 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  • $30 per person

Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course, covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool.

For more information or to register, please call the MI-SBTDC at (734) 462-4438.

  • Wednesday, December 10, 2008; January 14, or March 11, 2009
  • Held at Schoolcraft College
  • 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • $40 per person
  • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
  • Held at Schoolcraft College
  • 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  • $40 per person

Fundamentals of Marketing Your Business

The course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to help small businesses grow. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. A strategic, well planned approach to marketing is demonstrated with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques.

For more information or to register, please call the MI-SBTDC at (734) 462-4438.

  • Thursday, January 22, or March 19, 2009
  • Held at Schoolcraft College
  • 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  • $40 per person

Women’s Business Enterprise Certification Seminar

The Michigan Women’s Business Council invites women business owners to learn what it means to be certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise. If you have a product or service that you would like to market to American corporations, here is your chance to explore certification. In the seminar, attendees will learn:

  • What is involved in the certification process
  • How to complete the application package
  • How to become part of a national database of certified women business enterprises
  • If you will benefit from being certified
  • Other resources available for small business

The Michigan Women’s Business Council is the Michigan certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a national, certifying body recognized by major American corporations. The Michigan Women’s Business Council is a program of the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED), an SBA Women’s Business Center.

For more information or to register, please call CEED at (734) 677-1444.

  • Thursday, December 3, 2008; April 9, 2009
  • Held at Schoolcraft College
  • 9:00am - 11:00am
  • $25 per person

Financing Roundtables presented by TEAM SBA

Before you apply for a business loan, first attend a free financing roundtable. We will debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. The “team” is a banker, an SBA representative, an SBA business counselor, and business owners like you. You will get first hand information on what credit criteria your banker has. The team will answer all of your financing questions and give you advice on what steps to take to achieve your goal of starting or expanding a business. We will explain how the SBA loan guarantee can work for you. The roundtables are best suited for those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in the business.

For more information or to register, please call the MI-SBTDC at (734) 462-4438.

  • Thursday, December 4, 2008; February 5, 2009
  • 9:00am - 12:00pm
  • Free of charge

Additional Resources