Business Building Education provides tools
to help start and expand small businesses in Fernley

February 20, 2008 Fernley, NV – Close to 80% of small businesses close their doors before seeing their third or fourth year. Anyone who takes the time, money and energy to operate their own business surely does not anticipate doing it all for nothing, yet many small business owners do not seek the proper tools that help build a successful business – a business that makes money! Ask yourself this – who trained you to run a business? You may be a fabulous technician, but what about the financials, the marketing, the legal structure? Have you done your market research to map out who will spend their money on your product or service? Did you seek advice from experts? How do you know if you will make money? NxLeveL for Entrepreneurs enters its 8th year in Nevada and has become the cornerstone training program of the Nevada Small Business Development Center, a department within the College of Business Administration at the University of Nevada, Reno. Fernley is one of 9 cities in the State to currently offer the program, and has been provided with a substantial fee reduction thanks to a grant from the Nevada Commission on Economic Development. “As a business assistance center, we see the issues that frustrate and concern our community’s small business owners. Many find themselves overwhelmed once they start a business, and need immediate assistance in areas like market research, financial projections, and legal issues” said Kathy Carrico, NSBDC’s training director. “NxLeveL addresses these and other critical topics, allowing for a much greater success rate of staying in business.” NxLeveL demands planning on part of the business owner, and provides the tools to write a comprehensive business plan. “It’s like taking a road trip without a map, or building a house without a blueprint” says Carrico. “Without a plan that includes solid groundwork and familiarity with small business issues, failure is only a matter of time. Bottom line, you will lose a lot of money.” Whether you are in the planning stages, or have been in operations for several years, NxLeveL will help your business grow. Past attendees include local doctors, construction contractors, plumbers, real estate agents, business consultants, and owners of restaurants, flower shops, breweries, health facilities, retail shops, beauty salons and many more.

NxLeveL is a 13-week certification course designed to give small business owners the hands-on, intensive learning environment they need to help their business survive. The program is an internationally renowned training curriculum. It is offered in 48 states and 9 countries. However, each NxLeveL program is taught by local instructors and adapted by region, so business owners will learn what they need to know about running a successful business in their area. Last year the NSBDC provided classes in both Fallon and Fernley for the first time, with tremendous success. The Nevada Commission on Economic Development has funded a second round of courses for both Fallon and Fernley, in addition to Lovelock, Hawthorne, Yerington and Dayton. Business owners, or future entrepreneurs, will pay $300 LESS than Reno businesses, for a total cost of only $95 per person. The savings to these business owners is significant, and the training opportunity substantial.

The Fernley classes begin March 5th from 5:30 – 8:45 pm for 13 consecutive Wednesday evenings and will be held at the Public Library. Instructor Tom Considine, a 2004 NxLeveL graduate, is also a 22-year Veteran of the U.S. Navy, and currently owns and operates his own business, Veterans Diversified Solutions, LLC, a company that provides Business Data Security Management and Destruction Solutions to governments and businesses. In addition to our instructors, each week NxLeveL attendees will have the opportunity to listen to and question an array of guest speakers (attorneys, bankers, CPAs, successful entrepreneurs, etc.) who will lend their expertise in special areas of business operations. Course outline follows: Week 1: Introduction, Overview & Entrepreneurship Week 2: Planning & Research: Entrepreneurial Essentials Week 3: Organizational Matters: Management & Legal Structure Week 4: Marketing – “Behind the Scenes”: Analysis & Understanding Week 5: Marketing – “On Stage”: Strategies, Tactics & Implementation Week 6: Financial Overview: Books, Records & Controls Week 7: Managing Your Money: Financial Planning, Budgets & Assumptions Week 8: Managing Your Money: Developing & Using Cash Flow Projections Week 9: Understanding & Using Your Financial Statements Week 10: Financing Your Business: Alternative Sources of Money Week 11: The Deal Making Process: Negotiating in the Real World Week 12: Your Business Future: Managing Growth and Plan Conception Pre-registration is required for all NxLeveL courses, and seating is limited. A complete course syllabus, along with course details and on-line registration are available at www.nsbdc.org. Phone calls can be directed to the NSBDC at 327-2340 or 784-6879.

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