Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Network Decatur, IL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Learn How to Start Your Own Business with First Step FastTrac® at Millikin University
 
First Step FastTrac® is designed for start-up and new businesses. It is an educational program created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. You will work with certified instructors, people with business experience. When you finish, you’ll know what your next step will be.
 
When: 11-weeks on Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:00 p.m. September 11, 2008 to November 20, 2008
Where: Millikin University ADM-Scovill Hall, room 109 (on N. Fairview Ave.)
Cost: $225.00, which includes all materials, speakers, business coaches, and refreshments.  Check VISA and MasterCard are accepted.  A payment plan can be arranged.
 
Please reserve your seats while available. There is limited seating.
 
Live Your Passion
 
Do you dream about owning your own business? First Step FastTrac® is an 11-week course on business ownership that can help you realize that dream. The course helps you develop:
  • A network of business start up and growth resources.
  • A completed feasibility plan.
  • Ways to turn your business idea into a profitable business.
  • Market research, competitor analysis, product versus service distinction.
  • Cash flow statement, profitability formulas.
  • Confidence in a plan to go now or go later into your business.
Class Topics
  • Defining the business concept
  • Gathering information for a feasibility plan
  • Defining product/service features and benefits
  • Developing the competitor analysis
  • Defining the market segment
  • Discovering marketing strategies
  • Understanding product/service pricing
  • Calculating the break-even point
  • Selecting the business legal structure
  • Creating and utilizing a cash flow statement
  • Determining financial feasibility
  • Developing a feasibility plan
Class Reviews
“This course gave me a direction as to where to begin and a logical step-by-step process to develop and improve my business ideas...”
“It really made me stop and think about my business more, and how I can improve it.”
“It gave me the tools to know what to do when I am ready to start my business in the future.”
 
Want to Know More? 
For more information, please attend our informational meeting on August 28, 2008, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Millikin University, ADM Scovill Hall, Room 109. Call 217-424-6296 to RSVP.
 
Enroll Today!
Call 217-424-6296 to enroll by phone or download the First Step FastTrac® Brochure to fill out the registration form.
 
This course is offered by SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, Decatur Chapter 296, and Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship with underwriting support from National City Bank.
 
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EPL Bio Analytical Services Named MREN Grant Recipient

EPL Bio Analytical Services was founded in 1987 as a Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) laboratory to support the agricultural industry by providing contract research services for product and residue chemistry, multi-residue studies and toxicology/ecotoxicology studies for safety and regulatory acceptance of agricultural crop protection products. EPL has built a solid and well recognized reputation for excellence in these areas and have expanded their capabilities to include environmental monitoring, food ingredient analysis, and most recently, Compositional Equivalence (CE) analysis for commodities and feed in support of the regulatory and safety requirements for the burgeoning agricultural biotechnology industry.

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"Buzz On Biz" Entrepreneurship Teacher Training Program
Millikin University and Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education host training for teachers

Millikin University’s Tabor School of Business, through the Regional Entrepreneurship Network, in partnership with the Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education (IIEE), presents 3-day training for high school teachers who wish to learn more about how to integrate entrepreneurship education in their classrooms. This training will take place at Millikin University’s ADM/Scovill Hall, MBA room 207, July 29-31, 2008 from 9:00 – 4:30 p.m. Continental breakfast & Lunch included.

  • Each teacher will receive a complete entrepreneurship curriculum and textbook, facilitation training and information on community business resources and technology partners.
  • Each teacher will also receive a $200.00 scholarship for their participation
  • CPDU’s will be issued

Entrepreneurship is the most powerful economic force known to mankind! The “entrepreneurial revolution” that captured our imagination during the last decade has now permeated every aspect of business thinking and planning. Examples of Sam Walton’s Wal-Mart, Fred Smith of Fed Ex, Bill Gates of Microsoft and Michael Dell of Dell Computer are ever present in our student’s lives. The twenty-first century of today presents newer and sometimes more complex challenges than ever conceived, however, the entrepreneurial drive and determination of our yet to be discovered “dynasty builders” will be our greatest solution.

Successful entrepreneurship requires more than merely luck and money. It is a cohesive process of creativity, risk taking, and planning. Our students today need courses and programs that set forth a basic framework for understand the process of entrepreneurship.

The Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education (IIEE), in cooperation with Millikin University’s Regional Entrepreneurship Network, brings this 3-day teacher training for integrating entrepreneurship and technology into the classroom because we recognize the need our students will have to understand the engine of our economy and to have a better understanding of the world of work in which they will soon be participating.

Spaces are limited so please download and FAX the reservation form to 217-424-3523 or call Millikin University for more information at 217-424-6267 by June 30, 2008 to ensure your enrollment.

Download the reservation form.

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Entrepreneurship Center in Carlinville
Extension of Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Center

Carlinville Entrepreneurship Center director,
Art Knippel
.

The Carlinville Entrepreneurship Center will serve as an extension of Millikin University's Regional Center for Entrepreneurship and have access to all of the resources and expertise from the university. E-centers act as regional hubs that coordinate all small business development, entrepreneurship and technology training activity providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to make their ventures successful. The Carlinville e-center is the 19th entrepreneurship center that Gov. Blagojevich has opened statewide.

“In order to realize the great potential of this region, we must provide our young firms with high-growth potential with the resources they need to develop into successful companies that will grow and create jobs in the community. This investment will allow us to continue investing in the talent, hard work and ingenuity of our promising small companies in Carlinville and throughout Central Illinois ,” State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) said.

Entrepreneurship centers have been a proven resource to help small businesses get ahead, and I am thrilled to be a part of the extension of this network into Carlinville and across the region. This funding allows us to continue investing in our local small businesses and budding entrepreneurs, both of which are tremendously important to growing our local economy. I thank Gov. Blagojevich for his support in this important area,” State Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Gillespie) said.

“At Millikin, we recognize the importance of entrepreneurship to economic health and are committed to developing a future generation of entrepreneurs and those who can work successfully in dynamic entrepreneurial settings. We understand our pivotal economic development responsibilities in an economy in which talent is the primary asset. Our commitment, however, extends beyond the classroom into the larger region of which we are and must be an active part. We view it is as our responsibility to reach out to the broader community, offering our assets in an effort to help create a more vital region. We are excited about the opportunity of reaching out to the regional community via the partnership with Carlinville regional leaders,” Millikin University President Doug Zemke said.

The entrepreneurship centers make up one vital component of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN), a comprehensive network of resources designed to strengthen the state's capacity to develop small businesses into market successes and help entrepreneurship act as a more dynamic engine of growth. Gov. Blagojevich has launched the IEN Web site, www.ienconnect.com ,  which features a free business needs assessment and a referral within 24 hours for personalized, face-to-face assistance. Entrepreneurs can also call toll-free 1- 800-252-2923 .

The funding provided for the Carlinville Entrepreneurship Center will cover operational expenses at the e-center, as well funding awards. The new center will offer a number of specialized resources for its clients, including consulting services and $5,000 challenge grant awards to assist entrepreneurs or small businesses with obtaining professional services to reach milestones in their business development. The Carlinville E-Center will build upon the groundwork laid at Millikin University 's Regional Center for Entrepreneurship and will focus on helping companies throughout Central and Southeast Illinois . The Millikin E-Center has already provided assistance to 370 clients since 2005 and 11 challenge grants totaling $51,000.

“Gov. Blagojevich and I understand that small businesses and local entrepreneurs need critical access to capital, markets, networks and technology in order to develop into profitable companies that will create better jobs. This new Carlinville e-center will work on a number of levels to stimulate growth in Central Illinois , providing this key region with increased opportunities to grow their businesses and to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Gov. Blagojevich recently announced that Illinois added 31,100 new jobs in July, which was the best in the nation that month. This is the second time this year Illinois has created more new jobs than any other state, which has never happened before in recorded history. Illinois also led the nation in job growth in April. The total number of new jobs created this year is 75,200, which is the best start to a year since 1998 and more new jobs than any Midwest state. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 150,000 new jobs, which is also best in the Midwest . The unemployment rate in Macoupin County has declined from 7.8 percent in January 2003 to 5.3 percent in August 2006. The Illinois unemployment rate has been below or the same as the U.S. unemployment rate since May 2006, the first time this has happened in seven years. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.


© 2005-2007 Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship NetworK
Millikin University Tabor Center for Entrepreneurship
Tabor School of Business