(Newswire.net — November 14, 2013) Princeton, NJ — The StartSMART™ Workshop Series returns to Princeton on December 5th with an initial free trial session. This program offered by the non-profit Princeton SCORE, takes aspiring and existing small business owners through the business planning process with the support of an assigned business mentor. Over nine weeks, participants evaluate their business idea, develop a solid business plan, including marketing strategies and financials, and learn about various funding sources, so they can make an informed “go/no-go” business decision.
“SBA statistics suggest that the two primary causes of small business failure are the lack of a well-developed business plan and insufficient startup capital”, said Carmen Morris, Princeton SCORE Chair. “The StartSMART™ program teaches participants how to research their market and develop an actionable business plan with realistic financial projections. They finish the program with a detailed business roadmap that can also help them secure the funding they need”, said Morris. A unique feature of the StartSMART™ program is that it includes personalized mentoring by an experienced SCORE counselor. A recent Gallop poll cites “People with a mentor are 5 times more likely to start a business”.
A case in point is Austrian-born Anita Waldenberger of Princeton, NJ, who completed StartSMART™ in 2011 and met frequently with her mentor, Bill Litchman, who organized the local program for SCORE. “Bringing a European-style coffeehouse to Princeton has always been a dream and now it’s becoming a reality…thanks to the StartSMART™ program and SCORE”, said Waldenberger. “The support and know-how I gained helped me develop my business plan, minimize costs, and even secure a prime location…and Bill was there every step of the way”. Café Vienna will feature specialty coffees/teas and authentic Austrian desserts from old family recipes, served in a cozy yet modern atmosphere. It is slated to open in downtown Princeton in Jan 2014. For details, visit www.cafeviennaprinceton.com.
The first StartSMART™ session (free) will be December 5th from 5:45-8:45 p.m. at the Law Offices of Pellettieri, Rabstein and Altman at 100 Nassau Park Blvd, Suite 111 in Princeton, NJ. The full series costs $128. Space will be limited so early registration is recommended at www.Princeton.SCORE.org.
Princeton SCORE is a non-profit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration supporting Mercer and Middlesex counties of New Jersey with 40+ small business owners and executives who volunteer their time and expertise to help others start a new business or grow/improve the profitability of existing ones. Princeton SCORE offers confidential one-on-one small business counseling and a variety of free or low-cost educational seminars and workshops.