Small Business Startup and Maintenance Seminar

  • By Denice Rovira Hazlett
  • November 14, 2012
  • 339
                        
Summary: Small business is the heart of Holmes County, and the Small Business Startup and Maintenance Seminar, held on Oct. 26, was created to make sure that heart keeps beating strong. Story: Christopher M. White of Millersburg, saw a need in Holmes County's small business community and decided to fill it. As a small business owner himself, White knows what makes his own venture, White Law Office, successful--and challenging. "You can get so swamped that small things get neglected, opening you to liability. I want to see our local businesses succeed, not worry about missing something." So White and his assistant Erica Lang put together a plan. They networked with professionals, exhibitors and speakers to create the Small Business Startup and Maintenance Seminar, held on Friday, Oct. 26 at Berlin Hotel and Suites. The focus of the event, White said, was all about sharing resources. Josh Proper, Killbuck Savings Bank's assistant vice president and commercial loan officer, was one of the day's presenters, sharing what banks look for from commercial ventures--debt-coverage ratios, inventory turns and break-even points. Proper said there are terrific business ideas out there, but entrepreneurs don't always fully understand what's involved. "They have a great idea, but they don't know what's necessary to keep them out of trouble with tax entities and legal issues. This seminar was a good way to get information out there to make sure they're following correct procedures and learning what professionals can offer." The professionals on hand were specifically chosen as resources White knew and trusted. Ellis Miller, owner of Pleasant Wealth Associates of Berlin, touched on planning for the future of your business. Ronnda Kertes of Paychex shared valuable information about human resources for small businesses. Christopher White offered insight into small business startup while retired judge Thomas White gave an overview of small business maintenance for those already down the road a bit. The sessions ended with a strong motivational presentation by Kevin Houser, philanthropist and former NFL long snapper for the Baltimore Ravens. The overall message, White said, was that business owners don't have to go it alone. "We had people in attendance who haven't started anything but are interested in doing so, who bought existing businesses and inherited its old problems, and who have owned their businesses for quite some time and came to see what they need to be thinking about that they might not be." Together, the group discussed starting from scratch to horror stories about what happens when things go wrong. But most of all, White said, there was a lot of great networking time. "The atmosphere was fantastic," White said. "The relaxed attitude and feeling of openness carried through the whole day. You can't plan chemistry like that." Most impressive is that the seminar was completely free, hosted by White Law Office. "We know that small business owners can't shell out a lot of money and take time away," White said. "We wanted to provide the most freedom possible to come, to open the door and justify taking time to do this." By the end of the third session, attendees were urging White to plan another seminar. In response, his team is planning an agribusiness event to take place in Feb. 2013. "It makes you feel good that people want to do it again," White said. "With the next seminar, we'll fill a different need, provide solutions to a different group." The next Small Business Startup and Maintenance Seminar is in the works as well. "There's every confidence this is going to be a yearly event," White said. "We learned a lot, were very encouraged by it, and want to keep improving and expanding the region to provide more solutions." For more information about connecting with local resources or upcoming small business events, contact Christopher White at White Law Office, Co., 330.231.1195 or by email at contactus@thewhitelawoffice.com or visit their website at thewhitelawoffice.com.


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