On Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m.– noon, Brad Rickelman,
Assistant Director of the Meridian Technology Center's Center for Business
Development, is holding another session of “How to Start a Business." The class,
which will be held at the library, teaches potential business owners the
essential details necessary to begin their own start-ups.
Brad has taught the class two or three times a year over
the past several years and if I were thinking about starting a business, I
would not do so without first attending Brad's class. He really knows what he
is talking about and is entertaining to boot!
Students attending the class will learn how to create a
focus for their business, research financial requirements, determine the
revenues needed to offset expenses, hiring the right team, handling marketing
and advertising, searching competition and reviewing the requirements for a
business loan application.
For anyone who cannot attend the class or would like to
read more about starting a business, the library has a rather large collection
of books on all facets of the topic. Because business owners are often very
busy, we urge you to check our digital collection of e-books available day and
night for free on Oklahoma Virtual Library. Some especially helpful step by
step titles include:
"Practical Financial Management: A Guide to Budgets,
Balance Sheets and Business Finance" by Colin Barrow, which introduces
basic financial literacy to budding entrepreneurs.
"Starting a Successful Business: Choose a Business,
Plan Your Business, Manage Operations" by Michael Morris, which provides
the information that business owners who fail within a year usually do not
consider. The book covers how to turn a new
idea into a stable and profitable business and takes the reader through
each important step of the start-up process.
The digital library also includes modern business
classics, such as one of my favorite, "Start with Why" by Simon
Sinek, which helps leaders determine the purpose behind their business or
organization. It is a process that helps focus your efforts and inspire you,
the people you work with, and your customers.
These books are available to borrow with a Stillwater
Public Library card. You can browse the collection from our website.
“How to Start a Business" is free and open to the
public. Registration is required, but will be taken up to the day before the
class. To sign-up, go to the
registration tab on the library's website at library.stillwater.org, email askalibrarian@stillwater.org or
call 405-372-3633 x 8106.
