Area entrepreneurs will have a chance to learn what it takes to run a small business during a new hands-on business development workshop in Niles.

The FastTrac New Venture workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and grow a successful business.

The eight-week course begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Niles Entrepreneurial and Culinary Incubator at 219 N. Fourth St.
Cost is $180. The class meets every Monday at 9:30 a.m. and runs three hours.

Workshop facilitator John Schmitt said the program is for anyone wanting to start a new business or interested in growing an existing business.

“It is essentially an eight-week feasibility study,” said Schmitt, senior business consultant with the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center.

The workshop will also be taught by Tamara Davis, of Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center.

Attendees learn in a variety of ways including classroom lecture, small group activities, guest speakers and individual counseling from facilitators.

Attendees work on their business ideas throughout the program, moving their ventures to reality by creating a business plan and learning about the core fundamentals of creating a successful business.

Schmitt said four or five more people are needed to enroll in order to have the class.

Enroll by registering online at misbtdc.org/southwestmichigan. For more information, call (269) 387-6004 or emailing sbtdc-kzoo@wmich.edu.