WHEELING - Virtual classes soon will be available to those with dreams of owning their own business and needing to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills.
Wheeling Heritage and the Regional Economic Development Partnership are accepting applications from those wanting to participate in the CO-STARTERS, a 10-week program during which participants learn about such topics as branding, marketing and price structuring.
Those who are interested in participating can apply at wheelingheritage.org/costarters.
Applications will be accepted until the maximum of 12 applications are received, or until Jan. 6. The cost to participate is $100, and the fee includes needed materials.
Classes will take place via Zoom from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Jan. 21.
Instruction will be provided by Ohio County Commissioner Zach Abraham, also a principal in the AlignHR human resources firm. “This is great if you have a brand new idea and can really sit down from start to finish and map things out before you do anything,” said Alex Panas, communications and development manager for Wheeling Heritage.
“But it is also great for people who already have an established business, who want to go through and make sure they are making the best possible decisions to make their businesses sustainable.
“It is really a great exercise for business entrepreneurs no matter what stage of business they are in.”
The program was first offered in 2018 with in-person classes, she explained. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced the program last year to go online.
“It’s a shame we can’t do it in person, because it is nice to have that one-on-one interaction,” Panas said. “You can read people’s body language, and it just makes it easier to communicate.
“But with doing it over Zoom it is easier, and it might be better for people who are working full-time to just log on from home, and not have to worry about coming into a meeting room or a classroom every week.”
Panas is herself a graduate of the program.
“For anyone who is thinking about starting a business, but are not sure where to start, this is definitely the class for them,” she said. “It is affordable, and a great environment to test out an idea and get feedback. not just from the instructors but the peers they will be in class with.
"It is totally appropriate for anyone who owns a small business and wants to tinker with a new business idea, or who just wants to work through it as it is now," she added. "Whether established or not, it is a great tool for any business owner.”