Mo. extension offers free business class

Opening a business is a big decision. It involves an idea, writing business plans, financing and keeping the business operating.

Those who recently have been dislocated from their jobs may find opening a business the best option for the next step in their careers. Others may not. The University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson helps prospective business owners make that decision.

The Jackson office is part of a statewide network of about 40 University of Missouri extension offices, said Richard Proffer, business development specialist at the center.

In his eight years with the office, Proffer has seen 30 to 40 individuals start their businesses with the help of the center.

The center on Nov. 26 is offering a free course called "How to Start a Business in Missouri," through the MU Career Options grant to recently dislocated workers who are registered with a local Missouri Career Center.

"When they leave that class, they have a very good idea of what they're going to need to do," to begin a business, Proffer said of those who enroll in the class.

Some have always had an idea for a business, and once they become dislocated from their job, they decide it's a now or never situation to do so, Proffer said. The center helps people decide if the career move is right for them, and some individuals decide it is not, he said.

"So many people want to do it, [they] want to start their business, but they don't know how," and some people need that push, or someone to hold their hand through the process, Proffer said.

The Extension Center also offers counseling before, during and after a business opens. Staff of the center helps individuals evaluate their ideas and explains what to expect when opening a business, Proffer said. The center assists those opening a business with registering, becoming licensed and securing funding, he said.

Start-ups are very fragile in the first couple of years of business, he said, and the center stays with the owners through the life of their business.

Some realize opening a business is not for them after they have already taken the leap. Those business owners choose to close or let their business die on the vine, Proffer said. The business owner still has debt and the community now is minus one service it once had, he said.

The unemployment rate for Cape Girardeau County was 6.4 percent in August, down from 6.8 percent in July, according to the most recent data available from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The unemployment rate for Missouri was 7.2 percent in August.

"How to Start a Business in Missouri" will be 2 p.m. at the Workforce Investment Board, 760 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

Those who are not recently dislocated workers also may attend the class for $40. To register, call 243-3581. Seating is limited to 15. More classes will be added as needed if registration exceeds 15 people. The program's minimum number of participants, which guarantees the next course, "How to Write a Business Plan," is eight.