Executives offer tips on how to start a business

Future and present entrepreneurs learned valuable lessons about starting and developing small businesses at a seminar sponsored by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 26.

"How to Start a Business in Nevada" was given by representatives from Service Corps of Retired Executives Association and Nevada Small Business Development Center.

Both SCORE and NSBDC are designed for sharing knowledge and providing training to help start-up and ongoing businesses succeed.

"Business people like to help other business people - that's what the chamber of commerce is all about," said Kathy Halbardier, faculty member from UNR's College of Business Administration and co-owner of Tahoe Ridge Winery.

Despite the dismal statistics that 80 percent of national small businesses fail within the first two years, Nevada ranks first in new business start-up survival because of a favorable tax environment and population growth.

"The major reason for new small businesses closing down? A lack of money and a lack of a business plan," said Halbardier. "The Small Business Association was created to help small businesses survive."

Nevada Small Business Development Center is a partnership program between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business Administration and offers counseling, professional training, geographic informational services. People at the workshop learned how to market products, expand the market for their products and the importance of thinking from the customer's point of view.

Also speaking at the seminar was Jack Van Dien, a counselor from Service Corps of Retired Executives Association, an organization of business people who volunteer their time to mentor aspiring small business owners. SCORE counselors are available to help small business owners evaluate their abilities, develop ideas and make a plan.

SCORE holds business seminars at various locations in Reno, Carson City and Gardnerville.

The next SCORE orientation workshop in Gardnerville is at 9 a.m. March 23 at the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about this and future workshops, go to www.score-reno.org or call (775) 784-4436.