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By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

Do you have an idea for a new business but need the tools to proceed?

Or do you own a small business that has quit growing, and you need help figuring out why?

Venture Davie is for you.

Venture Davie is a collaboration between the Davie County Chamber of Commerce, Davie Community Foundation, and Davidson-Davie Community College Small Business Center to spur business development in Davie County.

Venture Davie’s three-month accelerated program will give participants tools to create a solid foundation for a successful business – from business plans to ribbon cutting. After completing the class, participants will pitch their business to a panel of local “Angel Investors” who decide whether to invest in the company.

Applications will be accepted from anyone living or working in Davie County who graduated high school while living in Davie County, or who plans to start a business in Davie County.

“We get phone calls at the chamber all of the time from people wanting to know how to start a business, and we give them the 1,2,3, of what they need to do, but we wanted to offer a deeper dive,” said Caroline Moser, president of the Davie Chamber.

“This 6-session program, plus an ‘Angel Investors’ graduating class, is designed to meet the demanding schedules of parents, young adults, and those with jobs. This program will teach the ins and outs of starting a successful business. The classes will guide you through the mission statement, vision, goals, feasibility study, knowing your market, identifying your competition, the financial aspects, budgeting, operations, and marketing. Professional speakers will lead you through each session, giving you firsthand knowledge of being an entrepreneur. No prior experience is needed.

“Through this process, we hope participants will receive the answers to all of their questions and then be able to make the best decision for themselves. They may decide they don’t want to start this business, and we may have saved them, or they may need to make some changes, or they may be ready to hit the ground running. That is what Venture Davie is about.”

The schedule:

• Class 1 – Planning: Getting to Know You & Your Business;

• Class 2 – Market: Define the Market;

• Class 3 – Strategy: Establishing a Foothold in the Market;

• Class 4 – Operations: Who’s on First?

• Class 5 – Branding: The Marketing Mix Brought to Life; and

• Class 6 – Launch: Let’s Wrap.

Venture Davie is accepting applications now.

Participants will meet six times at the DDCC Education Center, 120 Kinderton Boulevard, Suite 110, Bermuda Run, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, and May 9 & 23. A graduation event with the opportunity for participants to pitch to investors will be held on Tuesday, June 13.

Submit an application by Feb. 17. Applicants will be notified by March 1. A payment of $300 must be paid prior to the first class.

Learn more at the Davie Chamber website at Venture Davie under the “Our Why” tab.