SpringBoard

The Tennessee Technology Center at Athens is pleased to announce that it will begin offering Springboard, an 8 week business planning course developed by CO.LAB. This course is designed to help creatives and small-business owners become more sustainable in their business ventures.

Since its inception in 2008, Springboard has had over 300 graduates and 79 of those graduates have been verified to be in business, creating over 45 new jobs for others in the Chattanooga area.

What Is Springboard?

Springboard meets for eight weeks, convening one evening a week for three hours. The course will be facilitated by Ben Finch, a local entrepreneur who is experiencing great success in the current economy. Guest speakers will be pulled from the local business community including accountants and lawyers. Participants will build a comprehensive business plan, learn valuable management and marketing skills, and receive constructive feedback from the facilitator and one another.

Spring Board Exists To:

• Build confidence, knowledge, and relationships and ultimately facilitate the articulation of next steps.
• Provide affordable, accessible, and accurate guidance to local entrepreneurs, helping them to ask the right questions about their business and connect with the expertise they need.
• Empower disconnected or isolated entrepreneurs with idea feasibility and continuing through implementation.
• Provide a participant centered and activity based learning model where group creativity, brainstorming, and group problem solving are valued.

Springboard is scheduled to launch in May 2012. If you would like more information or are interested in attending please contact Scott Packett.