Starting Your Own Small Business

This three-hour class will give you a blueprint for getting your business started. By the end of the session, you’ll know what paperwork needs to be filed with the state, how to evaluate your competition and assess the market, and what you need to consider for daily operations. In addition to logistics like location, hiring, and insurance, we’ll cover something important you might not have thought about: having the right mindset to run your own business. If you are a freelancer, a creative or consultant considering an official launch of your own independent business, this class is a good fit for you too. Business owners are encouraged to invite key stakeholders and partners in the business as well.

What To Expect

• All participants will receive a follow-along workbook to take notes, follow instruction and complete exercises during the session.
• Participants will also get a free toolkit – a collection of templates, forms, worksheets, software and other helpful resources to help make good use of the information shared in class.
• There will be time for Q&A with the instructor and we will take breaks to give you a chance to check email, grab a water or network with other participants.

Earn A Business Skills Certificate
This workshop is eligible for the City of Austin Business Skills Certificate program. Participants who complete six eligible courses in the program are recognized in a public awards ceremony with other local business and community leaders. View eligible classes here -- http://bit.ly/AustinSkillsCertificate

Virtual Option for Summer!
This class is in-person at the City's Small Business Training Room, Suite 300. We have added a special option to participate virtually, as needed. We understand that during the summer some of our participants experience difficulties with attending in person classes, because of childcare and other challenges. We strongly encourage in-person attendance - so much happens in the classroom, and there is great networking to be had with other participants, in the room. But if virtual is the best option for you, you are welcome to register using that ticket option. You will get instructions for how to join the class virtually via email.

Where is the Small Business Training Room?
The Economic Development Division is localed at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd.Austin, Texas.
The easiest way to access the Small Business Training Room for this class is to park on the Southeast side of the building in the large parking lot. (lower right in the image below) Then enter the building through a glass door marked Suite 300. The classroom right there.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request - including translation and interpretation services. For assistance, please contact the Economic Development Department at 512-974-7819. The City receives and accepts Video Relay Service (VRS) calls from people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing through Relay Texas 7-1-1.