Do you have the next great business idea for Henry County, but don’t know exactly where to start?
Sign up today for the 2025 Business Builders workshop series, hosted by the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
The seven-week program is free, thanks to New Castle Main Street and funding partner/presenting sponsor, the New Castle/Henry County Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
Current small business owners and budding entrepreneurs are invited to make their ideas a reality through the series.
Business Builders is a series of workshops that give local entrepreneurs the tools the need to succeed in business.
The SBDC designed Business Builders to help and educate small business entrepreneurs to start, grow, and flourish. The course will provide the foundation for helping small businesses understand the nuances of starting and/or owning a small business.
“At the end of the 7-week program, aspiring small business owners will be able to write a functional business plan that can be used to secure funding,” the SBDC explained on the Business Builders website. “In addition, they will be able to self-evaluate and determine if starting a business aligns with their personal goals.”
Participants can sign up at https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16986 until 8 a.m. Feb. 6.
Participants must have an active business address within Henry County. Each participant is required to register with the East Central Indiana SBDC and must schedule and complete at least one meeting with an East Central Indiana SBDC Business Advisor before March 6.
If the business involves food, the participant must hold a valid ServSafe Certification.
The Business Builders classes are 6–7:30 p.m. Thursdays, starting Feb. 6. Each class takes place at the New Castle Ivy Tech campus, 3325 S. Ind. 3.
Class topics will include: Guide to Starting Your Business/Business; Know Your Numbers (Financials); Marketing; and How to Prep for Your Pitch.
Pitch Night
The seven-week series culminates with a Pitch Night where each participant presents their fully-fleshed out idea to a panel of local judges. The Pitch Night winner receives a cash prize to help their business dream become a reality.
Business Builders participants are allowed to miss one session and still be eligible for the Final Pitch Night and prize money.
Pitch Night is 6–8 p.m. March 20 at The Castle Venue in downtown New Castle. The event is free and open to the public; audience members will be able to vote for the People’s Choice pitch.
Program impact New Castle Main Street and a team of local partners started the Business Builders education series in 2020.
“The whole thing is free,” New Castle Main Street Director Emily Hurst said. “It’s an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a small business coach. You get help building a business plan.”
Hurst said each one of the Business Builders walks away from the program with a treasure trove of knowledge and new skills, even if they don’t get a picture with the oversized prize check.
“Even if Pitch Night doesn’t go your way, you get great visibility and you walk away with this toolbox to help you build your business,” she said. “The impact really kind of speaks for itself when you look at who has participated.”
In 2022, Ben and Emily Hamm won Pitch Night with their idea for a new coffee shop in New Castle. They opened the Press Coffee Co. in October of that year.
In 2023, Valerie Lamb won the Business Builders Pitch Night with her idea to bring hand-dipped chocolates to New Castle. CJ’s Candies opened a year ago this month.
The people behind Modest Midwest Wax Co., The Stockpile, Whitetail Sweet Shop, Smalltown Boutique, Midwest Girls Boutique, LA Liquid Catering, and Kory’s Kettle Korn – just to name a few – also took part in previous Business Builders workshops.
“They all participated and benefited from the program, even though they were not the grand prize winners,” Hurst said.
For more information, contact Claudia Metzger at (765) 282-9950 or visit https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16986.
Originally published by The Courier Times at https://www.thecouriertimes.com/news/next-round-of-business-builders-starts-feb-6/article_abe744ad-5875-5555-9756-77fa7139e797.html