Area entrepreneurs who have a business idea, but unsure how – or if – they should launch their venture are invited to attend an open house at Rogers State University.
RSU’s Center for Economic and Community Development will be host an open house on Tuesday, March 9, to demonstrate an upcoming entrepreneurial program to be held on campus this spring. The open house is free, and will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in Herrington Hall, Room 130,
The FastTrac program is a nine-week, comprehensive program considered one of the nation’s premier entrepreneurial programs. The FastTrac program at RSU will be held 6-9 p.m. each Tuesday from March 30 to May 25 on the RSU campus in Claremore. The cost for the program is $195 per participant.
The FastTrac program is the beginning point for anyone interested in starting a business, said Ray Brown, RSU vice president for economic and community development.
“The program was created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, and is designed to help attendees evaluate and perfect their business concepts,” he said. The hands-on program uses participants’ ideas as case studies, giving them an opportunity to discuss a venture in a safe and supportive environment of a workshop.
Specific course topics will include: identifying and assessing venture opportunities; concept development; entry strategies; market research and analysis; pricing and profitability; market penetration; and budgeting.
In class coaching sessions, participants will take a three-dimensional look at issues such as: What additional opportunities exist for entrepreneurs? How can I market my new business? How do I price my products and services? How do I begin developing budgets?
The program will be lead by certified instructors, who understand the benefits and pitfalls of starting a new enterprise, and will feature area experts knowledgeable in entrepreneurial enterprises.
“By the time you finish the program, you’ll know whether your idea has legs and if starting a business is right for you,” Brown said.
The FastTrac program was first launched through the University of Southern California’s Entrepreneurship Program in Los Angeles in 1986. In an effort to launch the FastTrac program nationally and continue accelerating entrepreneurship in America, the Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation became the major funder and supporter of FastTrac in 1993.
For more information or to register, call the RSU Center for Economic and Community Development at (918) 343-7533.