SUBLETTE COUNTY — For anyone thinking about starting a business or needing assistance with an existing early-stage venture, the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce has an exciting opportunity. …
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SUBLETTE COUNTY — For anyone thinking about starting a business or needing assistance with an existing early-stage venture, the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce has an exciting opportunity. The chamber is once again hosting its free Jump Start Your Business program, designed to help entrepreneurs learn, build and grow their enterprises.
The eight-week program kicks off April 11 and will be held each Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m., in the chamber's board room. Through classes and guidance, participants will gain insights into business planning, startup operations, financing options such as grant opportunities, and how to effectively pitch their business ideas.
Attendees who complete all eight sessions have the chance to compete for grant funding awards. A panel comprised of local businesspeople awards the top three business plans presented with grant money from the chamber to help launch or expand their entrepreneurial visions.
Last year’s Jump Start Program started with 15 participants, 13 of whom completed the requirements to make them eligible for grant money. In June 2023, the judges awarded grants to open small businesses across Sublette County to Cristy Anspach, Ashlin Applin, Sara Allison and the team of B.J. Meador and Erin Fazendin. The judges awarded $600 to Joseph Brueckner.
“The program is excellent,” Anspach added. “I learned, I laughed, I worked hard and I thought about things I never realized I’d need to think about. As a result, I feel confident and prepared to launch with both feet into a small-business pottery venture.”
Fazendin and Meador also expressed their gratitude to the program sponsors, the judges and their classmates. “I really appreciated the structure of the program,” said Fazendin. “It allowed participants to understand the structure of a business plan and take the daunting task of building the business up by breaking it into easily managed tasks. The end product was a complete and properly assembled plan that was ready for presentation. It was an amazing opportunity to present our project and product to community members who have been in our shoes and started businesses themselves.”
Applin called the Jump Start course an “incredible experience,” adding, “Having little background in business, it gave me information and insights to formulate a business plan and learn business strategies along the way … through the chamber and knowledgeable professionals who took their time to come in and share their expertise. I would recommend this program to anyone with an interest in being an entrepreneur.”
The Jump Start Program is spearheaded by the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce, Sublette BOCES and private sponsors and provides the opportunity for Sublette County residents to learn skills to launch their own small business.
With limited space available, the Jump Start program is open to anyone in the community on a first-come basis. Interested entrepreneurs should contact the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce at 307-367-2242 for registration details and program requirements.
