Free Online Resource Helps Aspiring Entrepreneurs Gain Crucial Business Skills

by Alana J. Mauger

Aspiring entrepreneurs can conveniently learn the nuts and bolts of starting a business thanks to a new, online program developed by Montgomery County Community College for the Pennsylvania Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives Collaborative. The program can be accessed online at BEresource.com.

“Starting Your Own Business” is a free, self-paced program through which learners explore five modules on topics such as business basics, financial and legal considerations, and marketing, as well as an in-depth case study. The final module of the program guides learners through the process of developing a customized business plan.

“In today’s market, entrepreneurial spirit is more than being a business owner. Employers increasingly expect employees to think entrepreneurially when developing ideas and solving problems,” shared Philip Needles, dean of Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives at MCCC.

Learners who successfully finish the program and business plan will earn a proof of completion certificate and may be eligible to earn three credits at Montgomery through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Other colleges and universities may also evaluate the completed course and business plan for possible PLA credit toward one of their respective programs.

PLA is the process used by many institutions to determine if an individual’s prior educational, workforce and life experiences can be translated to college credits. Assessments can include evaluation of military or corporate training, review of portfolios, customized tests, and evaluation of completed non-credit courses, among others.

The “Starting Your Own Business” project is funded by a U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant, and is part of a joint initiative of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges to train and place underemployed and unemployed residents of the Commonwealth in high demand jobs.

The program is open source and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To learn more about the project and its designers, visit BEresouce.com or contact Denise Collins at 215-619-7313 or dcollins@mc3.edu.

Check out the video overview below!

Popular ‘Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business’ Series Returns

by Alana J. Mauger

Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn more about Montgomery County Community College’s  popular Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business series during a free open house on Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 7-8 p.m. The open house will be held in Parkhouse Hall room 129 at the College’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. RSVP to Marge Philippsen at 215-641-6374 or mphilipp@mc3.edu.

“Staring a Successful Woman-Owned Business” is a 12-week certificate program designed to encourage women to develop their business ideas into a roadmap for success. Taught by a successful woman entrepreneur, the program enables participants to get practical knowledge about what it takes to make it as a business owner while being exposed to subject-matter experts across a wide range of business topics. Participants will also go through a business planning process and will receive course certification upon successful completion of a business plan.

The fall installment of the biannual series begins Sept. 9 and continues on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:30 p.m. through Nov. 25. The cost, including textbooks, is $495.

To learn more, visit mc3.edu/academics, select Areas of Study, Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives, then Career Training Programs.

Learn About ‘Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business’ Series

by Alana J. Mauger

Montgomery County Community College will hold an open house for its popular “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” series on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The session will be held in Parkhouse Hall room 129 at MCCC’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. For information, call 215-641-6397.

The spring installment of the College’s “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” certificate program runs 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 18-May 6 at the College’s Central Campus. The cost, including the textbook, is $495.

The 12-week certificate program is designed to encourage women to develop their business ideas into a roadmap for success. Taught by a successful woman entrepreneur, the program enables participants to get practical knowledge about what it takes to make it as a business owner while being exposed to subject-matter experts across a wide range of business topics. Participants will also go through a business planning process and will receive course certification upon successful completion of a business plan.

To learn more, visit mc3.edu/academics, select Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives, then Career Training Programs.

‘The Female Entrepreneur’ Talks Business on Weekly Radio Show

by Diane VanDyke

Kimberle Levin in the Montco Radio studio. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

Serial entrepreneur Kimberle Levin thrives on the chaos of starting new businesses. With 10 companies under her belt, she has real-life knowledge to share.

Levin, who teaches Montgomery County Community College’s award-winning “Starting a Woman-Owned Business” program, has expanded her audience as host of a new show she created on Montco Radio, the College’s student-run Internet radio station.

“The Female Entrepreneur,” which airs on Mondays from 10-11 a.m. ET, offers straight-up advice to women hoping to launch or grow their own businesses. Tune in live at http://www.mc3.edu by clicking on the green microphone in the lower right corner of the page. Listen live

“Every week, I chat with women who have started companies, sold them or shut them down. We talk about the entire journey of  the good, the bad and the very ugly!” exclaims Levin, 49, who has a guest bookings lined up 120 days in advance. Listeners are encouraged to tweet questions during the show @KimberleLevin.

While some of Levin’s guests come from farther afield, others are closer to home, including MCCC students who have started their own businesses.

“It’s a terrific marketing opportunity for these female entrepreneurs,” says the Pennsauken, N.J. native.

Despite changes in U.S. society, she comments, women still have a very different journey from men when they decide to go into business. Almost all women are engaged in multitasking in their everyday lives. Starting a business adds complexity that is sometimes difficult to handle since it interrupts the family routine.

“Starting a business is not easy or everyone would be doing it,” Levin says of starting a company. “But men, if they have a support system at home — it can be easier for them. The balance of roles is different.”  Women have dreams, too.” she adds.

In her MCCC class, she finds that women often have multiple ideas for businesses that they need to winnow down to a single solid one. They also should examine whether their idea passes Levin’s test of “will the dogs eat it?”

“If the dogs are willing to eat it, what are they willing to pay for it? If they’re willing to pay for it, will they come back for more? If they come back for more, will they tell all their friends about it?  This is a simple test of can an idea become a business,” she adds.

In mulling this, some would-be entrepreneurs may find that launching one’s own company is “just not for them,” as Levin says.

Fortunately, though, that did not hold true for her. A former secretary, over the past 25 years, Levin has founded several companies, and is identified in the business world as “a serial entrepreneur.”

“I’m not afraid to jump in and launch a new venture. In my mind, it’s going to work,” she says, adding that if she can visualize a business, she can make a company out of it. Of the 10 companies she has started, only two had to be put back on the shelf.

JVC Technologies, Telcom Assistance Center, KizTri3, Teknuko and The Kimberle Levin Companies are just a few of her launchings. Today she consults and mentors entrepreneurs and business leaders across the company.

“When you’ve sat in the chair of an entrepreneur and know what they’re feeling because you’ve been there, the trust between you becomes instant,” Levin states.

Once a kid who wanted to help others by giving away her toys, Levin hopes to aid women in navigating the entrepreneurial life with its highest of highs and lowest of lows.

“I have worked in a man’s world my entire professional career and have wanted to do something for women entrepreneurs to ensure they knew the real deal to become successful,” she says. “My advice is straight-up — real world.  It’s not that difficult if you put on the uniform and show up to play the game to win.  I’m very open and honest about it.”

Learn About ‘Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business’ Program at Open House, Seminar

by Diane VanDyke

Montgomery County Community College will host an open house for its popular “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” series on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in room 129, Parkhouse Hall, Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. For information, call 215-641-6397.

The spring installment of the “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” certificate program will be held on Tuesdays from Feb. 19 to May 7 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the College’s Central Campus. The cost, including the textbook, is $495.

The 12-week certificate program is designed to encourage women to develop their business ideas into a roadmap for success. Taught by a successful woman entrepreneur, the program enables participants to get practical knowledge about what it takes to make it as a business owner while being exposed to subject-matter experts across a wide range of business topics. Participants will also go through a business planning process and will receive course certification upon successful completion of a business plan.

For women who are uncertain about whether or not they are ready to become entrepreneurs, the College will offer a seminar on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Central Campus. The seminar, which costs $49, will help participants explore their creativity while providing advice on moving their business ideas through the process of successful business ownership.

For more information about programs offered through the College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education division, visit www.mc3.edu/continuingeducation.

Popular ‘Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business’ Program Resumes this Fall

by Diane VanDyke

Montgomery County Community College will host an open house for its popular “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” series on Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in room 129, Parkhouse Hall, Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. For information, call 215-641-6397.

The fall installment of the “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” certificate program will be held on Tuesdays from Sept. 18-Dec. 4 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the College’s Central Campus. The cost of the program is $495, which includes tuition and textbook.

The 12-week certificate program is designed to encourage women to develop their business ideas into a roadmap for success. Taught by a successful woman entrepreneur, the program enables participants to get practical knowledge about what it takes to make it as a business owner while being exposed to subject-matter experts across a wide range of business topics. Participants will also go through a business planning process and will receive course certification upon successful completion of a business plan.

For women who are uncertain about whether or not they are ready to become entrepreneurs, the College will offer a seminar on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Central Campus. The seminar, which costs $49, will help participants explore their creativity while providing advice on moving their business ideas through the process of successful business ownership.

For more information about programs offered through the College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education division, visit www.mc3.edu/continuingeducation.

Register Now for Annual Leading Women Symposium & Golf Experience

by Diane VanDyke

Montgomery County Community College will celebrate women’s leadership in the workplace with its annual Leading Women Symposium and Golf Experience on Thursday, June 7, at the Blue Bell Country Club, starting at 9:30 a.m.

The event highlights women’s leadership in the workplace and provides a unique networking opportunity for participants. Proceeds from this annual event benefit the College’s Foundation in its support of the College’s scholarship, career and leadership development programs for women.

Following registration at 9:30 a.m., the brunch symposium starts at 10 a.m. Golf, in an 18-hole team scramble/best ball format, begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by an après reception and awards at 4 p.m.

In addition to the scramble, a Learner’s Program is available for those who are new to golf.  Pros will assist you as you learn golfing skills going through multiple learning stations. Golf equipment will be provided.

Regina Lowrie

The symposium’s keynote speaker is Regina Lowrie, President of Vision Mortgage Capital, a Division of Continental Bank.

Ms. Lowrie has more than 30 years of mortgage banking and real estate financial experience. She currently serves as chair of MBA Executive Reverse Mortgage Lending Task Force and the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley Board of Directors. She served as chair of the national Mortgage Bankers Association in 2006—the first woman to do so in the organization’s 94-year history. She also serves as treasurer of the College’s Board of Trustees and is a Foundation Board member.

Trudy Mann

This year’s Leading Women’s 2012 Award Honoree is Gertrude (Trudy) Mann. Ms. Mann was first elected as secretary of the College’s Board of Trustees in 2011. She previously held the position of assistant secretary 2002-10, and she has served as the past chair of the Foundation’s annual Scholarship Scramble golf event. Ms. Mann was formerly the chairperson of the Board and human resources representative for PM Fasteners Inc. She is a member of the Ambler Kiwanis Club and is active in politics. She received her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University.

To register, visit www.mc3.edu/lw. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are still available. For information, contact Megan Sneeringer at 215-641-6535 or msneerin@mc3.edu. 

Popular ‘Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business’ Program Resumes this Spring

Montgomery County Community College will host an open house for its popular “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” series on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Central Campus in Blue Bell. For information, call 215-641-6397.

The spring installment of the “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business” certificate program will be held Tuesdays Feb. 21-May 8 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the College’s Central Campus. The cost of the program is $495, which includes tuition and textbook.

The 12-week certificate program is designed to encourage women to develop their business ideas into a roadmap for success. Taught by a successful woman entrepreneur, the program enables participants to get practical knowledge about what it takes to make it as a business owner while being exposed to subject-matter experts across a wide range of business topics. Participants will also go through a business planning process, and will receive course certification upon successful completion of a business plan.

For women who are uncertain about whether or not they are ready to become entrepreneurs, the College will offer a seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Central Campus. The seminar, which costs $49, will help participants explore their creativity while provide advice on moving their business ideas through the process of successful business ownership.

For more information about programs offered through the College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education division, visit www.mc3.edu/continuingeducation.