Entrepreneur Certificate Program (ECP)
Do you want to maximize your businesses sales and profitability? Position your business in a highly competitive market? If so, then the New Jersey Small Business Development Center Entrepreneur Certificate Program is for you.
The program, jointly sponsored by NJSBDC and New Jersey Community Colleges, covers business planning, legal aspects, human resource tools, market research techniques, comprehensive marketing strategies including advertising, sales, and promotions, financial management tools including record keeping and tax reporting, and more.
The statewide 33-hour certificate program comprises seven core courses – take all seven and receive a certificate.
Seven Core ECP Courses
Legal I – Start-up Specifics
This workshop provides basic knowledge of the laws affecting business. Business owners learn how to choose the appropriate business structure, assess business risks, provide adequate protection and establish proper record keeping and controls. .3 CEU
Instructor: Nicole L. Voigt, Attorney, Kilcommons Shanahan, LLC
CRN 13182 · SB005-01 · 1 session
Tue Oct 12 · 6:00-9:00pm
Course fee: $40 ($25 tuition, $15 reg)
Legal II – Contracts
The course provides the basic understanding of contract law, legal ownership of a business, stock, and partnership agreements. .3 CEU
Instructor: Nicole L. Voigt, Attorney, Kilcommons Shanahan, LLC
CRN 13183 · SB007-01 · 1 session
Tue Oct 26 · 6:00-9:00pm
Course fee: $40 ($25 tuition, $15 reg)
Marketing Strategies
Failure to define your target markets costs you money — and maybe your business. This program offers information about such topics as market research, strategic marketing decisions, advertising and sales, public relations, promotions, and networking. It provides an introduction to all phases of a marketing plan, beginning with extensive research and target market identification followed by the development and implementation of a marketing action plan. Learn how to define the markets where your services or products will be most successful, and how to implement creative, low cost guerrilla marketing strategies by investing time, energy, and imagination. Topics include resources for market research, profiles of horizontal and vertical markets, the role of strategic database technology, and the anatomy of the sales process. The program also offers an overview of a myriad of up-to-the-minute marketing tactics, including: networking, referrals, public relations, events, promotions, media resources, and advertising. .6 CEU
Instructor: Vicki Lynne Morgan, CMS, Russmor Marketing Group
CRN 13184 · SB004-01 · 2 sessions
Thurs Oct 14 & 21 · 6:00-9:00pm
Course fee: $99 ($84 tuition, $15 reg)
Small Business Taxes
Learn which type of entity is best for you to structure your company: as an LLC, Sole Proprietor, Partnership, S Corporation, or C Corporation. Receive information about tax responsibilities based on the entity you choose, including estimates taxes, sales tax, payroll taxes, and corporate taxes. In addition, the course covers tax deductions you are entitled to and would not want to miss. .3 CEU
Instructor: Dan Gibson, CPA, and Bonnie Trochim, CPA at Amper, Politziner & Mattia CPA’s
CRN 13185 · SB002-01 · 1 session
Wed Oct 20 · 6:00-9:00pm
Course fee: $40 ($25 TUITION, $15 REG)
Small Business Record-Keeping
Learn what records you need to keep, how to do your own bookkeeping, and how to use records as a management tool. Key topics include: manual and/or recommended software to use, inventory control, cash flow management, end of month summary procedures, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, cash disbursements, profit and loss controls, internal controls and back up needed for tax deductions. .3 CEU
Learn what records you need to keep, how to do your own bookkeeping, and how to use records as a management tool. Key topics include: manual and/or recommended software to use, inventory control, cash flow management, end of month summary procedures, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, cash disbursements, profit and loss controls, internal controls and back up needed for tax deductions. .3 CEU
Instructor: Deb Weyman, CPA at Amper, Politziner & Mattia CPA’s
CRN 13186 · SB006-01 · 1 session
Thu Oct 28 · 6:00-9:00pm
Course fee: $40 ($25 tuition, $15 reg)
Understanding Financial Statements
Learn to enhance and clarify your bottom line. Topics include spreadsheets, understanding revenue and expense, structure and relationships, meaningful forecasts and projections, break-even analysis, balance sheets, P&L, and cash flow. .3 CEU
Instructor: Deb Weyman, CPA at Amper, Politziner & Mattia CPA’s
CRN 13187 · SB003-01 · 1 session
Thu Nov 11 · 6:00-8:30pm
Course fee: $40 ($25 tuition, $15 reg)
The Business Plan
A sound business plan helps you manage your business more effectively and is a requirement for any business seeking financing. Using a business plan to chart your course improves your chances for success. This workshop covers all components of a business plan. .9 CEU
Instructor: Karen Katcher, Katcher Associates LLC
CRN 13188 · SB001-01 · 3 sessions
Tue Nov 2-16 · 6:00-9:00pm
Course fee: $120 ($105 tuition, $15 reg)
We’re here to help!
Fill out our Request for Counseling Form to schedule a free appointment with one of our business counselors.
Use our Business Course Registration Form to register for any of our small business classes.
If you have any questions, review our FAQs or contact our office at sbdc@raritanval.edu or 908-526-1200, ext. 8516.
