A publication from the City of Cedartown ©2014Public Information Office

201 E. AvenueCedartown, Georgia 30125

www.cedartowngeorgia.gov

CEDARTOWN BIZ BUILDER COMMITTEE MEMBERSBRITT MADDEN, JR.: LEAD ORGANIZER, MADDEN CONSULTING

BILL FANN: CEDARTOWN CITY MANAGERDALE TUCK: CEDARTOWN CITY COMMISSION CHAIR

TODD BUSSEY: BUSSEY’S FLORIST & GIFTSKATHY CARTER: UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA

MARDI JACKSON: GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGEJIM POWELL: GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE

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What is

?

The Renaissance workshop, held in the fall of 2013, aimed to spur new growth and excitement in Downtown Cedartown.

As part of that excitement, a group of volunteers formed with one goal in mind: providing new business owners and budding entrepreneurs with top-notch education to increase their chances of success in the local business market.

the mission:

[Through education of basic business concepts and the ability to provide experienced mentorship, the existing business community and local beginning-stage businesses will be provided with valuable insight and become more attractive to capital outlets.

[

The Cedartown Biz Builder program was born out of

the Downtown Renaissance Strategic Visioning and

Planning workshop.

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the need:

[Quite simply, education. The survival rate for small mom-and-pop shops are low; however, there are several local businesses in Cedartown that have stood the test of time and flourished. How do we position new start-ups to succeed in Cedartown? The answer is education.

[

80% of new businesses fail within the first year

(source: Bloomberg)

and here’s why they fail

their business idea is not viable

they do not have a solid business plan

failure to communicate

they don’t hustle;they do not takeownership

Cedartown Biz Builder’s goal is to educate and equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to avoid these pitfalls -- to fill a need in the local business community.

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The idea was transformed to action through a collaborative partnershipbetween the City of Cedartown& Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

In January of 2014, the City of Cedartown and Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, whereby GNTC agreed to provide 64 hours of college instructor-led training to students enrolled in the Cedartown Biz Builder program. Total cost to the City of Cedartown: approximately $10,000, which includes 12 paid scholarships for selected students.

How was

created?

An increase in educated business owners and entreprenuerswhich leads to ... an increase in the success rate of local businesses ... which leads to ... an increase in business activity in Downtown Cedartown ... which leads to ... an increase in “local shopping” in the City ... which leads to ... an increase in hometown pride ... which leads to ... increased marketability and tourism for Cedartown

the pay-off:

[ [

Who are

students?When the Cedartown Biz

Builder program debuted in the spring of 2014, dozens of individuals expressed interest in

becoming a student.The Cedartown Biz Builder program was kick started by a series of free workshops in March 2013. These workshops, facilitated by GNTC instructors, were open to any individual wishing to build up their current business or start a new one in Cedartown. From that, a strong base of potential students were identified for the 12 City-sponsored scholarships. These individuals were asked to complete an application. The Cedartown Biz Builder Committee reviewed applications, and from there, 12 students were selected.

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Students in the Cedartown Biz Builder program spend two nights per month in a classroom setting and one evening a month taking part in networking sessions.

study

What do

students?

Two nights each month, from May until October, students gather at City Hall for class -- and yes, it’s just like a real college class, complete with textbooks, instruction and even homework. An additional night of a networking session allow students to build relationships and resource contacts. Topics covered include:

• entrepreneurship • effective marketing • management •• customer service • small business management •

• business regs & compliance • leadership & motivation •In October, students finish the Cedartown Biz Builders program and complete their capstone project. A graduation celebration is held in November.

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Where do

?WE GOfromHERE

Our goal is to equip hometown entrepreneurs with the tools

needed to build their dream business on a solid foundation.As far as we’re concerned, the sky’s the limit with our students.

The ideas that have come from students in the Cedartown Biz Builder Class of 2014 are as varied and unique as they come. One woman dreams of opening a plus-size boutique on Main Street, another hopes to open an indoor soccer facility. One man has set his sights on operating a kid-and-family-friendly party center, another wishes to open a food truck. The Cedartown Biz Builder program began as a vision born from a grassroots, volunteer-led committee, and since then, has grown into a extensive and unique training resource. It is the hope of the Cedartown Biz Builder committee that our students will be ableto see their dreams turn into reality through participation in this program.

“Entrepreneurship is living a year of your life like most people won’t, so that

you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” -- Anonymous

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In their own words:

students

“This is a very good program. It forces you to think about options and obstacles you may have never considered.” - Demetrius Dulaney

“I really enjoy the class. The professors and mentors have motivated me to think outside the box.” - Donna Harris

“Whether you’re a seasoned business veteran, or are an interested person who has the desire to obtain the knowledge to become a business owner (but never had the opportunity), this is THE program to enroll in.” - Harold Gipson

“The support you receive from the professors and from your classmates in the Biz Builder program is amazing.” -Corey Guzman