SBDC invites local businesses to take charge with GrowthVenture^TM

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Aug. 4, 2008) - Beginning Monday, Sept. 8, the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College will offer FastTrac® GrowthVenture^TM during a series of full-day and half-day classes.

GrowthVenture^TM is a FastTrac® program that assists entrepreneurs in evaluating their current business framework and determines the changes needed to improve performance and grow the business.

"Participation will be limited to 12 people from companies of non-competitive industries," stated Ned Harper, Director of the Small Business Development Center and recently certified to present the FastTrac® GrowthVenture^TM program. "The classroom dynamic is more effective when participation is restricted both by numbers and by types of businesses. GrowthVenture^TM provides the means for entrepreneurs to work ON their businesses not just IN their businesses, and I'm excited to be able to offer this program at SBDC."

The primary objectives of the GrowthVenture^TM program are to help entrepreneurs effectively evaluate and improve their:

• Overall business strategy and vision for the future.
• Ability to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Changing role in managing the business.
• Focus and alignment of all aspects of the business.

The GrowthVenture^TM program is grounded in the proven, proprietary business-planning process used in FastTrac® programs. Through readings and research, activities and action steps, peer-to-peer interaction, coaching, and facilitated discussions, each participating entrepreneur will work on the key aspects of assessing where the business is now and exploring opportunities for sustainability and growth.

FastTrac® programs were 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 Kauffman Foundation became the major funder and supporter of FastTrac®  in 1993. Named after Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Kauffman Foundation mirror's his commitment to fostering both education and entrepreneurship. Kauffman grew his home-based pharmaceutical company with first year sales of $36,000 in 1950 to a globally diversified healthcare giant some forty-years later with sales of nearly $1 billion.

The first FastTrac® GrowthVenture^TM class will be held Monday, Sept. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program continues with half-day classes on Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13 and 20 and concludes on Monday, Oct. 27 with a full-day of instruction and critique. All classes will be held at Daytona State's Daytona Beach Campus in the Mori Hosseini Center (bldg. 1200) located at 1200 W. International Speedway Boulevard. Scholarships are available.

For additional information and to register call (386) 506-4723 or visit http://www.sbdc-dbc.com/.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Glyn Johnston, Public Information Officer - Marketing & Communications, (386) 506-4499, johnstg@DaytonaState.edu

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