PCC Center Offers 'On the Job' Business Education

Portland Community College's Small Business Center is a community-based resource offering everything from classes to useful marketing tips.
Based at the Lloyd Center Mall in Northeast Portland, the center is part of a statewide network funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.
The center staffs a contractor training program and this fall has scheduled specialized classes serving entrepreneurs.
The Small Business Management I program starts Oct. 6 and continues for 10 months at the Lloyd Center office. Class time is 6:30-9:30 p.m. The program is designed for small business owners who have been in business at least one full year.
The program is designed to help small business owners build systems and structure to move their businesses to the next level; work with the elements of marketing, planning, financial management, and profitability; and create satisfied, repeat customers and increase the return on their investment.
Participants attend monthly three-hour workshops on key business topics that enhance their entrepreneurial skills. In addition, each entrepreneur receives two hours of consultation, specific to their needs and interests.
To apply, call Jackie Babicky-Peterson directly at 503-978-5093.
For those interested in Internet-based marketing and business growth, the E-Commerce Series provides a well-rounded beginning.
The E-Commerce Series covers planning, building and growing a web-based business. Students in this series of courses learn how to set up a business, how to promote its location, and how to manage inventory and assets. 
The first course, "E-business 101," provides a foundation for making informed decisions before launching a web-based business. The second course, "Building an E-business," focuses on creating a blueprint for a web-based storefront or product oriented website.  The third course, "Growing your E- Business," introduces ways to expand market share, and evaluate Web 2.0 capabilities for any business. 
Enroll in individual courses for $150 per course, or the entire series at $375. Two-hour individual advising sessions are available for each participant who signs up for the series.
The PCC Small Business Development Center is at 2025 Lloyd Center Mall, Portland, OR 97232, 503-978-5080, fax: 503-288-1366, yjohnson@pcc.edu.