The Next Steps....
If you've been approved by the Employment Security Department, it's time to get started. Below is your checklist to ensure you have completed each required component provided by WVC and the SBDC. It is important that you manage your own progress effectively so you can verify to the ESD that you have satisfactorily completed the program. If you do not, they can require you to pay back a portion or all of the unemployment benefits that you received from them during the date range that they have approved for your SEAP participation.
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Schedule an appointment and meet with a business advisor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) that serves your county. You must meet regularly with the advisor, complete the exercises that they recommend for you, and provide them with verification of your progress in the required courses below. They will work with you to determine a schedule for advising sessions that will work best for your journey to start a successful business and for the length of time you are approved for the SEAP program. You must adhere to that schedule to maintain satisfactory progress.
Share your work, progress reports, test results, and/or completion certificates from your required courses at each advising session. There are different documents available from each course, so you have a variety of choices.
Your SBDC advisor will complete the progress reports that the ESD requires every six weeks. Verification of your progress from the courses below must be provided to them so they can complete those reports, as is attending your advising sessions and completing the work requested. To find an advisor for your area:
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Chelan and Douglas Counties SBDC Office
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You have two choices for this requirement. Please select and complete one of the following:
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Choice A: Starting a Business / Writing a Business Plan
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You can complete the following two courses to satisfy the requirement for education on these topics. Some advantages to this option: Courses begin in the middle of each month and run for six weeks, providing 24 hours each of great content. One disadvantage: When the courses are completed, you no longer have access to the information for reference. If you choose this option, click on each of the links below to view the course content, select your start dates, and complete your payment for the courses. Depending on how much time you have before your SEAP program must be completed, you may take these courses one at a time or you may overlap them as needed; the choice is yours. Both courses must be completed and passed to maintain satisfactory progress in the SEAP program.
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Creating a Successful Business Plan
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Choice B: Starting a Business / Writing a Business Plan
Both of these topics can be covered through the StartUp Bootcamp program, which is fully accessible online and can be completed on your own schedule or with a small group and a facilitator. This course is highly recommended because you have long-term access to the content and are able to develop your business plan, print it out, and make modifications from right within the program. This is a significant advantage over the courses listed above. You can start this program any time if you wish to do this alone, or you can request information about the next start date for the group program (which includes a seasoned facilitator and guest experts from multiple industries - accounting, legal, and marketing, etc.) The facilitated version is typically offered in the Fall and in the early Spring.
If you would like to register for this course, please click here to email directly and request the registration link.
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The business plan must be completed and approved by the SBDC Advisor to maintain satisfactory progress in the SEAP program. They will work with you on this throughout your SEAP program participation.
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There are two different marketing options in the online course offerings, and you may choose which class fits your potential business model the best. (Only one is required, though you are always welcome to take both.) Click on each of the links below to view the course content, select your start date, and complete your payment once you have made your choice:
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Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
Marketing Your Business On the Internet
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One of these courses must be completed and passed to maintain satisfactory progress in the SEAP program.
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Your last required course is for managing one of the most important aspects of your business: The finances. Click on the link below to view the course content, select your start date, and complete your payment for the course:
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This course must be completed and passed to maintain satisfactory progress in the SEAP program.
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