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Learn how to start, grow, and manage your small business this January. Sandhills Community College Small Business Center is committed to helping small businesses grow by providing high-quality, readily accessible assistance and support to increase the success rate and number of viable small businesses throughout North Carolina. Experts in the field will guide students through starting, financing, planning, and marketing their small businesses. Unless otherwise noted, classes are free and will be held on the Pinehurst campus in Van Dusen Hall, room 102.

Small Business Development Series

"Business Tax Essentials" will teach you the basic requirements to help NC small business owners understand the laws and obligations necessary to be tax compliant. Learn about filing and administrative requirements. Learn the basics of NC sales and use tax law and withholding tax law. Review directions for completing sales tax and withholding returns and for filing and paying online. This class will be held on Wednesday, January 10, from 1-3 pm.

"Start Your Business" will teach you how to create actionable, relevant, and sustainable business practices. Discover resources to craft a business strategy that targets specific, measurable, and timely goals to attract investors, lenders, and customers and supports a profitable small business model. Two classes will be held on Thursday, January 11, from 2-4 pm at the Hoke Center or 6-8 pm on the Pinehurst Campus.

"Best Practices for Consumer & Market Research" will explore the many methods of measuring and understanding customer satisfaction and experience. Discover how to design reliable customer research, identify the tools and resources to design surveys, collect customer feedback, and apply the results of your customer research. This class will be held on Tuesday, January 16, from 6-8 pm.

"Bookkeeping Basics" is perfect for a new business owner who needs a refresher on accounting basics; this seminar is designed for you. You will gain a working knowledge of how to record small business financial transactions properly. Discover the three most important financial reports. Learn how to use these reports to make the best-informed business decisions. This class will be held on Wednesday, January 17, from 1-3 pm.

"Tax Deductions and Credits" will teach you the ins and outs of tax deductions and credits. Understanding these can significantly reduce your small business's tax liability. Learn about common deductions that can lower your taxable income. Discover available tax credits to reduce the amount you owe directly. This class will be held on Thursday, January 18, from 1-3 pm.

"Branding for Beginners: Stories that Stick" will explore what branding is and why it is so important. Learn the history of branding and how to understand and articulate a brand story. Brainstorm using chat-GPT or similar tools to help generate and refine brand narratives. This class will be held on Tuesday, January 23, from 6-8 pm.

"QuickBooks Online 101" is a two-part series. You will discover ways this popular online software can help small business owners save time, simplify bookkeeping, and avoid costly errors. You will learn how to set up accounts, track business income and expenses, and generate financial reports. Basic computer knowledge is required. This class will be held on Wednesday, January 24, from 1-3 pm. 

In "Business Structure and Registration," you will learn about the various types of business structures and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Discover how to register with the NC Secretary of State, the IRS, and the NC Department of Revenue. The class will be held on Thursday, January 25, from 2-4 pm.

"Introduction to Marketing" will provide an overview of small business marketing principles and applications. Develop a focused and effective marketing plan to help comprehend strategic marketing and consumer behavior. Identify how consumers think, act, and engage. This class will be held on Tuesday, January 30, from 6-8 pm.

"QuickBooks Online 102" is part two of this series; discover advanced topics on managing accounts receivable and accounts payable and how to reconcile small business bank accounts. This class will be held on Wednesday, January 31, from 1-3 pm.

The Small Business Center– Online Seminars

All classes in this section are held virtually on Thursdays, twice per day.

The "ABCs of Starting a Small Business on a Limited Budget" webinar includes the legal basics, tips for low-cost marketing, funding suggestions, and more. These are the ABCs of how to start a small business combined with winning strategies from low-cost startups. This webinar will be held on January 11 from 2-3 pm and 6:30-7:30 pm.

"Finding Your Customer and Creating a Marketing Plan" will teach you the four ways to describe your customer and sources to determine how many are in your market area. This program also features five ways to create a winning plan to target them. This webinar will be held on January 18 from 2-3 pm and 6:30-7:30 pm.

In "Dynamite Marketing on a Firecracker Budget," you will discover 50+ successful ways to market your business and easily reach customers. There has never been a time that it is as easy and economical to do great marketing! This webinar will be held on January 25 from 2-3 pm and 6:30-7:30 pm.

Registration

To register, go to sandhills.edu/wce/sbc.html. Email Megan Barnett at barnettm@sandhills.edu for more information, place your name on a waiting list for full webinars or sign up for email alerts. Check this website regularly:  for additional course offerings. Seminars may be added throughout the semester based on need and circumstances.

Spring Semester

Continuing Education classes begin throughout the semester. New and returning students do not need to apply to the College; simply register for classes. Spring semester curriculum classes begin January 8. For all information, go to www.sandhills.edu/learn.

New students taking curriculum/college credit classes must apply before registering. Sandhills has an open-door policy, which means all applicants are accepted. On www.sandhills.edu, new students can find the application at the top right. Returning or current students can register by using Self-Service located on 91Ó°ÊÓ. 

Boys & Girls Club

A Boys & Girls Club unit is offered on the Sandhills campus. It runs from 2:30 to 6:30 pm for kindergarten through fifth grade. The club is ideal for parents/guardians taking SCC afternoon or evening classes, those who need study time, need to utilize the computer lab, or work on projects. Club participants will receive homework assistance, and dinner is offered. The cost is $40 per child per year. The club provides transportation from McDeeds Creek, Farm Life, and Carthage Elementary schools.

In addition, drop-in services are available free of charge to Sandhills students from 6-9 pm. This is ideal for students taking afternoon or evening classes, working on group projects, or for other academic reasons. For more information or to register for the club or drop-in services, contact Edith-Ann Jackson at ejackson@sandhillsbgc.org or 910.638.6502.