Applications being accepted for fall 2013 Help Me, Help You small business program

Tusculum College’s Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship (CEDE) is accepting applications for its “Help Me, Help You” small business program to be offered this fall.

The “Help Me Help You” certificate program (HMHU) is supported by the Greene County Partnership and will be open to 15 participants. The free program, designed to support small businesses, will consist of 10 sessions between Sept. 12 and Dec. 5 at the college’s main campus in Greeneville.

Fall semester spots are limited, and anyone wishing to sign up is encouraged to do so as soon as possible. The deadline is Sept. 6.

Interested business owners will be asked to provide their name, contact information, business name and a brief summary about themselves, their business and their product or service.

Through the 10-week program, sessions will focus on market definition, cost administration, pricing, marketing and sales strategies, body language in business, financing, legal issues, networking, and business presentations.

The program provides a huge opportunity for Tusculum students and local small-business owners to work and grow together both personally and professionally, thanks to community partners who have picked up expenses in order to allow the program to become established.

Each business person will become connected to a network of thousands of small businesses from all over the world, through HMHU’s global network.

HMHU was created by students who wanted to be a part of the change they wished to see in the world. With this, the young people who are a part of the HMHU course wish to aid small business owners in any way they can.

HMHU, operated by Tusculum College’s Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, is committed to helping participants increase profits, create a business plan, expand their network and improve practical and interpersonal skills through a variety of globally tested activities.

The program has the support of the Tusculum College administration, as well as the School of Business, the Center for Civic Advancement and the Office of Institutional Advancement. Because of community support, participants will not be charged a fee.

To commemorate the new year, the Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship will host an opening ceremony on Tusculum’s main campus on Aug. 29  at 7 p.m. to discuss the 2013-2014 goals and meet the individuals that comprise the CEDE.

Registration for this event is required.

Registration and information is available by calling 865-322-0583 or by e-mailing cede@tusculum.edu.

The CEDE, through its seven divisions and additional programs, aims at helping students, business owners, as well as individuals and family members in a number of areas related to entrepreneurship, small business development, and personal finance.

All the CEDE’s events and programs are free of charge to participants. Through the CEDE’s programs, individuals will be able to have access to experts in personal finance and attend events that aim at helping people realize the sources of their financial resources as well as what they are actually spending.  In addition, advice on how to improve this cycle and plan for the future will be provided in a personalized way.

Members of the Help Me Help You program last fall and spring celebrate their accomplishments at the graduation ceremony with their student mentors.