Schenectady, NY- The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is proud to announce the commencement of our 75th “9-Week Business Planning Course”, set to take place in Schenectady this September.

The course, which began as the 8-Week Business Planning Course, has been a cornerstone of the Community Loan Fund’s mission for many years now. The course was designed to provide aspiring business owners with the essential skills and knowledge needed to launch and sustain successful enterprises. Participants in the course are able to learn about a variety of critical business topics including: marketing, website design and crafting the perfect “elevator pitch”.

Destiny Watkins, Director of Training & Technical Assistance, expressed her enthusiasm about the milestone and highlighted how far the course has come.

“Having started my career at the Loan Fund as an intern from the College of Saint Rose almost 10 years ago, I have had a front row view of the evolution of the 9-Week Business Planning Course. When I assumed the reigns of the Training and Technical Assistance Department, I wanted to utilize my experience of evaluating business plans and loan applications from my tenure as a lending officer to bring this course to new heights. With the help of my associate Rose Bordett and her knowledge of E-learning technical skills, we set out to extend the course to 9 weeks and add additional sessions to the course.”

“Now in 2024, we have made the course available online, and allowed more clients from outlying counties to access the platform thanks in part to our online software “Edupreneur”. This gives clients access to previously taught material as well as helpful templates such as our fillable business plans. For the last three years, the course has been sponsored by NBT Bank which allows low-income entrepreneurs scholarship assistance to take the class and have equitable access to this opportunity. I am honored to be leading our 75th business class and to serve a role in assisting so many local entrepreneurs with their small businesses over the years. The dedication of our local volunteers and subject matter experts is second to none. With their assistance, this class really is making a difference in the Capital Region.”

Linda MacFarlane, Executive Director of the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, reflected on the significance of this milestone. “Celebrating 75 editions of our business training course is a testament to our staff and volunteers who are committed to breaking down any and all entrepreneurial barriers in the Capital Region. We have witnessed countless success stories emerge from this program, and we are committed to continuing this legacy for years to come.”

The 9-Week Business Course will commence on Saturday, September 14th and run consecutively on Saturday mornings until November 16th. Signups are now live and available on our website by going to https://mycommunityloanfund.org/9-week-business-planning-course/.

To learn more about the upcoming course, as well as inquire about scholarship opportunities, please contact Rose Bordett at 518-436-8586 Ext. 809.

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