WRN Montco Blog

Want to start your own business? We’re here to help.

Montgomery County Community College opened a brand-new Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (CES) in this spring of 2010. The CES offers a number of business support services.
• Workshops
• Counseling
• Mentoring,
• Business Classes
• Woman Owned Business Program
• Entrepreneurial Certificate Program,
• Business Incubator

Introducing the Incubator
A central feature of the CES is a Business Incubator with ten office suites that will be leased to aspiring entrepreneurs at a nominal fee. The Incubator provides a core group of new entrepreneurs with access to all the nurturing advice and counsel to help make their business a success. In addition to the comfortable modern office suite with a locking door, phone and internet access, lessees will have use of a conference space and a front door reception area. All the services provided by the CES will be available to the incubator tenants, as well as to any student at the College.

There are many benefits for new firms to use a business incubator. According to the National Business Incubation Association, “Business incubation accelerates the successful development of start-up and fledgling companies by providing entrepreneurs with an array of targeted resources and services.” While only 31% of start-ups survive after seven years, the percentage increases to 87% for those start-ups that go through an incubation process, according to the Small Business Administration. The business incubator, combined with the additional support services offered through the CES, offer prospective entrepreneurs a strong foundation to launch a new business. This combination of academic certification, mentoring, workshops and business incubation is unique in Montgomery County.

To be eligible for incubator occupancy, you will need to provide a business plan (along with other documentation including but not limited to financial information). To get started, you should contact the CES Director, Ayisha Sereni, via email at CES@MC3.edu or phone at 215-641-6684 to discuss your business, and to determine if you are an eligible candidate.

The Entrepreneurial Certificate Program
This certificate is designed to prepare students to launch and/or grow a successful business, small or large, profit or nonprofit. Linking theory and practice, students will acquire the knowledge and skills that are essential to managing a viable business. Students may pursue this certificate with/or without participation in the incubator.

The certificate program consists of the following four two-credit, skilled-based courses.
- Entrepreneurial Essentials (ETP110) will enable students to evaluate the entrepreneurial venture for themselves, as well as assist them in launching their new business.
- Entrepreneurial Marketing (ETP111) will allow the student to gain insights essential for marketing an entrepreneurial venture utilizing innovative and financially responsible marketing strategies.
- Entrepreneurial Accounting (ETP112) will provide the student with an overview of business financial management.
- Entrepreneurial Business Plan (ETP113) will enable the student to prepare a professional, comprehensive business plan that will guide their business start-up and address capital funding.

All four courses will be offered each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) in accelerated seven-week terms to both credit students who will receive a Certificate in Entrepreneurship, and non-credit students who will receive a non-credit certificate of completion. Two courses will be offered in the first part of the semester, and two will be offered in the remaining half of the semester.

Although the Certificate in Entrepreneurship can be completed in one semester, it is recommended that a student with little or no background in business complete the certificate over two semesters at a non-accelerated pace.

For more information about obtaining an Entrepreneurial Certificate, contact CES Director, Ayisha Sereni, via email at CES@MC3.edu or phone at 215-641-6684

Non-Credit Programs
The Center provides a full range of non-credit business education courses for entrepreneurs at every stage of business growth. These classes include Marketing your Own Business, Business Development Strategies, Introduction to Green Entrepreneurship, Launch Your Small Business Unsing Online Technology Tools, Quickbooks, How to Open an Internet Store, Business Writing Essentials, Creating your Own Website.

The CES houses our very successful Women-Owned Business series by women and for women. The program offers the following options:
One evening seminar — Are you Ready to be an Entrepreneur?
12 session certificate — Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business Certificate
To register for non-credit business classes, register online at https://webadvisor.mc3.edu or by phone at 215-641-6397 or 610-718-1861

Montgomery County Community College has two conveniently located campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, with additional learning locations in Willow Grove, Conshohocken and Norristown. The College boasts a nationally recognized, award-winning faculty committed to working closely together with students in the learning process. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes 85 associate degree/certificate programs in 59 areas of study, including eight complete degrees offered entirely online, and specialized workforce development and continuing education programs, all of which leverage the College’s nationally ranked use of innovative technology.